AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

[DukeLeJeune]

...the T (or taller) versions might be a little fuller in the bottom end due to the additional cab volume allowing for a slightly deeper tuning. At least the Changeling 112T (which I've actually played on) will offer a very full low end that is not the least bit flabby or overwhelming.

Thank you Al.

I can do a "Tall" version of the Hathor 1203 as well, in case people might want the increased box volume but not want the additional rear-firing mid of the Changeling.

The apparent success of the Tall version of the Changeling 112 suggests a Tall version of the Changeling 115 might make sense. As if the waters weren't muddy enough already, right?

 

[Al Kraft]

I can do a "Tall" version of the Hathor 1203 as well,

...and I know it's only a few (like 3 or 4) inches, but the closer to my ear those ports are, the better I suspect I'll hear the information they project. Additionally, it's just that much easier to reach down and make amp adjustments when I need to.

I'm also guessing it's been mentioned somewhere in all these posts, but when I first tried Duke's cab I was concerned about the lack of a side carry handle to loop my cord through so I didn't end up accidentally pulling a light weight head off the top of the cab. Then I realized I could thread my instrument cable down through the top port, out the side port and loop it up to the amp input. Not only does it work like a charm, but it's probably a lot easier on cable shields than pinning them under the spring loaded side handles.

If your amp is the right size and you like fancy solutions, a right angle instrument connector makes running the cable into one of the top ports and out the side look like it was a custom design feature...and maybe it was.

 

[John D Harris]

Lots of great info here. I've learned a lot about these cabs, but have no first hand experience with them. Can anyone comment on how well the Hathor or Changeling cabs work on Reggae gigs?

The Hathor 1863 leaps to my mind here.
I suspect it might still be in the testing/development stage(s).
But if you want 1x12" cabs only, then yes you would want the bigger box (a pair or more of the 1x12s) & don't forget the 1x15 Hathors - a couple of those should work.
If you play bass below 40Hz, size of venues, decent PA support, would impact what cabs & how many drivers you need.

Suggest you contact Duke.

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Suggest you contact Duke.

He did... and I suggested that he post here! I think you guys are a better source of advice on whether my Hathor and Changeling cabs would work well for Reggae.

 

[Al Kraft]

Adequacy of PA support and the degree to which I have to carry the venue with my cabs, as well as venue specifics (size, indoor/outdoor, etc.) play a huge role for me in cab selection. So lo-freq's advice in that area very much hits home for me. I'm also a 4 string player, so the low B issue isn't a concern I deal with.

That said, there is nothing I've noted so far that indicates that the Changeling 112T wouldn't work for Reggae. While the cab isn't the most efficient I've ever played, if you can feed it an honest 400-500 watts, it puts out a very full bottom end that doesn't get mushy when you push the low tones with some volume (and once again I'm a 4 string player data point).

IME the "best cab" for any style of music is always more of a player taste issue than anything else, but I can't imagine someone thinking this cab is lacking in the lower register to the extent that it couldn't work for Reggae. I believe Duke has cabs that are tuned a bit lower, but for me a good Reggae sound is more about the fullness, punch, clarity and quality of the bass tone than how loudly the cab can produce a 31 or 40 Hz fundamental. I'd also say I think I've heard as many styles of Reggae tones as I have rock or country.

As always YMMV, and style/preference differences will easily get you to different answers. I hope that helps!

 

[StillBlessed]

The Hathor 18~whatever~ (1863?) leaps to my mind here.
I suspect it might still be in the testing/development stage(s).
But if you want 1x12" cabs only, then yes you would want the bigger box (a pair or more of the 1x12s) & don't forget the 1x15 Hathors - a couple of those should work.
If you play bass below 40Hz, size of venues, decent PA support, would impact what cabs & how many drivers you need.

Suggest you contact Duke.

I only play fives. Largest venue is around 3500 sq feet. No PA support, except for singers. Rest of band; Drums, Keyboard, Guitarist.
Heads I currently use; Carvin BX1600, SVT7Pro. A Quilter Bass Block 800 is on it's way, and I may also choose procuring either a new Mesa D800+ or a Genzler Magellan MG800. Only pedal; always on HPF and sometimes a Boss GEB-7 eq.
Current cab is a (Guitarcenter) Acoustic B410, upgraded with Eminence BP102 speakers, which are notoriously mid shy. Sounds like it would be more than adequate if I didn't have to overcompensate on EQ to fight the mid deficiencies. I place a handheld recorder at the rear of building to check performances.

