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Double Bass AudioKinesis Thunderchild 112 cab

#81
DukeLeJeune said:
Just splitting my cab would give poor results because the vertical spacing between woofer and horn at the crossover frequency would be many wavelengths, and that causes severe lobing in the vertical plane. This is an acoustic-domain problem which cannot be fixed with EQ. I wouldn't want that crossover frequency any higher than 200 Hz, so we're back to a two-way-plus-sub solution, which is basically a mini-PA system.
Click to expand...

I haven't used, of even heard them live, but the Schertler 2-way pole-mounted speaker plus sub extension looks like a goer. And hey, they have a picture of Rufus Reid next to it, so it must be good.
 
#83
peterpalmieri said:
So for someone that wants to use a cabinet with both Double and Electric bass what is a better choice the standard version or the acoustic friendly model?
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The "acoustic friendly" version, definitely. It's my attempt to compete in the amplified double-bass market, and it's a bit better electric bass cab than the original because the tone is more consistent around the room (and your drummer will be able to hear you better). Best of both worlds... well, except for the higher price.
 
#84
I keep thinking that a Thunderchild atop a compact subwoofer, like the Danley TH mini, or JTR Growler, might be a killer bass rig, and two pairs might be great, compact, lightweight, PA cabs for small venues and rehearsal spaces.

How would you approach the process of selecting a compact sub to mate with a 12" Thunderchild?

Dimensions, weight, and cost are constraints most consumers can figure out by themselves. What else should be paying attention to?

Impedance
Sensitivity
Frequency response -3dB
Frequency response -10dB
Max SPL @wattage
Direct radiating v. horn
Directivity/dispersion
Built-in crossover
LPF crossover frequency
Adjustability of LPF crossover frequency
DSP
Active v. passive
Pass-through jacks
Integral casters
Finish/durability

TBers?
 
#85
Jazzdogg said:
I keep thinking that a Thunderchild atop a compact subwoofer, like the Danley TH mini, or JTR Growler, might be a killer bass rig, and two pairs might be great, compact, lightweight, PA cabs for small venues and rehearsal spaces.

How would you approach the process of selecting a compact sub to mate with a 12" Thunderchild?
Click to expand...

Jazzdogg,
Duke talked about this in an earlier post. In it's current incarnation it's not really designed to used as part of an elevated array. So IMHO rasing it off the ground defeates the whole purpose of the of it's intended use. You'd be spending a great deal of money as well. Now using a pair of Thunderchild 112's should give you all the bass and power you would ever need. Just my opinion though.

Ric
 
#87
youngheo said:
what's the difference between normal version and acoustic friendly version?

I see "rear firing tweeter" as an option (also add $120), how does it help to amplify acoustic instrument?

Thanks!
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Young Hero,
The "acoustic friendly version" of the Thunderchild 112 has an additional rear firing tweeter placed right above the ports on the backside of the cabinet. You should PM Duke Le June for details.

Ric
 
#88
youngheo said:
what's the difference between normal version and acoustic friendly version?

I see "rear firing tweeter" as an option (also add $120), how does it help to amplify acoustic instrument?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking a shot at answering youngheo's question, Ric.

Okay, the rear-firing tweeter is indeed what makes that version "acoustic friendly", and it's the only difference between the two (aside from the second crossover board inside the box for the rear-firing tweeter).

The rear-firing tweeter is about 10 dB down in level compared to the front-firing woofer, so its contribution is more subtle than obvious. One thing it does is, combined with the midrange energy that comes out of the ports (which are right beind the woofer cone), allow you (or your drummer) to hear what you're doing from behind the cab. So if you need to place the cab out in front of you a bit to avoid low-frequency feedback, you'll still be able to tell how it sounds.

Perhaps even more benecial is this: The rear-firing tweeter fills in some reverberant field energy that otherwise is missing. You see, I like to match up the pattern of woofer and constant-directivity horn in the crossover region, as that contributes to a "seamless" blend. The woofer's pattern is about 90 degrees both horizontal and vertical in the crossover region, while the horn's pattern is 90 degrees horizontal and 50 degrees vertical. So there is some missing reverberant field energy due to the horn's narrowed pattern in the vertical plane. The energy from the rear-firing tweeter helps fill in that missing reverberant field energy. This matters because, in an indoor venue at least, most of the energy that reaches most people's ears is reverberant energy, and I would like for that reverberant energy to have the correct spectral balance.

So... why the words "acoustic friendly"? Well, unamplified acoustic instruments naturally generate a spectrally-correct reverberant field. Imagine listening to an unamplified acoustic guitar from the next room, through an open doorway, with no line-of-sight to the guitar. By definition, all you can possibly hear from out there is reverberant energy, but it still sounds totally like a live guitar. In contrast, very few speaker systems can recreate the illusion of a live instrument from the next room like that, because their reverberant fields are off and the ear can tell that something's not natural. I don't claim that my acoustic-friendly cab is indistinguishable from a live unamplified acoustic instrument, but I do think it's a step in that direction relative to most cabs. The rear tweeter is a net improvement on electric bass too, but there's no unamplified counterpart to compare it to like there is for double bass or acoustic guitar.
 
