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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
I need to make a correction to what I told TrentB. He is aware of this change, and is okay with it:
The Hathor 212 will use two 3" cone mids instead of the single 5" cone mid. It's a tradeoff between stronger upper mids versus more top-end (with a bit better dispersion). The Hathor 1505 is already using the 5" cone mid, so I already have a high-SPL cab out there with that more aggressive upper-mid voicing available at the flick of a switch . By going with the pair of 3" cones in the Hathor 212, I'll be offering a bit more variety in that higher SPL category.
Originally I'd balked at going with the pair of 3" cones because that makes the 212 almost a clone of two stacked 1203's, but on the other hand, that may not be a bad thing.
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- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
I don't think Tom had them both at the same time.
Personally, I think the Kappalite motor in the 1505 has more "punch" than the motor in the Faital 15PR400 (used in the Hathor 1544). The Faital woofer also has a very smooth upper end, so the 1544 doesn't really have a "grindy" mode. I had not yet come up with a strategy for deliberately "voicing" a cab for electric bass when I designed the 1544.
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
For the past week I've been scrambling to meet two deadlines, and I met one of them, but today I had to throw in the towel on the other, an 1866. Anyway I'll post a pic of the Hathor 212 when I have it, but the Hathor 212 build is still a few weeks away.
Is that the 3015LF in the 1505 ? I use the Faital 15PR400 on it's own in a single cab ( Bassic 15 ) and find it is pretty punchy, but sort of barky in the high end, which can be a good thing with a Fender Jazz for that back pickup bark that the Jazz is famous for. I always wished that the Bassic 15 had a tweeter option to get some sort of high end sparkle.
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
I use a custom 4-ohm Kappalite in the Hathor 1505. It's slightly more efficient than the 3015 (non-LF), so it's a fair bit more efficient than the 3015LF, but lacks the excursion and low-end extension of the 3015LF. My target is the first overtone of low-B (the 1505 is down about 4 dB at 62 Hz) so I don't need the massive low end of the 3015LF, and the math says I have enough excursion for my application.
By design, my custom 15" Kappalite has a strong peak in the upper mids, in a region where many guitar speakers actually have a dip (ballpark 1.5 kHz). My theory is, a bass cab can have a peak in that region and sound nice and growly without stepping on anyone's sonic toes. In contrast, I do not want my bass cabs to be loud between 2 and 4 kHz, because that's the guitar's "home turf", and if we're loud there, we run the risk of instigating a volume war. Since not everyone will want the upper-mid emphasis, and those that do may not want it all the time, I include a smoothing circuit that can be switched in and out of the signal path as desired.
I have been following this thread for a long while and I know no one likes these but I have a “help me decide which cab” post if you all are ok with that. (If not PM me and I will give you my address to send me old tomatoes and used diapers.)
First, what I want: A single cab for most gigs. I play small clubs to medium sized spaces sometimes without bass going through the PA where the bass amp is it. I usually use 2x112 or a 212 and that is enough, but any smaller does not work for me. Some small stages where I am right on top of my amp.
I am trying to decide between a TC212, Hathor 1855, TC115, or other Duke cab..
Type of music: Funk, soul, jazz, blues, covers, top40
Main gig: Soul/funk cover band, early motown to Prince
Recent past cabs I have owned and my feelings about them:
Genz Uber 410: loved this cab, it hit hard, not the easiest to move around
Berg CN212: I loved this cab, very even and smooth to my ears. Should not have sold it
Mesa subway 112x2 (current): These are my only current cabs. I like them ok, but for some reason they leave a little to be desired. It may be the top end is a little harsh for me. I love the subway D-800 head, which is what I am using right now.
I had a TC112 v1. For a bit that a really really loved it (obviously). By itself was not loud enough for my bands practices. I have never heard a Hathor in-person, thus the difficult decision.
My main bass is a Nordy VJ5 (70s ash/maple) and I go for that slightly to the back pickup burp sound a far bit, with a little bass boost so it does not sound thin. Slap 5% of the time.
Thanks for reading and your thoughts.