Edited: I also use an always on HPF. Mostly Broughton HPF/LPF, or less often, FDeck series 3.

 

[Al Kraft]

@StillBlessed Given your style of music, band composition, and lack of PA support, you might want to consider an AudioKinesis 212: Hathor or Thunderchild (TC) versions. I have performed (in circumstances similar to yours) with a TC212 with great tone, volume, and reliability for over five years. Please note that I always use an fdeck HPF3 that slopes sharply below 55-60hz.

If you go the 112 route, you'll probably want at least two cabs. I would not subject my beloved single Hathor 112 to the pounding the TC212 regularly receives and gives without complaint or pause.

No PA support, loud band, and large venue sort of screams 212/2X12 or 215/2X15 to me. However, I think a 112T comes as close to holding its own against many other multi-driver cabs as anything I've ever played.

I too frequently use an fdeck HPF-Pre Series 3 set right about that 50-55 Hz point. IMO it helps keep speakers from overworking/overheating themselves when you're continuously operating near their safe limits, especially if the low EQ is cranked a bit.

 

[strost]

Hi All,

Here is my new rig! Mesa Subway D800+ with an Audiokinesis Changeling C115. I picked up the Subway D800+ a month or so ago. I was torn between this, the D-800 and the Bergantino Forte. I was actually leaning toward a D-800 (based on price and what I really needed) but then I found this used for a really good price and just jumped on it.

I still didn't have a cab though. I was considering the Barefaced BB2 (or SuperCompact), the Subway 115 or 212, and the Hathor/Changeling 1203 or 1533. Since I wanted a one-cab solution, after e-mailing with Duke, I settled on the Changeling 115. I wanted to know I was getting "enough cab" for any situation. The extra weight was a drawback but I figured I could handle it.

Long story short, I'm really happy with both! Especially with the band. It is true that I can hear myself much better even at what feels like the same volume (as compared to my old GK MB210). The D800+ controls are great (though I am traditionally not a big knob-fiddler). The High Pass Filter really does make a difference in a band mix. I also find myself using the "bright" switch more than I anticipated I would.

As for the C115, it rocks. I think I like having one port plugged (though I am still figuring it out). I also prefer the high-freq switch down. The mid "grind" switch I like both ways. Mostly down I think. But it has great clarity and really fills the room. It's not as "bright" as I expected but that's not a bad thing. I can still get nice high end if I use the bright switch on the amp.

Lots to mess with but it's all good so far. I was hoping to keep my MB210 at practice but I don't think I'll want to play that with the band after playing this. But I also don't want to keep this at practice. So maybe another cab in the future?

(btw, I was able to get this so quickly because Duke happened to be making one for the shop that he was willing to send me - definitely helped with my decision).

 

[MarkA]

I think that you made a good choice. Based on my experience with a Hathor 1203 and on the discussion surrounding the 12" Changelings, I would expect the C115 to be a sweet-sounding, versatile, and capable cab.

It is a 4 Ohm cab, right? You might find a little more kick from the amp (though you'd also want to exercise common sense care) as a result. If you did pick up a second, the 2 Ohms capability of your amp would let you run both, should you ever want to.

 

[Lowendtech]

Hi All,

Here is my new rig! Mesa Subway D800+ with an Audiokinesis Changeling C115. I picked up the Subway D800+ a month or so ago. I was torn between this, the D-800 and the Bergantino Forte. I was actually leaning toward a D-800 (based on price and what I really needed) but then I found this used for a really good price and just jumped on it.

I still didn't have a cab though. I was considering the Barefaced BB2 (or SuperCompact), the Subway 115 or 212, and the Hathor/Changeling 1203 or 1533. Since I wanted a one-cab solution, after e-mailing with Duke, I settled on the Changeling 115. I wanted to know I was getting "enough cab" for any situation. The extra weight was a drawback but I figured I could handle it.

Long story short, I'm really happy with both! Especially with the band. It is true that I can hear myself much better even at what feels like the same volume (as compared to my old GK MB210). The D800+ controls are great (though I am traditionally not a big knob-fiddler). The High Pass Filter really does make a difference in a band mix. I also find myself using the "bright" switch more than I anticipated I would.

As for the C115, it rocks. I think I like having one port plugged (though I am still figuring it out). I also prefer the high-freq switch down. The mid "grind" switch I like both ways. Mostly down I think. But it has great clarity and really fills the room. It's not as "bright" as I expected but that's not a bad thing. I can still get nice high end if I use the bright switch on the amp.