#91
bassphase said:
So how do you order one? There's still no web site----or is there?


bob
Click to expand...

Bob,
Duke has a website for his audiophile shop in Idaho. You won't see the Thunderchild on that site, since it's a horse of a different color. All you have to do is P.M. him. If you go over to the bass guitar side of TB there are lots of pictures of both cabinets. Here's the link to the discussions on the EB side.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/audiokinesis-112-cab-699355/

and a second link to the first reviews of the cabinet

AudioKinesis compact 1x12 bass cab debut at Seattle TalkBass get-together
 
#93
I think this Thunderchild could really simplify my stage rig on gigs that I play both Double bass and slab. I 've tried with an EA doubler and the small Whizzer speaker which works great for DB but is too small sounding for EB so I've been bringing two amps and speaker rigs to gigs.

Has anyone tried the Thunderchild with an EA Doubler, Old Walter Woods greenlight (MM Series) or the stereo Walter Woods amber light (it can be run in mono) I'm just hoping to head off any compatibility issues like "Oh the Thunderchilds work great with all the small amps except [the ones I own]. Didn't you hear about that?"

I'm hoping I can use the Doubler since ch 2 has so many nice tweeks available for DB and channel one works fine for slab.

Thanks for any help or experience.


bob
 
#94
bassphase said:
I think this Thunderchild could really simplify my stage rig on gigs that I play both Double bass and slab. I 've tried with an EA doubler and the small Whizzer speaker which works great for DB but is too small sounding for EB so I've been bringing two amps and speaker rigs to gigs.
Click to expand...

Bob,
I can't tell you how many times I almost went this route, but I just couldn't.


bassphase said:
Has anyone tried the Thunderchild..........., Old Walter Woods greenlight (MM Series) or the stereo Walter Woods amber light (it can be run in mono) I'm just hoping to head off any compatibility issues like "Oh the Thunderchilds work great with all the small amps except [the ones I own]. Didn't you hear about that?"
Click to expand...

I've used the Thunderchild with my Clevenger EUB and Lakland 55-94 on an outdoor concert. The members of the band commented on how well they could hear the bass. I was using my Walter Woods Electroacoustic Ultra (blue light) I haven't had a chance to use it on a gig with my Mirecourt DB. It's summer here in St. Louis so taking the DB outside isn't an option, and before I do that I wan't Duke to add the additional rear firing tweeter to the cabinet.


bassphase said:
I'm hoping I can use the Doubler since ch 2 has so many nice tweeks available for DB and channel one works fine for slab.

Thanks for any help or experience.
Click to expand...

I just cant speak to the Doubler since I don't own one.


bob[/QUOTE]
 
#96
Just thought I'd ad a comment of MAJOR satisfaction. I have the original model of the Thunderchild. I get really good comments from folks who listen to my praise band play. People who aren't even all that "into" music. But have a good ear. And the TC sounds "fabulous" lol. Not to mention Duke was incredibly helpful and responsive with questions about my order. I recommend buying one based on quality of sounds and service. AND Getting this cab was much cheaper than getting a "similar/crappier" rig from down the road.

Over all, Get one. If it fits your application. you won't regret it. Anybody in Auckland NZ Wanna try out this great cab. PM me.
 
#97
Mine should be arriving today. I play 50/50 as far as slab and upright. I use the Doubler and will post my opinion. By the way, Duke is probably the nicest guy I've ever dealt with.
 
#98
first impressions---holy f-ing shite! Sounds astounding with upright (EA Doubler). First time I've heard highs done right. Sounds like you combined a slammin' bass cab with high end hifi mids and highs. I found myself using more highs (my sound is VERY dark)---better definition without the wank I associate with ANY horn tweeter.
 
#99
mine has the rear tweeter---very subtle but I found more openness and "air". You can't turn only the rear tweeter off so I taped some cardboard over it ( to see what it sounded like turned off). I was worried when Duke was telling me that one of his goals was having dispersion good enough that the off-axis sound was not that different than on axis. As I said, I hate cheap (they're all cheap) tweeters in bass cabs, and all I need is to hear more of them. My feeling has always been "if I'm off axis I won't hear too much highs, but it's good that the audience can". When you move from off axis to on it's pretty seamless with this cab. One of the reasons I don't like too much highs is that I tend to back off when I'm hearing too much high end attack. There is so much more definition with this cab but without the upper mid and lower highs that would cause me to back off. Does that make sense?
 

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