AI Clarus+ into a pair of Acme 210's....?

[zombywoof5050]

I did extensive searches and couldn't find much info, so..

I have a pair of Acme 210's, and I'm considering getting one of the small lightweight heads for it. My Acme 210's are the 4 ohm model, so I want a head that can put out at least 1000 watts into a 2 ohm load. The AI Clarus+ seems like just the ticket. Do you think the Clarus+ would work well into a pair of 4 ohm Acme 210's? I have read here that the eq on AI heads doesn't go very extreme, but that's ok because I usually keep my eq fairly flat. I'm also not a slapper, preferring more of a warmer old school tone, primarily using a Precision strung with Labella flats. So, what do you think?

[KJung]

From my experience with the B210 and AI pairing, that is going to be fantastic sounding. It will be old school, which is fine for what you want... fat and warm and organic.

The only thing that concerns me is the impedance. The Acme cabs take some power and can bring some heads to their knees (thermal shutdown when pushed). While the AI heads are 'safe at 2ohms', I am not sure how that head is going to do running right at the edge into those power hungry speakers.

The worst that will happen is the amp will go into thermal shutdown when pushed.

You might want to contact the AI guys (that is a GREAT company for service and support) and see what they say about your scenario... might be fine).

I know (again from my experience with a Focus into a B210) that it will sound great if you want big, warm, and fat.... just a bit worried about that 2ohms and those particular cabs with that particular head.

[Bluesy Soul]

Originally Posted by KJung

From my experience with the B210 and AI pairing, that is going to be fantastic sounding. It will be old school, which is fine for what you want... fat and warm and organic.

The only thing that concerns me is the impedance. The Acme cabs take some power and can bring some heads to their knees (thermal shutdown when pushed). While the AI heads are 'safe at 2ohms', I am not sure how that head is going to do running right at the edge into those power hungry speakers.

The worst that will happen is the amp will go into thermal shutdown when pushed.

You might want to contact the AI guys (that is a GREAT company for service and support) and see what they say about your scenario... might be fine).

I know (again from my experience with a Focus into a B210) that it will sound great if you want big, warm, and fat.... just a bit worried about that 2ohms and those particular cabs with that particular head.

KJung is right on the money. I've used an Acoustic Image Series III Clarus and a Focus with Acme Low B-2s on and off for the past few years. A surprisingly warm and deep tone can be obtained from the solid-state AIs, which satisfies my old-school preferences. AIs do have more limited EQ capabilities than some other heads; but unless your tones commonly range from the deepest dub to the most cutting, sparkly slap 'n pop, you should be able to find a tone you like from the tone controls of the AI and your instrument.

I've frequently run both the Clarus and the Focus at pretty much fult tilt--sometimes at 2 ohms--without experiencing any overheating problems. (In fact, the only time I ever experienced any overheating with an AI it was the result of my stupidly stacking a metal preamp directly on top of it without any bottom "feet" or any other air circulation whatsoever. My bad and, as KJung explained, the AI simply shut down temporarily until it cooled.)

The Clarus and an Acme Low B-1 comprise my practice rig and the deep, warm tone still amazes both me and my tube-loving bandmates. If you seek an old-school tone and want good volume and reliability, I don't know of a smaller, more convenient pairing to provide it than Acme and AI.

[zombywoof5050]

Thanks for the replies.

I too was a little concerned about running the amp at 2 ohms into the power hungry Acme cabs. But the specs for the Clarus+ state that it delivers 800W into 4 ohms, and then only ups it to 1000W for 2 ohms, which seems pretty conservative to me and not that much of an additional strain. I don't really play all THAT loud anyway.

Anyone else have any thoughts? Has your Acoustic Image amp ever gone into thermal shutdown when driving lower impedance loads? What model of AI amp was it? Anyone else use an AI amp with Acme cabs, and how do you like it?

[zombywoof5050]

(bump)
Anyone else have opinions/experience with this pairing?

[ted burik]

Hi-

I also used an AI Focus 2R with either one or two 4 ohm Acme B210s for about 2 years. Sounded huge, pure, unadulterated, and deep. I used the rig for both acoustic bass on jazz gigs and electric for blues and funk. The amp and cabs held up very well and I did not have any problem on the AI with thermal shut down, although, most of my gigs, particularly the jazz gigs, were not very loud at all.

One note of caution: I did blow a speaker in one of Acme's by running the pair with a Euphonic Audio iAmp 500. The gig was a rather loud gig for me and, according to Andy at Acme, the 250 watts per cabinet was underpowering the speakers, which potentially made the cabinets begin to distort as I played harder to generate more volume. I fixed the cab and only used the AI after that without issue. The only reason I sold my Acme's was to pursue a more modern tone with Epifani's and Bergantino cabs. Hope that helps. Ted

[JimmyM]

bassman paul speaks very fondly of his acme 210's. forget what amp he uses, but doesn't sound to me like you'll have much of a problem making any amp work with it.

[BassmanPaul]

Carvin DCM1000 one 4Ω B2 per channel for 350W RMS each. Very recently switched to a Carvin BX1500 giving up to 450W per channel into each B2. More than I wanted but the weight factor seduced me. It's a really nice amplifier.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by ted burik

Hi-

I also used an AI Focus 2R with either one or two 4 ohm Acme B210s for about 2 years. Sounded huge, pure, unadulterated, and deep. I used the rig for both acoustic bass on jazz gigs and electric for blues and funk. The amp and cabs held up very well and I did not have any problem on the AI with thermal shut down, although, most of my gigs, particularly the jazz gigs, were not very loud at all.

