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Big E Speakers Part 4 - Quadraphenia

#3,661
zorf said:
the description on the mas site says back firing inside the mids chamber.
Maybe he is no longer doing that.
Also noticed you have a mas 109,
Wonder what they sound like in an A/B test?
The bodai should be louder, i would think, for one.
Click to expand...

If I'm not mistaken, there is also a compression driver back firing inside the mid chamber that is standard in the B28.
 
#3,663
zorf said:
the description on the mas site says back firing inside the mids chamber.
Maybe he is no longer doing that.
Also noticed you have a mas 109,
Wonder what they sound like in an A/B test?
The bodai should be louder, i would think, for one.
Click to expand...
He's still doing that. This is the optional "Ciare Super Tweeter" - an extra, in addition to the "vortex firing" compression driver.

My MAS109 went to a new home. So I can't directly A/B them.
The B28 goes lower than the MAS 109. It's almost certainly louder but I haven't had the chance to push it yet. I'll know a lot more after a rehearsal or gig (later this week). Same holds true for the "vortex" effect of mids-in-their-own-enclosure.

For me the Flex 210 (Mod) was the gold standard. But it was a bit of a schlepp. Not bad at all compared to The Olde Days of yuuuuge cabs, but still. And particularly because I drive a convertible that can take both cabs, but not gracefully.
I resisted GAS for a while, then replaced the MAS sub that came with the Flex for a MAS109 that was wired so it could double as a sub for the Flex top.
My idea being - MAS109 for rehearsals and most gigs, full Flex when I needed to bring the extra slam.
Which was a brilliant idea... in theory.
In practice, every gig I had to decide - the MAS109 could *totally* handle this gig, but it *would be better* with the whole Flex, top and bottom. So rather than simplify things, it added another decision axis for me, which didn't simplify things the way I had hoped.
When the B28 came out, my thought was "here's a small one cabinet Flex solution" - the dedicated mids-vortex, plus killer lows, plus more volume, in a box smaller than the MAS109. It *should* be loud enough for any gig I play.
We'll see and hear how it all works out.

This history, BTW, is why I didn't get a 1-8 as well. The B28 is small enough that I won't kvetch about bringing it to rehearsals (I sure hope not!) and loud enough to do pretty much anything, and I don't want to have those "well, the one cab will be great but the two would be even better" internal conversations. If I do a few gigs and the B28 seems to hit its limit, I'll reconsider.
 
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#3,665
Just wanted to take a post to sing the praises of a few items which I'm calling The War Rig. I've got a Bodai 112 powered by an Aguilar ag700 and a custom Muckelroy 5 string, passive with a single Music Man style Delano pickup.

There is nothing that this setup can't do. Between the amp and the speaker, there is headroom for DAYS, and that is such a huge tactile bonus to know there is still "room" if you really need to dig in to conjure up some low end thunder. I'm pretty conservative with volume, but it's an amazing quality of sound. The MAS cabs are pretty stunning: Full and fast without breaking a sweat.
 
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#3,666
Just a quick nuthin'

Rigged up my MA109 through a little Stewart from my tv optodigital out listening to Pandora from my FireStick.

Its mono of course, but its got a great "classic" hifi vibe, easy on the treble with the advantage of really hearing the bass guitars well. Sounds good low and at house party levels. Cheers.
 
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#3,667
Finally got a pic of the current rig config with the new blue beast. This rig does its 36" E-string justice:

jk8WHrJ.jpg


To repeat myself for the umpteenth time, I never get tired of sounding this good. Thanks for all you do, brother Mike! :cool:
 
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#3,668
spiritbass said:
Finally got a pic of the current rig config with the new blue beast. This rig does its 36" E-string justice:

View attachment 2984412

To repeat myself for the umpteenth time, I never get tired of sounding this good. Thanks for all you do, brother Mike! :cool:
Click to expand...
Setup looks good -- bet it sounds great. I've got to hold off on purchases for awhile but, when the time comes, both the Bodai 28 and the Bodai 110 have my attention -- Bodai 28 for its power-to-size ratio, among other things -- but I really liked the 110 when I heard it -- just a really pure, open, vibrant sound, even without the optional super-tweet (the one I heard didn't have it). To be fair, I haven't heard the Bodai 28.

On another note -- and I could be wrong about this -- I thought I read, years ago, that the Big E guys didn't recommend toe-ing in their speakers when side-by-side. I think that was in reference to someone's question about a PA setup, with the cabs much further apart, though (and I could be wrong about that). You're there playing the cabs, though, not me, and I'm sure if it didn't sound good you wouldn't do it!

