• 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

#2,987
I had a long conversation with Mr. Arnopol today about the new cabinet design. In his words "a quantum leap forward", not just an incremental progression or design refinement. I don't want to speak for him, but the design allows for all the punch, volume and clarity typical of his cabs but allows the midrange and high end to be much better controlled and, most importantly, projected by the MWV design of the mid chamber.

Let's see...all the punch, low end extension, transient response and volume of an MAS cab plus better, more articulate and three dimensional midrange and high end....

I've already sold my MAS112 in anticipation of buying the 12" version.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3rdcurve and Stephen Regier
#2,989
Matt Morgan said:
I had a long conversation with Mr. Arnopol today about the new cabinet design. In his words "a quantum leap forward", not just an incremental progression or design refinement. I don't want to speak for him, but the design allows for all the punch, volume and clarity typical of his cabs but allows the midrange and high end to be much better controlled and, most importantly, projected by the MWV design of the mid chamber.

Let's see...all the punch, low end extension, transient response and volume of an MAS cab plus better, more articulate and three dimensional midrange and high end....

I've already sold my MAS112 in anticipation of buying the 12" version.
Click to expand...
Hmm... I thought it was mostly the mids in their own vortex, like the Flex. Quantum leap forward from Flex-land?
With that said, either way I'm at a point where my sound (and the potential in my gear) is way better than my abilities or gigs, so I'll stick with what I've got. Sorry Mike, your stuff is too good already.
 
  • Like
Reactions: godley69, wave rider, Stephen Regier and 1 other person
#2,990
kesslari said:
Hmm... I thought it was mostly the mids in their own vortex, like the Flex. Quantum leap forward from Flex-land?
With that said, either way I'm at a point where my sound (and the potential in my gear) is way better than my abilities or gigs, so I'll stick with what I've got. Sorry Mike, your stuff is too good already.
Click to expand...

I feel ya. My current rig is by far my favorite ever, and really I doubt the upgrade is necessary.
 
  • Like
Reactions: spiritbass
#2,991
kesslari said:
Hmm... I thought it was mostly the mids in their own vortex, like the Flex. Quantum leap forward from Flex-land?
With that said, either way I'm at a point where my sound (and the potential in my gear) is way better than my abilities or gigs, so I'll stick with what I've got. Sorry Mike, your stuff is too good already.
Click to expand...

If we're not in the same boat, the differences are indiscernible. :cool:
 
#2,992
Matt Morgan said:
I had a long conversation with Mr. Arnopol today about the new cabinet design. In his words "a quantum leap forward", not just an incremental progression or design refinement. I don't want to speak for him, but the design allows for all the punch, volume and clarity typical of his cabs but allows the midrange and high end to be much better controlled and, most importantly, projected by the MWV design of the mid chamber.

Let's see...all the punch, low end extension, transient response and volume of an MAS cab plus better, more articulate and three dimensional midrange and high end....

I've already sold my MAS112 in anticipation of buying the 12" version.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Matt. That is interesting. Like some others, I will hold for now.

Though my MAS-112 (Eminence and switchable B&C tweeter) is not beyond my ability to play or hear, for the size, weight, and money it is so good that my current non-gigging status doesn't justify replacing it.

That said... If eventually multiple experienced MAS-112 players give firsthand accounts of Mike's latest designs retaining the best qualities of the MAS-112 yet bettering it overall, then I will consider switching.

Thanks for taking the chance! I'll wait to hear.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrBEAR and Stephen Regier
#2,993
The top end of Mike's new cabs are an evolution of some of the PA cabs. The spatial imaging he talks about has been somewhat an elusive beast. We've had it in other models, then lost it as other gremlins were fixed, then got it back, lost some of it again. I have not heard this cab yet, but Steve and Tom tell me it's got the imaging qualities better than anything they've done. The cabs that had it strongly before had some other issues, which are all cured. I know that one of the older models I had strongly imaged in mono from a single cab. If it's better than that one, OMG. Paired with the LilE waveguide woofer, which has some particular characteristics, it should be a beast for output.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wave rider, tombowlus, Stephen Regier and 1 other person
#2,994
Snaxster said:
Thank you, Matt. That is interesting. Like some others, I will hold for now.

Though my MAS-112 (Eminence and switchable B&C tweeter) is not beyond my ability to play or hear, for the size, weight, and money it is so good that my current non-gigging status doesn't justify replacing it.

