Euphonic Audio

[Low Class]

Knowing whether or not it has a very low rolloff requires owning an amp... Hmmmm... I had no idea. Thanks for educating me

I demo'd the amp extensively through a multitude of cabinets. Actually to the point that Evan at BassNW was getting visibly tired of me... Well, maybe not tired of me, but he was definitely ready for me to buy the thing

My findings would hold just as true if I had bought the amp or if I didn't. I'm not saying that this amp wouldn't work great for a lot of people, myself included. Stop taking exception to a simple fact and realize that this amp has a very low HPF, or maybe none at all. That's all I'm saying. I'm not devaluing the amp by saying so. I read elsewhere in this thread that EA has since tightened up the low end on these heads. The one I played was shortly after their release, so it definitely had the original voicing, assuming that EA did revise the voicing in such a way THAT MIRRORS EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING.

So you went around to a bunch of cabs in a store with an amp you had very little experience with and makes you an expert.

Took me a long time to learn how to tame the iAmp 800, yet according to you it can't be tamed based on your limited experience. btw, I had iAmp Pro #00001 and it did not have near the low end of the 800. Also I have heard of no revisions on the Pro, so you know they say about "assuming".

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Hey ukiah,

Do you truely have, as you state, an EA Pro with "600 watts per channel"? This would lead readers to assume that there is more than a single channel!

Still liking my somewhat "hissey" iAmp800.

Kirk

I'm using the wrong words, sorry. By 'channel' I meant to say I get 600 watts with an 8ohm cab plugged into each speaker connection (1200 @ 4 ohm). This is a mono amp, not stereo.

 

[anonymous02282011]

I owned the iAmp800 for a while and I felt the same way as SilkySmoove.

If I fiddled with it enough the low end could've been tamed, but there was something else about the amp that didn't quite make it my cup of tea.

Just remember guys, everyone's got different tastes.

 

[silky smoove]

So you went around to a bunch of cabs in a store with an amp you had very little experience with and makes you an expert.

Absolutely not, nor have I claimed to be. Please don't put words in my mouth. An extensive store demo does not make me an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but it does provide a clear picture of the broad strokes when it comes to this amp. The finer points would no doubt become more clear after more extensive testing. I would certainly consider a very low HPF, or possible lack thereof to be in the category of "broad strokes." Again, I think people view this comment as derogatory towards the amp, and it is anything but. Just me observing a fact. I've owned enough amps without that type of voicing and currently own one with that type of voicing to know what to look for in regards to low end rolloff. As I've said again and again and again in this thread, I happen to like that voicing, but would advise people to make an educated cab choice with this head.

Took me a long time to learn how to tame the iAmp 800, yet according to you it can't be tamed based on your limited experience.

I've never played iAmp 800. If I suggested that somewhere I was mistakenly referring to the Pro. That said... I'm not sure I've ever referenced that particular head.

btw, I had iAmp Pro #00001 and it did not have near the low end of the 800.

Wow! Talk about grabbing a head early in its run. Glad to hear that the Pro had less low end than the 800. I think that would make it a far more useable head for most people's needs compared to the 800 (according to your description).

Also I have heard of no revisions on the Pro, so you know they say about "assuming".

I had not heard of this either until this thread came up. I tend to watch iAmp Pro threads pretty closely as I really did dig the head. If I find myself with an overabundance of money in my wallet and one comes up for sale here on TB I'll likely pick it up to be perfectly honest

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

I owned the iAmp800 for a while and I felt the same way as SilkySmoove.

If I fiddled with it enough the low end could've been tamed, but there was something else about the amp that didn't quite make it my cup of tea.

Just remember guys, everyone's got different tastes.

