4×12 Cabs @ Low Volumes – Sound any good?
Question:
Hello, all… I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. Any input is greatly appreciated!
Response:
> Hello, all… > I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out > occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. > My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living > room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared > to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. > Any input is greatly appreciated!
It depends what signal you put in it. I don’t see volume levels making much difference in whether speakers themselves sound good or not. Chris Chris
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello, all… >I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play > out >occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of > amps. >My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE > living >room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared >to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. >Any input is greatly appreciated! > It depends what signal you put in it. I don’t see volume levels making > much difference in whether speakers themselves sound good or not. > Chris > Chris
The biggest differences are how they project (4×12’s are more like a beam), and efficiency (with the same drivers, and other factors constant, a 4×12 will be louder than a 2×12, which will be louder than a 1×12). Sometimes lower efficiency is a good thing.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>Hello, all… >>I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play > out >>occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of > amps. >>My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE > living >>room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared >>to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. >>Any input is greatly appreciated! > It depends what signal you put in it. I don’t see volume levels making > much difference in whether speakers themselves sound good or not. > Chris > Chris > The biggest differences are how they project (4×12’s are more like a > beam), and efficiency (with the same drivers, and other factors > constant, a 4×12 will be louder than a 2×12, which will be louder than a > 1×12). Sometimes lower efficiency is a good thing.
Jim He didn’t ask the difference between a 4X12 and a 2X12 he asked how it would sound at low volumes. Chris
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>Hello, all… >>>I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play >>out >>>occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of >>amps. >>>My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE >>living >>>room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice > compared >>>to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. >>>Any input is greatly appreciated! >>It depends what signal you put in it. I don’t see volume levels > making >>much difference in whether speakers themselves sound good or not. >>Chris >>Chris >The biggest differences are how they project (4×12’s are more like a >beam), and efficiency (with the same drivers, and other factors >constant, a 4×12 will be louder than a 2×12, which will be louder > than a >1×12). Sometimes lower efficiency is a good thing. > Jim > He didn’t ask the difference between a 4X12 and a 2X12 he asked how it > would sound at low volumes. > Chris
Chris Did you miss my last comment? "Sometimes lower efficiency is a good thing." Do you know how that relates to volume? It means that you can get your amp to break up EARLIER. If you read my message again, you may see that I’m suggesting that a 4×12 may not be the best thing for low volume playing. …and that a 1×12 may be better than a 2×12. I *DID* comment on low volume, but I didn’t hit him over the head with it.
Response:
Hello, Just a gentle suggestion that your tone quest may or may not be satisfied with lower budget items. We all have to have some sort of spending limit – granted, but don’t initially rule stuff out because it costs a little more than what you think you can afford. I love the sound of British guitar amps like Marshalls, and, the sound of Celestion speakers. Jim Marshall himself said that one of the foundations to the "Marshall" sound is the use of Celestion speakers. Some guys will try to cheap out on a speaker cab, thinking the Marshall amp will supply the tone, and any speaker that is cheap will work for producing the sound. This is a pretty poor example, but it serves to illustrate how some guys shoot themselves in the foot right at the start. If you’re doing something at home, a 1 x 12 box with a quality speaker will work pretty well. The 4 x 12 cab is overkill at home. Unless you have deaf neighbors, you’ll never get to turn an amp up loud enough for the 4 x 12 cab to contribute much anyway. As Jim alluded to, a less efficient speaker that may have a lower threshhold before distortion might be your ticket, depending on what music you play and want to record. Mic placement and room acoustics will play a big part in how your stuff sounds as well. A good small amp with a good-sounding 8 inch speaker might surprise you in terms of how that records. Good luck to you in your music and tone quest. All the best. Walk in Beauty, Peace. Scott
> Hello, all… > I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out > occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. > My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living > room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared > to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. > Any input is greatly appreciated!
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Response:
> If you’re doing something at home, a 1 x 12 box with a quality speaker > will > work pretty well. The 4 x 12 cab is overkill at home. Unless you have > deaf > neighbors, you’ll never get to turn an amp up loud enough for the 4 x 12 > cab > to contribute much anyway.
