AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...

[Oneud]

I’ve had my 1505 for a week now and I’m loving it. I’m a big fan of grindy upper mids, so that mid switch is always in the upper position. Hehe. Sounds great in all combinations of switches, though. And this cab is so easy to carry, which is huge to me! I heard that going in, but it beat even my expectations there. Also have to note that the low notes on my B string sound amazing: tight, loud, and clear.

Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to play it with a group yet, but will report back when I get a chance.

Great job, Duke!

 

[Lowendtech]

I’ve had my 1505 for a week now and I’m loving it. I’m a big fan of grindy upper mids, so that mid switch is always in the upper position. Hehe. Sounds great in all combinations of switches, though. And this cab is so easy to carry, which is huge to me! I heard that going in, but it beat even my expectations there. Also have to note that the low notes on my B string sound amazing: tight, loud, and clear.

Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to play it with a group yet, but will report back when I get a chance.

Great job, Duke!
View attachment 3119986

You’re gonna need a bigger cat.

 

[bonin in the boneyard]

You’re gonna need a bigger cat.

 

[McFarlin]

I’ve had my 1505 for a week now and I’m loving it. I’m a big fan of grindy upper mids, so that mid switch is always in the upper position. Hehe. Sounds great in all combinations of switches, though. And this cab is so easy to carry, which is huge to me! I heard that going in, but it beat even my expectations there. Also have to note that the low notes on my B string sound amazing: tight, loud, and clear.

Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to play it with a group yet, but will report back when I get a chance.

Great job, Duke!
View attachment 3119986

I posted this last week in the "Mini Rigs of Doom" thread.
I can imagine lugging this 2-3 blocks from a bad parking spot (for a venue with weekend road closure--happens here). It would require occasional hand-switching due to the uneven weight distribution.

BUT, from experience, I still think your 15 Hathor cab is the most comfortable and manageable carry.

 

[MarkA]

I posted this last week in the "Mini Rigs of Doom" thread.
I can imagine lugging this 2-3 blocks from a bad parking spot (for a venue with weekend road closure--happens here). It would require occasional hand-switching due to the uneven weight distribution.

BUT, from experience, I still think your 15 Hathor cab is the most comfortable and manageable carry.

View attachment 3121754

That's the Changeling 2x12 on your right, Hathor 1203 on your left, yes? If you have experience with a 15" Hathor, I'm curious as to how you feel it compares with the 2x12 -- granted, there will be the extra, rear-firing mids on the Changeling, but, in terms of low end presentation, feel/impact, integration with the 1203, and whatever else you find relevant, I'd be curious as to your impressions of the two relative to each other.

 

[Lowendtech]

I posted this last week in the "Mini Rigs of Doom" thread.
I can imagine lugging this 2-3 blocks from a bad parking spot (for a venue with weekend road closure--happens here). It would require occasional hand-switching due to the uneven weight distribution.

BUT, from experience, I still think your 15 Hathor cab is the most comfortable and manageable carry.

View attachment 3121754

Such an awesome sound out of these cabs.

Is your 15 a tall version?

 

[kittywithabanjo]

I think if you had shoes on the trek would go easier

 

[MarkA]

I think if you had shoes on the trek would go easier

Proprioception would be reduced, though, which could affect the groove.

 

[5StringPocket]

I didn’t know a Hathor 212 changeling was available.

 

[Slaymus]

Yeah, first time I heard about the Challenging Hathor 212 !
Audiokinesis website is not up to date : you really need to ask Duke to know what really exists !
For example, I will receive in a few weeks a pair of TC115AF "Tall version". Nver heard of this option before speaking to the Man himself. Anyway, customer support is A+ with Duke !

 

[anderbass]

@McFarlin, looks like it'd be pretty easy to rig-up a way to hang those cabs from your shoulder straps, for 'hands-free' toting...

I installed a long 'over the shoulder' type strap to my Hathor cab back in 2014. Works awesome for those long hikes! I can can tote my whole setup into gigs in just one trip, and still have both hands free for opening doors, hand gestures and stuff...

 

[slagheap]

I posted this last week in the "Mini Rigs of Doom" thread.
I can imagine lugging this 2-3 blocks from a bad parking spot (for a venue with weekend road closure--happens here). It would require occasional hand-switching due to the uneven weight distribution.

BUT, from experience, I still think your 15 Hathor cab is the most comfortable and manageable carry.

View attachment 3121754

that's how i load in, too - Hathor 1203 in each hand, P bass & D800 in soft case over the shoulder. first gig with this set up was up a winding, poorly lit, staircase in a big warehouse. what a revelation it was to a life long big iron player!

 

[McFarlin]

That's the Changeling 2x12 on your right, Hathor 1203 on your left, yes? If you have experience with a 15" Hathor, I'm curious as to how you feel it compares with the 2x12 -- granted, there will be the extra, rear-firing mids on the Changeling, but, in terms of low end presentation, feel/impact, integration with the 1203, and whatever else you find relevant, I'd be curious as to your impressions of the two relative to each other.

Correct identification

I had the Hathor 1533 for a short time. I used the Ashdown ABM500 with the 1533, and I have mostly used a Quilter Bass Block with the Changeling 212. It's not easy to compare using different amps, and months apart. (Even trying them side-by-side, I might not write a good description.)

But, whatever, here goes:

The sensitivity difference is noticeable.

The low mids, or maybe high bass (not sure what Hz range), stands out more on the 15. The 212 seems more even. The 1533 seemed a bit more punchy with pick playing.

With both versions, the high frequency output seems reduced when compared to the 1203, which I think Duke said was a change in vertical dispersion due to coupling of the 3" mid drivers.

