Big E Speakers Part 4 - Quadraphenia

[nostatic]

yup, 8 ohm.

 

[kesslari]

So... I've started playing with a 9 piece soul band (pretty fun gig!). There's an Ampeg 810 at the rehearsal space, so I just bring my head and bass.
I play with the guitarist in another gig. After a few rehearsals he said "man, can't you bring YOUR rig? It sounds so much clearer and I can hear you so much better". Another spontaneous testament to the power of MAS.

 

[Ewo]

 

[mntngrown]

So... I've started playing with a 9 piece soul band (pretty fun gig!). There's an Ampeg 810 at the rehearsal space, so I just bring my head and bass.
I play with the guitarist in another gig. After a few rehearsals he said "man, can't you bring YOUR rig? It sounds so much clearer and I can hear you so much better". Another spontaneous testament to the power of MAS.

Much like my experience with a blues guitar player I know. He said he liked the clarity of my 4x6 powered by the KXB 500 in the same club, that we were experiencing his own regular bassist and the amp owner's sound through a full fridge and 300 watt Ampeg tube head. Pm me when your new soul project has a gig! Should be fun!

 

[ric426]

Just received a used MAS-46 that's about 3 years old, so I'm assuming it's a first generation model, with 2 tweeters, no mid drivers and no switching. It's quite a change from the 112 LPT Essential I've been using, with an even more solid low end (didn't expect that). It seems to be a little more even sounding, though there's a peak around 1khz that's easy to EQ out, while the 112 is a little more aggressive and would probably be a better choice where there's more need to cut through a mix. Pretty much matches what others have said. I must say that Mike wasn't kidding when he told me that the 112 LPT Essential puts out a surprising level of mids for a single driver system.
The 46 will suit my needs just fine and the size will be better for my use, though it's heavier than I expected and seems to weigh as much or more than the 112. It really shows the weight benefit of the okoume plywood vs. what I assume is birch plywood. Fortunately, I won't have to move it much so the weight is a non-issue.
Looks like there will probably be a lightly used 112 LPT Essential on the market soon if anyone is interested.

 

[kesslari]

In case anyone is looking to add the Big Boom to their existing rig, I've put my 110 sub up for sale.

 

[MarkA]

In case anyone is looking to add the Big Boom to their existing rig, I've put my 110 sub up for sale.

Do you find yourself running with just the top much?

 

[J.Wolf]

I do, in reference to the flex mod. The top by itself elevated sounds great and has surprisingly big output

 

[Gab124]

Hey all -
So I remember, way back it seems now, when the Big E stuff first came out in research and development. Somewhere along the line I lost track of it and generally forgot what was being developed. Recently, however, I have become in need of a new cabinet and low and behold somehow this thread caught my eye and I started doing some reading again - mark me very interested. I wondered if I may ask a few questions from all of you in the know here, as the reading is lengthy and filled with many iterations and models of cabinets (I have also written Mike and awaiting his input as well).

I have three rigs that I use in various combinations. Amps = DB751, STL600, Ampeg PF800. Cabs = Avatar 210, Xsonics 2155cf, Ampeg810.
Now, the fridge rarely goes out as I don't like moving it (its actually up for local sale now). The avatar is just my beater practice space cab and some shows where the stage is really small, it does well for what it is. The Xsonics is my main gigging cab along with the 751 - I love the low end, endless headroom and thickness and I can still fit it all behind the seat of my Tacoma extended cab.

My music style is Southern Country Rock with pretty heavy Blues influence, always on a 5 string with a drummer who thinks he is John Bonham along with two guitars.

My question; I wanted a cab that was in between the Xsonics 215 and the 210 and was considering the MA112. I want portability for sure, but I really need the feeling of headroom and good low end that meshes with the type of music I play. Will this work, or is there another cab Mike offers that I should be considering more. Also, most importantly, ~1k really is my top end dollar amount right now.

Thanks for any information you guys would be willing to share with me on this, and I will continue reading the threads to dig up stuff as well.

 

[spiritbass]

The 112 is a killer cab, but you may have to accumulate a bit more money to purchase a new one.

 

[Gab124]

The 112 is a killer cab, but you may have to accumulate a bit more money to purchase a new one.

Oh, I guess I am confused as his web site says it starts a $875

 

[spiritbass]

Oh, I guess I am confused as his web site says it starts a $875

That may be for the model that only contains a 12" driver. I was thinking of the model with mid drivers & tweeter, sorry.

 

[Gab124]

That may be for the model that only contains a 12" driver. I was thinking of the model with mid drivers & tweeter, sorry.

Gotcha, that would be why I am so far behind, I have no idea what each model has or doesn't have, how capable each on is etc - and currently there is no info on his site for the 112 options, that I know of anyway.

 

[Gab124]

So, then. How would a MAS109 compare to a bare bones entry level 112?

 

[J.Wolf]

In my limited experience, the 109 had a more full range, high fidelity sound with more 3d quality, whereas the 112 (Faital) had a thicker, fuller midrange, and and a more traditional feel (of a much larger cab). The 112 might also be a little big for your size requirements. But sonically, based on your post, I'd recommend the Faital 112. If you arent into zing, save yourself a few bucks and get the mid driver, but not the tweeter, as there is a pretty good amount of high end response with just the mid and no tweet.

 

[J.Wolf]

The 112 with the 751 will "suck the paint off your house and give your mother a permanent orange afro" -Austin Milbarge

 

[spiritbass]

If you want the best info and to get rolling, I'd suggest you give Mike a call. He'll shut off the saw or put down the glue and steer you right.

 

[spiritbass]

In my limited experience, the 109 had a more full range, high fidelity sound with more 3d quality, whereas the 112 (Faital) had a thicker, fuller midrange, and and a more traditional feel (of a much larger cab). The 112 might also be a little big for your size requirements. But sonically, based on your post, I'd recommend the Faital 112. If you arent into zing, save yourself a few bucks and get the mid driver, but not the tweeter, as there is a pretty good amount of high end response with just the mid and no tweet.

Solid info for the OP. I agree that the tweeter is not necessary on this cab. These things deliver punch that you have to experience to believe!

 

[Gab124]

Kewl, thanks for the responses! I really need to repaint the house, the 112 with Faital would be much more prep fun than a power washer me thinks. Speaking to that cab, Faital 112, with my 751 I usually run an Empress Para eq for room control, and it has been a valuable tool in dive bars and other facilities not designed for live music. Do the cabinets really respond to eq or can they, or should they, be left to their natural voice? What I mean to ask, all cabs you can use eq on, but on those where your tone goal and the cabs inherent voicing are farther apart too much correction just makes it less of what is should be. What are your thoughts there?

 

[J.Wolf]

Right there with ya. My paraEQ lives on my board and I always use it to ring out funky rooms etc.. IME, no cab has taken subtractive/fixative EQ like my MAS Flex. It responds exceedingly well to node removal and carving out low mids for clarity.