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Double Bass AI: Clarus Series 4Plus 2 Channel vs Clarus SL-2

S

SteIIa

Guest
Mar 5, 2018
86
129
#1
Hey all.

So I was looking at picking up one of these two heads. In terms of practical differences, from what I've researched and gotten answered ("Clarus" full-size vs "SL2"):
  • The SL2 is physically smaller and lighter.
  • SL2 also does not have the dual dedicated 1/4" and XLR jacks that the Clarus has (it does have phantom power, but you need to use an adapter to use a proper XLR mic cable input).
  • The SL2 does not have built-in effects; the Clarus has reverb and chorus.
  • The SL2 omits the phase switches on each channel and does not have a dedicated on/off switch for the low cut filter, you'd presumably just turn it all the way to the left to effectively turn it off.
  • The Clarus has 2 effects loops (1 for each channel) where none exist on the SL2.
  • The SL2 does not have the Limiter that exists on the Clarus.
  • The Clarus has a headphone jack and multiple line-out options.
  • Both amps have the same wattage and can both perform down to a 2ohm load
So those being practical differences, can anyone that's played with both shed some light on how they perform and what they've found?
 
#3
I have the Clarus Series 4, and the Clarus SL. So, not directly comparable to what you asked, but close. I agree with the above - other than the limited feature set of the SL, they perform the same. I have used both heads with my AI Upshot, and can't really tell a difference.
 
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#4
SteIIa said:
Hey all.

So I was looking at picking up one of these two heads. In terms of practical differences, from what I've researched and gotten answered ("Clarus" full-size vs "SL2"):
  • The SL2 is physically smaller and lighter.
  • SL2 also does not have the dual dedicated 1/4" and XLR jacks that the Clarus has (it does have phantom power, but you need to use an adapter to use a proper XLR mic cable input).
  • The SL2 does not have built-in effects; the Clarus has reverb and chorus.
  • The SL2 omits the phase switches on each channel and does not have a dedicated on/off switch for the low cut filter, you'd presumably just turn it all the way to the left to effectively turn it off.
  • The Clarus has 2 effects loops (1 for each channel) where none exist on the SL2.
  • The SL2 does not have the Limiter that exists on the Clarus.
  • The Clarus has a headphone jack and multiple line-out options.
  • Both amps have the same wattage and can both perform down to a 2ohm load
So those being practical differences, can anyone that's played with both shed some light on how they perform and what they've found?
Click to expand...


Yep, that's what I emailed to you. :-)

Other than those differences, there are no other differences. The preamps SOUND the same, the amps have the same POWER - they will perform equally to each other, pretty much indistinguishable from each other, when set the same.
 
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#5
Sorry, I guess I should have been clearer in my question. I'll reformat:

Given those practical differences between the two amps, and given that the sound they output is the same, as a gigging bassist, does anyone find they miss the features of the Clarus that are not present in the SL2? And if so, to what extent and how has it impacted you?

I ask as I'm going to be picking up a DoubleShot cab, and am choosing between the Clarus and SL2 for the amp. In terms of the "form" it seems like the SL2 will pair better with the DoubleShot in how it will sit on the amp, given how it's been marketed as a combo. But, I'm mostly thinking about picking up the Clarus due to the extra features that could come in handy. As I'm not very experienced with gigging needs when it comes to an upright bass, I'm curious to what extent those with that experience have found that they missed those features.
 
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#6
SteIIa said:
Sorry, I guess I should have been clearer in my question. I'll reformat:

Given those practical differences between the two amps, and given that the sound they output is the same, as a gigging bassist, does anyone find they miss the features of the Clarus that are not present in the SL2? And if so, to what extent and how has it impacted you?

I ask as I'm going to be picking up a DoubleShot cab, and am choosing between the Clarus and SL2 for the amp. In terms of the "form" it seems like the SL2 will pair better with the DoubleShot in how it will sit on the amp, given how it's been marketed as a combo. But, I'm mostly thinking about picking up the Clarus due to the extra features that could come in handy. As I'm not very experienced with gigging needs when it comes to an upright bass, I'm curious to what extent those with that experience have found that they missed those features.
Click to expand...

That's a very fair question. Here's where the differences matter, IMHO - others may have other input that differs from my opinion, so YMMV, etc.
  • SL2 also does not have the dual dedicated 1/4" and XLR jacks that the Clarus has (it does have phantom power, but you need to use an adapter to use a proper XLR mic cable input).
If you plan on using a mic, especially a condenser, the form factor of the Clarus is easier than the SL2. But both will work, and both will sound great.
  • The SL2 omits the phase switches on each channel and does not have a dedicated on/off switch for the low cut filter, you'd presumably just turn it all the way to the left to effectively turn it off.
The phase switches can be useful for feedback control, or for phase issues when blending two input sources (i.e. two pickups, or a pickup and a mic.) But they're not usually "essential."
  • The Clarus has 2 effects loops (1 for each channel) where none exist on the SL2.
Unless you use some sort of effects (most upright players that I'm familiar with don't) this is a non-issue.
  • The SL2 does not have the Limiter that exists on the Clarus.
This only comes into play when you're playing "at 11" - the limiter rarely engages unless you're really pushing the amp hard.
  • The Clarus has a headphone jack and multiple line-out options.
Useful, but for most people, probably unused.
 
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#8
hi
the EQ bands are slightly different (at least in the specs)
SL-2: ±12dB@ 30, 250, 1200, 10K (±15dB)
CL: ±12dB@ 50, 250, 1200, 8K

The SL-2 has "internal jumpers for gain and limiter" (Does anyone have info own this- only listed in specs but no details. Is this referring to the 10dB gain switches on front panel?)

Also any details on the SL filter sweep? CL has sweepable 30-150hz, is this the same for SL?


@OP Ive had both the CL III (slightly different EQ section) and now the SL-2. IF weight and portability is the utmost importance go with the SL (this was my reasoning). That being said after a year of switching over to SL, Im often missing my old Clarus. It just seemed that with the Clarus I set it "flat" and minor adjustments for gain and filter, with the SL I feel like I'm fiddling throughout the set to get comfortable with the EQ. For the everyday user experience, Im not satisfied with the smaller knobs of the SL series—theres alot of 'slop in the pots'. For the extra 1lb (which is alot on the subway in the rain!) I may switch back to a CLIII. YMMV. Notwithstanding, AI has great products and service!
 
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#9
I have both of these amps, and while I have never tried both back-to-back through the same speaker on a gig, I have tried them this way in my living room and the sound is identical, as far as I can tell. A few points:
  • I see no provision for phantom power on the Clarus SL. The Clarus has this.
  • The Clarus SL does have an effects loop, but no effects, and no provision for controlling the volume coming through it.
  • A phase switch is handy to have, as it noticeably changes the sound, even when only one input source is used and feedback is not an issue. You can certainly get along without it, but I’ve found it useful in certain situations to help me get a workable sound. The Clarus SL doesn’t have this.
  • The slanted front panel of the Clarus makes accessing the controls a lot easier on the fly in the kind of compromised lighting environment of many gig situations, as compared to the perpendicular front panel of the Clarus SL.
If you’re ever going to blend a mic and a pick-up, or plan to plug two instruments at once into your amp, you should go with the Clarus. I use a Tonedexter, so I don’t need a mic, and the Tonedexter has its own phase switch; thus, the Clarus SL works for me.
 

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