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Epifani Club! I've seen the "light"!

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#221
figuredbass said:
Assuming you are driving both cabinets WITH THE SAME AMP I think Vic was right in the first place about the 8 ohm version being the ideal match because of the 16 ohm drivers each drawing the same power, no matter what cabinet they reside in. With each of the five identical 16 ohm drivers drawing the same power, they would all reach their maximum power handling and Xmax at the same point. With an 8 ohm UL210 the drivers WILL draw more power INDIVIDUALLY than the 16 ohm drivers in the UL310, but because of this they will also reach their power limit earlier! This also means that you would be restricted by the power limit of the UL210 and would not be able to run the UL310 at its full power capability. This partially defeats the benefit of why you want to use two cabinets in the first place. While Nick IS correct in saying that there would be a better volume balance between the two cabs with a 4 ohm UL210, I don't believe this is necessarily a requirement, IMO. What you are after is overall system volume. As you would most probably stack the UL210 on top, the 8 ohm version would be plenty loud to your ear in combination with the UL310, resulting in a composite 5x10". And as I said the upper power limits of both cabs would be reached at the same point where they could BOTH be used to their fullest (and safest) potential.

However, all this being said, if you drive each cabinet with a DIFFERENT head, it may actually make more sense to use the UL210 in the 4 ohm version. One reason is because amplifiers always put out more power at 4 ohms than at 8 ohms, and it's usually easier or cheaper to find an amp that puts out the power you need into 4 ohms instead of into 8 ohms. Another advantage is that neither amp would need to drive lower than a 4 ohm load each, where a single amp would!

One last point on this, and this is completely subjective on my part and IMHO. On a direct A/B comparison between my UL310 and a friend's UL210 4 ohm, each of the same series, I definitely prefered the tone of the UL310 in the mids. I'm not sure whether anyone here else has suggested this yet unless I've missed it, but I really believe that some of the magic in the UL310's and UL410's of BOTH series is due to the 16 ohm drivers they use. When I originally auditioned my UL310 at Epifani's shop, I asked Nick about this and though he said the difference is slight, he admitted that it's definitely there. Even if I'm totally wrong about this, using the UL210 8 ohm version should be tonally more compatible because of identical 16 ohm drivers as are in the UL310.
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Thanks for the great info-I love this site!

I've now heard from 3 TB'ers that the 310 and 210 8 ohm cabinet is a better choice for maximizing power evenly throughout all speakers when run in combination. I'm beginning to think this really makes more sense than using a 310/210 4 ohm combination. As I will only be using one amp for this set up, it makes sense to have power evenly distributed between speakers for maximizing system sound rather than cabinet volume. In addition, if I choose to use the 210 8 ohm separately, both of my amps (AI Focus 2R and EA iAmp 800) will deliver 450 and 500 watts, respectively, to 8 ohm cabinets, which, I presume, would be plenty to run the 210.

That said, does anyone have an opinion on matching an EA iAmp 800 with Epifani cabs? Do Epifani cabs tend to become a bit shrilly using an EA amp? I know the EA can be a bit hissy at times, which I usually just dial out on my Acmes with EQ adjustments, and I imagine I could do the same with the Epifanis. I plan to test the Epifani's today with an EA amp before making my purchase decision. Thanks for all the info, fellas!
 
#222
I Do Not work for a music store nor am I related to the salesman in question, but this guy just called me to say that he's got 2 new Epi 112UL S2s available for a very good price. PM me if any interest.

MODS: If I am over-stepping my bounds here, please delete.
 
#226
ted burik said:
(...)
That said, does anyone have an opinion on matching an EA iAmp 800 with Epifani cabs? Do Epifani cabs tend to become a bit shrilly using an EA amp? I know the EA can be a bit hissy at times, which I usually just dial out on my Acmes with EQ adjustments, and I imagine I could do the same with the Epifanis. I plan to test the Epifani's today with an EA amp before making my purchase decision. Thanks for all the info, fellas!
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i might be in the minority, but i like the EA / Epifani combo. some say, its a rather lifeless and bland sound, but i think of the sounds as very smooth and warm w/ my ul112 pair. also, the EQ really does really help in find a suitable tone. takes some tinkering, but it is viable.

also, my iAMP is as quiet as a mouse, but its been seen around here that EA doesnt exactly have the best of production. again, i guess i've been lucky, cause all of my EA gear has held up pretty well.
 
