A 2×10″ Speaker Cab May be Better Than a 2×12″

A 2×10″ Speaker Cab May be Better Than a 2×12″

I’ve always been a dedicated user of 12″ speakers, be it a 1×12, 2×12, or 4×12. Years ago I had a Musicman 210RD that was 100 watts with 2 10″speakers. It was loud but was lacking that full rounded sound and it didn’t project near as well as 12″ speakers would have. That was my last outing with 10’s until now. (with the exception of an Ampeg SVT with an 8×10 cab, but that’s a completely different animal so it doesn’t count here) . I stumbled across a 2×10 cab that sounds every bit as good as a 2×12. Better even. It’s a Panama Boca Series Oversized 2×10. Speakers are British Ceramic 10’s, and the cabinet is oversized with a floating baffle. The whole thing is made from “sustainable exotic tonewoods” (oh fuck, here we go again). So does any one of those details make it sound as good as it does? Is it all of them together? Don’t know, don’t care. All I know is it has great tone. Firm bottom end, punchy mids, and smooth highs. Slightly later breakup than V30’s and they never sound farty. Somebody put a lot of thought into these cabs that’s for sure. Aesthetically they nailed it. The cab is designed like Orange cabs with that wide picture frame style which I love.  The grill cover is made of perforated steel which allows the exotic wood baffle to show through. Overall build is solid and meticulous. It’s a 16 ohm cab with a jack for daisy chaining another cab if needed. I can’t find a single bad thing to say about this little beauty. I got this one on craigslist for $140 in “as new” condition. Amazon did sell them but they are no longer available from them except in the Panama Neodymium Road series which is a lot more money. However, you can get it direct from Panama Guitars by pre-order only. If you ever get the chance to try one you really should. I think you’ll be surprised. Oh and they also come in 1×10, 1×12, 2×12 etc. All in all this was an amazing find. As always ymmv.