I agree, the IAmp 800 had a far wider low end than the Pro naturally, but I still don't agree with SilkySmoove and I don't believe trying any amp out in a store all day makes you any kind of expert. Personally, it took me about 3 weeks to really get the EQ section down. I respect his opinion that he feels the low end voicing on the Pro is still quite deep, but I can assure you that was a result of the settings he was using to "demo" the amp. Sure, the Pro can have a MASSIVE low end. One that may even be too much at times, but it's certainly not stuck that way and is able to accommodate the tonal needs of many. I've owned the Pro for a while now and I've been able to coax the low end to go from burpy Jaco-like punch and tightness to giant warm pillowy sub fatness and everything in between so I know it's very possible to "tame" this wild low end people keep talking about. And with the EQ and presets disengaged, what you're hearing is YOUR bass completely flat! So there's no way the Pro is imparting any kind of voicing on it....if THAT'S too much low end still, then I guess it is true that we all really hear very different things

 

[silky smoove]

I don't believe trying any amp out in a store all day makes you any kind of expert.

Nor do I. See my above post.

 

[Mystic Michael]

I'm hoping to have a look and quick try of Mystic's Pro (if he doesn't mind) while it is at Don's getting fit for the matching headcase That is going to be a killer rig.

Yeah sure, have a go at it. I've already asked Don to fire it up and play through it for a few minutes as well, just to make sure it survived shipping without any issues. You might as well join in the fun too.

Heck, even I haven't played through it yet! I bought it brand new awhile back, and have been saving it 'til I have my new nEarfuls in hand. So I'm just as eager as you are to hear how it sounds...

MM

 

[KJung]

Yeah sure, have a go at it. I've already asked Don to fire it up and play through it for a few minutes as well, just to make sure it survived shipping without any issues. You might as well join in the fun too.

Heck, even I haven't played through it yet! I bought it brand new awhile back, and have been saving it 'til I have my new nEarfuls in hand. So I'm just as eager as you are to hear how it sounds...

MM

Thanks. If Don keeps the head long enough for us to get together, I'll check it out! I gigged the iAmp800 for a short while, so am very familiar with the front end. Just curious about the revoicing they might or might not have done, especially regarding the HPF.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Also don't think that just because a cab that may have good low end extension will work better with the iAmp. The Acme for example is a HORRIBLE combination!!

Why is the iAMP Pro and Acme (B-1, for example) a "horrible" combo?

 

[KJung]

Why is the iAMP Pro and Acme (B-1, for example) a "horrible" combo?

The Acme cabs are tuned REALLY low.... to the low 30hz range, hence the term 'Acme Low B' cabs. The bad news with that for some is a sort of 'be careful what you ask for'. These cabs can sound a bit overextended down low, and unlike the cabs you have that are tuned 'normally' (I think in the mid to upper 40hz), they don't have the mechanical specs to really handle those low notes when you really start to push them (the infamous 'cone creasing' issue). This, combined with the fact that they use a little bitty 5" mid driver versus the powerful 6" mid in your 15/6 and 12/6, results in them performing better for some with an amp that has a relatively high low end roll-off or a variable hi pass filter, and/or a more mid present voicing.

Many feel that an amp like the iAmp800 (again, can't speak to the Pro, never tried one), with that hugely extended low end, results in 'too much of a good thing' when combined with the Acme (which are unique sounding cabs), and results in an overly tubby, deep low end relative to the midrange response (which gets worse as you turn them up in the mix.

Unfortunately, when I had my Acme's and my iAmp800, the semi-parametric low end control on the iAmp did not go low enough to act like a variable hi pass (i.e. allowing filtering out the extreme deep low end that particular amp put out), so it was hard for me (and others) to get a punchy, tight, clean, round low end out of them relative to the upper bass and mids.

This, IMO, is more of an 'Acme' issue than an iAmp issue.... but for some just a bad combination. Even though your LDS 15/6 and 12/6 cabs seem to be similar to the Acme design, IMO and IME, they really aren't. You have much more powerful woofers, much more powerful mid drivers, and the mechanical specs of those LF drivers, combined with the more 'normal' low end tuning of the boxes really make them sing with an amp that has a full deep low end extension like the Puma500/1000 (Don Oatman's favorite amp with your cabs), and I assume the iAmpPro.

