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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
Um...Mr. @DukeLeJeune might be the one to answer that!
And dig the nickel corners...
I definitely like the metal corners. The plastic ones always get cracked eventually.
Possibly...
3 smaller ports to give more options than just ported or sealed?
3 smaller ports to give more options than just ported or sealed?
We'll, yeah. But I'm an engineer, so I'm hoping for some numbers and a story, too
Cool! I'm waiting for mine; four more weeks.
Let us know what you think of the features/benefits/limitations of the 3 ports.
As the proud owner of four ports:
Fearures: You can tailor your cabs sound several different ways.
Benefits: See Features.
Limitations: Uhhh... you have to carry the port plugs??? And need I say how much of a non-problem that is?
I actually prefer the plastic corners, as you don't need separate feet, they stack well, and work great on hard surfaces (I play a fair amount outdoors these days).
The ports are a nice to have, but truth be told I typically leave them all open as I like the cab to reach as low as it can. Still nice to have the option to mess with things.
The ports are a nice to have, but truth be told I typically leave them all open as I like the cab to reach as low as it can. Still nice to have the option to mess with things.
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
The story is pretty much what lo-freq said.
Okay a few weeks back a bunch of you guys were posting about how much you liked the flexibility that the multiple pluggable ports gives you. So I took another look at the Hathor 1203.
In my opinion the "ideal" tuning frequency would have been in the lower 50's, but here's the problem that presents: The port length required was shorter than I could get with the 3" flared Precision Port, assuming I wanted to keep the inner flare - which I did. Well I figured the 46 Hz tuning frequency of the Hathor 1203 was still going to be pretty good, and apparently it has been.
But, there's not much adjustability... port open or port plugged, that was it.
Now I'm not sure why I didn't do three ports from the beginning, because three 2" ports gives a tuning frequency in the lower 50's. It was probably because I didn't want to stock two different sets of port parts, and also because I was trying to hit a price point. If the 46 Hz tuning frequency had sucked, I'd have probably gone to three 2" ports from the beginning, but it didn't suck.
So anyway when you guys started singing the praises of multiple pluggable ports, well by then the Thunderchild 112v3 was already in play with its four 2" ports, so that bridge had been crossed. So my little wheels started turning, and it took a while, but the Hathor 1203 will have three 2" diameter ports. Everyone who has one (or more) on order now gets the three ports at no extra charge, but orders placed after I get my website updated will get hit with the price increase. It won't be too bad.
We'll, yeah. But I'm an engineer, so I'm hoping for some numbers and a story, too
Here are some numbers, according to my modeling program... I quote how far down the cab is at 82 Hz and 62 Hz because those frequencies are the first overtones of low-E and low-B, respectively, and imo those numbers give a pretty good indication of how the cab does on those notes, so hopefully it's useful. I'm also giving the -10 dB point so that you can kinda visualize how the rolloff slope becomes more gradual as we plug ports, if you want to. Non-engineers can skip the next four paragraphs and just read the English translation.
Three ports open = 54 Hz tuning frequency (fartout resistance still looks good); +.5 dB @ 82 Hz; - 2.5 dB @ 62 Hz; and -10 dB @ 44 Hz.
Plug one port (two ports open), and the tuning is within 1 Hz of the single 3" port, about 45 Hz. We're -.5 dB @ 82 Hz; - 3 dB @ 62 Hz; and -10 dB @ 41 Hz.
Plug two ports (one port open) and now the tuning frequency drops to 33 Hz. We're -2 dB @ 82 Hz; -4.5 dB @ 62 Hz; and -10 dB @ 40 Hz.
Plug all three ports (sealed box) and we're -4 dB @ 82 Hz; - 6.5 dB @ 62 Hz; and -10 dB @ 47 Hz.
So in English, we have a little bit bigger low end than with the single 3" port when all three 2" ports are open. We have essentially the same low end as the single 3" port when two ports are open. And with one port open we have one more intermediate step, with a tighter low end, before we go all the way to sealed box mode.
Now one of the things that's happening as we plug ports is, we are reducing the total port cross-sectional area and theoretically lowering the chuffing threshold. In practice I don't think this is going to be a problem because the cab is simply not getting hit with as much energy at those lower frequencies - my understanding is that, on the lowest notes, there is normally more energy in the first overtone than in the fundamental, on electric bass. No one has ever told me that plugging ports produces chuffing on any of my other cabs, so I think it's unlikely here... but if it does happen, let me know!
In retrospect I kinda feel dumb that I didn't go with the three 2" ports from the beginning on the Hathor 1203. Unfortunately it's not something that I can retro-fit.
The black plastic corners are still standard; the nickel ones were installed at tallboy's request.
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That's why gawd invented the Sawzall...
You could possibly modify using a 2" hole saw on a good drill with center points punched very accurately.
Much more control than a Sawzall. Or just buy a new cab.
Much more control than a Sawzall. Or just buy a new cab.
You could possibly modify using a 2" hole saw on a good drill with center points punched very accurately.
Much more control than a Sawzall. Or just buy a new cab.
I'm sure you're mostly joking, but realistically, with substantial previous evidence, Duke would certainly be forthcoming with any retrofit information if it was indeed possible.
I'll tell ya
I'm really glad you went with the multiple ports on the 1203.
The multiple pluggable ports seems like a simple idea---but it's the simple ideas that is where genius lies.
This makes Duke's cabs more flexible than any other cabs out there. More important than changing the frequency response--at least to me--is that they can change the feel and envelope of the low end. All ports open---you get that nice "bloom" to the sound. Start closing ports and it starts to sound and function more like a sealed box. When I had my Thunderchild I almost always plugged one port. I had to goose the bass up just a bit--but it was almost like the best of both worlds--ported and that nice focus of a sealed box. But---if I was playing in a big room---no plugs. It's like having multiple cabs in one. I'm jealous!
I'm really glad you went with the multiple ports on the 1203.
The multiple pluggable ports seems like a simple idea---but it's the simple ideas that is where genius lies.
This makes Duke's cabs more flexible than any other cabs out there. More important than changing the frequency response--at least to me--is that they can change the feel and envelope of the low end. All ports open---you get that nice "bloom" to the sound. Start closing ports and it starts to sound and function more like a sealed box. When I had my Thunderchild I almost always plugged one port. I had to goose the bass up just a bit--but it was almost like the best of both worlds--ported and that nice focus of a sealed box. But---if I was playing in a big room---no plugs. It's like having multiple cabs in one. I'm jealous!
You need "flaps" in the MAS cabs. Imagine something like AC ducts that you can open/close to change the vortex path.
yeah, yeah, I know...I shouldn't quit my day job
I'd argue that six hydrocoptic marzelvanes might do the trick
Rumor is that they'll appear at Burning Man this year.
amp flaps, my gal's got 'em.
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