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Acme Users Unite!!!

#421
Hey guys, just wanted to ask something about the Acmes. I own one and play bass through it, and I was wondering (after reading how people use it as a PA speakers, playing CDs through them etc.) is it really good for those stuff or is a cab only for bass?

I m the singer of this new band and I was wondering if I can use it for my voice instead of buying a new active PA speaker, and maybe in near future as a cab for my sons electric guitar through his electric guitar preamp!? Can it work like any other professional non-bass cab?

Any thoughts? Cheers.
 
#424
While this maybe not be exciting as a stack of B-2's or B-4's...this is all the rig that i need at the moment.
It sounds fantastic. As my needs grow, I will get another 8 ohms model to go with it.

Blake
 

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#426
I've read through all the Acme threads and I'm still a bit confused. I get the concept, and I understand alot of the technical explanations. The website says that 500 watts is good for the B2 cabs. My question is, how safe is it? Can I run these cabs with 100%confidence with this much power, or would I have to worry about feeding them too much? I mean, in general. I can beat my Epifani UL310 cab up and I don't want to have to worry about anything on the bandstand.

Would I be able to use a filter pedal with 500 watts and not have to worry if there is a little spike?

What is the maximum wattage that I could use that is 100% safe? 350 watts?

I would want to use my exsisting power amp, which is 525 watts per side at 4 ohms. Though, I could run 2 cabs on the same side for 850 watts at 2 ohms---giving each cab 425 watts............
 
#428
NickyBass said:
I've read through all the Acme threads and I'm still a bit confused. I get the concept, and I understand alot of the technical explanations. The website says that 500 watts is good for the B2 cabs. My question is, how safe is it? Can I run these cabs with 100%confidence with this much power, or would I have to worry about feeding them too much? I mean, in general. I can beat my Epifani UL310 cab up and I don't want to have to worry about anything on the bandstand.

Would I be able to use a filter pedal with 500 watts and not have to worry if there is a little spike?

What is the maximum wattage that I could use that is 100% safe? 350 watts?

I would want to use my exsisting power amp, which is 525 watts per side at 4 ohms. Though, I could run 2 cabs on the same side for 850 watts at 2 ohms---giving each cab 425 watts............
Click to expand...

There's no consensus answer to your question. It depends on too many other variables (tone, attack, music dynamics, amp engineering, etc.). Plus, there are players who've used Acmes for years with significantly different recommendations.

I've regualarly run 600-700 watts @ into Low B-2s for years without so much as a hiccup, and there are others who will tell you they would never exceed 350 watts per cab. There is simply no substitute for knowing your equipment and your playing style and acting reasonably.
 
#429
That is why I asked. Some say no more than 350, some say 900...

I see what you're saying about other variables, but with other cabinets these variables aren't as much an issue. For example, if you have an Epifani UL310, you can safely run 750 watts no matter what genre or playing style you prefer. Obviously, it isn't going to be 100% fool proof, but you can confidently run it at 750 watts and it will sound the way it is supposed to sound, and it is likely not to break down. It seems that the Acmes like more wattage to open them up, but not too much to crease the drivers.

I wouldn't be doing anything crazy. If I play slightly aggressive, but not too loud electric jazz/fusion with a few filter pedals and fuzz pedals, could 525 watts be overkill? Should I just play it safe and do 350 watts per cab?

Edit---they would be 4 ohm B2 cabs.
 
#430
NickyBass said:
That is why I asked. Some say no more than 350, some say 900...

I see what you're saying about other variables, but with other cabinets these variables aren't as much an issue. For example, if you have an Epifani UL310, you can safely run 750 watts no matter what genre or playing style you prefer. Obviously, it isn't going to be 100% fool proof, but you can confidently run it at 750 watts and it will sound the way it is supposed to sound, and it is likely not to break down. It seems that the Acmes like more wattage to open them up, but not too much to crease the drivers.

I wouldn't be doing anything crazy. If I play slightly aggressive, but not too loud electric jazz/fusion with a few filter pedals and fuzz pedals, could 525 watts be overkill? Should I just play it safe and do 350 watts per cab?
Click to expand...

I don't think there is as much difference between the safety margins of Epifanis and Acmes as you're describing. Acmes are generally less efficient, so they will typically require more power (watts) to produce the same volume (SPL) as more efiicient brands of similar configuration. And I believe--though there are others who disagree--that Acme speakers don't crease or otherwise fail any more readily than other premium models. I think the power-hungry nature of Amces invite or tempt players to use more power than they would with other brands and that other brands (of comparable configuration, of course) would crease and fail just as often if treated similarly.

I've put hundreds of hours through Low B-2s at 600-700 watts (and occasionally 800) and have never encountered a problem. I've blown one Acme speaker--in a Low B-1 when I carelessly and stupidly plugged it into an amp putting out 800 watts. That certainly wasn't a design or materials fault--it was all my misuse.

Unlike me, some Acme users never exceed 350 watts per Low B-2. If we both meet our tone goals and don't induce equipments problems, neither of us is wrong. IMO and IME, the singular "safe ceiling" you're seeking doesn't exist. It varies by user.

P.S. Of course, you could limit each Low B-2 to 100 watts and feel ridiculously safe, but I know that's not what you're getting at.
 
#431
Thanks. That makes sense. I suppose, even with the lower efficiency, 350 watts into each cab would be much more than I would need. I've done hundreds of gigs with my (now retired) 200 watt Ampeg SS SVT into a 1x15 cab. I've never needed to push my UL310 very hard. I suppose I will have to try them out to know for sure.
 
#433
NickyBass said:
....

Has anyone successfully added a cab specifically for a mid range that cuts through? Maybe another brand ran on the other side of a stereo power amp?
Click to expand...

When I had a B2, I ran it and an EV TL606 cabinet (with an EVM 15L). I used my former Pearce BC-1 preamp and a QSC PLX2402 power amp. I set it up so that the Acme always had a clean signal and the EV had either clean or a blend of clean and distorted. It sounded great!!!!
 
#434
I just received two new 4ohm Acme Low B-2 cabinets earlier this week! :hyper:

I was off from work on Wednesday so I spent a few hours playing through them at moderate levels (to break in the driver surrounds, as recommended), and I must say that I'm really digging these cabinets.
 
#435
I received my 4 ohm B 2 cab about 1 month ago - I have done a few gigs with this cab, an Eden WT 550 and a Nash P Bass.

I am very happy with the results coming from this small cabinet..huge fat warm with clarity and booty....


I might look for a 4 x 10 4 ohm version to use on larger shows??

DP
 
#436
I think that a B4 is a waste if you already nave a B2. I just stack another B2 on top of the first and it handles just about anything I throw at it. I use a single B2 for rehearsals, a pair for most gigs and all four if I'm feeling playful! :) I use an amp in each case that puts out 350W per cabinet.

Paul
 
#437
I'm still digging the Acmes. I've tried a ton of different heads, and pre/power combos...I dig them with the Acoustic Image Clarus (one channel). 400 watts at 4 ohms, 500 at 2. I honestly don't think that a B2 needs more than that---for my needs. It even sounds great with a pair of B2's getting 500 watts from the AI.
 

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