Lots to mess with but it's all good so far. I was hoping to keep my MB210 at practice but I don't think I'll want to play that with the band after playing this. But I also don't want to keep this at practice. So maybe another cab in the future?

(btw, I was able to get this so quickly because Duke happened to be making one for the shop that he was willing to send me - definitely helped with my decision). View attachment 2838220 View attachment 2838221

This is exactly what I’m looking at. Awesome.

 

[3rdcurve]

Hi All,

Here is my new rig! Mesa Subway D800+ with an Audiokinesis Changeling C115. I picked up the Subway D800+ a month or so ago. I was torn between this, the D-800 and the Bergantino Forte. I was actually leaning toward a D-800 (based on price and what I really needed) but then I found this used for a really good price and just jumped on it.

I still didn't have a cab though. I was considering the Barefaced BB2 (or SuperCompact), the Subway 115 or 212, and the Hathor/Changeling 1203 or 1533. Since I wanted a one-cab solution, after e-mailing with Duke, I settled on the Changeling 115. I wanted to know I was getting "enough cab" for any situation. The extra weight was a drawback but I figured I could handle it.

Long story short, I'm really happy with both! Especially with the band. It is true that I can hear myself much better even at what feels like the same volume (as compared to my old GK MB210). The D800+ controls are great (though I am traditionally not a big knob-fiddler). The High Pass Filter really does make a difference in a band mix. I also find myself using the "bright" switch more than I anticipated I would.

As for the C115, it rocks. I think I like having one port plugged (though I am still figuring it out). I also prefer the high-freq switch down. The mid "grind" switch I like both ways. Mostly down I think. But it has great clarity and really fills the room. It's not as "bright" as I expected but that's not a bad thing. I can still get nice high end if I use the bright switch on the amp.

Lots to mess with but it's all good so far. I was hoping to keep my MB210 at practice but I don't think I'll want to play that with the band after playing this. But I also don't want to keep this at practice. So maybe another cab in the future?

(btw, I was able to get this so quickly because Duke happened to be making one for the shop that he was willing to send me - definitely helped with my decision). View attachment 2838220 View attachment 2838221

Does the D800+ cover up any of your top ports?

 

[strost]

Does the D800+ cover up any of your top ports?

It covers about half of one of them. So no big deal. The feet of the amp fit perfectly between the ports.

 

[McFarlin]

Seems like Changeling show-and-tell posts should include mandatory rear view photos.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

Seems like Changeling show-and-tell posts should include mandatory rear view photos.

 

[John D Harris]

I only play fives. Largest venue is around 3500 sq feet. No PA support, except for singers. Rest of band; Drums, Keyboard, Guitarist.
Heads I currently use; Carvin BX1600, SVT7Pro. A Quilter Bass Block 800 is on it's way, and I may also choose procuring either a new Mesa D800+ or a Genzler Magellan MG800. Only pedal is sometimes a Boss GEB-7 eq.
Current cab is a (Guitarcenter) Acoustic B410, upgraded with Eminence BP102 speakers, which are notoriously mid shy. Sounds like it would be more than adequate if I didn't have to overcompensate on EQ to fight the mid deficiencies. I place a handheld recorder at the rear of building to check performances.

In my mind, you're going to want the ability to move more air.
Suggest eight or more 10"s, three or more 12"s, two or more 15"s, or one or more 18"s.
Reggae to me is all about that 'phat' bass - big, round, powerful low end!

 

[strost]

Seems like Changeling show-and-tell posts should include mandatory rear view photos.

Fully plugged.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

Fully plugged.View attachment 2838758

 

[roccobass]

Fully plugged.View attachment 2838758

Fully plugged.View attachment 2838758

Oops. Never mind. Just read your previous posts.

 

[Dominick C.]

Hey guys!

Wanted to share my bands new release. Duke's cabs can be seen and heard in the video!

New Video. Smith Bass, AudioKenesis Cabs, Jule Amps. Flechaus "Tell Me Something"

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Hey guys!

Wanted to share my bands new release. Duke's cabs can be seen and heard in the video!

New Video. Smith Bass, AudioKenesis Cabs, Jule Amps. Flechaus "Tell Me Something"

WOW. That is AWESOME!! That song is one I can listen to over and over. And it's an honor to have my cabs be a part of your tone.