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Big E Speakers Part 4 - Quadraphenia

#2,581
Hey @JBNeedsBeer, how's that 115 working out for you? Getting tired of it yet? J/K... Haven't seen much more about 15"-based products; I guess the MAS215 was either shelved or now part of some gubmint skunk-works project for Special Forces to use LF sound waves for dealing with enemy combatants. I still want to hear a Mesa 400/400+ on top of one of these some day (preferably my own). Okay, back to lurk mode...

Raz
 
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#2,582
Razman said:
Hey @JBNeedsBeer, how's that 115 working out for you? Getting tired of it yet? J/K... Haven't seen much more about 15"-based products; I guess the MAS215 was either shelved or now part of some gubmint skunk-works project for Special Forces to use LF sound waves for dealing with enemy combatants. I still want to hear a Mesa 400/400+ on top of one of these some day (preferably my own). Okay, back to lurk mode...

Raz
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It has been working out very well for the most part. The low end on this thing is still sickeningly good. Verrrrrry addictive. The only complaints I could have (if I were forced to) would be the depth (2 feet) and the low end can overpower some of the mid range content. I think I need to give it another try sans compression to see if that helps. Neither of which would ever be deal breakers. We haven't been playing much over the past 6 months, but are finally back to playing gigs that will give the 115 a proper workout. Fuzz through the 115 is absolutely insane. It just fills up a room.
 
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#2,583
JBNeedsBeer said:
It has been working out very well for the most part. The low end on this thing is still sickeningly good. Verrrrrry addictive. The only complaints I could have (if I were forced to) would be the depth (2 feet) and the low end can overpower some of the mid range content. I think I need to give it another try sans compression to see if that helps. Neither of which would ever be deal breakers. We haven't been playing much over the past 6 months, but are finally back to playing gigs that will give the 115 a proper workout. Fuzz through the 115 is absolutely insane. It just fills up a room.
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Cool, thanks for the update. Back in reality I don't necessarily need a rig right now as all of my playing is at my church so I use their equipment (frees me up to GAS for more basses!) but eventually I will have one some day. Perhaps a D800 with a Flex (or Mod), but I also hear the 112 praised to no end.

However, my dream rig is still a 400+ into a 215.

Let me know if you survive the workout...

Raz
 
#2,584
Razman said:
Cool, thanks for the update. Back in reality I don't necessarily need a rig right now as all of my playing is at my church so I use their equipment (frees me up to GAS for more basses!) but eventually I will have one some day. Perhaps a D800 with a Flex (or Mod), but I also hear the 112 praised to no end.

However, my dream rig is still a 400+ into a 215.

Let me know if you survive the workout...

Raz
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Oh I will, the guitar player is the one without the ear protection at shows :bassist:
From using the 115, I would have a hard time imagining a 215 in any indoor venue. The 115 can make a small room uncomfortable to be in when it is fed power.
 
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#2,586
Ewo said:
@Razman

I'm using a D800 with the MAS112s. It's a very nice pairing, IMHO.
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Thanks Ewo, I've seen a number of pics of MAS cabs under the Mesa class D. I need to just try one out as a local shop has one. So far I've not been all that impressed with the class D stuff I've tried, but my experience is very limited (and I'm not trying to start a commentary/comparison/contrast thread on those amps - plenty threads on that already). Mesa doesn't make junk so we'll see. After owning a Buster 210 wedge combo the idea of having big sound in a compact package (that doesn't weigh a hundred pounds) is appealing. Even if I had another 400/400+ to call my own it isn't something you just 'grab n' go' with.
 
#2,587
Here's a question, not long ago I acquired a Mesa 1516be in a RR case. I had gotten it with some other gear, mainly to flip. I had the 10" driver reconed; after the repair I tried it out under the 400. What a match that was! Loud, clear sounding with a controlled bottom. I could dial in more lows but don't need them for my purposes. It seemed very solid in the midrange, not honky or harsh - bright, but controllable. It sold before I could really spend a lot of time with it, and I liked it because it was a taller cab (I could hear it as I'm tall - my M6 212 combo, not so much). I miss it, but again my use for something of that size would be limited. I will get more practical use out of something that I can fit in my trunk.

