Acme cabinets?
 

Do any of you own an Acme cab? I always think; if these are so great & superior, how come all of us (including the pro's) play through them?

Any feedback/input appreciated.

Why not use the Search function ? There are plenty of threads on Acme cabs.

Not everyone wants/needs the super extended low end of these cabs. There is also a price to pay for that low end, and that is sensitivity. If you look at the 410 it has a sensitivity of 96 db/w/m and a power handling of 700 watts. I could be just as loud with a much smaller cab if I wasnt trying to push those sub lows. On top of that, each cab will have its on tonal quirks that may, or may not work for everyone.

You are on the high end hunt today with your posts in Acme and Glockenklang:D

First, 'pro's using them' etc. has little to do with anything. These type of products are small volume, low distribution products that have very low awareness among the general bass playing public. So, zero correlation IMO between 'seeing these brands in videos or concert stages' and 'quality or tone'.

That being said, the Acme's are among the most unique sounding cabs out there. Extremely low bass extension (which is why the original cabs were called 'Low B' cabs), which results in very low efficiency (i.e., not loud per watt, and given the voicing it takes quite a lot of drivers to get to the equivalent volume of more traditionally voiced cabs).

Nice stuff, but takes some knowledge to really make them work IMO (i.e., the balance between using enough power to get them wumping versus blowing them up is a fine line, and many feel that an external hi pass is needed to control that big low in in some contexts).

Andy Lewis (Acme) has recently come out with Neo 112 cabs that sound very nice and have that big low end in a more lightweight package, and also a bit more midrange response.

Nice boxes, but some homework is needed to make sure they will work for what you are trying to do.

I gigged a B210 stack for a while back in the day, and recently gave the Neo112Fullrange model a try. The trade-off in efficiency and 'punch' versus that big low end was not a positive one for me personally, so I gig other cabs at this point. Beautifully made and designed boxes though if the voicing and performance fits your goals.

IMO.

Excellent feedback. Thank you. If I ever happen to be int he presence of an Acme cabinet, I'll see if I can't take it on a test run.

Is there something in the air today? Are you the same guy who posted the "How Come We're Not All Playing Carvin Basses?" thread?

I own/gig an Acme Low B (2 10" drivers, 1 5" mid driver, 1 tweeter), the older Series 1 model. It's really a great cab, but for me, it's right for some musical styles, less so for others.

For jazz, R&B, or standards, the cabinet really works. It has a big round tone that's really remarkable for such a small box.

However, for higher volume rock or pop, the cabinet lacks the mid range punch and presence that many other cabinets have. But the right amp/EQ can compensate for this, to a degree.

Also, as mentioned, it's a somewhat inefficient cab, so you need some watts to get the best tone and volume out of it.

Given all of the above, for it's size, weight, and cost, it's really a great cabinet and well worth checking out. Of course, this is my experience/opinions, your mileage may vary. ;)

Maybe he's looking for someone like moi! :)

I gig with a pair of the 2x10 B2 Series Is, I own a second pair of Series IIs and I play Carvin basses. ;)

Ken Jung nailed it in his post. That said, I have yet to run into a situation where a pair, in a vertical stack, doesn't fit the bill.

This was a game changer for me...

Had an Eden WT330 + Goliath 410 as my main rig for a while.

have the good fortune to work in a great music store.

Just took in a used series 1 ACME Low B-2 (4-ohm) as well as a GK MB Fusion 500

It's my new rig 2 days later - match made in heaven.

That cab has a serious crush on the MB.

Thank you all for your answers explaining what the Acme cabinets are built for.