Mesa Recto Vertical 2x12 vs Horizontal 2x12

[zeeman]

I was wondering if anyone has had a chance to compare these side by side? If so, what are you thoughts/opinions?

I really like the look of the vertical but I tried one once and to me it sounded somewhat compressed and small.

I do like the sound of the Horizontal (big and fat) so no complaints there.

My plan is to buy a pair of 2x12's for a WDW system and I wonder if I should give the vertical 2x12 another shot since I have only tried it once.

Thanks in advance.

zeeman

PS: Pics are below for anyone that is curious.

Vertical

Horizontal

 

[ryjan]

The vertical sounds "smaller" because you are getting more trebble respose due to having a speaker actually aimed highr than your ankles. I a/b them (with castors off of both) and stood 15 feet away and didnt notice much of a difference. I ended up getting the vertical so I didn't have to sit on the floor to tweak my head. Get whatever sounds best to you.

 

[zeeman]

The vertical sounds "smaller" because you are getting more trebble respose due to having a speaker actually aimed highr than your ankles. I a/b them (with castors off of both) and stood 15 feet away and didnt notice much of a difference. I ended up getting the vertical so I didn't have to sit on the floor to tweak my head. Get whatever sounds best to you.

Thanks for the reply.

I should have added that when playing through a horizontal 2x12, I will put it on its side so it is "vertical".

You say that you did not notice much of a difference when standing 15 feet away - can you comment further?

Thanks again.

zeeman

 

[ryjan]

Yeah, the main difference is projection. The vertical is in a larger cabinet so in theory it should be bassier and boomy but you also recieve more high mids and trebble directly. The horizontal is more directional due to the straight baffle thus sending it's higher frequencies straight out shin high. The bass frequency tends to spread out further so the horizontal cab seems bassier (at least close up) due simply to the lack of dispersion of the higher frequencies. The further back you stand from either cab, the more completely you hear the full frequency range from each of them.
Do an experiment. Plug into either cab, use a cable at least 20', stand right in front of it and play. I mean where your knees are an inch from the grill cloth. Then stand 10' in front of it (facing the cab the whole time by the way) and play. Now stay 10' away and move diagonally so thet you're 45° to the front of the cab and play. And last, sit on the floor as far away as the cord will let you get and play. Projection makes a HUGE difference.
So it rides mainly on how you will be playing. With buddies in you basement, recording only, at a small bar with no pa, or at a big club miked up.

 

[zeeman]

ryjan,

Thanks again for the reply. Unfortunately, I do not have the ability to try them side by side so I am having to go on comments/experiences such as yours, and hopefully others, before I place my order.

Thanks.

zeeman

 

[screamingdaisy]

If the vertacle you tried was brand new/hardly used the speaker was likely not broken in. New speakers tend to sound stiff and shrill until they get some play time on them. After around 10 to 40 hours of playing (depends on speaker and volume) the speaker will loosen up and start to sound thicker and smoother.

 

[erectifier]

save some money and build this http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/XFCabs.html like i did. Very fun and rewarding project and i got a cab that sounds better than anything on the retail market for less than half the price!

 

[Mark Fore]

I own both types of those 2x12 cabs. Hands down, the vertical 2x12 destroys the horizontal. No contest.

 

[zeeman]

save some money and build this http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/XFCabs.html like i did. Very fun and rewarding project and i got a cab that sounds better than anything on the retail market for less than half the price!

erectifier,

Thanks, but I do not have the time nor skill to build something like that.

I own both types of those 2x12 cabs. Hands down, the vertical 2x12 destroys the horizontal. No contest.

Mark,

Now that is what I wanted to here!!!

Thanks for your input.

 

[Basementhack]

I was going to order a vertical 212 cab today with Orange Bronco tolex and tan jute grill.

Mesa dealer said it was $230 extra for Custom options :shock:

ok...Orange Bronco tolex is same price to buy as Mesa Taurus tolex and grill cloth is the same price a black jute from http://www.vibroworld.com....so, $230 extra for that...I don't think so

Keith

 

[siggy14]

You have to remember, Mesa buys from a supplier and gets discounted price on the black since they buy in bulk, however the other colors are custom ordered so they do pay more for them, 240 more, no, however cabs are mass produced, you get a different color one and they have to create it there on the spot, that is what you are paying for. However I think 240 is a little high, maybe an extra 100 dollars.

I was going to order a vertical 212 cab today with Orange Bronco tolex and tan jute grill.

Mesa dealer said it was $230 extra for Custom options :shock:

ok...Orange Bronco tolex is same price to buy as Mesa Taurus tolex and grill cloth is the same price a black jute from http://www.vibroworld.com....so, $230 extra for that...I don't think so

Keith

 

[bartchamdoh]

I had a vertical half back and the horizontal both with v-30,s and thought the horizontal was better, the horizontal can be to bassy unless it,s raised up off the floor(with casters or on table etc).I,ve just bought a vertical half back with an EV and a black shadow and that,s my new number one gigging work horse.I also have a vertical 2x12 Engl cab and that,s great too...but heavy as f**k so get casters on like on mine lol.