No matter how high-quality your electric bass guitar is, if it doesn’t have a good cabinet to amplify it, it will not sound the way you want it to. Simply put, the cabinet is a box that contains the speaker that amplifies the sound of your bass guitar. However simple, though, this device is capable of making or breaking the sound of your playing.
To help you find the right cabinet for your bass-playing needs, this buyer’s guide will go over five of the best such products on the market. In addition, it will provide useful information about bass cabinets in general. Hopefully, this information will help you choose the right product for your particular needs.
Best Bass Guitar Cabinet – Comparison Table
1. Fender Rumble 4×10 Cabinet v3 – Best High-Fidelity Bass Cabinet
Features
- Watts: 300
- Sensitivity: 90 db
- Warranty: No.
What’s Included: Revoiced cabinet, patented magnetic rumble head-attachment system.
Boasting a very decent size and a tough exterior, the Fender Rumble 4×10 Cabinet v3 Electric Bass Amplifier Cabinet surely looks the part of a heavy-duty device made for rock and roll. It’s not all about looks, however: This cabinet is remarkably powerful, producing a robust and full sound that most music enthusiasts will love.
An Advanced Design
Get Ready to Rumble
By all accounts, the Fender Rumble 4×10 Cabinet v3 Electric Bass Amplifier Cabinet has a smooth and stable sound that is very pleasant on the ears. When the time comes to rock and roll, however, this device is capable of stepping up to the plate. Using a patented magnetic head-attachment system, this bass guitar cabinet produces a natural distortion that can truly spice up its sound.
Room for Growth
Without a doubt, the Fender Rumble 4×10 Cabinet v3 Electric Bass Amplifier Cabinet sounds incredibly well on its own. If you are looking for higher levels of power, however, you can choose to upgrade the device with Eminence drivers and premium HF compression tweeters. These upgrades will round up the sound very nicely while also increasing the maximum volume and enhancing the overall clarity of the sound.
- Allows upgrades for a better sound.
- Includes patented magnetic head-attachment system.
- Dependable and reliable.
- Difficult to carry.
2. Orange Amplifiers OBC Series OBC410 600W – Best Heavy-Duty Bass Cabinet
Features
- Watts: 600.
- Sensitivity: 100 db.
- Warranty: No
What’s Included: Bass cabinet with four heavy-duty Eminence speakers.
Those who are looking for power and as accuracy in their sound would be remiss not to give this bass cabinet a look. Made of 13-ply high-density birch plywood of 18 millimeters, the Orange Amplifiers OBC Series OBC410 has a fantastic level of resonance. More than that, however, it produces a clear and faithful sound that’s incredibly satisfying to the human ear.
A Highly Focused Sound
Without a doubt, the Orange Amplifiers OBC Series OBC410 stands out due to the precision and cleanliness of its sound. Even though it isn’t the loudest or the most aggressive bass cabinet out there, this device is surely capable of producing forceful and satisfying sounds. Its Eminence APT80 horn is impressively responsive, and it includes a switchable frequency modifier that allows choosing between three different frequency outputs.
Built for a Life On the Road
A Classic Style
The Orange Amplifiers OBC Series OBC410 doesn’t only stand out due to the quality of its sound. Boasting the classic bold look of all Orange products, this device is sleek and stylish in a way that complements its auditive output. The cabinet’s basket weave vinyl, acoustically transparent grille cloth and signature “picture frame” edging are instantly recognizable.
- Stylish and sleek.
- Very portable.
- Resistant to motion and impact.
- Does not include carrying handle.
3. Seismic Audio 210 Bass Guitar Speaker Cabinet – Best 2×10 Portable Bass Cabinet
Features
- Watts: 200.
- Sensitivity: 98 db.
- Warranty: 1 year.
What’s Included: Bass cabinet with horn and volume control.
This product can be great for those who are looking for a small but powerful cabinet that’s well-suited for practice. Compact and lightweight, the Seismic Audio 210 Bass Guitar Speaker Cabinet can be carried easily. Despite its size, however, the device is capable of producing clean, robust sounds at a very decent volume level.
Dual Woofer Power
Functionality Above Everything
While it isn’t the biggest or the most stylish bass cabinet out there, the Seismic Audio 210 Bass Guitar Speaker Cabinet is certainly capable of doing its job. As long as the volume is right, the device can produce well-rounded, smooth and rich sounds with powerful low ends and bright medium or high ends. More than anything, this bass cabinet offers a balanced sound output that makes it very reliable.
