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Acoustic Image

#5
BluesWalker said:
Does anyone have experience using an Acoustic Image Combo in a rock or blues band?
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I used the original Contra for jazz combo work and really enjoyed it. I did not feel it was loud enough for rock or blues. I borrowed the amp from another player who bought it and the matching extension speaker to be used in a big band. The amp sounded great for that purpose but frequently went into protection mode because it was not capable of playing loud enough. Within a few years, I believe AI introduced a more powerful 300W output section.

The current amps can be ordered with 300W and 600W output sections, but I have some doubts about the max SPL capabilities of the speakers. Perfect grab and go amps if you perform intimate background music. I wouldn't recommend buying one for use with a louder ensemble without taking one for test drive.
 
#7
BluesWalker said:
Thanks for the info. They have a new system called the Flex: a powered speaker cannot, 650 watts with two 10s and a 2.5 inch tweeter, and a separate preamp. It looks tempting but from your experience, it probably will not work.
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I haven't used any of the newer designs so I can't say for sure. But it doesn't seem very realistic to expect two 10s in such a small enclosure to get loud and also play low.

Here's what the specs say: The systems response is listed as +/-3dB from 40Hz to 14kHz so it seems they go reasonably deep. The Max SPL is listed as 118 dB/m. I can't say for sure, but often max SPL should be interpreted to mean peak SPL, therefore continuous SPL would be 6dB lower 112db/m. Here's why: Speaker power handling is often specified as continuous RMS with a 6dB crest factor. Double the RMS power (+3dB) is called program power, and quadruple the RMS power (+6dB) is called peak power. It's not clear if the Max SPL is measured or calculated. If the figure is calculated, the actual would be lower because drivers tend to compress a bit when pushed to their limits.

Specs from Acoustic Image

The specs seem consistent with my expectations...not very loud. But IMHO, no reason to avoid taking one for a test drive, if you can get your hands on one.

Compare to a Mesa Subway 115 with Max SPL rating of 125dB/m from 50hz to 1,000hz. I believe in this case, the Max SPL is actually based off the the continuous RMS power handling rather than the peak power handling.
Mesa Subway 1x15 Ultra-Lite Bass Cabinet | MESA/Boogie®
 
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#8
BluesWalker said:
Thanks for the info. They have a new system called the Flex: a powered speaker cannot, 650 watts with two 10s and a 2.5 inch tweeter, and a separate preamp. It looks tempting but from your experience, it probably will not work.
Click to expand...

Let's ping an owner: @singlemalt. Another friend had one too, but she is tiny and the carry was too much for her.
 

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