Audio Kinesis 2-way cab vs. SVT 810

This is going to be a tough one for me...

Our own Duke LeJeune, who designs high end home audio speakers under the Audio Kinesis line, recently asked me to try out a new bass cab design he's testing, utilizing high xmax woofers and a mid driver. I'm a bigtime vintage Ampeg dude, but I've been curious about these new high efficiency designs like the Barefaced and the fEarful and the not-quite-as-new but innovative Bill Fitzmaurice designs. I love the 810's sound in front of the cab but I'll be the first to admit that even though I still like the sound off axis, it does sound way better if you stand in front of it or mic it into a good PA. But I use it because it's got the sound, and I've always thought most 2 or 3-way PA cabs sounded cheap, and most good PA cabs you could use were really expensive or too big.

But it turns out that if you do it right with high xmax neos and a mid driver with tone, a small 2-way cab sounds amazing. I can't say too much about the design per Duke's request, but it's a mind-blowing experience. It's not a real big cab but it felt like it moved almost as much air as the 810. And no matter where you stood, the sound was there. It sounds great when you play it at home, but you really can't appreciate it until you're on a gig.

BTW, it sounded excellent with an SVT. It's a different sound from the 810, kind of like if you use a REDDI DI or a speaker DI'd SVT into a really good big studio monitor. But I like it. Even sounded great with distortion...very warm and not the least bit brittle or cold. Goes quite a bit lower than I'm used to, but it's not at all muddy or boomy.

Will it replace my beloved 810, what I just spent a fortune on restoring to its original sonic glory, or my B-15 cabs? It just might. Everyone in my band and on the sound crew loved it. And I think it would not only make a great bass cab but it would also make a great cab for other instruments, and it would be ideal for small PA's, too. But dang, those Ampeg cabs are the coolest, and Duke can't do blue checker Duratex finishes

I sent back his prototype today so he can try a couple small tweaks, and I told him that when he's ready to go to market, I'm buying a couple. At first I wanted a pair to use as a small-medium PA, but after trying it out with a band, I'm hard pressed to think of a reason not to switch to them for bass. I think Duke is going to blow minds with his cabs. They're unique, very forward thinking, and IMHO they do everything he was trying to accomplish and then some. Audio Kinesis cabs are highly regarded in high end home audio, and I honestly believe that his instrument cabs are going to be just as well-received, if not more so. Wish I could say more about them, but Duke will tell you in good time.

And now for the whiny "Shill!" screamers:

DISCLAIMER: I am beta-testing a cab for Audio Kinesis. I have no other connection with Audio Kinesis other than finding Duke a friendly and very knowledgeable guy on Talkbass. I have not been compensated monetarily, but I am getting a discount on a future purchase.

 

Honestly, Ricken, I kept trying to find things I didn't like about it, and other than a small tweak or two I suggested that would optimize it for bass, I couldn't. And it's the live environment that really puts it over. A little too soon to declare total victory over the Ampegs, but I definitely want a couple cabs like this in my toolkit.

 

Ya, I saw that thread...I have to say it's nice to see everyone collaborating on ideas and trying not to duplicate each other while still using similar ideas and having similar ideals. Makes you feel really good about life for a change

 

Unclejam, I can't show pics since Duke wants to be the one to spring it on you all when he's done, but I think you of all people would be interested, seeing as you're already used to playing with a PA system behind you. It sounds like a stellar large PA cab or large studio monitor, but sounds that way everywhere you stand.

 

I guess I could mention weight. He's going to have a few different configs from slightly heavier than a Shuttle to a modular system you can make as big or small as you want. This particular cab clocked in a little heavier than 50 lbs., not sure of the exact weight, but in that vicinity.

 

Aw dude, you go hug that 810! It has served you well I used my 810 tonight on my gig and I still love it. And I actually got to turn it up tonight because I subbed with a classic rock band and the guitarist uses two 412's and a Mesa tube power amp. It's really hard to argue with that tone.

But it doesn't follow you around the stage or room, so I'm looking forward to being able to get that out of a cab for a change. And I love the look of the 810, but this thing's a third of the weight and puts out the air of a 710. I didn't like downsizing before, but this doesn't feel like downsizing when it's flapping your pants legs.

 

Well Joe, the good news is that it's all about the player and not the gear. The bad news is yeah, they will be priced higher than an Avatar 410 I have no idea what they'll go for but I'd like to think Duke knows we're musicians and not big rock stars outfitting their 3rd house with a stereo system. OTOH, quality costs, and he's not just throwing speakers in a box. This is pretty high concept stuff.