Make a Chain
One of the best things about the Seismic Audio 210 Bass Guitar Speaker Cabinet is that it can be daisy-chained with other cabinets in order to produce a fuller, more enveloping sound. Without a doubt, this characteristic is great for live playing as well as practicing and recording. Thanks to its various input and output jacks, the device can be connected to three other cabinets at the same time.
- Can be daisy-chained for a fuller sound.
- Very portable.
- Very affordable.
- Low volume.
- Low impedance.
4. Peavey Headliner 210 2×10 Bass Amp Cabinet – Best Bass Cabinet For the Money
Features
- Watts: 800.
- Sensitivity: 92 db.
- Warranty: No.
What’s Included: Bass guitar cabinet with 10 ceramic magnet woofers.
If you know anything about bass cabinets, you know that Peavey is one of the most popular manufacturers of such devices in the world. Largely, this has to do with the high quality of its products and the amazing sound they produce. The Peavey Headliner 210 2×10 Bass Amp Cabinet is not an exception: With 800 watts of maximum power and two high-quality woofers, the device is capable of generating explosive sounds.
A New Design
Magnetic Power
The Peavey Headliner 210 2×10 Bass Amp Cabinet uses two 10-inch ferrite magnet woofers to produce its rich sound. Tightly and precisely wired, these woofers produce a stable, clean and well-rounded sound that boasts amazing precision. As a result of its accuracy, this device is can be a fantastic choice for recording as well as live playing. The tightness and bounciness of its low-end tones are truly amazing.
High-Quality Construction
The Peavey Headliner 210 2×10 Bass Amp Cabinet was designed to withstand intensive use without losing sound quality in the process. More than that, its tight and precise construction allows it to be moved around without its physical integrity being affected, making it a great choice for touring and putting up live shows. Rugged, tough and resistant to impact, this bass cabinet truly embodies the spirit of rock and roll.
- Rugged, tough and resistant to impact.
- Two high-quality magnetic woofers for an impactful sound.
- Rich low-end tones.
- Heavy.
- Somewhat pricey.
5. Eden USM-EX110-8-U EX Series – Best Small Bass Cabinet
Features
- Watts: 400.
- Sensitivity: 102 db.
- Warranty: No.
What’s Included: Bass cabinet with extended range speaker.
Compact and lightweight, the Eden USM-EX110-8-U EX Series Bass Cabinet can be easily mistaken for a practice device. That is until you actually hear the power and precision of its sound. Featuring an extended range speaker of the highest quality, this bass cabinet is capable of amplifying your bass playing in a faithful, satisfying way.
No-Nonsense Hardware
One of the first things you will notice about the Eden USM-EX110-8-U EX Series Bass Cabinet is its sturdiness. Featuring heavy-duty hardware and expert construction, the device is tough and rugged enough to withstand everything that you can throw at it.
Medium-Range Bliss
- Bright and clean mid-range tones.
- Portable.
- Heavy-duty construction.
- Low-end tones are not clean.
The Best Bass Cabinet – Buyer’s Guide
Things to Consider When Buying a Bass Cabinet
Before getting into the more technical details of a bass cabinet, there are certain essential aspects you should consider before choosing a particular model. Take the following into account:
Power
In order to reproduce low frequencies faithfully at high volumes, bass guitar amplifiers require a great deal of power. Take into account that most guitar amplifiers and cabinets will top out at around 100 or 150 watts of power. Meanwhile, it’s not rare to see a bass cabinet that reaches 500 to 1000 watts of power.
This is important because more power ensures a clean headroom. If you are talking about guitars, a certain amount of distortion can be pleasant if not outright desirable. When talking about a bass guitar, however, distortion is normally considered a problem. Using cabinets with high-wattage amplifiers, it is possible to get a crystal-clear tone even at high volumes.
Combo vs Stack
One of the first decisions you will have to make when looking at bass cabinets is whether to get a combo or a stack amp. Combo devices put together the amplifier chassis and the speaker in a single cabinet. As you can imagine, this is convenient due to its practicality and ease of use. However, those who are looking for flexibility and customization capabilities can see this as limiting. If this is the case with you, consider getting a bass amp stack device that allows changing speakers and connecting different devices to create a fuller, more complete sound.
Tube vs Solid-State vs Hybrid Cabinets
Another important choice that you will have to make right away is whether you want a tube or a solid-state cabinet. The main difference between these types of cabinets is the quality of the sound. Even though they are heavier, pricier and tend to get hotter than solid-state amps, tube amps are well-liked due to the warmth of their tone.