First, what I want: A single cab for most gigs. I play small clubs to medium sized spaces sometimes without bass going through the PA where the bass amp is it. I usually use 2x112 or a 212 and that is enough, but any smaller does not work for me. Some small stages where I am right on top of my amp.
I am trying to decide between a TC212, Hathor 1855, TC115, or other Duke cab..
Type of music: Funk, soul, jazz, blues, covers, top40
Main gig: Soul/funk cover band, early motown to Prince
Recent past cabs I have owned and my feelings about them:
Genz Uber 410: loved this cab, it hit hard, not the easiest to move around
Berg CN212: I loved this cab, very even and smooth to my ears. Should not have sold it
Mesa subway 112x2 (current): These are my only current cabs. I like them ok, but for some reason they leave a little to be desired. It may be the top end is a little harsh for me. I love the subway D-800 head, which is what I am using right now.
I had a TC112 v1. For a bit that a really really loved it (obviously). By itself was not loud enough for my bands practices. I have never heard a Hathor in-person, thus the difficult decision.
My main bass is a Nordy VJ5 (70s ash/maple) and I go for that slightly to the back pickup burp sound a far bit, with a little bass boost so it does not sound thin. Slap 5% of the time.
Thanks for reading and your thoughts.
Well, welcome to the brotherhood of AudioKinesis! Fine group of gentlemen here that all have one thing in common: A taste for excellence, and Duke provides that as you already know about from your TC112. I can tell you I love the sound of my 2 H1203's stacked. They's small, light, but can handle 500 watts and they are very loud for their size. I've mentioned before, with the right switch combinations on the back (which control the midrange and tweeter, I believe) and my GK MB500 overdriven, I can come very close to getting that vintage overdriven SVT or Made In USA Peavey grind that I missed. Except now I can haul everything in one trip and I'm out of the gig in five minutes.
I don't have experience with the TC series, but the Hathor series receives a lot of love around here, and now there's a Hathor 15 cab. Not sure if it's going to be a 4x4" or 5" switched controlled cab but I know a couple guys who used it compared it to a 410.
Good luck, hope you find the right AK cab for your needs and join the league of gentlemen!
The TC212 is the most versatile cabs I've ever owned. Although I have to admit that trying out one of the 1855's would be fun.
There's a 212 v1 in the classifieds right now in San Francisco. Pretty cheap. Maybe you could try it out.
For Sale/Trade - Audiokinesis TC212 (v.1) - PRICE REDUCED
I nabbed the TC 112 8 ohm cab in the classifieds...
DeeMan is great and local to me! He will likely be hearing from me very soon. The 1855 is so tempting I just wanted to make sure it was not a better choice based on what I have liked in the past.
Thanks for all the help!
I've had the TC212 and currently use a pair of hathor 1203's. For the music you listed the hathor seems like the perfect fit. But you said you loved the TC112 so it makes sense to try out the 212 version since it's local. If it works for you it's a heckuva deal. But these hathors...
The greenboys have a map with owners and their locations. Maybe us kinutics should put something together so people can hear these cabs for themselves. I'm hesitant to tell someone a cab will satisfy their wants/needs/desires because we're all so different.
Next month I'm meeting up with some other GA boys to compare cabs. They've got an F212, a BBC tank 212 and possibly an F210 and want to see how the 2x1203 stack compares. Should be fun.
The greenboys have a map with owners and their locations. Maybe us kinutics should put something together so people can hear these cabs for themselves. I'm hesitant to tell someone a cab will satisfy their wants/needs/desires because we're all so different.
Next month I'm meeting up with some other GA boys to compare cabs. They've got an F212, a BBC tank 212 and possibly an F210 and want to see how the 2x1203 stack compares. Should be fun.
Good idea.
AudioKinesis Users
Click "Additions" at the top Left, and click "Add Marker - Simple". I suggest something like this for your markers:
Edit to add: if this becomes an actual "thing" that people user and get a lot of markers on, I'll offer up to @DukeLeJeune any assistance he may need on getting a similar setup on his website as an "official" account. Otherwise, consider this unofficial etc. etc.
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People can put their street address if they want (I would probably suggest against that), or the closest town/city to them. It's not perfect, but I think it's a wonderful idea.