What on the MAS side will help me get to that happy place again? Thanks for your input.

Eric
 
#2,588
Whelp, the D800 head is the first piece of Mesa gear I've used, so I can't help there.

Of the MAS cabs, I own a 46/110 sub rig, an MAS 112 with the 18 Sound, and an MAS 112 with the Faital. Of those, I'd say the 18 Sound MAS112 is your huckleberry, based on your description.
 
#2,590
Razman said:
Thanks Ewo. I'll have to go back through the thread and read some 112 - Flex comparisons.
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Glad to be of whatever help I can be.

Might be good to call Mike Arnopol, and discuss your tone goals and volume requirements with him. IME, he's a straight-shooter and will advise you well.

What I can tell ya is that the 18Sound MAS122 absolutely kills as a rock cab.
 
#2,591
Best I can put it, the take-away is this:

With these cabs, if what you're hearing onstage is good, you can feel confident what's getting out to the audience is good. IMHO, that's what makes these things special.

I'm an old cat, and I've been through a shizz-load of cabs and amps...and these things do something I always wished for, but never got until now.
 
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#2,592
Ewo said:
Best I can put it, the take-away is this:

With these cabs, if what you're hearing onstage is good, you can feel confident what's getting out to the audience is good. IMHO, that's what makes these things special.

I'm an old cat, and I've been through a shizz-load of cabs and amps...and these things do something I always wished for, but never got until now.
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Old dog here too. All around the club, behind the stage and out into the street. Dispersion is unreal
 
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#2,594
And your bird can sing....

For those pondering the IsoAcoustic support modules:

20160505_130658.jpg
 
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#2,599
Ewo said:
Glad to be of whatever help I can be.

Might be good to call Mike Arnopol, and discuss your tone goals and volume requirements with him. IME, he's a straight-shooter and will advise you well.

What I can tell ya is that the 18Sound MAS122 absolutely kills as a rock cab.
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Thanks for your replies Ewo, and you too @mntngrown (I'd still buy your Flex if I were able!) I called Mike today and we had a nice chat, ranging from my specific situation to class D amps and even the PA stuff (he referred me to Big E on that topic). I promised to stop by if I ever have the opportunity (I may be taking a road trip from Minneapolis back to FL sometime in the next year, we'll see.) What a great guy; can't wait to become a customer/convert one day.

Mike recommended the 112 for my needs and from all I've read about that model I think it would be the right fit. I told him I was tall and he said one taller customer of his has two 112's that are stacked vertical, one on top of the other. I don't think I would need that despite my propensity for insanity (why not make a MAS212?) so I'm trying to be realistic and practical (a hard thing to do as a bassist). I'm thinking the LPT version, but the 18 Sound would also work.

Until then I'll keep reading and saving my pennies...

Eric
 
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#2,600
I've played the 18 Sound 112 and the Flex Mod (though set on the floor, not elevated as Mike has recommended) at gigs. As far as monitoring yourself, horizontal dispersion is absolutely not an issue with either one. I used to play a mid-loaded, vertically stacked 2x12". When I got that cab, I played it next to a 4x10 and walked around. Dispersion with the 2x12" was noticeably better. When I got my first MAS cab (an older 66), I did the same thing with it and the 2x12, and the dispersion was as much better with the 66 vs. the 2x12 as with the 2x12 vs. the 410. The other MAS cabs I've played have all been in that same ballpark, dispersion-wise. I prefer no bass in the monitors with mine and no one on stage has had an issue hearing me. The Flex *might* have a tiny edge in the horizontal dispersion department -- not sure -- but, again, it's pretty ridiculous with both cabs. The Flex does have more of the "3D" quality than the 112.

When standing right on top of the cab, the 112 has an edge for monitoring -- there's the upward firing mid on the slanted bit of the baffle, and it doesn't have that little bit of lip overhanging the mid drivers that the Flex does. Plus it's taller. Flex is still very good -- and elevated on a stand it might not be an issue -- but those are my observations from being backed up against each cab on the same crowded stage.
 
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