GB ShuttleMax 9.2 vs. 12.0 (the 9.2 with more headroom)?

domestique · #1 10-13-2011, 08:33 PM

Hello everyone, I've spent a good 2 hours searching and read every shuttlemax thread I could find but I still have a couple questions.

I am building up a new rig soon and am torn between the 2 shuttlemax amps (9.2 or 12.0).

ShuttleMax 9.2
500W @ 8 ohms
900W @ 4 ohms

ShuttleMax 12.0
The SHUTTLE®MAX12.0 dual power amp design offers a variety of available output power choices:
One 8 ohm load (either Amp A or Amp B driven)........................... 375 watts
One 4 ohm load (either Amp A or Amp B driven)........................... 600 watts
Two 8 ohm loads (Amp A and Amp B driven)................................ 750 watts
One 4 ohm load (Amp A) one 8 ohm load (Amp B)........................ 975 watts
Two 4 ohm loads (Amp A and Amp B driven)................................ 1200 watts

Cabs: I have two 8 ohm cabs being built a 15/6/1and a 15 sub. My plan was to use the 15/6/1 for most of my gigs and only use the 15 sub for outdoor or if there would be no PA support.

With the 9.2 I could run one cab (15/6/1) at 500 watts or run both at 900 watts.

With the 12.0 I can only put out 375 watts through one 8 ohm cab or 600 watts if I put both cabs through either amp A or B, or I could run each cab through its own amp and get a total of 750 watts.

So, It seems to me that the 9.2 would give me the most bang for my buck with 900 watts opposed to the 12.0 which I could only get 750 out of. The 12.0 would be a better option if I wanted to run 4 8ohm cabs or if I had 4ohm cabs but both of my cabs are 8 ohms.

Am I missing something here in regard to headroom power? I am afraid that if I buy the 12.0 I will find myself needing both cabs for a lot of my gigs because one cab will only be 350 watts.

Also, has anyone A/B'd the 9.2 and the 12.0? Does the (3 DPM™ Power Management) make much of a difference on the 9.2?

Thanks again!

Kirk Bryant · #2 10-14-2011, 01:07 AM

rodl2005 · #3 10-14-2011, 01:32 AM

Afaik you're right. The 9.2 would have a li'l more headroom.
Bear in mind, there probly ain't a lotta difference between 900w &1.2kw, & whether you'd USE ALL that power very often.
But, if you do....the 900 seems right

Waterpilot · #4 10-14-2011, 01:34 AM

At two 8 ohm cabs that does seem the case if those numbers are right. Looks like you will have more watts wise with the 9.2. both for one or two cabs connected. I have the Shuttle Max 12.0 but know nothing about the 9.2 (other then it's black).

lomo · #5 10-14-2011, 04:59 AM

For those 2 cabs the only advantage of the SMax 12 is that if you blow one side of the amp, the "spare" is already in the same box. The 9.2 will drive the cabs closer to their potential and is the way to go. More importantly, the 9.2 and a single cab will likely be enough for some occasions, the 12....not so much with a 375 watts.

domestique · #6 10-14-2011, 05:03 AM

Thanks for all the input, I really wish GB added a Bridge option for the 12.0. I emailed Genz Benz yesterday and will see what they have to say as well.

At this point I am leaning more towards the 9.2

LeonD · #7 10-14-2011, 08:34 AM

If I had those two cabs, I'd be getting the 9.2. It's really what that amp was made for; a large 4 ohm (or two 8 ohm) load.

KJung · #8 10-14-2011, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonD

If I had those two cabs, I'd be getting the 9.2. It's really what that amp was made for; a large 4 ohm (or two 8 ohm) load.

+1 The primary reason to choose the Shuttle Max 12 would be if you were driving two relatively large 4ohm cabs, or four 8 ohm cabs.

KJung · #9 10-14-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domestique

Thanks for all the input, I really wish GB added a Bridge option for the 12.0. I emailed Genz Benz yesterday and will see what they have to say as well.

At this point I am leaning more towards the 9.2

For all practical purposes, the 9.2 is about what the 12 bridged would theoretically be.

Also, the 9.2 has a slightly different limiting/tube emulation circuit (like the Streamliner) that seems to provide a bit more ooomph when really pushed. For the fEArfuls, the 9.2 is a no brainer when considering the Genz line of amps ( or the STreamliner if you want more pillowy deep low end and smooth fatness versus the punchier and brighter 9.2.

agedhorse · #10 10-14-2011, 08:50 AM

The 12.0 is designed primarily for folks who are playing with (or have the need to use) 2 x 4 ohm cabinets and also need the addoitional power. The most common application would be a pair of 4 ohm 410's, or a 4 ohm 215 and a 4 ohm 210, etc.

For the OP's application, the 9.2 would probably be a better choice, but only slightly so. Either amp would work just fine IMO with very little difference in SPL, though IF you like to drive an amp hard and are looking for a little fat grit, the 9.2 might have a slight edge.

