But difference is based on SPL level, not the power level of the amp. A small amp played quietly won't sound any better than a big amp played quietly.
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Am I... Asking the impossible???
- Thread starter Uncle Hanky
- Start date
if you're really that concerned about it spend the money for the new combo on bars for your windows instead. Then use headphones.
One thing DOES make a small combo better than a big-rig for practice; fan noise.
If the big rig has a big fan that whirrrss away it can become annoying at low volumes. A small amp may have a quiet fan or even no fan.
I run a GK MB-115 driving a home-stereo style speaker (10" woofer, sealed box, 1" dome tweeter). It sounds great through that speaker; better than through the built-in 15" speaker. This pic shows it with my old Shuttle 3.0 which has been replaced with the GK combo. But I'm still using the speaker.
NAD - Top notch practice rig - Pics
If the big rig has a big fan that whirrrss away it can become annoying at low volumes. A small amp may have a quiet fan or even no fan.
I run a GK MB-115 driving a home-stereo style speaker (10" woofer, sealed box, 1" dome tweeter). It sounds great through that speaker; better than through the built-in 15" speaker. This pic shows it with my old Shuttle 3.0 which has been replaced with the GK combo. But I'm still using the speaker.
NAD - Top notch practice rig - Pics
Killjoy. Next time you manage to take someone else's comment out of context to make some astute seeming point, with or without a Wikipedia link, I hope someone does the same thing to you so you see how it feels
True, but at some low level the arse drops out of a turned down big amp. It can be recovered somewhat with EQ. Try it.
I continue to post because, for some reason, I just can't look away...
The op simply wants to get a combo...I don't think there's much more behind it than that
- Turn down what you have (No. I don't like how "big amps" sound at low volume)
- If the cabinet is the untamable "big" thing, get a small cabinet and use it with one of your amps (No. The amp is still big. Old Peaveys need to be cranked)
- If the power on tap is the untamable "big" thing, get a low powered head (No. The cabinet would be too big)
- Headphones (No. I need to be aware of my surroundings)
- So, you want to play really quietly, huh? Well, how about a true practice amp? (No. An 8" speaker can't handle my low A string with any authority)
Humor? You lost me here.Killjoy. Next time you manage to take someone else's comment out of context to make some astute seeming point, with or without a Wikipedia link, I hope someone does the same thing to you so you see how it feels
D
Deleted member 165050
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Also true, but I would have assumed a manufacturer designing a low SPL practice amp would take that into consideration... I could be wrong though!
Tongue in cheek about you bringing damn facts and reason into this (sarcasm there, not at your expense or aimed at you)...just too much thought to get across in a short remark. I crack myself up, so that'll have to do for the both of us.
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I tried one of those little Ampeg 25 Watt practice amps. The idea was to have something I could leave set up in my music room to practice through. If that thing genuinely put out a solid 25 Watts RMS at 20 Hz., then yes, it would have been okay providing the loudspeaker / enclosure / tuning was adequate to produce some low bass. But no, no and no. Not. Nothing will convince me that thing put out any where near 25 watts of real power across the audio spectrum, but particularly not down in the low bass.
As a comparison, half of a Dyna Stereo 70 (35 Watts RMS) will rock your world in a practice room (you have to use a bass preamp) if the cab is relatively close to your head on a stool or something, even through an inefficient small loudspeaker provided it has some true bass response (such as my Acme Low B112FR).
Next I tried another combo with a 12 inch speaker, 100 watts, I think. It did okay I guess until I wanted to play below let's say the low F# or E on my five string, at which point it just seemed to run out of juice even at low volume. Didn't sound good down there. I should have tried the 15 inch Rumble. But I didn't. Wasn't checking out TalkBass back then.
By that time I was frustrated and I happened to visit GC to pick up some cords and saw an Ampeg SVT 7Pro in the bass room. That's a GC story in itself but to make a long story short, I now have an SVT 7Pro and an Acme Low B112FR that lives in my music room, and it works great! Well, it worked great until the aux power supply controller chip exploded in the SVT 7Pro which almost blew me off my stool since I have the cab on another stool right next to me when I practice! That's all worked out now. Thank God Yamaha acquired Ampeg! Anyway, even at 2:00 AM which always seems like a pretty good time to practice, I don't bother my neighbors in the Condo at the volume I play at and I get beautiful low end response that is very satisfying and inspiring. Then again, I'm not playing Viking metal, either. But I would say quality is quality and it makes a difference no matter what volume level you may be playing at.
