• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Big E Speakers Part 4 - Quadraphenia

#2,183
JBNeedsBeer said:
I would argue against putting out efficiency numbers. I mean, the on paper efficiency for the 15" in the MAS115 is lower than what I perceive the cab's sensitivity to being in usage. I've played cabs that purported the 97db @1W @1M of the 15NLW9300 and this cab at least seems to play louder to my ears.
Click to expand...
Biggest sticky wicket of all. More of the odd MVW effect.
 
#2,184
Kinda funny, I know a couple Bose engineers and let's just say that what's going on isn't a mystery to some folks ;) . I'd love to get my hands on one of these to verify that I can measure "it" ;) - but am in the process of acquiring a couple cabs from a local builder that will suit my needs (25 lb RevSound RS115's). Let me just hint to whomever gets around to real testing that the harmonic balance of what's going in will be different than what's coming out (obviously in a good way). And yes, it will be SPL dependent. Pink noise or single-tone/frequency-sweep testing won't show you squat all.
 
#2,185
RoadRanger said:
Kinda funny, I know a couple Bose engineers and let's just say that what's going on isn't a mystery to some folks ;) . I'd love to get my hands on one of these to verify that I can measure "it" ;) - but am in the process of acquiring a couple cabs from a local builder that will suit my needs (25 lb RevSound RS115's). Let me just hint to whomever gets around to real testing that the harmonic balance of what's going in will be different than what's coming out (obviously in a good way). And yes, it will be SPL dependent. Pink noise or single-tone/frequency-sweep testing won't show you squat all.
Click to expand...
???
 
#2,187
lelandcrooks said:
Interesting. Impulse response seems to be the ticket.
Click to expand...
I suspect NOT, actually. Pretty much are going to have to feed one actual bass notes (with and without harmonics) at various levels outdoors free-field to get anything usable - with measurements made at many physical points. A nice anechoic chamber would be best but expensive to rent. And you'd have to do the same with a reference "normal" cab. As I inferred in my email to you I don't think any of this is going to explain what's going on to the typical customer anyways as it will still need to be interpreted and the effect is most likely both real and not LOL. Folks are either willing to trust what they "hear" or not :) .
 
#2,189
RoadRanger said:
I suspect NOT, actually. Pretty much are going to have to feed one actual bass notes (with and without harmonics) at various levels outdoors free-field to get anything usable - with measurements made at many physical points. A nice anechoic chamber would be best but expensive to rent. And you'd have to do the same with a reference "normal" cab. As I inferred in my email to you I don't think any of this is going to explain what's going on to the typical customer anyways as it will still need to be interpreted and the effect is most likely both real and not LOL. Folks are either willing to trust what they "hear" or not :) .
Click to expand...

If Jimi Hendrix were alive, he'd say that MAS cabs have to be "experienced". :D (yes, they're that good)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Superbird
#2,190
RoadRanger said:
Kinda funny, I know a couple Bose engineers and let's just say that what's going on isn't a mystery to some folks ;) . I'd love to get my hands on one of these to verify that I can measure "it" ;) - but am in the process of acquiring a couple cabs from a local builder that will suit my needs (25 lb RevSound RS115's). Let me just hint to whomever gets around to real testing that the harmonic balance of what's going in will be different than what's coming out (obviously in a good way). And yes, it will be SPL dependent. Pink noise or single-tone/frequency-sweep testing won't show you squat all.
Click to expand...
I do notice my cabs doing things I like when I get the volume past a certain point -- and my 112 does sound richer, harmonically, when it gets a bit of juice. It's nice at home, but a joy on the gig. This might jive with the non-linearities you hint at, but I will have to re-visit them in a less fatigued state!
 
#2,193
This is why I try to use the Flex top cab by itself when I can, because its easier to get the cab working hard enough to open up and get the vortex thing happening. With the sub and the top cab, i have to get pretty dang loud to get the "cylinders firing". But shockingly, the Flex top by itself (1x10, 2x6, 2xtweet) has astounding low end output. Way more than a "normal" 2x10 IMO.
 
#2,194
I do my best to be careful. Unfortunately I'm not much help to you bass players. Not my area of expertise. I do understand what these cabs do, but from a different perspective, which isn't always applicable. Mike's cabs have more direct radiator influence than mine, because you stand so close to the cab. Makes some of my knowledge about operation less valid.
 
#2,195
lelandcrooks said:
I do my best to be careful. Unfortunately I'm not much help to you bass players. Not my area of expertise. I do understand what these cabs do, but from a different perspective, which isn't always applicable. Mike's cabs have more direct radiator influence than mine, because you stand so close to the cab. Makes some of my knowledge about operation less valid.
Click to expand...
Always appreciate your input and perspective, even if it is different. And, yes, be careful out there.

As for direct radiator influence, once things are cranking, I find it remarkable how similar things sound on stage and out in the audience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John D Harris
#2,197
lelandcrooks said:
True. Once the vortex is up and running, all of it gets integrated into the carrier. It's farther out on my cabs than Mikes.
Click to expand...
Starts farther, goes farther, or both? Mike said something about full vs. partial (don't know if that's the right word - scaled-down?) waveguides in different bass cabs and their effects/tradeoffs. Not sure how or if that would apply to what you do with the PA stuff, but it was interesting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wave rider
#2,198
It does start farther. Depends on the size of the cab, anywhere from 3 or 4 ft to 6-10. Whether it goes farther or not I don't know. At 300ft a stack of 4 GC210's only had dropoff of about 4-5db. I've never really run one of Mikes cabs enough to say. The PA cabs don't use mids, they're all two way boxes. All the midrange is off the face of the driver or out of the ports. The tweeters are the only direct radiator part, except for one cab, which puts the tweet into the vortex directly.
 
#2,199
I've been really negligent about posting. It's been weeks since I've heard the MAS112 and the MAS 109 with the new custom drivers and since then I have one of each. I first heard the 112 at Mike's and had to have one. I've had an MAS 112 with a 18sound 12, one with a Faital, and a LPT. The LPT was my favorite sound, but the new one I like better yet. It is more mid forward than 18sound or the Faital, but deeper than the LPT. This thing is super efficient, my 200 watt Traynor or Mike's Shaw make it loud enough for an outside job I did recently. I feel and I've heard from band mates and audience members that I'm getting the best bass sound I've ever gotten. The new one has a more traditional electric bass sound to me, but deeper and more even with the usual Big E ability to get deep without getting boomy and to be heard everywhere. The 110 also knocked me out. It actually seems to go deeper than the 12. Mike says the wave guide is more optimum for the 10. It also is very mid forward in the range that gives electric basses their voice. The latest one has an attenuator switch that makes it smoother. There is a picture on the MAS facebook page, but I can't figure out how to post it here, too old. I'll have to get my daughters to show me how. The 110 is about same size as the MA109 and still only weighs about 35lbs. Nobody that has heard it can believe it only has one ten, it sounds louder and deeper than any two 10 I've heard and would probably give a lot of four 10s a run for their money.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: eff-clef, Superbird and mntngrown

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back