One note of caution: I did blow a speaker in one of Acme's by running the pair with a Euphonic Audio iAmp 500. The gig was a rather loud gig for me and, according to Andy at Acme, the 250 watts per cabinet was underpowering the speakers, which potentially made the cabinets begin to distort as I played harder to generate more volume. I fixed the cab and only used the AI after that without issue. The only reason I sold my Acme's was to pursue a more modern tone with Epifani's and Bergantino cabs. Hope that helps. Ted

Just as a side note, I think the idea of underpowering and blowing a driver is a bit of a myth. My guess is, from experience with both the iAmp500 and the B210's is that the really low setting of the hi pass filter on the iAmp (there are a TON of lows... deep deep, speaker flapping lows) just resulting in those drivers 'overextending' when you really wumped them at high volumes.

I guess in a sense 'underpowering' was an issue, since you ended up digging in more due to the lack of power and volume, thereby sending some nasty transient spikes into those cabs. A number of guys who slap have had similar issues with these particular cabs... you wack an E string at high volume with an amp that generates a tone of power below 40hz, and bad things are going to happen!

The tighter low end of the AI amps is a much better fit with these cabs... kind of 'hi passes' them in the right place.

[JimmyM]

that may be, but it's still OVERpowering, not underpowering.

[zombywoof5050]

I pulled the trigger last Friday and ordered the Clarus+, received it at my workplace just yesterday, and took it straight to rehearsal after work. We rehearse in a studio environment, where I just go direct, so I didn't get a chance to play it thru the Acmes with the band yet. This morning I did get to try the Clarus+ thru the Acmes for just a couple of minutes before having to leave for work. From what I've heard so far, it seems like it will be plenty loud enough, and I'm digging the tone too. I look forward to using it at the gig tomorrow night.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

that may be, but it's still OVERpowering, not underpowering.

+1..... good point and correct... kind of a strange combination of 'overpowering' due to having to dig in more and wumping those low end peaks into those particular drivers that actually reproduce them.

[ted burik]

Originally Posted by KJung

Just as a side note, I think the idea of underpowering and blowing a driver is a bit of a myth. My guess is, from experience with both the iAmp500 and the B210's is that the really low setting of the hi pass filter on the iAmp (there are a TON of lows... deep deep, speaker flapping lows) just resulting in those drivers 'overextending' when you really wumped them at high volumes.

I guess in a sense 'underpowering' was an issue, since you ended up digging in more due to the lack of power and volume, thereby sending some nasty transient spikes into those cabs. A number of guys who slap have had similar issues with these particular cabs... you wack an E string at high volume with an amp that generates a tone of power below 40hz, and bad things are going to happen!

The tighter low end of the AI amps is a much better fit with these cabs... kind of 'hi passes' them in the right place.

I think you're right, Ken. I was always a bit skeptical of Andy's explanation and I know for a fact that I was hitting harder than usual using the EA and the Acmes (BTW-the gig was in a large room with a four piece horn section, full rhythm section, and no PA support-arggh!) Never had that problem with the AI. Of course, as a good TB'er, I went right out and traded the iAmp 500 for an iAmp 800. Ted

[KJung]

Originally Posted by ted burik

Of course, as a good TB'er, I went right out and traded the iAmp 500 for an iAmp 800. Ted

[KJung]

Originally Posted by zombywoof5050

I pulled the trigger last Friday and ordered the Clarus+, received it at my workplace just yesterday, and took it straight to rehearsal after work. We rehearse in a studio environment, where I just go direct, so I didn't get a chance to play it thru the Acmes with the band yet. This morning I did get to try the Clarus+ thru the Acmes for just a couple of minutes before having to leave for work. From what I've heard so far, it seems like it will be plenty loud enough, and I'm digging the tone too. I look forward to using it at the gig tomorrow night.

Cool! Enjoy! That is just a great match-up for a fat, warm, big tone. And AI has just amazing customer service (as does Andy at Acme). You shouldn't ever have a problem, and if you do, it will be more of a minor bother than a major hassle. Very good companies to deal with IMO and IME.

[Lonnybass]

Originally Posted by KJung

I guess in a sense 'underpowering' was an issue, since you ended up digging in more due to the lack of power and volume, thereby sending some nasty transient spikes into those cabs. A number of guys who slap have had similar issues with these particular cabs... you wack an E string at high volume with an amp that generates a tone of power below 40hz, and bad things are going to happen!

.

And by a number of guys, Ken, I assume you're talking about me.

Lonnybass

[zombywoof5050]

The amp performed well at last night's gig.
I started out with the eq set flat (bass, middle, & treble at 12:00) and the low-cut engaged at 45hz. The input level stayed at 1:00 for FOH (DI set to 'pre'), and the master level (for the speakers) was on 11:00. As time went on I made adjustments and ended up with the low-cut knob at about 55hz, bass at 11:00, middle and treble at 1:00. I didn't use the built-in effects.
Thanks for y'all's input.

[KJung]

Cool... enjoy. That hi pass is a very good thing to have with these cabs. That again is a great rig.