AudioKinesis 112 Cab

[Bernie Connors]

Maybe I have missed it but is there any info on the 212 cab that is upcoming? A release date?

Also, I've looked around in the thread and tried to find measurements to no avail. What's the HxWxD on the Thunderchild?

 

[lookiel]

Copied from the Audiocircle forum:

Here are the specs:

Type: Two-way vented bass guitar cabinet
Impedance: 4 ohms,
Efficiency: 95 dB/1 watt, based on Thiele/Small parameters
Thermal Power Handling: 450 watts RMS, 900 watts music program
Displacement (cone area x one-way linear excursion): 496 cubic centimeters (more than most 15's)
Bandwidth: 56 Hz to 18 kHz plus or minus 3 dB (with normal port tuning), -6 dB at 48 Hz, no upper bass bump. Top end extension switchable to a gentle rolloff at 3.5 kHz, and tweeter can also be turned completely off.
Crossover: About 2 kHz, no significant response dip in crossover region
Radiation pattern: 90 degree constant directivity in the horizontal plane from the crossover region on up
Port tuning options: 50 Hz normal (both ports open, -3 dB at 56 Hz, fairly steep rolloff); and Qtc = .53 box with both ports sealed (-3 dB at 100 Hz, gentle rolloff)
Dimensions: 22" tall by 14" wide by 14" deep; net internal volume 1.7 cubic feet
Weight: 34 pounds

 

[JimmyM]

Maybe I have missed it but is there any info on the 212 cab that is upcoming? A release date?

there isn't any info available yet. release date: as soon as i get it

 

[hensonbass]

I really broke the cab in last night with a loud rock trio at a club and I had to crank it up because I was not in the PA. I played my electric upright into an EBS MicroBass II pre > Acoustic Image Focus amp > Thundchild all night and could hear myself perfectly and the cab definitely killed it. The band leader couldn't believe how much sound was coming out of a rig that small. I was surprised myself. I also had a friend play my bass for me and I stepped into the room to hear what it sounded like and that's when I really fell in love. The tone of my EUB was perfectly balanced and really natural sounding.

I got another loud gig tonight where I will play some slab as well.

 

[KJung]

I really broke the cab in last night with a loud rock trio at a club and I had to crank it up because I was not in the PA. I played my electric upright into an EBS MicroBass II pre > Acoustic Image Focus amp > Thundchild all night and could hear myself perfectly and the cab definitely killed it. The band leader couldn't believe how much sound was coming out of a rig that small. I was surprised myself. I also had a friend play my bass for me and I stepped into the room to hear what it sounded like and that's when I really fell in love. The tone of my EUB was perfectly balanced and really natural sounding.

I got another loud gig tonight where I will play some slab as well.

Excellent! I'm looking forward to really opening mine up next Saturday... 70s J, lots of funk and 'pop', rather large group, no PA support.

This is great news. Every bone in my body says this cab will hang with most 2 x 112 stacks, but have not been able to test that theory yet!

 

[jnewmark]

Excellent! I'm looking forward to really opening mine up next Saturday... 70s J, lots of funk and 'pop', rather large group, no PA support.

This is great news. Every bone in my body says this cab will hang with most 2 x 112 stacks, but have not been able to test that theory yet!

+1 I will be waiting to hear your gig report in that type of setting, which is very similar to some of my gigs. I still can't believe that a little 112/horn cab can be " all that " , but I hope I'm wrong. What an easy schlepp if it is that good !

 

[KJung]

+1 I will be waiting to hear your gig report in that type of setting, which is very similar to some of my gigs. I still can't believe that a little 112/horn cab can be " all that " , but I hope I'm wrong. What an easy schlepp if it is that good !

Again, I'm not pretending it will keep up with the AE212 or a 410 in any way. But, I'm pretty sure it will be a great 'small gig' cab, and a very good 'large gig/horrible load in, so I need something small that will still cover the gig and at least do a decent job' cab.

The problem I always had with my 'typical' 2 x 112 stacks was (from what I've been told) that low xmax thing. A 2 x 112 stack was loud enough for me for almost any gig when playing typical fingerstyle. However, versus a good 410, they would just totally fold and compress when slapping at high volume (i.e., those speakers would reach their xmax limits and just 'stop'!). Since the Thunderchild has almost three times the xmax of the typical 'production 112 cab driver', and also, the thermal power rating to match, this should easily get 80% as loud and full as most 2 x 112, but at the same time handling those transients better, resulting in it being a better solution than a typical 210 or 2 x 112 for me.