I have a 2204 with 2 1×12 bottoms and they work real well in my living room. I can play at stereo volumes. But I can also rattle the china in the china cabinet if I want 
But I picked the Marshall 1912’s for the exact reason you said. I purposely did not try the cheap route. —
Response:
> Hello, all… > I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out > occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. > My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living > room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared > to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. > Any input is greatly appreciated!
The best thing about a 4×12 is the bass response… if that’s what you’re going for, then it should sound fine… unless it’s populated with cheesy speakers. What’s it loaded with? __ Steve .
Response:
> Hello, all… > I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out > occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. > My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living > room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared > to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. > Any input is greatly appreciated!
they actually do… i can’t play loud at home and i play at low volume at about 6-8 feet from it and the dispersion is so good that they can’t hear me at all upstairs.. of course, you can’t get that ‘pushed’ speaker to the limit sound, but that’s ok anyway get one with greenbacks.. they’re mighty fine georgio — Traynor guitar mate ‘72 yamaha SA with prs and gibson pickups
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, all… > I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out > occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. > My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living > room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared > to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. > Any input is greatly appreciated! >The best thing about a 4×12 is the bass response… if that’s >what you’re going for, then it should sound fine… unless it’s >populated with cheesy speakers. What’s it loaded with? >__ >Steve >.
Seems to me that I saw somewhere that they load the Behringer cabinets with Jensens. But I wouldn’t swear to that. If the speakers are halfway decent, it’ll make a better stage cabinet, than a studio cabinet IMO. A 4×12 cabinet will be the most compromised in a small room. For studio recordings in small rooms, you almost have to approach gear almost exact opposite of how you approach it on stage. Where if you want to sound big, you have a better chance of doing that with small amps, and speakers. Reason I bring that up, is because it sounds like the cabinet’s primary use will be at home, or in a studio, and *not* on stage. 4×12 cabinets are fun, but it’d probably be a better idea to buy gear for it’s primary use, and concentrate on getting good sounds on tape. Pete — I have a Guild of Calamitous Intent handbook in my glove compartment. –The Monarch
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, all… > I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out > occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. > My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living > room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared > to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. > Any input is greatly appreciated! >The best thing about a 4×12 is the bass response… if that’s >what you’re going for, then it should sound fine… unless it’s >populated with cheesy speakers. What’s it loaded with? >__ >Steve >.
Bugera labelled Jensens from what I have been told. The guy at the music store I most often deal with said they were the best bang for the money or even much more money. They do sell other brands and he still recommended the Behringer. He also allowed that the head for these bottoms sucked ass. — Bob Mann Before you critisize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you critisize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hello, all… >I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play out >occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of amps. >My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE living >room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice compared >to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. >Any input is greatly appreciated! > they actually do… i can’t play loud at home > and i play at low volume at about 6-8 feet from it > and the dispersion is so good that they can’t hear me > at all upstairs.. > of course, you can’t get that ‘pushed’ speaker > to the limit sound, but that’s ok anyway > get one with greenbacks.. they’re mighty fine
Greenbacks will break up earlier than many other speakers. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> georgio
Response:
I have a Marshall 4×12 cab with Celestion 75 watt speakers in it. It sounds terrific with my Marshall or my Fender played through it. It sounds terrific both loud and soft. It sounds much better than the little 1×12 cabinet I used to use. Definitely a step up, makes any good amplifier sound BETTER.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>>Hello, all… >>>>I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will play >>>out >>>>occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of >>>amps. >>>>My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE >>>living >>>>room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice > compared >>>>to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. >>>>Any input is greatly appreciated! >>>It depends what signal you put in it. I don’t see volume levels > making >>>much difference in whether speakers themselves sound good or not. >>>Chris >>>Chris >>The biggest differences are how they project (4×12’s are more like a >>beam), and efficiency (with the same drivers, and other factors >>constant, a 4×12 will be louder than a 2×12, which will be louder > than a >>1×12). Sometimes lower efficiency is a good thing. > Jim > He didn’t ask the difference between a 4X12 and a 2X12 he asked how it > would sound at low volumes. > Chris > Chris > Did you miss my last comment? "Sometimes lower efficiency is a good > thing." Do you know how that relates to volume? It means that you can > get your amp to break up EARLIER. > If you read my message again, you may see that I’m suggesting that a > 4×12 may not be the best thing for low volume playing. …and that a > 1×12 may be better than a 2×12. > I *DID* comment on low volume, but I didn’t hit him over the head
with it. Jim I don’t think any speaker will "break up" at bedroom volumes. Also speaker overdrive is not necessarily a desired thing. Chris
Response:
> I don’t think any speaker will "break up" at bedroom volumes. Also
I agree this is obvious. > speaker overdrive is not necessarily a desired thing.
