Epi UL-115 partner

[Joe Smithberger]

With all the discussion of 3 way cabs getting my gas all stirred up, thinking about dispersion and stuff. I wonder if anyone has experimented with using a small/medium size 3 way cabinet like the EA VL110 or 108 with an Epifani UL-115 or similar 115? I am not looking for a lot of extra volume, mostly near field punch and clarity. I really like the Epi for moderate sound level stuff and have used one of the 2 ft tall Quicklok stands to get it up off the floor for louder things, but it is still an 8 ohm 115 and I would like a little more. If I could afford it (or if anyone sold them used) I would consider just picking up another used UL115 and overkilling the problem. I could break loose a few hundred bucks but not much more. The smaller EAs seem to be coming up fairly frequently these days. I have also thought about the little sealed Ampeg 210. Thoughts?

[KJung]

Those old VL's are heavy and relatively low SPL. I wouldn't bother. They were great at the time they came out (over 10 years ago), but lots of other stuff out now that is superior.

Lots of guys use a 112UL/110UL stack. I would think putting a 110UL with your 115UL might sound pretty good, and give you that 'near field midrange monitoring' that you are wanting (through a combination of that much more tightly and mid voiced little cab, and having it up toward your ears a bit more, letting you hear the more direction upper mids a bit better. The upper mid dispersion of a 110 stacked vertically with another cab should be absolutely fine.

Of course, the 110 will fart out long before the 115 reaches its mechanical limits, but it doesn't sound like you are really pushing high volumes, so probably not an issue.

[Joe Smithberger]

FWIW, I am running a Shuttle 6.0 for most things these days and occasionally pushing it pretty hard. If I know it's going to get loud, I will bust out the GK 700RB.

[KJung]

The Epi110UL should be able to handle half the output of either of those heads (especially the Shuttle 6), so IMO not an issue there.

[KJung]

Of course, I'd really recommend getting a Berg AE212 and be done with it. Nice even tone across the stage, just as much low end as the 115UL but with much more even mid response, and similar high SPL but 4ohms to make the most use of your heads' output... and that cab can take the power and use it.

[lomo]

Avatar TB153. 450 delivered at the intro price. Sell your Epi. I just picked up one of these-it sounds at least as good as my LDS nEarful and uses the same long x-max woofer. Weighs 65 lbs but is available in 4 Ohm and will eat 500 watts. Different 6" mid than the LDS.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by lomo

Avatar TB153. 450 delivered at the intro price. Sell your Epi. I just picked up one of these-it sounds at least as good as my LDS nEarful and uses the same long x-max woofer. Weighs 65 lbs but is available in 4 Ohm and will eat 500 watts. Different 6" mid than the LDS.

Another good option, although I've been traditionally less than impressed with the Avatar build quality and components (i.e., crossovers, bracing, etc.). This one looks pretty good, and as you've found, most 12/6 and 15/6 executions sound more similar than different if they use the LF driver and a decent mid driver... just depends if you like that tone profile. Not really my thing personally, and quite different from the 115UL that the OP is used to.

[Type-55]

I have a UL-115 as well and tend to agree with Ken about matching it up with the UL-110.
I just wonder about the SPL difference. I think in a moderate to moderate/loud setting it would sound great. The problem is finding one used. They don't show up that often.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Type-55

I have a UL-115 as well and tend to agree with Ken about matching it up with the UL-110.
I just wonder about the SPL difference. I think in a moderate to moderate/loud setting it would sound great. The problem is finding one used. They don't show up that often.

It is always a crap shoot when combining two different cabs... so just guessing on my part in this case. The VL's are definitely a bad idea IMO.

I've always been a big fan of having a large cab that I like for louder gigs, and a small cab I like for the small rooms or soft contexts. Never really dug the modular thing, and even with the same cabs (like a 2 x 112), I never was happy with the tone of 'half the rig' in most cases, even at lower volumes.

