Ampeg SVT-7 and Shuttle 9.0 each Class D Why such a weight difference?

[chiplexic]

The Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 is Class D and close to the same power as the Ampeg SVT-7Pro which also is class D.

Genz Shuttle 9.0 is 500w-900w and 4 lbs.
Ampeg svt-7pro is 600w-1000w and 15.5 lbs.

Why such a weight difference?
Ampeg uses a much bigger box. Not sure why.
Genz gets it done with a much smaller box even though the features are not that different.
Ampeg has a compressor but Genz has a parametric mid-EQ.
Genz has 3 pre sets to Ampegs 2. But Ampeg has a mid selector.......etc. I see nothing to account for extra 11.5 lbs.

So what is it that makes the SVT-7pro to be 15.5lbs. ClassD ??

[RickenBoogie]

Doesn't the 'peg use an output tranny? That would certainly make up the difference.

[JimmyM]

not an output tranny, but a transformer based line out.

[MAMMOTHvolume]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

not an output tranny, but a transformer based line out.

transformer for that will weigh barely anything, but i guess the bigger box transformer balanced di etc will all add up.

I don't think ampegs strength is in their ability to make light weight amps

[JimmyM]

the last hybrid i owned weighed 30 lbs. yes, there are smaller out there, but there's also plenty bigger.

[Jarrett]

I think the GB is a little overrated at 900w @ 4ohms, imo. Maybe the Ampeg is quite a bit louder. Anyone A/B'ed them?

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I think the GB is a little overrated at 900w @ 4ohms, imo. Maybe the Ampeg is quite a bit louder. Anyone A/B'ed them?

I get the impression, from the quality of the GB guys who post on here, that GB is one of the few whose output specs are accurate.

Paul

[Jarrett]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I get the impression, from the quality of the GB guys who post on here, that GB is one of the few whose output specs are accurate.

I got the impression from having two Shuttle 9.0s in my house and A/Bing them with a 350 watt Trace Elliot head. That said I dig my Shuttle 9.0 and use it quite a bit. Cool product, great customer service, but overrated wattage, imo.

[agedhorse]

To clarify for accuracy, the Shuttle 9.0 exceeds 900 watts RMS at 4 ohms.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

I got the impression from having two Shuttle 9.0s in my house and A/Bing them with a 350 watt Trace Elliot head. That said I dig my Shuttle 9.0 and use it quite a bit. Cool product, great customer service, but overrated wattage, imo.

I think you are comparing gain structures here and not wattages. The difference in volume between 350W and 500W, say, is quite small. To get twice as loud you have to increase power by ten times.

Paul

[vin*tone]

My guess is that it has a toroidal power transformer like the AG500 where the GB is SMPT.

[Jarrett]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I think you are comparing gain structures here and not wattages.

Actually I was comparing amps and how loud they were in my house. Specifically a 350 watt amp to a pair of (exceeding) 900 watt amps. Either my 350 watt amp is secretly a 1000 watt amp or... well you get the picture

[RickenBoogie]

Originally Posted by Jarrett

Actually I was comparing amps and how loud they were in my house. Specifically a 350 watt amp to a pair of (exceeding) 900 watt amps. Either my 350 watt amp is secretly a 1000 watt amp or... well you get the picture

This would also be a big factor- what speaker cabs were the amps running through?, and, was it the same speaker cab?

[Jarrett]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

This would also be a big factor- what speaker cabs were the amps running through?, and, was it the same speaker cab?

Of course. It wouldn't mean anything if I was not A/Bing with the same bass, cab, etc.

[agedhorse]

Could also be voicing that makes one head appear louder than another, and the "louder" voicing appealed to you more.

[rpsands]

How did you gain match them? That's the culprit 99 times out of a hundred. Someone sets Amp A to 12 o'clock and compares to Amp B at 12 o'clock.

The volume taper can also be quite different.

The Genz amps are not "redlined" when you first see the limiter go off, either, IIRC.

[Jarrett]

rpsands, if you are giving me advice to help me, I appreciate it. I've been through all of that already with my Shuttle 9.0 and another one I A/B'ed it with. They just aren't as loud as I thought they would be. Like I said, great amp, great customer service, NOT loud enough to be what I consider a 900 watt amp in my book. It's one guy's opinion, ymmv. This thread has been derailed enough I think.

[B String]

One thing I've found on the 9.0, is the amp gets markedly
louder when you boost the tone knobs. This is not unusual
with amps, it just seems like the 9.0 is more sensitive to tone
boost than most amps I've used.

I've found it interesting that when I've reached the limit of my
9.0's volume and "oomph", I haven't lost headroom. I can
pound on the amp but the sound never gets squashed like the
Markbass heads I've used. (and loved) Maybe that's what we
get for the higher wattage rating. Not more volume, but
cleaner volume. ......That's all I got.

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by B String

One thing I've found on the 9.0, is the amp gets markedly
louder when you boost the tone knobs. This is not unusual
with amps, it just seems like the 9.0 is more sensitive to tone
boost than most amps I've used.

I've found it interesting that when I've reached the limit of my
9.0's volume and "oomph", I haven't lost headroom. I can
pound on the amp but the sound never gets squashed like the
Markbass heads I've used. (and loved) Maybe that's what we
get for the higher wattage rating. Not more volume, but
cleaner volume. ......That's all I got.

This goes back to my comment on voicing,, plus you are also experiencing different design approaches regarding dynamcs management. Each manufacturer has their own philosophy regarding design choices and approaches, there is no right or wrong here.

If all amps sounded or played the same, wouldn't things be boring?