Who said it was? Seems like you pulled that one out of your arse. —
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>>>>Hello, all… >>>>>I’m looking to get an amp for my small project studio. I will > play >>>>out >>>>>occasionally and have been looking at the Behringer 412 series of >>>>amps. >>>>>My question is: do these things sound OK at lower volumes… IE >>>>living >>>>>room type setups??? The price on these units is really nice >>compared >>>>>to a couple of 1×12 cabs or the like. >>>>>Any input is greatly appreciated! >>>>It depends what signal you put in it. I don’t see volume levels >>making >>>>much difference in whether speakers themselves sound good or not. >>>>Chris >>>>Chris >>>The biggest differences are how they project (4×12’s are more like > a >>>beam), and efficiency (with the same drivers, and other factors >>>constant, a 4×12 will be louder than a 2×12, which will be louder >>than a >>>1×12). Sometimes lower efficiency is a good thing. >>Jim >>He didn’t ask the difference between a 4X12 and a 2X12 he asked how > it >>would sound at low volumes. >>Chris >Chris >Did you miss my last comment? "Sometimes lower efficiency is a good >thing." Do you know how that relates to volume? It means that you > can >get your amp to break up EARLIER. >If you read my message again, you may see that I’m suggesting that a >4×12 may not be the best thing for low volume playing. …and that a >1×12 may be better than a 2×12. >I *DID* comment on low volume, but I didn’t hit him over the head > with it. > Jim > I don’t think any speaker will "break up" at bedroom volumes.
That all depends on how loud you want to play, I guess. I’ve said this many time, I don’t know if you caught it. I have an OLD Hiwatt/Fanes 4×12 that is significantly less efficient than my other cabs. Not a little quieter, seriously not as loud. It’s also warm sounding. It’ll distort way sooner (and in a nicer way) than my other cabs. Sensitivity IS a major factor. Now, he many not want to play loud enough to make a huge difference, but the right speaker will break up way sooner than an efficient speaker like a Vintage 30. Also > speaker overdrive is not necessarily a desired thing.
It is NOT speaker overdrive (NOT speaker distortion, NOT driving the speaker too hard or near it’s power rating). The fact that the speaker is LESS efficient means that your amp works harder. …which means EARLIER power tube distortion. You hear it at a significantly lower volume. …then, there are other tricks. Face it away; put a quilt over it; put it a foot away from a couch or a bed… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Chris
Response:
> > I don’t think any speaker will "break up" at bedroom volumes. Also > I agree this is obvious. > speaker overdrive is not necessarily a desired thing. > Who said it was? Seems like you pulled that one out of your arse. > —
Greenbacks will break up earlier than many other speakers. Who shit in your cornflakes? Chris
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>I don’t think any speaker will "break up" at bedroom volumes. Also >I agree this is obvious. >>speaker overdrive is not necessarily a desired thing. >Who said it was? Seems like you pulled that one out of your arse. >– > Greenbacks will break up earlier than many other speakers.
…and they’ll also blow earlier than many other speakers. If you like speaker distortion, they can sound quite good in a 4×12. I wouldn’t use a single cab with a 100W Marshall head, though. But a good match for a 50W.
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