I already addressed the OP's other issue.
As a comparison, half of a Dyna Stereo 70 (35 Watts RMS) will rock your world in a practice room (you have to use a bass preamp) if the cab is relatively close to your head on a stool or something, even through an inefficient small loudspeaker provided it has some true bass response (such as my Acme Low B112FR).
Next I tried another combo with a 12 inch speaker, 100 watts, I think. It did okay I guess until I wanted to play below let's say the low F# or E on my five string, at which point it just seemed to run out of juice even at low volume. Didn't sound good down there. I should have tried the 15 inch Rumble. But I didn't. Wasn't checking out TalkBass back then.
By that time I was frustrated and I happened to visit GC to pick up some cords and saw an Ampeg SVT 7Pro in the bass room. That's a GC story in itself but to make a long story short, I now have an SVT 7Pro and an Acme Low B112FR that lives in my music room, and it works great! Well, it worked great until the aux power supply controller chip exploded in the SVT 7Pro which almost blew me off my stool since I have the cab on another stool right next to me when I practice! That's all worked out now. Thank God Yamaha acquired Ampeg! Anyway, even at 2:00 AM which always seems like a pretty good time to practice, I don't bother my neighbors in the Condo at the volume I play at and I get beautiful low end response that is very satisfying and inspiring. Then again, I'm not playing Viking metal, either. But I would say quality is quality and it makes a difference no matter what volume level you may be playing at.
I already addressed the OP's other issue.
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It will be perceived differently, which is the point of the Fletcher-Munson curves. Perception is what this is about, there is no such thing as "absolute" tone.
for those not familiar with Fletcher- Munson, the curves also show the sensitivity of hearing levels out somewhat at extreme SPL.
The OP's gear is looking a bit tired, I think an upgrade required anyway.
Mesa D800+ and the 2x10 and 1x12 cabs, not a combo, but close.
Mesa D800+ and the 2x10 and 1x12 cabs, not a combo, but close.
You mean cheap practice amp w/ short throw voice coils in an under engineered box regardless of driver size.
Several 8" Studio monitor subs do just fine at low volume.
A true practice amp is a hi fi monitor kit in a single tuned box.
My little 5 inchers don't show a hint of struggle with "A"0.
A pair sound w/ 70w sounds great at quiet volume still really pumping those lowest notes!
All 8 or 10 of them w/ big amp at same quiet volume (according to cheap db meter) isnt as full down in the lowest register...
So once again just catering to that Fletcher-Munson curve however possible is the goal.
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Whaaa
Thank you for reminding me this form and prob. the whole world is prob. just a cosmic hidden camera show! Thats hilarious
How ridiculous is that! Merriam-webster actually bothered to define that non-colloquial word phrase?
The definition from Webster's. An institution I havent respected or acknowledged since highschool came up with exactly the same words as I did!? I still lauged until my sides hurt. On the other hand creepy... either I'm just that dry and clinical and or I actually can't believe thats published and I'm too spooked at the moment to look for myself. Sounds like a google addvert? based on what was on your screen.
guess I'll show this to the next person calling me a walking dictionary.
Thank you for reminding me this form and prob. the whole world is prob. just a cosmic hidden camera show! Thats hilariousHow ridiculous is that! Merriam-webster actually bothered to define that non-colloquial word phrase?
The definition from Webster's. An institution I havent respected or acknowledged since highschool came up with exactly the same words as I did!? I still lauged until my sides hurt. On the other hand creepy... either I'm just that dry and clinical and or I actually can't believe thats published and I'm too spooked at the moment to look for myself. Sounds like a google addvert? based on what was on your screen.
guess I'll show this to the next person calling me a walking dictionary.
You may be right there. But... It is well known among audiophiles that are into vacuum tube amplifiers that said vacuum tube amplifiers sound warmest when operating at power. That's why there are 5 and 10 Watt vacuum tube hi-fi amps.
