NEW SWR DB combo

[peterpalmieri]

I happened to catch a quick post on the EB side the other day, not sure if you all did. Looks interesting although I have never been an SWR fan:

http://www.swrsound.com/products/sea...tno=4460600000

Seems like they are attempting to combine the EA 2x8 with some features of the AI stuff, dual channel, XLR combo jack, phase reversal, etc..

Personally I was never a fan of the "Aural Enhancer™", but thought some of you might find this interesting...

[Jason Hollar]

Cool.

I wonder if it kicks butt? That's main feature I'm interested in these days!

Doesn't look any lighter than the California Blonde...just over 50 pounds...

And I wonder if the inputs are piezo friendly...no impedance specs on the web site...

[Jason Hollar]

91 dB SPL @ 1W1M (-3dB @ 68Hz and 18KHz)

What's the prognosis?

[Tbeers]

I think it's too heavy... nobody wants that in a combo amp anymore. The weight alone kills the deal for me, at least.

[ToneRanger]

Originally Posted by Jason Hollar

91 dB SPL @ 1W1M (-3dB @ 68Hz and 18KHz)

I know numbers don't tell the whole story, but 91dB!! That's 12dB less than my Eden 210 (and it goes down to 30Hz).
200 watts isn't going to get you far with that sort of sensitivity spec.

[robgrow]

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

I know numbers don't tell the whole story, but 91dB!! That's 12dB less than my Eden 210 (and it goes down to 30Hz).
200 watts isn't going to get you far with that sort of sensitivity spec.

An excellent point. Sensitivity is a very significant factor to say the least: You would need almost 16 times as much power to drive a cab that's 12 dB less sensitive. So if you need 100 watts to drive a given speaker to a desired SPL, then you would need almost 1600 watts to drive a speaker that's 12 dB less sensitive to the same SPL.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

I have never been an SWR fan:

http://www.swrsound.com/products/sea...tno=4460600000

Seems like they are attempting to combine the EA 2x8 with some features of the AI stuff, dual channel, XLR combo jack, phase reversal, etc..

Actually, it looks more like they are combining the Baby Blue combo (2X8 and a 5) with the "Blonde" combos.

The original Baby Blue was a great amp.

[alexclaber]

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

I know numbers don't tell the whole story, but 91dB!! That's 12dB less than my Eden 210 (and it goes down to 30Hz).

Fair point, but you need to correct the inflated Eden numbers to about 99dB sensitivity and 3dB down at about 65Hz at best...

Alex

[larry]

Originally Posted by SteveC

Actually, it looks more like they are combining the Baby Blue combo (2X8 and a 5) with the "Blonde" combos.

The original Baby Blue was a great amp.

I had the Baby Blue combo with the two Bag End 8" speakers. It did sound killer, absolutely. However, it could not handle any significant volume. It was also a rear-ported cabinet which made it more sensitive to where it was placed in the room.

I did pull the head out of it and rack it. If I use it with my Bergantino 112 it sounds just as good. I have since upgraded to a higher power head too, but I keep the Baby Blue as a backup.

I'll bet this one sounds like that Baby Blue.

[SteveC]

Yeah, not a super loud amp, but super good sound.

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by alexclaber

Fair point, but you need to correct the inflated Eden numbers to about 99dB sensitivity and 3dB down at about 65Hz at best...

Alex

I agree with what you're saying in concept. I never felt that the Eden cabinets I owned were that much more efficient than any other quality cabinet, even though their specs certainly claimed so. And the low end roll off on their 210 was significant, just like every other 210 out there.

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

I happened to catch a quick post on the EB side the other day, not sure if you all did. Looks interesting although I have never been an SWR fan:

http://www.swrsound.com/products/sea...tno=4460600000

Seems like they are attempting to combine the EA 2x8 with some features of the AI stuff, dual channel, XLR combo jack, phase reversal, etc..

Personally I was never a fan of the "Aural Enhancer™", but thought some of you might find this interesting...

Personally I never could get the sound that I was looking for from the Baby Blue Combo. I owned both the combo and the 2x8 extension cabinetthat SWR built. When I combined the 2X8 extension with a Walter Woods MI-100-8 it sounded very nice. I have to agree with Peter on the Aural Enhancer. It's effective with EB but not DB, at least not with my DB. It's nice to hear from others that got the amp to work for them. 2x8 cabinets are sure becoming more popular these days.

[ToneRanger]

Originally Posted by Eublet

I agree with what you're saying in concept. I never felt that the Eden cabinets I owned were that much more efficient than any other quality cabinet, even though their specs certainly claimed so. And the low end roll off on their 210 was significant, just like every other 210 out there.

This new SWR certainlt seems like a replacement for the Baby Blue. I liked the Baby Blue amp, but its speakers had a pronounced low-mid hump (making up for the lack of extended low end) that didn't suit my bass. However that was on BG. Perhaps this would work better on upright.

Regarding the Eden, I agree that the sensitivity figures may be a bit rubbery, but the low end spec on my 210XST certainly seems genuine. I've never played a speaker that gave tight extended lows like this one (that includes 15's & 18's). My Paulin EUB has a big warm low end that sounds great through this cab without being too boomy.

[fingers]

Has anyone tried it?

I dig SWR stuff. I have the SWR WM12 and main reason I use my little GK more often is the size.

[bolo]

A rear-firing 5"? Don't know that I have heard of that type design feature before. What's the function / benefit?

[Eublet]

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

I've never played a speaker that gave tight extended lows like this one (that includes 15's & 18's).

That's interesting. I'm not really a fan of 15's or 18's per se, although they can sound good in some situations. However, most every decent 2x12 cabinet I've touched made my Eden 210xst sound small by comparison, especially in the low end. Specs aside, the 2x12's where just bigger, louder, lower, and moved more air in general (duh, right?). I always felt the 210xst added lots of rumble when placed under another cabinet, but it didn't really contribute to the tone in a favorable way, at least not after I started really evaluating it against other non-Eden and/or non-210 options. Of course, those are just what my ears are telling me. I certainly wouldn't impose my opinions on anyone else. I decided that I don't much care for any 210 at all really.

[bribass]

Originally Posted by Eublet

That's interesting.I decided that I don't much care for any 210 at all really.

I agree. I've tried many (accept EA 10's) since around 1990 when they first appeared for bass and I always felt they had an artificial sounding low end. Not a true E (or B) string sound. Lots of brittle highs w/ and rumbly cold lows w/o any pleasing warm mids. That being said I'm sure EA tens are much better than that.

I much prefer 12's sometimes paired w/ a 15' can be nice as well. For BG or DB.

I don't have much experience w/ 8's. I know they're supposed to be great for DB. That SWR does look interesting, however historically I've never cared much for their stuff that I've owned or have used as supplied backline. Too "blatty" sounding.

Just my .02.

BG

[bolo]

Originally Posted by bribass

Too "blatty" sounding.

Never heard that expression before. But I know exactly what you mean from a bass amp. LOL.

Also reminds me of my high school jazz band days sitting in the trombone section.

Now .... What's up with that rear-firing 5" ?

[bassist14]

be careful with swr, read this before buying:
http://www.swrsound.com/news/index.p...lay_article=28

[neal davis]

what the hell all I get is the fender homepage? has swr been taken over?