Introduction
Every enclosed volume supports sound standing waves, or modes, where air pressure reinforces itself between parallel surfaces. In a guitar cabinet, these modes shape the low-mid and mid-frequency behaviour.
Peaks in the modal-response plot represent a frequency range where several modes overlap and the cavity becomes more acoustically “active.” Lower relative modal buildup — and a more even internal pressure distribution across the frequency range of interest — means a less coloured response from the cabinet.
When developing the Rawrawk Quasar, one of our goals was to design a guitar cabinet that sounds balanced and open, and that lets the speaker define the tone rather than the box.
To achieve this, we used wave-based geometrical acoustics to study how the internal geometry of the Quasar affected its acoustic modal behaviour. We also compared the Quasar to a few well-known 1×12" cabinets, and we are sharing the conclusions of that R&D here.
This analysis focuses purely on the geometry of the air cavity, with all walls assumed to be rigid. The purpose was not to rate brands, but to better understand how cabinet shape and size influence the internal sound field.
Methodology
We simulated the following four 1×12" cabinet designs:
| Cabinet | Internal Volume | Internal Dimensions (m) | Wall Thickness Assumed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawrawk Quasar | 47.6 L | 0.452 × 0.380 × 0.277 | 9 mm |
| Victory Sheriff 112 | 62.8 L | 0.574 × 0.454 × 0.264 | 18 mm |
| Orange PPC112 | 54.1 L | 0.514 × 0.414 × 0.254 | 18 mm |
| Mesa Boogie 1×12 Compact | 46.1 L | 0.440 × 0.364 × 0.288 | 18 mm |
All models were analysed using wave-based geometrical acoustics between 70 Hz – 2 kHz.
Axial, tangential, and oblique standing-wave modes were computed and plotted as a relative modal buildup — a measure of how strongly the air inside the cabinet tends to reinforce sound pressure at each frequency.
Modal response chart
The takeaway: Quasar spreads its internal resonances more evenly across the spectrum — fewer sharp peaks than competing 1×12 cabinets.
Swipe sideways to explore the full plot · Open full chart ↗
Interactive · toggle each cabinet to compare its internal modal distribution.
Results
Quasar
Among the cabinets tested, the Quasar's internal geometry gives one of the most even modal distributions — closely matched by the similarly sized Mesa, and more evenly spread than the two larger enclosures. Its first axial resonance occurs around 379 Hz, with further axial modes near 451 Hz and 619 Hz; tangential and oblique modes interleave between these, which is why the plot carries more detail than these three figures alone.
These frequencies are well spaced and free from modal coincidence, avoiding the low-mid buildup that often makes guitar cabinets sound “boxy.”
In practice, this gives a controlled internal pressure field that lets the loudspeaker's character come through rather than the box's.
Strategic internal bracing further disrupts standing-wave paths and increases panel rigidity, minimising unwanted colouration. Acoustically, this makes the Quasar the most evenly tuned of the designs examined — with a smooth modal response across the guitar’s critical range (100 Hz – 2 kHz).
Mesa Boogie 1×12 Compact
Very similar in size to the Quasar, with axial modes near 390 Hz, 470 Hz, and 600 Hz.
It has greater modal concentration between 1100–1500 Hz, giving it a touch more activity in the mid band and a lively, forward tone. While still well-behaved, it shows greater modal concentration overall compared with the Quasar’s smoother spread.
Orange PPC112
With its larger internal volume, the first resonance shifts to around 333 Hz, increasing modal density within the 300–500 Hz range.
This geometry leads to notable modal build-up at various frequencies, which can significantly colour the sound. Overall, the modal spacing is less uniform — the cabinet plays a clearer role in shaping the tone.
Victory Sheriff 112
The largest enclosure of the group, with the first mode near 299 Hz and several closely spaced modes below 400 Hz.
This design concentrates modal energy in the lower midrange and may be perceived as “boxy” with certain loudspeakers.
Summary and conclusion
Among the cabinets analysed, the Rawrawk Quasar stands out as the most balanced and acoustically refined design. Its modal structure is evenly distributed, avoiding the strong low-mid resonances found in many 1×12 enclosures.
Because of this, it behaves more like a controlled acoustic enclosure than a resonant box — ensuring that the speaker, not the cabinet, defines the sound.
Once the real loudspeaker and internal bracing are factored in, the Quasar’s advantages become even clearer:
- Bracing breaks up standing-wave paths even further.
- The speaker cone acts as a partially absorbing surface, reducing axial pressure peaks considerably.
Together, these effects should smooth the real-world modal field further still — supporting what the geometry set out to do: a relatively neutral, stage- and studio-friendly 1×12, balanced enough that the speaker you fit is what shapes the tone.
A note on preference
Acoustic neutrality does not automatically mean one cabinet will sound better to everyone. Personal preference and musical context remain the most important factors when choosing a cabinet.
The analysis simply provides a scientific reference, showing where modal concentrations occur and explaining why smaller enclosures can sometimes sound boxy.
Although it is difficult to perfectly calculate modal behaviour once the speaker and bracing are introduced, these simulations remain valid for comparing internal proportions and identifying where the first modal concentrations and potential issues arise.
Disclaimer
All data presented are approximate and based on independent acoustic simulations using wave-based geometrical acoustics. Dimensions for reference cabinets were derived from publicly available specifications. Rawrawk is not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned, and all trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. This analysis is provided purely for educational and design-transparency purposes.