The Badger 1x12 Combo is a departure from traditional combo designs to focus utmost in reliability and sonic performance. The result is a great focused sound that is consistent no matter where you place it in the room or on the stage. With a traditional designer combo, it looks pretty and has an open back with the tubes hanging down, causing the heat to rise into the chassis. It sounds open but small and will sound different depending on where it is in the room and not very good when in the middle of an open stage.