Line 6 Spider Valve MKII... 212 or 112...both 40Watts, so which is better?

Question

Hoping someone with actual experience here could help out...

I'm trying to decide between two amps, the Line 6 Spider Valve MKII 112 (one 12" speaker) or the 212 (2 speakers).  Oddly both are listed as 40watts.

My question is not if you think these are good amps because everyone looks for something difference as a matter of preference. I know I want one of them based on numerous factors that I'm looking for (including budget)...but I don't have the ability to play them side by side to hear the difference myself.   But what would the sound difference be if there are 2 identical speakers splitting the power?  Each speaker would theoretically be driven less and seems like it'd be less punchy...or am I wrong?   Would it add stereo and more volume?  
There has to be a noticeable difference of some type or they wouldn't make them both and sell them both.

Piano Joe · Accepted Answer

I would go with the 112 because 1) the 212 isn't stereo anyway, and 2) the 112 is 15 lbs lighter. The only advantage I can imagine with the 212 is that if you stand close to your amp on stage you might hear more of the speakers' range, since one will be further off axis to you than the other. On the other hand, if you mic your amp on stage, having two speakers is not an advantage, and if stage volume is an issue, you don't necessarily want a wider spread. The ideal on stage is to mic your amp, put it through the sound system, and keep your amp volume as much to yourself as possible. Other players can get it through their monitors. (Actually, the ideal is to have the amp mic'd and off stage.)

It's possible the 2-speakers idea is simply for marketing. We'll never know until we hear them side-by-side.

http://line6.com/support/thread/63349

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Line 6 Spider Valve MKII... 212 or 112...both 40Watts, so which is better?

1 Answer