EMPEROR cabs???? - Page 48

morewattsplease · #**941** 12-01-2012, 09:55 AM

I'll just throw in that my emperor sounds awesome. 4x12 staggered, lots of bass, honky mid that I like, might like a bit clearer treble, but its a great cabinet.
Solid gorgeous loud and handles volume very well. I might baffle mine if I start going sup super loud but they make great stuff at least nowadays.

morewattsplease · #**942** 12-01-2012, 09:59 AM

emperor is for those that listen with their ears
not with their eyes (looking at brand names, or at data sheets and spec charts)

Mr. Foxen · #**943** 12-01-2012, 10:31 AM

Would assume not actually paid any attention to the thread then. Or y'know, the whole angle of style over sound they have going on.

helenforsdale · #**944** 12-01-2012, 02:17 PM

most annoying is that they're pretty crap about returning e-mails. I've written asking simple questions about dimensions, shipping costs, etc - can't get them to return my e-mail. Not exactly filling me with confidence…

but yeah - thoughts on going from an 8x10 to a 2x12/1x15 or 4x12?

Sartori · #**945** 12-01-2012, 02:47 PM

I'd go to a 4x12 over a 2x12/1x15 combo. Nothing wrong with an 8x10, though.

Mr. Foxen · #**946** 12-01-2012, 05:34 PM

As long as you can pick the speakers, then it can work fine, because you'll have a reasonable idea what you are getting.

helenforsdale · #**947** 12-01-2012, 11:00 PM

When you have a bad back and live in NYC, there tons of things wrong with an 8x10

Why 4x12 over 2x12/1x15?

@Mr. Foxen - what would be your pick for 12"s and 15"s - and why? If you don't mind me asking...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

I'd go to a 4x12 over a 2x12/1x15 combo. Nothing wrong with an 8x10, though.

Sartori · #**948** 12-02-2012, 04:41 AM

I prefer single sizes of drivers per cab. Simplicity.

As for living in NYC and having a bad back... I question getting an Emperor cab at all if that's the case. They're not small, or light.

Mr. Foxen · #**949** 12-02-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenforsdale

When you have a bad back and live in NYC, there tons of things wrong with an 8x10

Why 4x12 over 2x12/1x15?

@Mr. Foxen - what would be your pick for 12"s and 15"s - and why? If you don't mind me asking...

For me, wouldn't pick Emperor cabs for a start. If I'm going to do the work of figuring how to make the box sound good, might as well make it right too. I like the efficiency of ported cabs though. If you want a sealed cab that is effectively a big guitar cab, check out speakers suitable for sealed boxes, simple, hard to get wrong. For a 4x12 in an 8x10 sized but ported sort of box Delta Eminence 12 LFA will give a dark but chunky sounding cab, if lined and tuned right. Not sure if Emperor have caught up with the tuning right part though.

helenforsdale · #**950** 12-02-2012, 01:16 PM

Good point.

Re 8x10 vs emporer - lesser of two evils. And if I have to eventually retire it to my apartment, at least it'll look nice.

@Foxen - okay, what would you use, cab wise? I don't want muddy - I want clarity, but not sterility. I used to use a kustom and a sunn 2x15 and they sounded like ass. I moved to an ampeg 4x10hlf, and hated that. Finally moved to the 8x10 - and it's the best I've used, but a little too tight. If I felt like throwing down the cash, I'd probably go for the Mesa 4x12.

As for size, I'd have them to half-stack size - not 8x10 size.

Still - no ones given any input on 12s or 15s on bass...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

I prefer single sizes of drivers per cab. Simplicity.

As for living in NYC and having a bad back... I question getting an Emperor cab at all if that's the case. They're not small, or light.

NKBassman · #**951** 12-02-2012, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenforsdale

Still - no ones given any input on 12s or 15s on bass...

Because these days speaker size alone has almost nothing to do with how a cabinet will sound at the end of the day.

helenforsdale · #**952** 12-02-2012, 03:13 PM

Okay, so what's your take on all this? You've worked on your Emperor a lot and clearly have messed around on other rigs.

I don't want to get super tech on my rig - I play punk/hardcore, it's not rocket science. All the players I like use really simple setups, mostly vintage gear. I'm just looking for a different sound/alternative to the Ampeg 8x10 setup I've been using for years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKBassman

Because these days speaker size alone has almost nothing to do with how a cabinet will sound at the end of the day.

knivesarequiet · #**953** 12-02-2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

F if lined and tuned right. Not sure if Emperor have caught up with the tuning right part though.

