Double Bass Baby Blue II comparison with EA Doubler/Wizzy Mline

[Don C]

I have been using a SWR Baby Blue II for the past 12 years ( 90% Double Bass, 10% Electric Bass). I have generally (although not always) been satisfied with the sound, and the 4 band parametric EQ section has saved me many times in difficult rooms.
Lately, with all the favorable comments surrounding EA equipment, such as the Doubler and Wizzy Mline, I have been wondering if I should upgrade.
Is there a better sound out there ??
As I am on Canada's west coast, and there aren't many EA dealers in Canada (don't know why), I am unable to test drive their product.
Is there anyone here who has used both of these pieces of gear and could give me their experience comparing between them.
I am somewhat concerned about the lack of EQ on the Doubler, but from reports here, it hasn't been a problem for most.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Haven't used the doubler yet, but played through a Baby Blue II for several years before moving on to EA speakers powered by Acoustic Image heads. My biggest complaint about the Baby Blue was that it was very underpowered, and often came up short for this reason. I've never had that problem with the Wizzy cabs. Can't speak for the Doubler head.

 

[Kenner]

Any clue where I can get the original 5" woofer?

I love the BB II. 100% electric bass usage. It's my practice amp.........

 

[sadowskyschmaus]

I have used the doubler a few times paired with a Bergantino HT112 lately and it has proven to be a very useful piece of gear. With my upright alone I plug my wilson into ch1 and use an EV Re 20 in ch2 and it sounds great. There are so many useable features in this tiny head, EA really put a lot of thought into this. Last night I used it through the Berg with my Zon 5/1 fretless and it killed! I have also had good results using ch1 for my Zon and plugging both the mic and pickup into ch2. I am going to pair it soon with a 4ohm acme low B1 cab to get all the juice out of it, but it also sounds great and is plenty loud with the 8ohm Berg. The baby blue is a good combo, no doubt, but is lacking in power/versatility IMO.

 

[Ric Vice]

I have been using a SWR Baby Blue II for the past 12 years ( 90% Double Bass, 10% Electric Bass). I have generally (although not always) been satisfied with the sound, and the 4 band parametric EQ section has saved me many times in difficult rooms.
Lately, with all the favorable comments surrounding EA equipment, such as the Doubler and Wizzy Mline, I have been wondering if I should upgrade.

Don,
I owned the original Baby Blue. My take is that the cabinet sounded very good, but the head lacked power and the pre amp voicing just didn't work that well for Double Bass when I compared it to my old 100 Walter Wood's MI into the SWR Baby Blue Extension Cabinet.

Is there a better sound out there ??
As I am on Canada's west coast, and there aren't many EA dealers in Canada (don't know why), I am unable to test drive their product.
Is there anyone here who has used both of these pieces of gear and could give me their experience comparing between them.
I am somewhat concerned about the lack of EQ on the Doubler, but from reports here, it hasn't been a problem for most.

You can do a great deal with a three band pre amp if it's voiced correctly. That's essentially what the older Woods amps had. With the additional variable phase, variable notch, and variable low cut it's
more flexible than the Baby Blue is IMHO.
Ric

 

[Ben Esparza]

Any clue where I can get the original 5" woofer?

It's actually a 5" cone tweeter. I had to replace the one in the Baby Blue Monitor that I recently purchased because the 5" that came with it was actually a cheap Radio Shack speaker. I bought it directly from Bag End...$90. You may find it cheaper from a retailer if they discount.

 

[Mike Dimin]

As I am on Canada's west coast, and there aren't many EA dealers in Canada (don't know why), I am unable to test drive their product.

We have a new dealer opening on Langley, Act One Music. They should be receiving some gear in the next 2 weeks

 

[Mulebagger]

My BabyBlue had upgraded speakers from LowDown Sound. They made a huge improvement in the depth and volume of the cabinet, but I ultimately went with a MarkBass 12 combo for increased volume. For what it's worth, I loved the eq section on my BB. It was super flexible. My Markbass gets the sound I look for just set flat. On the BB I had to really boost my lows to get the same sound.

 

[Mulebagger]

and my Markbass is also about half the weight of my BB

 

[Don C]

Thanks for the input guys.
For clarification, when you say you found the BBII is underpowered are you referring to a volume issue, or is it quality of sound ?

I'm wondering how the Doubler will work with the BBII cabinet ?
Or, I might pick up the MLine and use the BBII cab as an extension.

Mike - thanks for the info. I discovered Act One Music the other day and have sent them an Email regarding prices and availability.
Also, how will the Doubler handle a 2 ohm load if I decide to pick up the 4 ohm MLine and use the BBII cab as an extension ??

 

[Mike Dimin]

Thanks for the input guys.
For clarification, when you say you found the BBII is underpowered are you referring to a volume issue, or is it quality of sound ?

I'm wondering how the Doubler will work with the BBII cabinet ?
Or, I might pick up the MLine and use the BBII cab as an extension.

Mike - thanks for the info. I discovered Act One Music the other day and have sent them an Email regarding prices and availability.
Also, how will the Doubler handle a 2 ohm load if I decide to pick up the 4 ohm MLine and use the BBII cab as an extension ??

The Doubler can handle a 2 ohm load with no problem

Mike

 

[Ric Vice]

Thanks for the input guys.
For clarification, when you say you found the BBII is underpowered are you referring to a volume issue, or is it quality of sound ?

Don,
Just for clarification I only had the original Baby Blue with 2x8's. See picture below. With my bass, and the Underwood Pickup, the midrange voicing of the amp didn't sound all that great when I compared it to my Walter Woods MI-100-8 driving the cabinet of the SWR. The Woods with its 100 watt power amp actually sounded better and had more headroom than the SWR with it's its 120 watt power amp. I can't speak to the Baby Blue II. See picture below

Ric