Bridging is not possible, and besides, 1200 watts into 8 ohms (that would be the minimum load) is not terribly useful for almost any (practical) application that I can think of.

Tunaman · #11 10-14-2011, 08:56 AM

Both great amps. I have a Streamliner 900 which pushes my 2 8ohm cabs BUT cannot push my 2 5.3ohm 310s at the same time. Thats why I'll grab a 12.0.
If I just had my 2 8ohm 15"ers the 9.2 would be just fine like my Streamliner 900 is

KJung · #12 10-14-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agedhorse

The 12.0 is designed primarily for folks who are playing with (or have the need to use) 2 x 4 ohm cabinets and also need the addoitional power. The most common application would be a pair of 4 ohm 410's, or a 4 ohm 215 and a 4 ohm 210, etc.

For the OP's application, the 9.2 would probably be a better choice, but only slightly so. Either amp would work just fine IMO with very little difference in SPL, though IF you like to drive an amp hard and are looking for a little fat grit, the 9.2 might have a slight edge.

Bridging is not possible, and besides, 1200 watts into 8 ohms (that would be the minimum load) is not terribly useful for almost any (practical) application that I can think of.

The 12 is a great option for that. It is a simple way to get to high wattage in 'less than 4ohm' situations without dealing with what I assume are added complications of making an amp truly '2ohm safe with optimal performance'.

svtb15 · #13 10-14-2011, 09:05 AM

I am on a fly date from last night in Houston..Nice down here !
I brought my Max12.0 with me... and had a backline Uber115 delivered.. They brought a Fender TB1200 head with that Uber115.
I did a fast A/B between the Tb1200 and the Max12.0 since i was running late.. I was able to get the Max12 to sound real close to the TB1200 when using the tube channel...
The TB1200 is 550 watts at 8 ohms and my MAx 12.0 is 375 watts into that 8 ohm cab...

Honestly. both were pretty loud though that cab... and i really could not hear too much of a difference in perceived VOL between the 375 of my GB and the 550 of the Fender. I would have had to drive the amps louder and it would have been too loud for the stage situation.. I was very surprised at how loud 375 really is..
The 12.0 seemed to have a rounder bottom end... and i only used one side of the amp..

But if i doing a gig with the cabs that you have , i think i would get the 9.2... just my opinion..

HolmeBass · #14 10-14-2011, 09:12 AM

I went with the 9.2 for exactly this reason- to drive a 15/6 fEarful, and allow the possibility of future expansion for another fEarful, either a 15 sub or a 12/6.

agedhorse · #15 10-14-2011, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

The 12 is a great option for that. It is a simple way to get to high wattage in 'less than 4ohm' situations without dealing with what I assume are added complications of making an amp truly '2ohm safe with optimal performance'.

That's part of the reason, the other part is to avoid an (expensive) amp design that is only used in a small number of amplifiers... there are some economies of scale here and the added benefit of a back-up power supply tips the balance in favor of the dual module approach IMO.

bucephylus · #16 10-14-2011, 10:12 AM

Both really nice amps. The 9.2 certainly would drive your intended 4 ohm stack. OTOH, I have used my 12 to drive a stack of older Tech 212's with each channel working at 8 ohms. I suppose if you are going by the math, you are pushing something like 750 watts with the 12 vs the 900 you would have available with a 9.2. For my gigs that power difference is not noticeable. Both are more than loud enough. IMO, its kind of a wash volume-wise. The 12 does give the option to run 2 - 4 ohm cabs (which I also do on occasion); so a + there. The 9.2 is black and looks cooler (to me). In my case, I use a S9 and the SM12 depending on what I'm doing. I honestly think you could be happy with either amp. They are both class acts.

MysticMichael · #17 10-14-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domestique

Am I missing something here in regard to headroom power?

You've got it. Clear as sunshine.

So what's with all the confusion?

MM

domestique · #18 10-14-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

You've got it. Clear as sunshine.

So what's with all the confusion?

MM

Do you care to elaborate or am I just losing your sarcasm across the internet?.... (I am an idiot when it comes to speaker amps and cabs)

I think the biggest selling point for me with the 9.2 is being able to push just one cab 500 watts. This would be more than I would ever need 80% of the time.

Edit: Thanks for all the replies guys, so glad I found this forum.... a lot of good information and even better people!

lomo · #19 10-14-2011, 10:46 AM

The 12 offers no real advantage for driving 2 8 Ohm cabs, and has less power (unless your going below 4 Ohms, which 2 8 Ohm cabs will not do), but costs more. That's really all there is to it :-)

agedhorse · #20 10-14-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

The 12 offers no real advantage for driving 2 8 Ohm cabs, and has less power, but costs more. That's really all there is to it :-)

Unless you see the need to expand in the future, or do fly dates and do not know what cabinets will be at each gig. These are two of the common reasons for choosing the 12.0 over the 9.2.