EDIT: I was wrong about the toe-in -- with two cabs in close proximity, turns out it's a good thing. See a few posts below for more.
 
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#3,669
MarkA said:
On another note -- and I could be wrong about this -- I thought I read, years ago, that the Big E guys didn't recommend toe-ing in their speakers when side-by-side. I think that was in reference to someone's question about a PA setup, with the cabs much further apart, though (and I could be wrong about that). You're there playing the cabs, though, not me, and I'm sure if it didn't sound good you wouldn't do it!
Click to expand...

It does sound very good, Mark. :) I tried it closer to that corner behind it, but was getting a null @ F# and had to move it away. I can't tell if the slight toe-in has any effect. I follow this thread like a magnet, but somehow missed that discussion. :rollno:
 
#3,670
spiritbass said:
It does sound very good, Mark. :) I tried it closer to that corner behind it, but was getting a null @ F# and had to move it away. I can't tell if the slight toe-in has any effect. I follow this thread like a magnet, but somehow missed that discussion. :rollno:
Click to expand...
It was way back -- maybe in one of the earlier versions of the thread -- and I may well be mis-remembering the details/application of it. I do remember that it was related to setting up a PA. Maybe @Stephen Regier can help me out. Your actual experience trumps my half-remembered tangent in any case!
 
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#3,671
Okay, looks like I goofed a few posts up. I tagged @Stephen Regier in my above post and he was kind enough to contact me and set me straight...

I just wanted to let you know that the rule about toeing in MVW loudspeakers applies mostly to PA installations where the loudspeakers or arrays of loudspeakers are separated say in a stage left and stage right alignment. When in close proximity (or constructing an array) we recommend first that the front edges of the loudspeakers touch or get as close to touching as possible. Secondly, in the vertical alignment like that seen in MAS loudspeakers a bit of crossfire or toe in is desired. [emphasis mine]
​
So, @spiritbass (and any other toes-in-ers), whether you arrived at the front edges close, toed-in arrangement in the photo you posted of your two Bodai 110s by intuition, ear, or otherwise, it looks like you were following the recommended practice and I was simply mistaken.

Just wanted to set the record straight on that.
 
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#3,673
So I sent my order off today for the all I need in small/medium venue applications for a 4 string flats player, in blues, N.O.Fats Domino Professor Longhair Bo Jacques , Zydeco like Clifton Chenier etc, and funk of the Meters type or etc. No need for tweets or mid range separate chambers. My mighty 48 still gets hauled out to bigger clubs or outdoors but the Mas 28 will be the 90% cab for a guy like me.
 
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#3,674
mntngrown said:
So I sent my order off today for the all I need in small/medium venue applications for a 4 string flats player, in blues, N.O.Fats Domino Professor Longhair Bo Jacques , Zydeco like Clifton Chenier etc, and funk of the Meters type or etc. No need for tweets or mid range separate chambers. My mighty 48 still gets hauled out to bigger clubs or outdoors but the Mas 28 will be the 90% cab for a guy like me.
Click to expand...
Bet it's gonna be great. Play it in good health (and funky meter)!
 
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#3,675
mntngrown said:
So I sent my order off today for the all I need in small/medium venue applications for a 4 string flats player, in blues, N.O.Fats Domino Professor Longhair Bo Jacques , Zydeco like Clifton Chenier etc, and funk of the Meters type or etc. No need for tweets or mid range separate chambers. My mighty 48 still gets hauled out to bigger clubs or outdoors but the Mas 28 will be the 90% cab for a guy like me.
Click to expand...
You are gonna LOVE IT! :bassist:
 
#3,676
I've been putting off asking this for while in fear of igniting an old argument, but I can't find the answer, which is probably buried in SOOO many pages on the MAS cabs. So here goes.

Can someone explain the sensitivity ratings on Mike's speakers? I bought a used MAS26 a couple months ago, and it's fantastic, but I see some 8s in my future. Here's where I'm confused:

1) The Mas18 is rated at 92dB, even though it moves way more air than my 26. Is this because it is voiced so low? Will a HPF help it go significantly louder by cutting the low frequencies?
2) The MAS28 is rated for 98 dB, but I would have expected it to be only 3dB more than the 18. Are these rated at constant voltage instead of 1 watt?

I ask because the MAS28 has a great price point, but may be overkill and I think the speakers sound best when pushed. Thanks in advance for any help. It's rare that i have a question that hasn't already been answered on TB.
 

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