#227
jokerjkny said:
i might be in the minority, but i like the EA / Epifani combo. some say, its a rather lifeless and bland sound, but i think of the sounds as very smooth and warm w/ my ul112 pair. also, the EQ really does really help in find a suitable tone. takes some tinkering, but it is viable.

also, my iAMP is as quiet as a mouse, but its been seen around here that EA doesnt exactly have the best of production. again, i guess i've been lucky, cause all of my EA gear has held up pretty well.
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Okay, fellas-I went ahead and bought the UL310 at Bass Northwest. Sounded great with a EA amp with a little bit of eq added, IMO. I also matched up the 310 with an 8 ohm 210 using the EA and it sounded hugely powerful, particularly with the 210 on the bottom. However, after discussing the 4 ohm vs 8 ohm option with the guys at Bass Northwest, I decided to get the 4 ohm cab based on their recommendation. They felt very strongly that using a cabinet with lower impedence would work to pull greater headroom out of any amp I might use, which would be optimal ITO-and this echoed what Nick Epifani also told me the day before. They also felt that the UL210 4 ohm could easily handle the 800 watts offered by either my Acoustic Image Focus 2R or EA iAmp 800, if played at a reasonable volume. So I'm basically going to move out of Acme's and into Epifanis--my new rig will be an Epifani UL310 and UL 210 (4 ohm) powered by either an Acoustic Image Focus or EA iAmp 800. Time to start breathing again!
 
#228
ted burik said:
Okay, fellas-I went ahead and bought the UL310 at Bass Northwest. Sounded great with a EA amp with a little bit of eq added, IMO. I also matched up the 310 with an 8 ohm 210 using the EA and it sounded hugely powerful, particularly with the 210 on the bottom. However, after discussing the 4 ohm vs 8 ohm option with the guys at Bass Northwest, I decided to get the 4 ohm cab based on their recommendation. They felt very strongly that using a cabinet with lower impedence would work to pull greater headroom out of any amp I might use, which would be optimal ITO-and this echoed what Nick Epifani also told me the day before. They also felt that the UL210 4 ohm could easily handle the 800 watts offered by either my Acoustic Image Focus 2R or EA iAmp 800, if played at a reasonable volume. So I'm basically going to move out of Acme's and into Epifanis--my new rig will be an Epifani UL310 and UL 210 (4 ohm) powered by either an Acoustic Image Focus or EA iAmp 800. Time to start breathing again!
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I hear you.
I just took delivery of my UL2-212 yesterday.
I went with a 4 ohm cab to pair with my new LMII as I wanted a light, full powered rig.
So far I've only tried out at home. I will use at rehearsal tomorrow and post my view.
Hopefully I can start breathing again.;)
 
#230
petersland said:
I hear you.
I just took delivery of my UL2-212 yesterday.
I went with a 4 ohm cab to pair with my new LMII as I wanted a light, full powered rig.
So far I've only tried out at home. I will use at rehearsal tomorrow and post my view.
Hopefully I can start breathing again.;)
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I just bought a 212UL S2 matched with a MB R500 and took it out fir the first time tonight. What a neat box! Great tone and very punchy. Hope you like yours as well as I like mine.
 