I'm sure others who play at lower volumes and in more sparse mixes might have had better luck.

 

[Bassist30]

I had the iAMP 800 and the 210B with the 105 oz magnets.
The cab was heavy but it was nice. Didn't have alot of top end but it was punchy. Very powerful for a 210. Heavy but manageable. Wasn't happy with the wheel placements. In fact it tipped over when wheeling it to my car and the head fell over. Alembic F2B, and everything got rattled. I did all I could with the 800 head, which was the black one, but i just didn't get what I wanted. But I won't say it was bad for another who likes that sound. Never tried any other cabs or heads from them but I think they are a good company and have a good fan base.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

The Acme cabs are tuned REALLY low.... to the low 30hz range, hence the term 'Acme Low B' cabs. The bad news with that for some is a sort of 'be careful what you ask for'. These cabs can sound a bit overextended down low, and unlike the cabs you have that are tuned 'normally' (I think in the mid to upper 40hz), they don't have the mechanical specs to really handle those low notes when you really start to push them (the infamous 'cone creasing' issue). This, combined with the fact that they use a little bitty 5" mid driver versus the powerful 6" mid in your 15/6 and 12/6, results in them performing better for some with an amp that has a relatively high low end roll-off or a variable hi pass filter, and/or a more mid present voicing.

Many feel that an amp like the iAmp800 (again, can't speak to the Pro, never tried one), with that hugely extended low end, results in 'too much of a good thing' when combined with the Acme (which are unique sounding cabs), and results in an overly tubby, deep low end relative to the midrange response (which gets worse as you turn them up in the mix.

Unfortunately, when I had my Acme's and my iAmp800, the semi-parametric low end control on the iAmp did not go low enough to act like a variable hi pass (i.e. allowing filtering out the extreme deep low end that particular amp put out), so it was hard for me (and others) to get a punchy, tight, clean, round low end out of them relative to the upper bass and mids.

This, IMO, is more of an 'Acme' issue than an iAmp issue.... but for some just a bad combination. Even though your LDS 15/6 and 12/6 cabs seem to be similar to the Acme design, IMO and IME, they really aren't. You have much more powerful woofers, much more powerful mid drivers, and the mechanical specs of those LF drivers, combined with the more 'normal' low end tuning of the boxes really make them sing with an amp that has a full deep low end extension like the Puma500/1000 (Don Oatman's favorite amp with your cabs), and I assume the iAmpPro.

I'm sure others who play at lower volumes and in more sparse mixes might have had better luck.

Thanks for the clear explanation, Ken Jung. Once again, you have stopped me from spending money I don't have on something I don't want.

 

[nutdog]

Thought I would throw my 2 cents in on this one.

I bought a micro 300 and whizzy 10 from bassdoubler in November. It has a little bag that can be worn like a backpack. I've never heard a 1x10 sound this good. I don't play a 5 but I can turn the gain and master all the way up with the EQ flat with an American Standard Jazz full on and it stays clean and strong. The whole deal is 20 pounds.

I had a chance to play in a blues situation recently. It didn't quite get loud enough to overcome drums and two guitars at practice. Almost. If it would run another of these 4ohm cabs it would be perfect. But with the direct out to the PA it worked well as a monitor. I will have a chance tonight to play with my do-op group that doesn't get as loud. It will be interesting to see how it does.

But I really want to brag on the customer service. It had a slight buzz when the mute was disengaged and the volume was in. It didn't matter if an instrument was plugged up. I emailed EA to see if they could send a wiring diagram. Gary emailed back the same day and said send it to him and he would check it out and do any upgrades that it might need and the most he would charge world probably $50. Since it only weighs two pounds I sent it USPS for under $20.