There are other important differences, though: Going into overdrive with a tube amp tends to result in more pleasant tones with less distortion and a more rounded low end. On the other hand, solid-state cabinets are more affordable, and they require less maintenance than their counterpart. However, when facing distortion, this type of cabinet tends to produce dirtier, less well-defined sounds.
What to Look For in a Bass Cabinet
There are certain characteristics of a bass cabinet that are essential to its performance. The next time you are in the market for one, consider the following aspects:
Tone Controls
Most bass cabinets worth the name offer control over aspects like sound frequencies. Some of them even include parametric equalizers that help adjust and modify their frequency bands in detail, resulting in finer, more nuanced tone shaping. As a matter of fact, some of these devices even have a “brightness” switch that can be activated to add clarity to the sound of your playing. Even more than that, some cabinets include presets that can help configure and adjust their sound.
Channels
Most bass and guitar cabinets have at least two channels. If they are two, they are typically labeled as “clean” and “overdrive”. If you are looking for variety and versatility in your sound, having multiple channels can be of great help. Some cabinets even have independent control tones for each channel, allowing you to switch between very different sounds right in the middle of a performance without losing a beat. Normally, it is cabinets that include more than one speaker that offer the possibility of switching between channels.
Gain Control
The gain of a bass cabinet allows you to control the level of overdrive that is applied to the preamp stage. Too little gain can result in a flat, lifeless sound. However, too much gain can introduce excessive levels of distortion into the mix. Without a doubt, the gain control is essential for finding that sweet spot between cleanliness and distortion in your sound.
Resonance and Damping Controls
Resonance and damping controls allow you to fine-tune the cabinet’s output sound in relation to different factors such as speaker size. When used correctly, these controls can help adjust the sound to produce a more focused, tighter sound that is appropriate for the nature of the performance.
Direct Output
If you are planning on playing live or recording your music, a direct output in your bass cabinet can be of great importance. This feature allows you to get a direct feed of the device’s output before it passes through its speakers. Some cabinets include a pre EQ option that allows a direct adjustment of the output levels.
Impedance
An impedance switch typically allows you to switch between 4oHm or 8oHM. Depending on the situation, this act can help adapt the output of the cabinet depending on its power requirements.
Speaker Jacks
Different cables have different jack types. For that reason, having a bass cabinet with multiple speaker jacks can be a true blessing. Of course, the key is to make sure said speaker jacks are compatible with the type of cables you tend to use.
Footswitch Jack
Most of the time, playing the bass guitar requires using both hands simultaneously. For that reason, some bass cabinets include a jack that allows connecting a footswitch. Said footswitch can help you change sounds mid-performance without missing a single beat.
Built-In Tuner
Even though it’s nothing close to a necessity, a built-in tuner in your bass cabinet can be incredibly convenient.
Bass Cabinet Specifications
When you are out looking for a bass cabinet to buy, you will come across many different specifications. The most important ones are:
Frequency Response
Frequency response is an important term that refers to the range of frequencies that the amplifier can produce. For context, know that the human hearing normally ranges from 20Hz to 20,000Hz. In the particular case of a bass cabinet, though, the frequencies that matter the most are the lowest ones. Typically, bass cabinets range from about 30Hz to 20kHz. However, bass cabinets that go as low as 40Hz.
Sensitivity
When talking about the amplification of sounds, sensitivity is a measure of output. Normally, it is referred to as SPL or Sound Pressure Level. Simply put, sensitivity is the volume that is captured when a 1kHz test tone is played with one watt of power from one meter away. Overall, this term refers to the loudness of the cabinet speaker.
Power Handling
Power handling refers to the amount of power that a cabinet can take before it becomes damaged or unusable. Normally, the higher the power handling capabilities of a bass cabinet, the louder it will be. For that reason, it’s important to ensure that the amount of power feeding the cabinet is enough to keep it running without damage. However, if the power is too much for the cabinet’s capacities, it is likely to cause damage to its electrical components.
In Conclusion
After going through all the characteristics of these five cabinets, it’s possible to say with utmost confidence that they are all great products worth looking into. Expertly constructed using materials of the highest quality, each of these devices can help you get a powerful, rich and well-rounded sound out of your electric bass guitar. Now, it’s up to you to choose the right one for your particular needs. Hopefully, the information provided in this buyer’s guide will help with that.
