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Acoustic Image FOCUS 600 watt head announcement

Bob Gollihur

Bob Gollihur

GollihurMusic.com
In Memoriam
Mar 22, 2000
1,972
73
Cape of New Jersey
www.gollihurmusic.com
Disclosures
Big Cheese Emeritus: Gollihur Music (retired)
#1
Since there was a lot of interest on the Double Bass side of the board and a request for the news once Acoustic Image released it, I figured a duplicate post on the BG side was also a good idea. I think the 600w number will be attractive to guys who double on both as well as bass guitarists seeking to downsize their rigs.

AI made the product announcement public, so I can pass on the info on it as promised. The features on the heads are identical to the Link Removed and the numbers indicate the same changes in features

Model, List Price, Minimum Selling Price
Focus 1, $1299, $1179 (one channel no reverb)
Focus 1R, $1449, $1309 (one channel w/reverb)
Focus 2, $1399, $1269 (two channels no reverb)
Focus 2R, $1549, $1399 (two channels w/reverb)

(self-indulgent plug: I always sell at the minimum selling price and ship free)

They are the SAME size as the Clarus series, 10x9x2.5 - my Focus 1R prototype weighs 4lbs. 10.5 oz. Doesn't seem possible, but 300w/8 ohms, 600w/4 ohms. As usual, comes with the nice padded case and a Speakon-1/4" cable.

Acoustic Image and I are both in the midst of updating our web pages to add these amps.
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I have a prototype Focus 1R this past week, and I'll be taking it to a classic rock band rehearsal tonight, so I'll have some more experience with it. Thusfar, its character is just like the Clarus series, but a helluvalot louder!
 
#9
brianrost said:
OK, so what's the ship date?
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I am told I should start seeing them around the first week of June.


please, i want more info!
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I will be updating my site over the next couple days. However, just take a look at the existing Clarus line (see Link Removed) for a preview.

The Focus models will mirror them, they look exactly the same, work exactly the same as they all use the identical preamps and cases, and the specs are as above, 600w/4 ohms, 300w/8 ohms. Weight is less than 5lbs.

how bobs head handled the rock rehersal, and maby to hear from a couple of other people who've played the head
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There were only two prototypes, so you're not going to get anything in terms of reviews from other players.

Essentially, the Focus are high-powered Clarus (Focii? Clarii). Their character is the same, just more volume. Very pure, uncolored, nice touch of warmth, they are not sterile.
 
#11
Maybe I missed something, but I thought that there was (also) going to be a more powerful version of the Clarus SL. Am I wrong? It would appear so (and would not be a first...). A 600w SL would be fantastic! As would a 2 ohm stable Focus... ;)
 
#12
tombowlus said:
Maybe I missed something, but I thought that there was (also) going to be a more powerful version of the Clarus SL. Am I wrong? It would appear so (and would not be a first...). A 600w SL would be fantastic! As would a 2 ohm stable Focus... ;)
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No version of the SL beyond the current 150w/8ohms, 250w/4ohms, 350w/2ohms unit.

As for a 2 ohm 600w Focus, sorry, 4 ohm minimum. I've already accused Rick of making a pact with the devil to make a 600w/4ohm head. Two ohms may even be beyond Satan's capabilities. ;)
 
#13
Bob Gollihur said:
No version of the SL beyond the current 150w/8ohms, 250w/4ohms, 350w/2ohms unit.

As for a 2 ohm 600w Focus, sorry, 4 ohm minimum. I've already accused Rick of making a pact with the devil to make a 600w/4ohm head. Two ohms may even be beyond Satan's capabilities. ;)
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Thanks, Bob. I had a chance to hear the SL a few weeks back, and for the size of a paperback book, and the weight of a tube of toothpaste, that little sucker is darn impressive!
 
#16
Bob Gollihur said:
Essentially, the Focus are high-powered Clarus (Focii? Clarii). Their character is the same, just more volume. Very pure, uncolored, nice touch of warmth, they are not sterile.
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Does this mean that the Clarus II can be updated to the power of a Focus by swapping the internals?
 
#18
hmm...

not to be parabolic, but wouldnt that be like asking to have the inline V4 engine in your Honda Civic swapped out for this year's newer V6?

or too look at it another way,

if you're gonna swap the internals of your amp, you're pretty much getting a whole new amp, sans the shell. so, the guys at AI might as well charge you the entire price for a new Focus head, and you might as well just buy the a whole new Focus in the first place!

if i'm not making sense, its only cause i need my morning coffee... :hmm:
 
#19
jokerjkny said:
hmm...

not to be parabolic, but wouldnt that be like asking to have the inline V4 engine in your Honda Civic swapped out for this year's newer V6?

kinda not possible, no?
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Probably a good analogy Joker, but I figure that it doesn't hurt to ask. I'm guessing there is only a slim possibility that this may be possible or that AI would be willing to do it. The AI customer service has been top notch for me, answering all my email questions as well as spending time with me on the phone answering more questions regarding their sophisticated little gem of an amp. Makes me feel welcome to ask away since AI has been helpful, open and supportive with my correspondence in the past.

I've heard of other players sending in their older amps for upgrades. I know of two people who did this with their Eden amps, upgrading the power amp section only.

I wanted to contact AI with a few other questions regarding the new Focus line. The poweramp question was only the first question.
 

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