It came back about 2 weeks later. The note said "I fixed it as best I could". I've been playing it now for a couple of weeks and the buzz is gone. I emailed back and asked the fee and he said no charge. Not even for return shipping.

I may be putting this back up for sale because what I think I really need is a 1x12 combo that will run an extension cab. But now I'll probably be looking hard at an EA rig that will do the trick.

 

[ninepoundjammer]

If it would run another of these 4ohm cabs it would be perfect.

Is your micro unable to do 2 ohms? My Doubler is ok at 2 ohms, says so in the manual.

 

[nutdog]

Is your micro unable to do 2 ohms? My Doubler is ok at 2 ohms, says so in the manual.

Wow dude I feel like an idiot. I don't have a manual and can't find one on the EA site but the back of the amp says min load = 2 ohms. Looks like I might be in the market for another whizzy 10.

Thanx.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I'm running a pair of VL110s with my Michael Pope Design Mitre Box preamp and Crown Drivecore XLS1000 amp and it's arguably the best live sound I've ever had. Pretty amazing regardless of the size.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Thought I would throw my 2 cents in on this one.

I bought a micro 300 and whizzy 10 from bassdoubler in November.

Is that the new micro w/310 watts @ 8ohms and 550 @ 4ohms? Any other observations on playability & tone?

 

[Altitude]

IME, EA cabs kick major bootay. The preamp section on the IAMP 800 I had was phenomenal. The power section was... disappointing. Didn't really feel like a full 800 watts playing into a 4 ohm load (EA cxl12/nl210stack).

This was my experience also. The iAmp 800 I owned sounded great - really great - but it was simply not very loud. People can tell you about the deep bass voicing they use and how that will tend to consume wattage and make an amp sound quieter than it should, and they are probably right. All I knew is that I was having trouble keeping up with our loud drummer on no-FOH club gigs.

I moved to Markbass gear for a few years and have had a love-not love relationship. The weight and form factor of those amps is unbeatable but they all sound a little sterile to me, especially the F1 I still have. I'm using a Genz-Benz Shuttle 9 for gigs now and having a pretty good experience so far. If I find one when I have the disposable cash, I will eventually pick up a Thunderfunk 550, because I really like the tonal philosophy Dave uses with those. Anybody want to trade their 550 for an F1?

So, to sum...I tried an EA amp, liked it a lot, but moved on because of a key shortcoming I could not get past.

 

[frankie5string]

I've always wondered if one of the reasons behind EA going with a Wizzy was to get away from having L-Pads...

The other day I fired up my CXL-112 to test it for a show and found the L-Pad was actually cutting the tweeter out when turned all the way up (maximum tweeter level)...With all the trouble I had with my two iAmp350s this little issue is giving me a not-so-hot impression of their QC...

Didn't the iAmp800 come out to be sold initially with the new L-lighter version of the CXL-112? That speaker had incredible sensitivity - and that would have more than made up for the 800s lack of "push"...

 

[nutdog]

Is that the new micro w/310 watts @ 8ohms and 550 @ 4ohms? Any other observations on playability & tone?

No. It's the older model. I just got back from practice for a dinner tomorrow night. I brought an extra cab but ended up not needing it. The room will seat about 120 people.

This is primarily a vocal harmony group, with keys, acoustic guitar, v-drums and sax/trumpet/flute/piccolo (he had a couple of horns I'm not sure about). I maxed the gain and master volume and adjusted volume with bass. Probably 3/4 on each pu.

Started out EQ flat and ended up bumping the mids slightly.

Very clean and tight. I'm not very good at describing tone. I just know what I like when I hear it. All I can say is everyone that hears it is blown away by the sound coming out of this little, light box. Not a 2x15, but it's real bass.

Obviously it has limits. I would think the more powerful version would be ideal for this application, because I am running this amp pretty much wide open. But it sounds great wide open. Maybe I can get some sound clips or video tomorrow night.