Barefaced G3 Cabs - Supers vs Bigs User Opinions

[John D Harris]

I'm mostly looking for Barefaced users who own or have owned Gen 3 Super Compact & Big Baby 2 (preferably at the same time) or Super Twin 2 & Big Twin 2.

I mainly want to know how the overall tone compares between the slightly smaller tweeterless cabs compare to the slightly bigger cabs with the HF drivers.

The Super Midget uses a different tweeter & I'm not really interested in that cab.

Specifically, I'm mostly interested in the differences in the low end & the top end between these (the Supers & the Bigs).

Thanks in advance!

 

[John D Harris]

Also, for anyone who owns both a SC & BB2 - How well do the two cabs combine as a stack?

 

[alexclaber]

Specifically, I'm mostly interested in the differences in the low end & the top end between these (the Supers & the Bigs).

If you turn the HF control all the way off then the top end on the Big Baby 2 and Big Twin 2 is identical to the Super Compact and Super Twin. You might notice a small difference between the SC and BB2 but that's simply because the 12" driver is closer to the floor in the BB2. Elevate the latter to match and that difference will disappear.

 

[John D Harris]

If you turn the HF control all the way off then the top end on the Big Baby 2 and Big Twin 2 is identical to the Super Compact and Super Twin. You might notice a small difference between the SC and BB2 but that's simply because the 12" driver is closer to the floor in the BB2. Elevate the latter to match and that difference will disappear.

So a Super Compact sitting on top of a Big Baby II should sound fairly similar to a Big Twin II (other than small sonic differences due to relative driver spacing/location)?
Also, would the positioning of the feet allow a BB2 to sit on top of the SC?

 

[alexclaber]

So a Super Compact sitting on top of a Big Baby II should sound fairly similar to a Big Twin II (other than small sonic differences due to relative driver spacing/location)?
Also, would the positioning of the feet allow a BB2 to sit on top of the SC?

Two Big Baby 2 stacked will be near identical to a Big Twin 2 (with the lower HF driver off or both turned down a bit). I wouldn't generally stack a Super Compact on a BB2 because the HF driver will end up lower down and then quite a gap between it and the higher 12XN driver, so they won't blend sonically so well. The BB2 doesn't stack very well on the Super Compact (it will just about manage it if you have it further forwards) because it's quite a bit deeper and very slightly wider.

 

[John D Harris]

Two Big Baby 2 stacked will be near identical to a Big Twin 2 (with the lower HF driver off or both turned down a bit). I wouldn't generally stack a Super Compact on a BB2 because the HF driver will end up lower down and then quite a gap between it and the higher 12XN driver, so they won't blend sonically so well. The BB2 doesn't stack very well on the Super Compact (it will just about manage it if you have it further forwards) because it's quite a bit deeper and very slightly wider.

Thanks again, Alex!

 

[John D Harris]

Two Big Baby 2 stacked will be near identical to a Big Twin 2 (with the lower HF driver off or both turned down a bit). I wouldn't generally stack a Super Compact on a BB2 because the HF driver will end up lower down and then quite a gap between it and the higher 12XN driver, so they won't blend sonically so well. The BB2 doesn't stack very well on the Super Compact (it will just about manage it if you have it further forwards) because it's quite a bit deeper and very slightly wider.

Actually, I have one more (well maybe more) question:
Will a Big Baby II fit on top of a Super Twin II?
[I know the combination will be aprox. 2.67 ohm load.]
I bet a pair of BB2 would make pretty nice stereo audio loudspeakers!

 

[ijump206]

Also, for anyone who owns both a SC & BB2 - How well do the two cabs combine as a stack?

I have a Super Twin and a BB2 and they combine quite nicely as a stack. I use this setup when I am playing outdoors with little or no PA reinforcement. It gives me some extra clean headroom from my Ampeg V-4B reissue, and sounds epic with either the Ampeg or my (for sale) Euphonic Audio iAmp Pro. I am considering the Mesa Subway for this as well, which should send roughly 800/3 watts to each of the 3 12" drivers, assuming I have the HF driver rolled off.

I enjoy combining the two cabs when I can because I can dial in the HF on the BB2 and get a more detailed top end than using the ST by itself. However, the ST does sound great in the higher register for a cab with no HF driver, and I imagine the SC would be similarly good sounding.

Barefaced 3*12 Stack Front

• ijump206
• Nov 20, 2015
• barefaced

Barefaced 3*12 Stack Side

• ijump206
• Nov 20, 2015
• barefaced

 

[dave_bass5]

Quick, almost on topic question. I understand how positing different drivers in different places within your stack can sound different close up, but is this still valid out front (say, 30ft from the stage).

Alex mentions having the HF lower if you stack a SC and BB2, so it might get lost as the upper 12" driver swamps it, but is this just when close up or no matter where you are listening to it?

Probably a silly question anyway but thought id ask, as its also something i was planning to think about doing in the future....maybe.

 

[John D Harris]

Quick, almost on topic question. I understand how positing different drivers in different places within your stack can sound different close up, but is this still valid out front (say, 30ft from the stage).

Alex mentions having the HF lower if you stack a SC and BB2, so it might get lost as the upper 12" driver swamps it, but is this just when close up or no matter where you are listening to it?

Probably a silly question anyway but thought id ask, as its also something i was planning to think about doing in the future....maybe.

Not really an answer: I was thinking, if the driver spacing does make a difference, you could just flip the SC & I believe the spacing would be close enough to the same as the BB2. Of course, you'd want to put a heavy mat or towel between the tops of the two cabs.
Someone once told me, in order for two woofers to couple, their distance apart should not be more than a certain fraction of their lowest wavelength.
Maybe someone else will chime in regarding your question.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

The best thing about a BB2 is ...two are better!

 

[John D Harris]

The best thing about a BB2 is ...two are better!

Bass porn...oh, my!!!

 

[John D Harris]

Not really an answer: I was thinking, if the driver spacing does make a difference, you could just flip the SC & I believe the spacing would be close enough to the same as the BB2. Of course, you'd want to put a heavy mat or towel between the tops of the two cabs.
Someone once told me, in order for two woofers to couple, their distance apart should not be more than a certain fraction of their lowest wavelength.
Maybe someone else will chime in regarding your question.

I think that an upside-down SC on top of a right-side-up BB2 would be the equivalent of a D’Appolito configuration (or close enough for rock & roll).

 

[John D Harris]

~bump for any new input~

[...actually, I'm also interested in a pair of Super Midgets or SM + SC...]