LDS - Low Down Sound cabinets

ArenW · #1 02-11-2007, 09:10 AM

I just took my new LDS cabinet on it's maiden voyage and have to say "WOW!". Here is the setup. I've got a Kay with a David Gage Realist, running through an Acoustic Image Clarus I amp head. I took a chance while I was in Detroit last week and picked up this cabinet. Its 4ohms, 450 watts with four 6.5s, two 5s and a horn in the front, and two sidefiring 6.5s on both left and right sides. If you go to the Low Down Sound website there is a picture and description of the cabinet.

It is 16" wide by 18" deep by 22" tall, and is on casters. I'm not sure how much it weighs, but it is pretty heavy. For the guys looking for the ultimate in portability this probably isn't the cab for you but if you don't mind your cabinet having a little weight to it this thing is great! I played a pretty big church last night with a 4 piece band, without P.A. support. I was told it sounded clean and clear in the back of the room, and it sounded amazing on stage. The gig was mostly pizz, but arco sounded really nice as well.

I would like to hear a nice bass, with a realist through it so I could gage the sound a bit more. The other plus to this cab was the price - under $600! That is a lot of speaker for the money. I spent some time talking with Don, the owner and the one who makes the cabinets. He is a super nice guy and seems to genuinely care about the sound you want and need, and will work with you to design the perfect cabinet for you.

Now I just need to get back with him and have him build me a cabinet for the smaller gigs that I want to load in, in one trip.

Is anyone else out there playing through these cabinets? What's your take on them?

Cheers,
Aren

Ric Vice · #2 02-11-2007, 09:46 AM

Aren,
I have one of Don's 2x8 3 way cabinets and it works very well with a "nice bass" and the Gage Realist. Good projection, Clear Midrange, and
accurate Bass Response. I understand from Ken Jung, that Don has recently aquired the lightweight poplar plywood that's similar to the material used in the Epifani cabinets. He is also trying out some new 8" Neo Drivers as well. So it could get very interesting. Glad to hear you like yours. Don is a very good person to work with. He gives you a lot of options for customizing your cabinet.

Ric

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 02-11-2007, 11:10 AM

I have a LDS 1x8 cab that I like, but will probably be selling soon. I like the sound of it, but not quite as much as the EA VL108's that I already have two of. For small gigs, it's a great cab.

ArenW · #4 02-11-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

He is also trying out some new 8" Neo Drivers as well. So it could get very interesting.

A friend of mine just got a cabinet with neos in it and it sounds really good. Playing through that was what sold me on LDS cabinets in the first place.

I'm anxious to play out with this setup in some different settings, to really see what it can do.

natbers78 · #5 02-11-2007, 02:14 PM

That's nice to hear. I am kicking around the idea of getting a 1x12 from LDS. I've talked to Don and he really seems like a nice guy. LDS has been on the top of my list for about a month now (if I go the 4 ohm route). If not, I'm thinking 2 Berg 12s or 2 CXL112s. Anyway, I'm glad you posted about LDS...I haven't seen too much about them.

flatback · #6 02-13-2007, 11:58 AM

I have 2 LDS 1x8's which are great little cabs...but a little harsh and although I don't fully understand why, every time I plug my Focus into a 4ohm cab the amp seems to love it much better. Somehow the 8ohm cabs together are tight and good sounding but don't jump out into the air like the 4 ohm cabs I've tried. I kinda get the whole impedance thing, but it seems like it just makes my amp work real hard.
I am waiting with bated breath for these new Wizzy 10's to come out and maybe upgrade to them.
That said I have both a 3 way neo and 2 way ceramic and the 2 way although about 7 pounds heavier, sounds much better - smoother better lows and no chuffing.

Ric Vice · #7 02-13-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatback

I have 2 LDS 1x8's which are great little cabs...but a little harsh and although I don't fully understand why, every time I plug my Focus into a 4ohm cab the amp seems to love it much better. Somehow the 8ohm cabs together are tight and good sounding but don't jump out into the air like the 4 ohm cabs I've tried. I kinda get the whole impedance thing, but it seems like it just makes my amp work real hard.
I am waiting with bated breath for these new Wizzy 10's to come out and maybe upgrade to them.
That said I have both a 3 way neo and 2 way ceramic and the 2 way although about 7 pounds heavier, sounds much better - smoother better lows and no chuffing.

I had similar experience with 2 EA VL 108's (at 4ohms) vs the EA VL 208 at 8 ohms. The 208 has a more natural sound with my bass. When I contacted John Dong of EA about the possibility of converting my 208 over to 4ohms, John's comment was that you could do it, but the cabinet would sound "darker". So I've noticed the same thing only on the EA side of the bridge the net effect has a slightly different outcome.
Another problem, at least for me was that, even when I cut the tweeter all the way off on the second cabinet, it still feeds back. Since dropping the load increased the power of the amp, I guess that's what caused the problem using two VL 108's. If I mount one on a stand and place one on the floor the problem goes away.

Ric

flatback · #8 02-13-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

I had similar experience with 2 EA VL 108's (at 4ohms) vs the EA VL 208 at 8 ohms. The 208 has a more natural sound with my bass. When I contacted John Dong of EA about the possibility of converting my 208 over to 4ohms, John's comment was that you could do it, but the cabinet would sound "darker". So I've noticed the same thing only on the EA side of the bridge the net effect has a slightly different outcome.
Another problem, at least for me was that, even when I cut the tweeter all the way off on the second cabinet, it still feeds back. Since dropping the load increased the power of the amp, I guess that's what caused the problem using two VL 108's. If I mount one on a stand and place one on the floor the problem goes away.

Ric

I really like the VL 108 cab and got the LDS cause I couldn't find the EA's. They say the wizzy 10 is the replacement. We'll see.

bolo · #9 02-14-2007, 12:56 PM

I like the way you and Ric have both mentioned using one cab on the floor and one up on a stand. Others may have suggested this too in the past. Best of both worlds kinda thing.

flatback · #10 02-15-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bolo

I like the way you and Ric have both mentioned using one cab on the floor and one up on a stand. Others may have suggested this too in the past. Best of both worlds kinda thing.

Yea and now instead of the stand (which if they made a much smaller PA stand Anyone????) I put a small length of 1"1/3 dowel in the mount and stack the 2 cabs with the top one leaning back enough that it faces me but not so much that the amp slides off. Seems to put the cabs just right. Or sometimes I put the second cab on the floor leaning way back, monitor style, very low profile and a broad panoramic sound. (boomy on a wood stage though)