EBS Magni 500

[abarson]

EBS introduced a pair of new combos at MusikMesse 2015 and they're supposed to be at NAMM 2016 as well. These appear to be direct competitors to the G-K MB series and Fender Rumble, in both a 115 and 210 format.
I'd love to hear some impressions by people who have tried them.

 

[abarson]

Bump.
No one saw this, or no one cares about EBS?

 

[abarson]

Monthly bump.

 

[abarson]

Alright, EBS sent me an email stating that the Magni are finally shipping, so now I know why no-one posted an opinion on this combo!

 

[bebass]

According to my EBS distributor dealers can now order these.

 

[Hallic]

The magni series seem to have taken to place of the Drome/NeoDrome series. A combo really popular with upright bass players and doubler and all around players.
havn't had a chance to try these new models, so i don't how they compare against the dromes

 

[davidchampoux]

I would like to know where I can buy a EBS Magni 500 - 115 in eastern Canada.

 

[God of Rapture]

I would like to know where I can buy a EBS Magni 500 - 115 in eastern Canada.

Try contacting Mojo Music, Cosmo Music or Acclaim Sound & Lighting.

 

[davidchampoux]

Thanks!

 

[God of Rapture]

Thanks!

In fact Acclaim has it listed on their site.

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[jlepre]

I just read the specs on both the 15 and 210 version, and they are definitely not in any way competition for the Rumble series. These are both heavier, and lower wattage. They look nice I guess, but lack the classic vibe of the Rumbles.

Maybe they might come close to price, but I have no idea if that is the case or not.

EDIT: I take that back. The price seems WAY out of the Rumble's league. I know that this is not in US $$$ but at TWICE the price, I'm sure it's alot more:

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[davidchampoux]

And probably sound TWICE better as well!

 

[Sid Fang]

The magni series seem to have taken to place of the Drome/NeoDrome series. A combo really popular with upright bass players and doubler and all around players.
havn't had a chance to try these new models, so i don't how they compare against the dromes

The original Drome was basically an HD350 pre-amp hooked up to a smaller, cooler (150W) AB-style power amp and an Eminence 12, with a few thoughtful studio features added, like the headphone out. Best. Small. Combo. Ever. But apparently too expensive to build. The Magni looks to be exactly a Reidmar 250 (which already had those features as a head) in a combo box.

 

[jlepre]

And probably sound TWICE better as well!

Not sure about that one. I own the Rumble 500C and it has been kicking major ass for more than 2 months of gigs. Not saying that the EBS isn't a good amp, just not sure it's TWICE as good. JMHO

 

[davidchampoux]

Always a matter of taste. The DI out on my Rumble 100 just sounds horrible to me. That speaker emulator thing that Fender use on a few of their amps is a non sense. Also, it's wired post master volume, which again is another non sense.

The controls on the EBS is just what I want, no more no less. The parametric mid control is a big plus. It looks like a high quality very well constructed product, not some kind of Chinese cheap piece. But I would need to try it to confirm!

 

[Sid Fang]

Not sure about that one. I own the Rumble 500C and it has been kicking major ass for more than 2 months of gigs. Not saying that the EBS isn't a good amp, just not sure it's TWICE as good. JMHO

I haven't played through any of the "v3" Rumbles, but my EBS Drome/HD350 are certainly, for my purposes, at least twice as good as the previous generations of Rumble. A matter of taste, of course, and I do play both EUB and bass guitar through them.

 

[Sid Fang]

Always a matter of taste. The DI out on my Rumble 100 just sounds horrible to me. That speaker emulator thing that Fender use on a few of their amps is a non sense. Also, it's wired post master volume, which again is another non sense.

The controls on the EBS is just what I want, no more no less. The parametric mid control is a big plus. It looks like a high quality very well constructed product, not some kind of Chinese cheap piece. But I would need to try it to confirm!

I'm pretty sure the Magni is built in China, like the Reidmars and the Classic-line Amps/Cabs. I haven't gigged any of EBS' Chinese-built gear, but the second-hand reports are all indicative of their having very good QA, just the same.

 

[davidchampoux]

It is quite possible. Everything is made in China today..

I've had the Rumble 40 and 100, and while they are nice for the price, super cool looking and very light little amps, I don't rate them as professional products. I've also had a little Traynor SB110, and it was better than the Fender (slightly more expensive), and made in Canada. But I agree, it doesn't look as cool.

The EBS looks solid! I would really like to try it.

 

[JakobT]

It is quite possible. Everything is made in China today..

I've had the Rumble 40 and 100, and while they are nice for the price, super cool looking and very light little amps, I don't rate them as professional products. I've also had a little Traynor SB110, and it was better than the Fender (slightly more expensive), and made in Canada. But I agree, it doesn't look as cool.

The EBS looks solid! I would really like to try it.

I'm not going to get into which amp is best - that is a matter of opinion, and different people like different things. But as a point of curiosity, when you say you don't rate the Rumbles as professional products, what exactly do you mean by that? What makes one amp professional and another not?

 

[davidchampoux]

First, the solidity of the overall amp. The Rumble are definitely on the cheap side. The wood is very fragile. We want lightweight, they have to cut somewhere...

Second, like I said, the DI out is crap. I feel the speaker emulator is there to help home studio user to have a 'tone', but it's not a logical way of doing things in my book. If you go DIRECT, you want direct (not speaker emulated), so a good place to tap the signal is just post EQ. Then, if I want a speaker tone, I just use a $100 SM57 and tune it myself. Having a speaker emulator on the XLR out really is a bad bad idea, IMHO.

Third, the Effects Send/Return circuit, that is 'after' the master volume. Again, a complete non sense, think about it... At low level, any noise coming from what you insert there is gonna be audible at 100% volume. Also, if you drive the output hard (suppose you need full volume on a gig), you might distort a pedal, or whatever is insterted... The insert definitely needs to be AFTER the pre-amp but BEFORE master volume. Pre or post EQ is another debate. I do prefer post EQ, but definitely NOT post master!

I don't know who designed that circuit, but I cannot beleive it's someone who plays bass and use that amp in the real world! Just can't believe that...

The overall tone is somewhat pleasing though. Perfect for garage rehearsal. But not PRO use. At that price point, I can't complain though. Nice 'littl' amp.