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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

#443
Howdy TB. Been meaning to post this for a while now. Just wanted to relate some awesome customer service from Duke and Mike.

I bought a composite TC115 here on TB a little while ago. Unfortunately, the cab suffered some damage to the cab and grill during shipping and I didn't know that I could trust the cab's integrity going forward.

Even though I didn't have any direct relationship with either of them, they both returned my calls within a couple of days, and were very generous with their time and expertise telling me how to make the repairs and how to check the cab to make sure everything was solid and worked as it should (it did). Neither of them were in a rush to get off the phone, and I even had to cut things short with Duke because of where/when the call occurred (my apologies again, Duke).

I hope he doesn't mind my saying so, but Mike even offered to repair the cab for free if I handled the shipping (I fixed it myself).

Very happy with the cab, by the way. I find the wide TC115 to go deeper than the non-wide version (without EQing to compensate), and it works great for me.

Thanks again guys, for your stellar customer (non-customer?) service and awesome product. Take care, DM
 
#445
first of all---I have NO commercial connection with Audiokinesis. On the contrary---he's one of my biggest competitors.
The speaker I can't compete with is his new 1203. I admit I haven't heard it but I feel I know what it sounds like. I should--I was making suggestions as far as voicing---Duke and I are really stupid as far as supporting each other's products.

How about a speaker the size of a ten with the volume and kick of the Thunderchild? (they both use the same woofer) And a bit more midrange "bite" than the TC.

I'm just pushing it because my speaker in that price range is half again as big and heavy. It does some cool stuff the 1203 doesn't. But, man---with the 1203 you could carry one in each hand with a gig bag with a mini amp on your shoulder and cover nearly any gig.
 
#446
Mike Arnopol said:
first of all---I have NO commercial connection with Audiokinesis. On the contrary---he's one of my biggest competitors.
The speaker I can't compete with is his new 1203. I admit I haven't heard it but I feel I know what it sounds like. I should--I was making suggestions as far as voicing---Duke and I are really stupid as far as supporting each other's products.

How about a speaker the size of a ten with the volume and kick of the Thunderchild? (they both use the same woofer) And a bit more midrange "bite" than the TC.

I'm just pushing it because my speaker in that price range is half again as big and heavy. It does some cool stuff the 1203 doesn't. But, man---with the 1203 you could carry one in each hand with a gig bag with a mini amp on your shoulder and cover nearly any gig.
Click to expand...

Mike, as I mentioned to you on the phone the other day, the 1203 is AMAZING! I was able to try a double 1203 stack tonight, and OMG, that is nice! :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :cool:

1855 should arrive shortly... :D
 
#448
steubig said:
tom, can you compare to the tc112?
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Not yet, but I will soon. However, I was able to make a quick comparison to my TC115AF, and the 1203 has a lot more clarity and presence in the upper mids to lower treble. The TC115AF goes lower, and has a more pristine high end, but the double 1203 stack pretty much keeps up in the lows, and they definitely take a bit of low frequency EQ boost quite well (for those who want it). In truth, one or two 1203's have very satisfying lows, but the TC115 is exceptional in this regard.
 
#451
Mike Arnopol said:
first of all---I have NO commercial connection with Audiokinesis. On the contrary---he's one of my biggest competitors.
The speaker I can't compete with is his new 1203. I admit I haven't heard it but I feel I know what it sounds like. I should--I was making suggestions as far as voicing---Duke and I are really stupid as far as supporting each other's products.

How about a speaker the size of a ten with the volume and kick of the Thunderchild? (they both use the same woofer) And a bit more midrange "bite" than the TC.

I'm just pushing it because my speaker in that price range is half again as big and heavy. It does some cool stuff the 1203 doesn't. But, man---with the 1203 you could carry one in each hand with a gig bag with a mini amp on your shoulder and cover nearly any gig.
Click to expand...

Thank you SO MUCH, Mike!

Don't tell anybody, but Mike's building the best bass cabinets, in my opinion. I got to work on the crossover of a couple of them, and their low-end impact and definition, and overall articulation and clarity (especially at high levels) is scary, especially if you're a competitor. But the one thing they can't do is be shoehorned into an ubercompact box, so that's my lifeboat. I still think my other cabs will fill a need here and there (is "best cab for metal" already taken??). Just because Usain Bolt is in the race doesn't mean all the other sprinters stay home and watch him on TV. Gotta at least try to make him earn it.

Mike is making me bust my butt and try to up my game. I don't know if I have that same effect on him, but I sure try. But you know what? When we talk on the phone about this or that design of mine, he NEVER HOLDS BACK from giving me his best ideas on the subject. I try to do the same for him. But I remember one time I was holding back an idea that I was thinking of using in the home audio market, which could have had an application in his bass cabs. Well a couple of weeks later, he came up with it on his own. I don't think it ever ended up being used by either one of us, but despite all of his self-deprecation about not being a "designer", I beg to differ.

