• 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: Pt 2

Status
Not open for further replies.
#123
Jazzdogg said:
Have any of you plotted impedance versus frequency yet, Mike? I expect it to vary with voltage/SPL.
Click to expand...

Hi Everybody,

After years of not bothering, I just signed up for Talkbass, and I'm just sort of browsing.

I had never heard of Big E, and went to look at the site, and was intrigued by what is referred to at a new loading technique, and had exactly the same question: What's the impedance curve look like? You can tell a LOT from that, and my main question pertains to whether or not the curve shows Helmholtz resonation, and if so, how is it different from a classic vented enclosure. I'll admit, I didn't grasp the explanation on the website.

Cheers,
Andy
 
#124
Hey Andy!!!
Really nice to hear from someone I really respect in the field! I'll send you a pm---give me a jingle---I'd love to talk. I build and am involved in the design of the bass cabs.
 
#126
acmebass said:
Hi Everybody,

After years of not bothering, I just signed up for Talkbass, and I'm just sort of browsing.

I had never heard of Big E, and went to look at the site, and was intrigued by what is referred to at a new loading technique, and had exactly the same question: What's the impedance curve look like? You can tell a LOT from that, and my main question pertains to whether or not the curve shows Helmholtz resonation, and if so, how is it different from a classic vented enclosure. I'll admit, I didn't grasp the explanation on the sebsite.

Cheers,
Andy
Click to expand...

Looks like a standard vented cab. Shows no Helmholtz resonance. The similarity ends there. Steve and Tom (the designers) are very close to finding a testing protocol that actually reflects what we hear and see with RTA's.
 
#127
I'm very glad to see Acme Bass weighing in here. Welcome!
With all due respect, I am astounded by the speed with which some drop huge coin to acquire the new thing, then immediately offer it up for sale. Witness the BigE 4x6 that's now for sale in the For Sale threads. What up with that?
 
#129
I live to serve :D

Trying new gear is fun, and I've been changing up my tone goals over the past year or two, partly due to heavy gig schedule and trying some new appraoches. Also at some point, you have to do the experiment and try gear at your gigs with your signal chain.

fwiw the 4x6 is a great sounding cab and there is something to it. I've just bonded with my Baers, and as Mike pointed out, the cabs are voiced very differently. Mike's build quality is top-notch and there are some very nice design touches in the cab. Plus if you double, it is a no-brainer. The 4x6 was the best on upright by far.
 
#130
Mike Arnopol said:
I think it will be the same or just a bit more volume as the Berg. Close to a standard 15 but less than a "super" 15 like a Greenboy or Thunderchild 15.

The Bergs have helped define one type of great modern hifi bass tone. They're great cabs. To me---within it's dynamic limits---the 5" based cabs are the most balanced bass cabs I've played through. When most people talk about "punch" in bass cabs they're talking about the mids and the ability to hear yourself from the mids really speaking well. Which is a good thing. When I talk about "punch" with the Big E's I'm talking about really feeling the air moved. I just played an upright gig with the 45. When walking every note had the thump and physical presence I'm looking for. I prefer a flatter midrange---just my preference. I think that some guys prefer a rising midrange so that when played live the mids allow the bass to "cut" through. The Big E's take midrange boost very nicely if that's your thing.In my opinion I prefer not having to have elevated mids so as to hear myself. I'd rather have my pitch and rhythmic definition from the lower range. I think that the popularity of some of the great new cabs like the Baer, Xsonic and Glasstone cabs (they're all very different but great sounding in their own ways) is due to the fact that bass players are finally starting to get it----huge low end has a tendency of obscuring the harmonics above the bass range. These cabs aren't trying to do super powerful low bass. Just punchy, articulate bass. I'd rather have things a bit leaner below 100hz if it yields better articulation.
I've never liked the "voice of God" massive low end. All the notes run together to me. I heard a comment about a highly respected cab where the bassist asked an audience member how the bass sounded. The comment was that the bass was plenty loud and powerful but he couldn't really hear what he was playing. That's powerful bass gone bad.

To me, the Big E's have that power but everything is super articulate.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike! My 15" reference points are a pair of tl606's, so sounds like these would be close volume-wise. Colour me intrigued.

Cheers,
Liam
 
#134
nostatic said:
fwiw the 4x6 is a great sounding cab and there is something to it. I've just bonded with my Baers, and as Mike pointed out, the cabs are voiced very differently. Mike's build quality is top-notch and there are some very nice design touches in the cab. Plus if you double, it is a no-brainer. The 4x6 was the best on upright by far.
Click to expand...
Why? Did it compliment the sound of acoustic bass well? I have been following your cab experiments because I am trying to decide between the same group of cabs myself.
 
#136
pickles said:
Dysprosium is crucial because it is the strongest magnet in the world but also remains stable at very high temperatures.

Where are all the Dyso cabs???
Click to expand...

FYI, I ran your comment by one of the people I work with at Eminence, and this is what he said. (Suffice to say...don't hold your breath!)

"I have never heard of dyprosium, but reading about it, it’s another rare earth metal. Only 100 tonnes ( metric tons ) a year in production. Chinese control, like Neodymium. That should change by 2016. In 2014 mines should be in production in Greenland."
 
#137
100 tons makes a lot of bass cabs :D

Probably just like all the braz rosewood got made into tables and chairs, all the dyso probably ends up in military gear. Musicians get the shaft.

Totally kidding about this BTW, thx for checking with eminence!

Im taking credit if a dyso speaker craze takes off in 2017.
 
#140
ACB0015 said:
I'm very glad to see Acme Bass weighing in here. Welcome!
With all due respect, I am astounded by the speed with which some drop huge coin to acquire the new thing, then immediately offer it up for sale. Witness the BigE 4x6 that's now for sale in the For Sale threads. What up with that?
Click to expand...

What is up... Those who can and wish to, try new stuff.
I will be keeping my BigE 48. I dig it. I don't think the fact that another TB member tried a 46 and decided he liked his Baer cab better for his sound, is "astounding" at all.
I have a fEarful 1515/66 too. Are you astounded that I bought a BigE having that in my possession. Or are you "astounded" that I ever considered owning anything but Ampeg or Fender or Mesa?
Only one of the BigE's that Mike has delivered to a customer so far has been put up for sale afterward on TB, as far as I know. Please correct me if I am wrong. Numerous fEarful cabs have been put up for sale here, yet they are a very popular product, and IMHO great cabs.
I am concerned your post has a built in agenda that is not in the "bass players helping bass players" spirit. I welcome your correction of my fears. I am glad Andy is joining this discussion, as he is in good company with Duke Lejuene, Leland and Mike. Those interactions will IMHO lead to a better product for all of us. I used to gig 2 Acme B2's. Great cabs. I just wanted something more volume "bulletproof" so I went nEarful then fEarful.
People try stuff. Some of it sticks. Some of it does not.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back