My memory of the 1533 says it is slightly darker sounding than the Changeling 212 (all switches up, haven't used it with rear mids reduced).

As for pairing with the 1203, I actually liked the 1533 better.
But I like the Changeling 212 better as a stand-alone.
I have only tried the 312 tower at home, and it's such extreme overkill. Maybe I'll love it with a band, at a larger venue or rehearsal space.
(Again, I only tried the 1533+1203 with the Ashdown, and I can't do the same with the 312 due to the Ashdown's 4 ohm minimum rating.)

I like the low-end presentation more when using the 212. I'm not sure why.

The 1203 sounds more like the 212. The 212 sounds more like the 1533.

That's the best I can do for now--or maybe forever.

Such an awesome sound out of these cabs.

Is your 15 a tall version?

It was just your typical, run-of-the-mill 1533 with the impedance switch.

"He hates these cans!"

I think if you had shoes on the trek would go easier

I usually wear roller skates from car to venue, but there was too much glare for the picture.

Proprioception would be reduced, though, which could affect the groove.

This is the first time I have read proprioception outside a trail running shoe review.

 

[MarkA]

Correct identification

I had the Hathor 1533 for a short time. I used the Ashdown ABM500 with the 1533, and I have mostly used a Quilter Bass Block with the Changeling 212. It's not easy to compare using different amps, and months apart. (Even trying them side-by-side, I might not write a good description.)

But, whatever, here goes:

The sensitivity difference is noticeable.

The low mids, or maybe high bass (not sure what Hz range), stands out more on the 15. The 212 seems more even. The 1533 seemed a bit more punchy with pick playing.

With both versions, the high frequency output seems reduced when compared to the 1203, which I think Duke said was a change in vertical dispersion due to coupling of the 3" mid drivers.

My memory of the 1533 says it is slightly darker sounding than the Changeling 212 (all switches up, haven't used it with rear mids reduced).

As for pairing with the 1203, I actually liked the 1533 better.
But I like the Changeling 212 better as a stand-alone.
I have only tried the 312 tower at home, and it's such extreme overkill. Maybe I'll love with a band, at a larger venue or rehearsal space.
(Again, I only tried the 1533+1203 with the Ashdown, and I can't do the same with the 312 due to the Ashdown's 4 ohm minimum rating.)

I like the low-end presentation more when using the 212. I'm not sure why.

The 1203 sounds more like the 212. The 212 sounds more like the 1533.

That's the best I can do for now--or maybe forever.



It was just your typical, run-of-the-mill 1533 with the impedance switch.

"He hates these cans!"



I usually wear roller skates from car to venue, but there was too much glare for the picture.



This is the first time I have read proprioception outside a trail running shoe review.

I might have encountered it (the word proprioception) first in a book on cello technique, or Alexander technique, or martial arts... but trail running shoe reviews are up there as a possibility.

Thanks for sharing your perspective! I'll try to grok it all and follow up if something seems unclear.

 

[McFarlin]

Sorry I can't make more definitive statements. I only used the 1533 in two rehearsals, different rooms. And so far I have used the 212 for one rehearsal in another different room.
If anyone is a believer in the "break-in period" thing, I haven't used either cab long enough to get there.

Happy grokking. (And thanks for expotentiating my vocabulization.)

 

[Bassist30]

Any word on the 18?

 

[slagheap]

I’ve had my 1505 for a week now and I’m loving it. I’m a big fan of grindy upper mids, so that mid switch is always in the upper position. Hehe. Sounds great in all combinations of switches, though. And this cab is so easy to carry, which is huge to me! I heard that going in, but it beat even my expectations there. Also have to note that the low notes on my B string sound amazing: tight, loud, and clear.

Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to play it with a group yet, but will report back when I get a chance.

Great job, Duke!
View attachment 3119986

i'm preparing to order a 15 from Duke. yours ( in the pic, ) is the " normal " version, not the " tall, " correct? btw, nice cat. growing up my family had two old school apple head siamese - 20 years. understatement to say part of the family.

 

[Oneud]

i'm preparing to order a 15 from Duke. yours ( in the pic, ) is the " normal " version, not the " tall, " correct? btw, nice cat. growing up my family had two old school apple head siamese - 20 years. understatement to say part of the family.

Correct, mine is the normal height version

And thanks!

 

[DukeLeJeune]

Any word on the 18?

I need to get semi-caught-up (to the point where I'm not running behind) on orders before launching the 118 cabs. So I'm working on that first. My beta-tester has been incredibly patient while I've been trying to get on track with existing orders before getting a 118 to him.

There will probably be two three-way 118 cabs, both with the same fairly beefy midrange driver (a new high-power, high-output unit I really like that imo outperforms any pair of "the usual suspect" cone mids), one with multiple 3" cones for the top end, the other with a more Thunderchild-esque top end.

I'll need to keep the build time from becoming insane on what will inevitably be a complicated cab. Build times are my biggest challenge these days.

 

[Bassist30]

I need to get semi-caught-up (to the point where I'm not running behind) on orders before launching the 118 cabs. So I'm working on that first. My beta-tester has been incredibly patient while I've been trying to get on track with existing orders before getting a 118 to him.

There will probably be two three-way 118 cabs, both with the same fairly beefy midrange driver (a new high-power, high-output unit I really like that imo outperforms any pair of "the usual suspect" cone mids), one with multiple 3" cones for the top end, the other with a more Thunderchild-esque top end.

I'll need to keep the build time from becoming insane on what will inevitably be a complicated cab. Build times are my biggest challenge these days.

I have a TC15AFw now so Im looking at the TC model. Or which ever is fuller sounding and studio monitor type.