I offered to get a 1203 to him at some point just so he could check it out (maybe see what the competition was up to), and he said no need, I already know what it sounds like. I believe him. He knows the drivers I'm using, I've told him about the voicing in far more detail than I've gone into in this thread, and he's been encouraging me to run with that cab from the first time I mentioned it to him.

So thanks Mike.
 
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#452
DukeLeJeune said:
Thank you SO MUCH, Mike!

Don't tell anybody, but Mike's building the best bass cabinets, in my opinion. I got to work on the crossover of a couple of them, and their low-end impact and definition, and overall articulation and clarity (especially at high levels) is scary, especially if you're a competitor. But the one thing they can't do is be shoehorned into an ubercompact box, so that's my lifeboat. I still think my other cabs will fill a need here and there (is "best cab for metal" already taken??). Just because Usain Bolt is in the race doesn't mean all the other sprinters stay home and watch him on TV. Gotta at least try to make him earn it.

Mike is making me bust my butt and try to up my game. I don't know if I have that same effect on him, but I sure try. But you know what? When we talk on the phone about this or that design of mine, he NEVER HOLDS BACK from giving me his best ideas on the subject. I try to do the same for him. But I remember one time I was holding back an idea that I was thinking of using in the home audio market, which could have had an application in his bass cabs. Well a couple of weeks later, he came up with it on his own. I don't think it ever ended up being used by either one of us, but despite all of his self-deprecation about not being a "designer", I beg to differ.

I offered to get a 1203 to him at some point just so he could check it out (maybe see what the competition was up to), and he said no need, I already know what it sounds like. I believe him. He knows the drivers I'm using, I've told him about the voicing in far more detail than I've gone into in this thread, and he's been encouraging me to run with that cab from the first time I mentioned it to him.

So thanks Mike.
Click to expand...

popcorn.gif
 
#453
Arjank said:
popcorn.gif
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We do try to keep it entertaining.

Seriously, it was scary for me to post that I think Mike's cabs are the best, but in the end I think the truth serves us all. "Best" doesn't necessarily mean "best at everything and best for every purpose". There are things Roger Baer's cabs do better. There are things Andy Lewis's cabs do better. There are things Greenboy cabs do better. There are things Alex Claber's cabs do better. Bergantino, Xsonics, Arjank (who I'm glad I don't have to compete against), Bill Fitzmaurice, LoPhat, Glasstone, Schroeder, Accugroove, Avatar, Euphonic Audio, apologies to everyone I'm leaving out. Maybe even occasionally something one of mine does better. But the cabs that stand out the most to me are Mike's. Imo, ime, ymmv, etc.

I've seen people observe that it's a great time to be a bass player. It's also a great time to be a small bass cab manufacturer, in large measure because of this site, which is the most fantastic resource for finding the right cab for your needs, or at least narrowing it down to the best possible shortlist.
 
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#454
DukeLeJeune said:
We do try to keep it entertaining.

Seriously, it was scary for me to post that I think Mike's cabs are the best, but in the end I think the truth serves us all. "Best" doesn't necessarily mean "best at everything and best for every purpose". There are things Roger Baer's cabs do better. There are things Andy Lewis's cabs do better. There are things Greenboy cabs do better. There are things Alex Claber's cabs do better. Bergantino, Xsonics, Arjank (who I'm glad I don't have to compete against), Bill Fitzmaurice, LoPhat, Glasstone, Schroeder, Accugroove, Avatar, Euphonic Audio, apologies to everyone I'm leaving out. Maybe even occasionally something one of mine does better. But the cabs that stand out the most to me are Mike's. Imo, ime, ymmv, etc.

I've seen people observe that it's a great time to be a bass player. It's also a great time to be a small bass cab manufacturer, in large measure because of this site, which is the most fantastic resource for finding the right cab for your needs, or at least narrowing it down to the best possible shortlist.
Click to expand...

+100

Well said Duke!
 
#456
lelandcrooks said:
Scholar and Gentleman.
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+1 And despite his self-deprecating ways, or perhaps in part because of them, I think that Duke's cabs are some of the best in the business. :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :cool:

Fortunately, we bass players have the luxury of choosing from "different flavors of great." :D
 
#457
yeah--Duke and I are like the old cartoon characters Chip and Dale. "After you, oh no,no, after you." I'm NOT as nice of a guy. I make a nice post, mainly because I really believe in his product, but in a selfish sense---because it doesn't compete with me.

And then he comes out with this crap.

He is always "out Ghandi-ing" me!
 

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