I get the lining part. How do I tune it?

RFord04 · #**954** 12-02-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knivesarequiet

I get the lining part. How do I tune it?

You don't. Tuning has more to do with the dimensions, port area, etc.

IntrepidCellist · #**955** 12-02-2012, 06:03 PM

If you're in NYC and have a bad back, it might be time to check out one of the Super 12s and stay away from the "let's throw lots of drivers in a heavy box" philosophy that Emperor has.

As a fellow NYC gigger, I'd say have a look at Audiokinesis or Baer.

Scobby Bott · #**956** 12-02-2012, 07:25 PM

It's strange that these issues haven't been addressed so far. I guess people keep buying them, so no need.

Mr. Foxen · #**957** 12-02-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knivesarequiet

I get the lining part. How do I tune it?

Either with a bunch of maths, which you'll have to learn, or by ear using telescopic ports, which will involve training your ear to hear various things and not to fool it with your brain. Neither is especially easy, (unless you like messing with simulator programs and graphs), so its always better to buy cabs from people who actually know how to buy cabs. Recommendation always come down to knowing what you want to sound like (examples help) and what you use (and intend to continue using).

Sartori · #**958** 12-02-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenforsdale

Good point.

Re 8x10 vs emporer - lesser of two evils. And if I have to eventually retire it to my apartment, at least it'll look nice.

@Foxen - okay, what would you use, cab wise? I don't want muddy - I want clarity, but not sterility. I used to use a kustom and a sunn 2x15 and they sounded like ass. I moved to an ampeg 4x10hlf, and hated that. Finally moved to the 8x10 - and it's the best I've used, but a little too tight. If I felt like throwing down the cash, I'd probably go for the Mesa 4x12.

As for size, I'd have them to half-stack size - not 8x10 size.

Still - no ones given any input on 12s or 15s on bass...

An 8x10 IS a half-stack.

No one has given input on 12"s or 15"s in general on bass, because you can't generalize much about speakers just based on driver diameter. A JBL K-140 does not sound the same as a Peavey Black Widow, which doesn't sound the same as an EV 15B/SRO, which doesn't sound the same as an Eminence Kappalite 3015, which doesn't sound the same as a Faital 15Pro400, etc. despite all being 15" drivers. Nor will any one of those drivers sound the same if you put it in radically different designs of cab.

helenforsdale · #**959** 12-03-2012, 08:53 AM

I miss the days when this stuff was simpler. Like I said, I'm playing hardcore, not rocket-science. The answer was easy - SVT Blueline through an 8x10. Now, there are a billion options.

I guess to my ears, there's still a pretty significant difference when I hear rigs with different size drivers - I'm never like "oh wow, that sounds like an eminence" - nor have I ever heard anyone else say that.

I should clarify - my back isn't that bad. I'm just sick of lugging an 8x10 around, so I sold it. I hate 4x10s, looking for something that size, but a better sound.

I've got some verellen questions - so I'm gonna get my ass over to that forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

An 8x10 IS a half-stack.

No one has given input on 12"s or 15"s in general on bass, because you can't generalize much about speakers just based on driver diameter. A JBL K-140 does not sound the same as a Peavey Black Widow, which doesn't sound the same as an EV 15B/SRO, which doesn't sound the same as an Eminence Kappalite 3015, which doesn't sound the same as a Faital 15Pro400, etc. despite all being 15" drivers. Nor will any one of those drivers sound the same if you put it in radically different designs of cab.

snowblinder · #**960** 12-03-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helenforsdale

I'm used to the ampeg 8x10 sound, but I sold mine and would hate to buy something that big again. As I mentioned before, I'm really curious about their 2x12/1x15 or even the 4x12. I've never used 12s on bass before, but the idea is super intriguing to me.

As for tone - yeah, I'm in that Jesus Lizard/Big Black/Shellac realm. I've got the Travis bean inspired Electrical and all...

The speaker setup that I imagine would suit you nicely is two 400 watt EV-15L's. The older Mesa Diesel and Roadready cabs came stock with these. They're awesome. Your 800RB through a couple of these will instantly get you into that Jesus Lizard/Shellac zone tone-wise, especially considering you are playing an EGC. Just curious, do you also use a Tronographic Rusty Box?

Anyway....just my two cents on the matter.