#231
::::BASSIST:::: said:
What about the acme's didnt you like? Just curious. Its one I've always wanted to try.
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I wouldn't exactly say that I didn't like them-I currently own 3 Acme B2 cabinets and they have performed well, particularly for acoustic bass jazz gigs in small clubs-very unadultered acoustic sound reproduction for the upright. That is the reason I will be keeping one of the cabs-for acoustic jazz gigs. That said, I have found that the cabinets are extremely power hungry-which is why I now own 1000 watt amplifiers. You really cannot use any less than 400 watts at a minimum to power an Acme B2. If you do, the sound is either brittle or distorted, probably due to amp clipping. My main concern, however, is that I have changed my tone objectives and the Acmes are not hitting the mark for me in this area. The Acme's are very flat in the mid and highs, almost too flat-and very pronounced in the lows, almost too much. And while I have pretty decent instruments whose tones and timbres speak for themselves, I'm finding I'm looking for a bit more of a high fidelity sound with a little cabinet coloration, but not too much-which is why I was very happy to find the Epifanis. Also, in larger venues, I found that 2 Acme 4 ohm cabinets-which is all I can run through either of my amps-did not project enough across a stage or room to satisfy my tastes. Many of the gigs I do, as you can probably relate to, do not have sound reinforcement through a PA system for bass-so the Acmes had to carry my entire sound, which at times, was not adequate. Don't get me wrong though, the Acmes are great cabinets and were very satisfying for most gigs and venues I played in the last year since purchasing them. It's just that I've changed and the Acmes have stayed the same. Hope that helps.
 
#232
I just bought an Epifani Series 2 UL-210 and there's a rather loud and constant wooshing noise from the tweeter. I have my master volume up to max and the gain at about 9 o'clock, and it's almost like a fan/wind tunnel sound. Funny thing is, is that I called Nic at Epifani, and he said it's not the cab and that it could be the head, even though I tried my head through an Ampeg and there wasn't any noise through that cab. But, I did test my 210 in my apartment, so maybe it could be the grounding/wiring in my place? The gig I was at this weekend was too loud to tell if that noise was there, so anyone have any helpful info? It's a great cab and the weight is awesome, but the windy fan-like noise bothered me. The noise went away when I turned the tweeter off, but it shouldn't make this sound on FLAT/Normal.
 
#234
petersland said:
I hear you.
I just took delivery of my UL2-212 yesterday.
I went with a 4 ohm cab to pair with my new LMII as I wanted a light, full powered rig.
So far I've only tried out at home. I will use at rehearsal tomorrow and post my view.
Hopefully I can start breathing again.;)
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Thats my rig as well although my UL2-212 is now a UL212.
Great combination.
 
#235
Hey guys, I thought I'd post this here, since Gary 'MacGroove' had a great love for his Epifani gear and posted on the Epifani threads a lot.

I received the sad news this weekend that our friend Gary McKenzie (TBer MacGroove) passed away on Friday evening after a long battle with cancer.

He was a GREAT human being, and the positive outlook and spirit he showed through what must have been a terrible ordeal was and will continue to be an inspiration to me.

I don't really have any more information, but just wanted to pass along the sad news.
 
#236
KJung said:
Hey guys, I thought I'd post this here, since Gary 'MacGroove' had a great love for his Epifani gear and posted on the Epifani threads a lot.

I received the sad news this weekend that our friend Gary McKenzie (TBer MacGroove) passed away on Friday evening after a long battle with cancer.

He was a GREAT human being, and the positive outlook and spirit he showed through what must have been a terrible ordeal was and will continue to be an inspiration to me.

I don't really have any more information, but just wanted to pass along the sad news.
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Oh my lord... that is sad, tho somewhat expected news. I've been in contact with Gary behind the scenes and knew about his battle (long story), but hadn't heard this yet. He was an incredible person... very positive and supportive, with a good family behind him. Strong and very good hearted. The world is worse off for his leaving, but at least his painful struggle is finally over. I have some "work" to do tonight on his behalf.

God speed, Gary. We miss you already.
 
#237
KJung said:
Hey guys, I thought I'd post this here, since Gary 'MacGroove' had a great love for his Epifani gear and posted on the Epifani threads a lot.

I received the sad news this weekend that our friend Gary McKenzie (TBer MacGroove) passed away on Friday evening after a long battle with cancer.

He was a GREAT human being, and the positive outlook and spirit he showed through what must have been a terrible ordeal was and will continue to be an inspiration to me.

I don't really have any more information, but just wanted to pass along the sad news.
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Awful news. Thanks for the info though, Ken. :(
 
#240
Tony G said:
"Original" Epifani Cabs on Ebay? Are these legit??? If so, very cool!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Epifan...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Epifan...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Their definitely true, those cabs have been sitting up at that shop for quite some time. In fact, they were there last summer, which was the last time I was in the store. I didn't bother to try them out, because I was interested in the Bergantino NV215 and NV610 they had.
 
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