That said... If eventually multiple experienced MAS-112 players give firsthand accounts of Mike's latest designs retaining the best qualities of the MAS-112 yet bettering it overall, then I will consider switching.

Thanks for taking the chance! I'll wait to hear.
Click to expand...

I am waffling back and forth. Shoot, if you decide to switch I might just double down and buy your current cab.

What intrigued me was the thought of a pair of the new cabs doubling as home stereo speakers. But alas, it's again spending money I don't have on things I don't need. You know, the American way!
 
  • Like
Reactions: spiritbass, Snaxster and Stephen Regier
#2,996
RHA III said:
So does anybody here have experience with the flex 210 vs Fearful 15/6/1 + 15 sub?
Click to expand...
I've had a Fearful 15/6/1, but not with the sub.
I have a Flex210.
Honestly, the Flex will knock the Fearful down and take it's lunch money. IMO of course etc.
Tighter lows.
Much more present mids.
Better dispersion.
And a "3-D" quality that is really, really hard for me to put into words, but that makes me smile at every gig.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wave rider, spiritbass and 3rdcurve
#2,998
RHA III said:
Much more mids huh? Thats kinda what I'm looking for. The fearfuls sound super low and clear in the highs, but have me missing my old Ampeg 6x10 for the mids.
Click to expand...

The mid detail will drop your jaw. That's literally what happened to me when I first played through my Flex110. I have not experienced the Feafuls. I also smile every time I play through my Flex110+sub also and have thoroughly enjoyed being completely spoiled by Mike's MVW speakers. And again, I never tire of hearing myself so well and sounding better than I have any right to... :)
 
#2,999
spiritbass said:
The mid detail will drop your jaw. That's literally what happened to me when I first played through my Flex110. I have not experienced the Feafuls. I also smile every time I play through my Flex110+sub also and have thoroughly enjoyed being completely spoiled by Mike's MVW speakers. And again, I never tire of hearing myself so well and sounding better than I have any right to... :)
Click to expand...
The flex mids are crazy good. The pic of the new 15 looks to have traded the 10s for a 15 with the same top section. I bet it's brutal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stephen Regier
#3,000
RHA III said:
Much more mids huh? Thats kinda what I'm looking for. The fearfuls sound super low and clear in the highs, but have me missing my old Ampeg 6x10 for the mids.
Click to expand...
If you're talking an Ampeg 610 HLF, I've played one of those. Everything this cab does, including the mids, it does better than the Ampeg. Not so much a matter of more mids (though there's plenty of mids on tap) as it is the quality of the mids -- the detail, the dispersion -- and the tweeters (two -- you can switch them on or off individually) are worlds better. Lows are deeper and more articulate.

There is a 210 Flex in the classifieds about 7 hours from you for about half the new price. It's a bigger cab (check the description), but if you're used to a 610 and were going to haul a 15/6 and 15 sub, it shouldn't be a problem.

Shipping big cabs sucks these days, both in terms of cost and in risk to the cabs (particularly around the holiday season). If I were you, I'd get in touch with the seller, and a) find a cheap place to stay the night near Santa Cruz (and something fun to do in town), make a day of it, and arrange to try the cab or b) ask the seller nicely if he'd meet you half way -- maybe find a pizza joint and buy him a meal for the trouble.

I have the modular version of this cab (among other MAS cabs). If you're looking for something to play in your living room at night, it's wasted. If you could cover the gig with a 1x10 combo -- or even a regular 210 -- it's overkill. If you're playing a gig where you can open it up some and want it to carry the room (or at least do a chunk of the heavy lifting -- a gig where you'd legitimately use a 610 or where you've run out of steam with a 410), I haven't played anything better. To my ear (others might disagree) at home practice volumes it can sound a little rough, but it really comes alive -- fills out, opens up, and gets that 3D effect going -- when you give it some juice.

EDIT: I thought the product description I linked to would list the dimensions, but I don't see them. A quick search of this site turns up an old ad for one with dimensions listed as 32"x26"x14" (HxWxD), and that seems about right. Weight would be in the 70-80 pound range. Check with the seller and/or Mike Arnopol to verify. Mine is out of town at the moment, or I'd at least check the width and depth for you.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 3rdcurve, wave rider and RHA III

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back