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Avatar 3 way 15/6/tweet
- Thread starter sleepytime
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So I unwrapped my TB153 and did a head to head volume comparison between cabs (8 Ohm LDS 15/6 sans tweet, 4 Ohm TB153) using Mesa Walkabout and M6 heads.
The Avatar cab is a bit heavier than the LDS (65 vs 48 lbs), taller and shallower, with bottom shelf instead of tube port. The 153 also has a different 6" midrange (proprietary Eminence vs 18Sound) and a LeSon tweet.
This was a solo test without the band-that'll have to wait another week or so. My 1st impression is that I love the sound of the cab-very deep and smooth. I find the tweeter harsh and turned it off, but I have yet to meet a tweet I really like. Not surpisingly, in a small room alone, the cabs sound very similar.
With my bass volume at max, gain on each head at noon and master at noon I played some riffs repeatedly through one cab and then the other. The Avatar is definitely louder. This is obvious (as it should be) at any setting on either head, BUT the volume difference is quite modest. It's like the 4 Ohm cab sounds 2 clicks on the clock face louder than the LDS 8 Ohm version with the same woofer. It's just like BFM and others in the know have said, more watts (lower impedance) is a far less efficient way to increase volume than increasing cone area. My Walkabout IS louder through the 4 Ohm TB153, but there's not enough of a difference for me to use the Walkabout on most gigs unless I'm willing to push the gain higher than I like and have minimal headroom :-(
TB153 under Mesa M6 is an outstanding combination, however. Headroom for days and crisply defined even way down low.
The Avatar cab is a bit heavier than the LDS (65 vs 48 lbs), taller and shallower, with bottom shelf instead of tube port. The 153 also has a different 6" midrange (proprietary Eminence vs 18Sound) and a LeSon tweet.
This was a solo test without the band-that'll have to wait another week or so. My 1st impression is that I love the sound of the cab-very deep and smooth. I find the tweeter harsh and turned it off, but I have yet to meet a tweet I really like. Not surpisingly, in a small room alone, the cabs sound very similar.
With my bass volume at max, gain on each head at noon and master at noon I played some riffs repeatedly through one cab and then the other. The Avatar is definitely louder. This is obvious (as it should be) at any setting on either head, BUT the volume difference is quite modest. It's like the 4 Ohm cab sounds 2 clicks on the clock face louder than the LDS 8 Ohm version with the same woofer. It's just like BFM and others in the know have said, more watts (lower impedance) is a far less efficient way to increase volume than increasing cone area. My Walkabout IS louder through the 4 Ohm TB153, but there's not enough of a difference for me to use the Walkabout on most gigs unless I'm willing to push the gain higher than I like and have minimal headroom :-(
TB153 under Mesa M6 is an outstanding combination, however. Headroom for days and crisply defined even way down low.
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Thanks for the comparison Lomo...I have been waiting for that! I can't wait to hear your impression in a band setting. So it sounds like the 2 cabs sound quite similar for the most part?
With the tweeter turned off they are more similar than different. The mid driver on the LDS is louder and more pronounced. When I turn the LDS mid down, there's a mid-scoop/hole there. I think the Avatar is actually smoother in the mids and so far I prefer the Eminence mid, at least without the band. Maybe the different porting is at work here as well? Or maybe the fact that there is no 2nd xover point to a tweeter in the LDS matters. Of course, after adding our heavy drummer and both guitars all is subject to change. FYI both cabs are crossed to the mids at 800Hz.
with a gk700rbii would it be wiser to go with a 4 or 8 ohm, if i ever changed heads my nex't would be a pre/pwr amp so could run at 2ohm if i ever wanted to add. Would the volume be a big diff between the 2. 4qhm would get max pwr from my head but could never add a cab if ever needed to.
Lomo,
Was the Avatar the only cab on casters?
Just wondering if that make a difference in coupling, but probably not as it's not on a stage.
Was the Avatar the only cab on casters?
Just wondering if that make a difference in coupling, but probably not as it's not on a stage.
The 15/6 with enough juice is going to be approximately like a 4x10 with more low end. I would always get the 4 ohm model unless you regularly use an 8x10. If you regularly use an 8x10, keep doing that, since these cabs are not really designed to stack.
That's just my opinion of course, but I wouldn't bother stacking these things. They have so much power handling that there are very few gigging situations where the 4 ohm model should not suffice. And it will be noticeably louder than the 8 ohm model.
* If you do want to stack them, I would look for a way to reverse the position of the mid and horn on one of them, so that you can flip the top one upside down and line up the midranges and tweeters.
That's just my opinion of course, but I wouldn't bother stacking these things. They have so much power handling that there are very few gigging situations where the 4 ohm model should not suffice. And it will be noticeably louder than the 8 ohm model.
* If you do want to stack them, I would look for a way to reverse the position of the mid and horn on one of them, so that you can flip the top one upside down and line up the midranges and tweeters.
i currently use a avatar 210 and a tl606 type cab with a 3015 non lf, how would on of these stack up to that? will a 4ohm tb153 be better alone than a 8ohm and on of my other cabs?
Depends. If you can get away with almost all of your gigs with just the 3015 tilted back, I think the TB153 would be a big upgrade for you.
If you need the 2x10 and 3015 most of the time, it's possible not.
Nice thing about the 153 is its improved midrange dispersion should help with room filling a little bit. I find that with enough watts, my 15/6 is as loud as a 4x10, which is fine for most gigs I have.
If you could cut down to one cabinet, that'd be a big boon IMHO. If you buy one now, you could probably resell it for 350 in a few months if it isn't enough
That intro price is a crazy deal.
I couldn't imagine needing more than one TB 153 ...perhaps if you are in an insane Death Metal band with a guitar player that plays thru a couple of stacks or something...but otherwise, this cab produces plenty of volume imo...
I pulled the proverbial trigger on one today! Dave at Avatar said they have sold out of them. He expects to get more TB153's in a couple of days. Mine should ship out on Friday! Now I need to purchase a head to go with it. 
I have used the following previously: GK 1001 RB, Hartke HA 5000, Aguilar AG500, Fender Bassman Pro 300 and a Carvin Power amp with a Line 6 bass pod. I briefly owned a Genz Benz 6.0 combo with the 210. I have tried the Little Marks a few times at GC and I haven't really enjoyed them. I like the GK MB2 mini amp. I don't really want to spend more than $500. I will just have to see what catches my ear. I have a big Mackie PPM1008 I can run through until I find the right head for the right price. I don't make much money working a retail job while in school.
mY 02: Wait about 2 months. After GB releases the Streamliner and SMax 9, used (and new) prices of the GB 6 and 9, as well as many others, will drop. You can already get a new Shuttle 9 for well under 700 off eBay (makes me roll my eyes when I see folks buying used ones for 650 in the TB classifieds).
Great playing! Your band is seriously groovin'!
I just checked out your website...awesome! Glad you guys are located down here in the Phoenix area. Definitely want to come see you live. Do you ever play any clubs or just wedding/corporate stuff?I'm also impressed with the video and audio that the Flip camera can produce. I was thinking about getting one.
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