That's the logic, and also what I'm hearing at home (and I've gotten pretty good now interpreting what I hear at home and translating it to the gig). However, the one thing that is hard to mimic at home is handling those slap and 'digging in' transients. The good news is, one loud gig is all the sample you need to determine that!

Edit: Hah... change of plans... I'm playing in the large convention room Saturday (seats about 5000) versus the small ballroom I thought I was going to be playing in. So, no Thunderchild this weekend.... we have PA support, but no individual monitor mixes, and the stage is HUGE... so need the full monty for this one.

 

[Bernie Connors]

Copied from the Audiocircle forum:

Here are the specs:

Type: Two-way vented bass guitar cabinet
Impedance: 4 ohms,
Efficiency: 95 dB/1 watt, based on Thiele/Small parameters
Thermal Power Handling: 450 watts RMS, 900 watts music program
Displacement (cone area x one-way linear excursion): 496 cubic centimeters (more than most 15's)
Bandwidth: 56 Hz to 18 kHz plus or minus 3 dB (with normal port tuning), -6 dB at 48 Hz, no upper bass bump. Top end extension switchable to a gentle rolloff at 3.5 kHz, and tweeter can also be turned completely off.
Crossover: About 2 kHz, no significant response dip in crossover region
Radiation pattern: 90 degree constant directivity in the horizontal plane from the crossover region on up
Port tuning options: 50 Hz normal (both ports open, -3 dB at 56 Hz, fairly steep rolloff); and Qtc = .53 box with both ports sealed (-3 dB at 100 Hz, gentle rolloff)
Dimensions: 22" tall by 14" wide by 14" deep; net internal volume 1.7 cubic feet
Weight: 34 pounds

Thanks!!

there isn't any info available yet. release date: as soon as i get it

For some reason, I thought you had received it already. Hopefully you get it, soon! Really anxious to see that one.

 

[IntrepidCellist]

I brought my cab to the New England GTG today and tried a whole bunch of heads through it.

Verdicts:
1) TC RH450 - I really, really liked this pairing. Warm and middy, but plenty of punch and good low end without being too deep. Onboard compressor and adjustable grit really made it feel great.

2) Mesa Walkabout - Very clear and articulate, with easily adjustable EQ. Great little bit of growl with the gain pushed. Didn't have quite the "push" of the RH, but that was probably due to both the lower power rating and lack of onboard compression. Definitely #2 after the TC though.

3) Shuttle 9.0 - Not a great match. I'm not a huge fan of the Shuttle voicing anyways, but I felt like there was a lot of sound coming out, but nothing to "hear" if that makes sense. Lots of top and bottom but no mids or punch, even when boosting the mid EQ. Some of this was probably due to the room, but I don't think that this is the head for me.

4) Little Mark III - Good match. I prefer a little more EQ control, but the overall voicing was pleasant and punchy, if a little bland. Not quite as nice as the Walkabout, but no slouch either. I would gladly gig with this combo.

 

[Bernie Connors]

I brought my cab to the New England GTG today and tried a whole bunch of heads through it.

Verdicts:
1) TC RH450 - I really, really liked this pairing. Warm and middy, but plenty of punch and good low end without being too deep. Onboard compressor and adjustable grit really made it feel great.

2) Mesa Walkabout - Very clear and articulate, with easily adjustable EQ. Great little bit of growl with the gain pushed. Didn't have quite the "push" of the RH, but that was probably due to both the lower power rating and lack of onboard compression. Definitely #2 after the TC though.

3) Shuttle 9.0 - Not a great match. I'm not a huge fan of the Shuttle voicing anyways, but I felt like there was a lot of sound coming out, but nothing to "hear" if that makes sense. Lots of top and bottom but no mids or punch, even when boosting the mid EQ. Some of this was probably due to the room, but I don't think that this is the head for me.

4) Little Mark III - Good match. I prefer a little more EQ control, but the overall voicing was pleasant and punchy, if a little bland. Not quite as nice as the Walkabout, but no slouch either. I would gladly gig with this combo.

Cool! Thanks for the review.

Warm and middy for the RH450? Sounds good to me!

 

[IntrepidCellist]

The RH450 would be my choice. The onboard tuner is fantastic too and the "tubetone" is pretty great-sounding. It would let me do away with my pedalboard (currently tuner+vt bass for a little grit) entirely.