[The Diaper Geni]

Hmmmmmm.....I've got a NYC/S1 UL115 and was just GASsing for something new (to me).

I've got the same "problem" as the OP. Though the S1 cabs seem to favor the mids more than the S2 cab, IMO.

TalkBass is evil, ain't it???

[Type-55]

I agree about the VL's. Nice in their day but the 110 was 40lbs. and not great on SPL's.
I like the UL's for their weight and tone balance with my Eden WT-405. There is a lot of good stuff out there.

[lomo]

Totally hear you. I suspect, however, that most players have never heard what the 3 way cab with this woofer can offer, and I'll bet most would dig it, biiiiig time. Just my .02

Originally Posted by KJung

Another good option, although I've been traditionally less than impressed with the Avatar build quality and components (i.e., crossovers, bracing, etc.). This one looks pretty good, and as you've found, most 12/6 and 15/6 executions sound more similar than different if they use the LF driver and a decent mid driver... just depends if you like that tone profile. Not really my thing personally, and quite different from the 115UL that the OP is used to.

[Joe Smithberger]

I am kinda hoping that Tom Bowlus will pay this thread a visit since he probably has at least one of everything being discussed

I have owned Epi T112's twice over the years and see the UL115 as a bigger sounding T112. I have heard before that the UL110 and UL112 go well together. That may work here as well if I could find one.

[Joe Smithberger]

FWIW I am going for a thick P bass and flats sound and run the Epi's tweeter down quite a bit.

The question before me at the moment is "do I try the Avatar and sell the Epi if I like it, or get something like the Ampeg SVT210av or an Epifunky 210 (or something else affordable) to use with the Epi?

My question about the Avatar has to do with the nature of the low end. Usually the lowest frequencies get boomy and muddy the stage up. Does this type of speaker give you a tighter low end or a boomier one compared to my UL115?

[Type-55]

The Epi UL-115 is not muddy at all. Very clean and open for a 15 but still has a nice low end.

[lomo]

IME the TB153 is much lower and better defined down low. Not even close. More importantly, it has far superior midrange definition. Just my .02, but IMHO the 153 is a vastly superior box. Tone is subjective, but the fact that it goes lower and louder is not.

Originally Posted by Joe Smithberger

FWIW I am going for a thick P bass and flats sound and run the Epi's tweeter down quite a bit.

The question before me at the moment is "do I try the Avatar and sell the Epi if I like it, or get something like the Ampeg SVT210av or an Epifunky 210 (or something else affordable) to use with the Epi?

My question about the Avatar has to do with the nature of the low end. Usually the lowest frequencies get boomy and muddy the stage up. Does this type of speaker give you a tighter low end or a boomier one compared to my UL115?

[Joe Smithberger]

Originally Posted by Type-55

The Epi UL-115 is not muddy at all. Very clean and open for a 15 but still has a nice low end.

That is my assessment as well. Darn you Talkbass. I just pulled the trigger on a TB153.

This UL115 is one of the best sounding cabinets I have had and the portability has been amazing - under 40#. I will probably miss it if I sell it, but it doesn't work well with my other cabinets and I don't want to shell out the bucks for a second one. Look for it in the classifieds.

[lomo]

Originally Posted by Joe Smithberger

That is my assessment as well. Darn you Talkbass. I just pulled the trigger on a TB153.

This UL115 is one of the best sounding cabinets I have had and the portability has been amazing - under 40#. I will probably miss it if I sell it, but it doesn't work well with my other cabinets and I don't want to shell out the bucks for a second one. Look for it in the classifieds.

I'm really looking fwd to hearing your impression of the 153.
65 lbs is no one hander for sure, but the grab handles are well-placed and I may throw some casters on it. Not too bad overall and a superb 1-cab solution.

[Joe Smithberger]

I had an Avatar 410 NEO for a while last year, so I have a good idea of the ergonomics. It's not great, but I would like a one-cab solution.

[Type-55]

No experience with Avatar.