EA Wizzy Question

[57pbass]

Could someone explain this speaker / cabinet design and what makes it so special... Thanks !

 

[KJung]

I'll take a stab....

In general, both the standard and M-Line Wizzy are kind of a hybrid type design, because of the Wizzer cone (which is similar to those old 6x9 with 'high frequency cone' car stereo speakers back before two way systems were widely available.

The small 'cone within a cone' results in a more extended upper mid and treble response than a typical one way woofer cab, but does not have the extended treble sizzle, and cost/complication of a crossover in a typical 2 way cab.

The standard Wizzy is not particularly 'special' other than the above... a nice, lightweight, rather vintage sounding 112.

However, the M-Line uses the transmission line design similar to other EA cabs (a kind of 'tuba-like' porting system with baffles, etc. inside the cab) to extend the low end of the cab.

That's how I understand it. I've never played the M-Line.... but that standard is very light, quite loud and low for its size, and is a slightly more modern update to a standard tweeterless type cab.

Edit: I believe EA has introduced both 8 ohm versions of the Wizzy 12's (which is nice for using a stack of two with amps that don't safely operate at 2ohms), and also are introducing a Wizzy 110 at NAMM this week.

 

[alexclaber]

Both Wizzy cabs use transmission lines.

Whizzer cone speakers are a great example of a mechanical crossover. The wizzer is directly connected to the voice coil, but the voice coil is only loosely connected to the main cone. Consequently the added mass of the main cone is ignored by the voice coil, and therefore it can reproduce much higher frequencies, which the wizzer cone then outputs.

It's a complicated design job to make this work, because obviously this loose connection between voice coil and main cone causes complex response issues, and also the requirements of a bass speaker voice coil (long length and therefore high mass and inductance) counteracts the ability of the system to produce high frequencies.

Consequently the Xmax (and therefore ability to move air) of a wizzer cone speaker is quite limited, as is the power handling. The high sensitivity (going back to small light voice coil with minimal overhang) means that it'll play remarkably loud despite the low power handling and fortunately EA's transmission line gets enough bottom out of the system for it to be (more than) workable for bass guitar.

Alex

 

[KJung]

Both Wizzy cabs use transmission lines.

Whizzer cone speakers are a great example of a mechanical crossover. The wizzer is directly connected to the voice coil, but the voice coil is only loosely connected to the main cone. Consequently the added mass of the main cone is ignored by the voice coil, and therefore it can reproduce much higher frequencies, which the wizzer cone then outputs.

It's a complicated design job to make this work, because obviously this loose connection between voice coil and main cone causes complex response issues, and also the requirements of a bass speaker voice coil (long length and therefore high mass and inductance) counteracts the ability of the system to produce high frequencies.

Consequently the Xmax (and therefore ability to move air) of a wizzer cone speaker is quite limited, as is the power handling. The high sensitivity (going back to small light voice coil with minimal overhang) means that it'll play remarkably loud despite the low power handling and fortunately EA's transmission line gets enough bottom out of the system for it to be (more than) workable for bass guitar.

Alex

Interesting... their marketing blurb differentiates the M-Line from the standard Wizzy based on the transmission line in the M-Line. So... what's the difference between the standard and M-line?

K

 

[alexclaber]

Interesting... their marketing blurb differentiates the M-Line from the standard Wizzy based on the transmission line in the M-Line. So... what's the difference between the standard and M-line?

Different transmission line. There are tons of variables - length of line, position of speaker along line, cross-sectional-area of line, taper of line, acoustic stuffing. Like a ported box and it's insulation, the part of the line in which the driver is mounted will have an effect on the midrange due to damping (or otherwise) of backwave output. And a completely undamped line will exhibit numerous peaks and troughs in response due to pipe resonances - that's where the damping becomes absolutely critical - something that isn't really an issue in a ported or sealed cab.

Changing the shape of the line (as in the M-Line) may help to remove these resonances without damping the TL to the point that it has little output at the end (you can use a TL without a vent at the end, to load the driver and damp the backwave - but in a bass situation you want the backwave to reinforce the frontwave, so the balance of damping is critical.)

Alex

 

[KJung]

Different transmission line. There are tons of variables - length of line, position of speaker along line, cross-sectional-area of line, taper of line, acoustic stuffing. Like a ported box and it's insulation, the part of the line in which the driver is mounted will have an effect on the midrange due to damping (or otherwise) of backwave output. And a completely undamped line will exhibit numerous peaks and troughs in response due to pipe resonances - that's where the damping becomes absolutely critical - something that isn't really an issue in a ported or sealed cab.

Changing the shape of the line (as in the M-Line) may help to remove these resonances without damping the TL to the point that it has little output at the end (you can use a TL without a vent at the end, to load the driver and damp the backwave - but in a bass situation you want the backwave to reinforce the frontwave, so the balance of damping is critical.)

Alex

Interesting. Thanks for the info. I was wondering where all the low end was coming from out of that little standard Wizzy... makes sense now.

 

[AlembicBill]

I understood the difference to be that the standard Wizzy uses a single transmission line, while the WizzyM uses a dual transmission line (hence the M shape).

 

[57pbass]

Excellent stuff !!!

 

[vicenzajay]

The Wizzy (in my opinion) is special in that produces an amazing low end (and somewhat "modernly" vintage tone) at a surprising volume level in a box that is expertly designed for both performance and overall weight (my two weigh about 26 pounds apiece). The M-Line has a more linear frequency response (and extended bass response), yet still has a hint of that "modern" vintage vibe to it.

I am stuck on them...fantastic boxes that have completely changed my concept of modularity and sufficiency in a bass "rig". Your bass sounds like your bass...very individual, despite the fact that there is a slight upper mid bump in the response. The notes are warm yet very, very clear, and (just ask Tombowlus) a pair of Wizzy's are the absolute bomb for many situations. They impress for both their low-frequency response (especially as a pair) and the way they sit in a dense mix (just outstanding).

my .02
Jay