Do all cabs feel like a compromise?

[MultiScaleMale]

With basses and even amps you can buy no holds barred, high end basses and amps that don’t cut any corners on quality or construction. But cabs always seem to be a compromise - heavy weight, rat fur or tolex, Duartex that’s gooped on, no t-bolts, cut corners on the crossover, etc. I guess the closest to a high end cab that I would consider “ideal” is the Greenboy F112, but I dislike the wedge format. It seems like everyone is trying to keep costs down on cabs where that’s not usually the case with basses. And you don’t hear a bass, you hear the notes from the speaker. I’ve found my ideal bass, but the quest continues for the ideal cab.

My definition of ideal is an 8 ohm cab that I can double up on larger gigs and use singly on smaller gigs. Sub 45lbs per cab (using the single weight plate standard), truck bed liner, handles 400-500W, quality construction, real handles - not the silly straps. Tone and low end extension, of course.

I considered Acme 112FR, but they have low sensitivity so you need to pump up the wattage and then I start to need a bigger amp. Dr Bass’ BL115 checks most of the boxes and I have an older RX series that I use for rehearsal and like. The obvious issue is - will I get the cabs.

Everything seems like you have to make more of a compromise than with basses and amps.

 

[Oddly]

I'm pretty sure MarkBass have something you could use...my NY151 Blackline for one...although I'm unsure what you mean by truck bed liner?

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Truck bed liner is the sprayed on textured coating that’s far tougher than the rolled on duratex. BTW - I have some duratex that I’ve never used. If anyone in the Columbia area wants it, it’s yours.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The MB cabs are out due to rat fur and I would rather not have the yellow speaker cones. I think they’re kinda obnoxious on stage.

 

[agedhorse]

Every cabinet is a compromise, even if cost is taken out of the equation.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Every cabinet is a compromise, even if cost is taken out of the equation.

Certainly there are physical constraints, you can’t fudge the laws of physics, but there seems to be more corner cutting with cabs versus other components in the signal chain, IMHO.

 

[el murdoque]

have you checked out the barefaced cabs?

 

[agedhorse]

There are so many variables at odds with each other.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

have you checked out the barefaced cabs?

I’ve looked at them, but hats it. Never had a chance to hear one. Two Big Baby II cabs would likely cover what I want, but who knows how they would sound.

 

[BasturdBlaster]

I felt the same way until I tried my first Bag End cab. Mine are carpeted but the new cabs have the elastomer coating.

 

[spiritbass]

You might want to take a look at MAS (Michael Arnopol Sound) cabinets and/or give him a call.

 

[monkeyfinger]

I get that you don't like the wedge format of the F112, but I don't see how that represents a design or build compromise. Also, most truck bed liner materials are very heavy. There are finish compounds that are excellent for cabs while being much lighter.

 

[micguy]

Everybody wants a light weight, small cabinet that is efficient and goes really low - for not much money. I'd like that, too.

All of those things fight each other. Small, efficient, and "goes really low" are one of those "pick 2" things - you'll never get all 3 at once. Light weight fights things, too - you want it to sound like crap, I can make you a cardboard box. It'll be really light.

I have a degree in Acoustical Physics, decades of experience designing pro audio gear, including audio transducers, and...even I'm not completely satisfied with what I came up with and built myself. If you're aggravated by not seeing what you really want in the market....welcome to the club.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I understand the physical trade offs, but there seems to be more of a working towards a price point with cabs in general than basses or amps.

 

[brianrost]

Some of what you are considering "corner cutting" may not be in the minds of the mfr. I've been extremely satisfied with stuff from Epifani, Bergantino and EAW but they all fail a lot of your criteria. Maybe you should consider building your own.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Some of what you are considering "corner cutting" may not be in the minds of the mfr. I've been extremely satisfied with stuff from Epifani, Bergantino and EAW but they all fail a lot of your criteria. Maybe you should consider building your own.

Without any of the tools necessary, my costs would be prohibitively high to produce two cabs. And I don’t want to start a business, I’d do guitar cabs.

 

[GreyBeard]

Have a Greenboy built and specify every single part right down to the screws.

 

[mmbongo]

Mesa Subway cabs tick all of your boxes, except....truck bed liner? Not sure why you’d want that?

 

[MCS4]

Another vote for Markbass, and I don't see any compromises there. I can understand if someone has a personal preference against "rat fur," but I've never experienced any durability issues gigging with cabs like that -- certainly not the Markbass cabs.

That said, it sounds like the OP is comparing normal-production bass cabs with boutique or custom instruments. There are absolutely custom or boutique cab builders out there that will build you something if you want to spend that kind of cash.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Mesa Subway cabs tick all of your boxes, except....truck bed liner? Not sure why you’d want that?

I looked briefly, but the specs look like less low end than other cabs. But that could be because they are reporting legit numbers.

But I like that they would be easily able to find replacement speakers should one ever blow. Something like Barefaced? Not so easy. I could definitely compromise on the tolex as long as it’s not rat fur.

Plus, I know Mesa will be quality.