My current WT400 is probably my second choice after that, with the Walkabout a close third. The LMIII was no slouch but lacked character, and I really didn't get along with the Shuttle 9.0.

 

[JimmyM]

For some reason, I thought you had received it already. Hopefully you get it, soon! Really anxious to see that one.

yeah, me too...well i trust duke implicitly, so i'm sure it'll kick ass when it's done and i can wait as long as it takes.

 

[Bernie Connors]

The RH450 would be my choice. The onboard tuner is fantastic too and the "tubetone" is pretty great-sounding. It would let me do away with my pedalboard (currently tuner+vt bass for a little grit) entirely.

My current WT400 is probably my second choice after that, with the Walkabout a close third. The LMIII was no slouch but lacked character, and I really didn't get along with the Shuttle 9.0.

Great. Sounds like we have similar tone goals. A little something happening in the mids will work just fine, for me. Have you had a chance to try the TC with an Epifani 502?

yeah, me too...well i trust duke implicitly, so i'm sure it'll kick ass when it's done and i can wait as long as it takes.

It's tough to wait but as you said, it'll be worth it. I'm really anxious to see the design of the cab.

 

[John D Harris]

Some very interesting feedback coming from those gig reports.

I'm very intrigued by the AK 212, but wonder how the low end voicing will compare to the Thunder Child's.

From KJ's descriptions, the low end of the Thunder Child is right up my alley (along with the smooth, but articulate mids and treble).

I prefer a one-cab-does-everything approach which would mean I really need more than a 1x12 with the types of gigs I do and the type of PA we usually use.

The mid-bass to lower mids is where a great bass cab shines for me without a boomy bottom and as I said, smooth, but articulate from the low-mids on up to the top end.

Call my dream cab 'hammering punch combined with clarity that doesn't get harsh'.

 

[JimmyM]

the prototype duke sent me did seem to go a little lower than the b-15 and svt 810 cabs i'm used to playing, but it wasn't boomy by any stretch of the imagination. i quite liked its low end.

 

[Bernie Connors]

the prototype duke sent me did seem to go a little lower than the b-15 and svt 810 cabs i'm used to playing, but it wasn't boomy by any stretch of the imagination. i quite liked its low end.

So you have at least played a prototype of the 212?

 

[JimmyM]

i certainly have, bernie! i can't tell you about it, but i can tell you it's not thunderchild sr. some of the concepts of the thunderchild are in it, like the horn/crossover network, but it must be seen and heard to be believed.

 

[John D Harris]

the prototype duke sent me did seem to go a little lower than the b-15 and svt 810 cabs i'm used to playing, but it wasn't boomy by any stretch of the imagination. i quite liked its low end.

I wouldn't expect any really good cab to be boomy (except maybe in a boomy room), least of all one of Duke's cabs.

The descriptions of the Thunder Child sound like it is very tight below say (around) 45Hz and the 'Hammering' comes in above that.

That is pretty much what I'd like to see in a bigger, higher-SPL version (be that a 2x12 or 1x15 or whatever).

 

[Bernie Connors]

i certainly have, bernie! i can't tell you about it, but i can tell you it's not thunderchild sr. some of the concepts of the thunderchild are in it, like the horn/crossover network, but it must be seen and heard to be believed.

Lucky!

It'll be like early Christmas when you post pics of that thing.

 

[KJung]

Some very interesting feedback coming from those gig reports.

I'm very intrigued by the AK 212, but wonder how the low end voicing will compare to the Thunder Child's.

From KJ's descriptions, the low end of the Thunder Child is right up my alley (along with the smooth, but articulate mids and treble).

I prefer a one-cab-does-everything approach which would mean I really need more than a 1x12 with the types of gigs I do and the type of PA we usually use.

The mid-bass to lower mids is where a great bass cab shines for me without a boomy bottom and as I said, smooth, but articulate from the low-mids on up to the top end.

Call my dream cab 'hammering punch combined with clarity that doesn't get harsh'.

+1 all the way. I like the sort of 'round' low end on this cab... not as extended as some cabs to the deep low end, and not as peaky in the upper bass as many... just real, full, round, low end. 'Clarity' is also a good description of the top end... not that 'sizzle' you get with a tweeter that sits well above the top end of a driver like many cabs (that isn't a bad sound at all, but that isn't what this cab is about), but much more treble extension than any one way cab, and even when you dial in some upper treble with EQ, it stays 'musical and organic' versus 'mega sizzle'.

I'm more impressed every day that I spend with this thing.