Is mixing 'n matching cabs a bad idea ?

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Posted by pieter [ 212.204.129.59 ] on January 13, 2006 at 05:19:14:

Hope this is the right forum, I'm looking for some open minded speaker and cab geeks.....

I'm looking for a 2nd cab for my bassguitar playing. My first cab is a 1x12 + tweeter. As a whole, that cab is full range. It is 8 ohms.

I'm looking for a second 8 ohm cab.

Some guys buy (or build) an identical cab, so that they have two 1x12 cabs. The second cab can be without a tweeter. They say: the two cabs must be identical, otherways the lows will never be tight.

Other guys like to add a 10". So, they have a 1x12 + 1x10. Or even a 1x12 + a 2x10. Or, they add a different 1x12 (so, they use two different 12" drivers). Usually, no cross overs are used between the cabs, so both cabs run full range.

These guys say: the second cab should be different, to compensate for the weak points of the first cab. For instance, if the first cab has a strong bass but shy mids, they like to add a cab with a lean bass and strong mids.

My question: who is right? Must the cabs be identical, to prevent "mud", or can the cabs be different, so that they complement each other ?

Second (related) question: if one uses different cabs with overlapping frequencies, MUST one use a crossover? Why? What cross over?

Thanks in advance,

Pieter



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