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Euphonic vs. ThunderFunk vs. Acoustic Image

Y

yosoyjoeschmoe

Jan 2, 2006
52
0
Los Angeles
#1
This is a battle between an Euphonic iAmp 800, a Thunderfunk 550, and an Acoustic Image Focus 2R. They're roughly in the same price range, so I've got about a month to make my decision until I have enough saved up.

I've tried out the sound clips on basstasters.com and they all sound really good, so I'm having a hard time deciding.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.
 
#2
I've owned all three and now only still have the Thunderfunk.

As you say, they are all great sounding heads, but all sound very, very, very different. So, it's more about what sound you are looking for, and what cabs you are using.

Here's my quick take. Lot's of threads on these heads, so also do a search:

iAmp800..... has the biggest low end and the sizzliest treble (if you want it) of the bunch. Very effective EQ. I found the presets of minimal use. It's the largest and heaviest of the three, but still small and light for the sound it puts out. This head has the lowest build quality IMO of the three, but is still OK. I found this head to sound great with some cabs (especially the EA cabs) and not so good with others. I like quite a bit of mid punch in my sound, and the iAmp always sounded kind of 'EQd' to me with the mids dialed in. Huge headroom though, and a low end that can really shake a room. Definitely not 'plug and play'.... needs some tweeking to sound good. The low end really is exceptional on this head.

Focus..... crazy small and light... almost unbelievable. Plenty loud into 4ohms, but it has a very warm, relatively dark voicing to my ear. The EQ is very limited, and the amp has a very strong mid response built into its sound (again IMO). Many who own this amp and use it with EB place some sort of additional pre in front of it. This amp is also quite sensitive to which cabinet it is paired with.... it can go from sounding very nice (like with the Epi112UL's) to quite anemic with a lack of low end punch with other cabs. My least favorite of the three you mention. However, the voicing and pre of this amp sounds GREAT with semi-acoustic instruments like the Rob Allen or EUB's... very organic and warm. It also works very well IMO if you are primarily a 'bridge pickup fingerstyle player who plays 'close to the bridge'... that sound is warm and fat but still quick through this head. J Bass with both pickups wide open and SS round wounds... not so much IMO. Edit: I notice you list the 2R version of this head... which is two channel with effects. Since the other two are single channel heads, I assume having two channels is not important. If you go with a Focus I Series III, you can save some cash if you don't need the effects, etc.


Thunderfunk..... smaller and lighter than the iAmp, but larger than the Focus.... very 'plug and play'.... sounds good 'flat'. The most powerful EQ of the bunch IMO, with multiple semi-parametric mids, enhance, timbre control, revoicing switch, and traditional treble and bass shelving. The sound of this amp is very quick (like the iAmp) but much warmer and punchier in the low mids. It sounds good with every cab I've used it with, and is a loud 550 watts. It does not have the huge low end of the iAmp, and the treble is not as extended, but it has a very wonderful 'mid definition' built into it, with a very tight and usable low end. It sounds just great on the gig for many styles of music. It has IMO the best build quality of the three by far. Some find the punch, tight lows and quickness a little too much for their sound (I recommend the Eden WT550 in that case.... similar volume and size with a little wider low end, a little more 'give' in the preamp, and a sweeter treble... due IMO to the tube in the pre). Per that previous comment, this head will sound the most similar to the WT300 you have listed in your profile, but will be louder, quicker and have a tighter, more driving low end.


All three of these companies provide great service after the sale, and again, all are great in their own way. I find the TF sounds the best to me set reasonably flat on a gig, which is a big positive. It's interesting that the amp that sounds the best 'flat' has the most extensive tone controls.

All IMO, as always.
 
#3
I've owned all three too, and I'd agree with pretty much everything KJung says. Lazy of me, I know :)

As he says, all have their pros/cons depending on your usage needs. Single/dual channel? Upright/electric?

For electric bass, I'd put my order of preference as ThunderFunk, iamp, Focus.

The TF is very plug and play, and the natural sound of the amp plus the timbre control mean I can get my sound very quickly with pretty much any bass / cab combination. I rarely use the actual EQ on the TF, mostly the Timbre control and maybe some low mid boost. The iamp and focus are more naturally transparent than the TF.
 
#4
yosoyjoeschmoe said:
This is a battle between an Euphonic iAmp 800, a Thunderfunk 550, and an Acoustic Image Focus 2R. They're roughly in the same price range, so I've got about a month to make my decision until I have enough saved up.

I've tried out the sound clips on basstasters.com and they all sound really good, so I'm having a hard time deciding.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

If I felt that they all sounded good then the amp that provided the most convenience with respect to transporting would be the winner. The Focus with it's light weight and small size makes it an amp you can take with you even when you don't need one.
 
#5
Those are three very excellent options, IME/IMHO. I think that any one of the three would serve you well, and that it's going to be a matter of personal preference. Do you have the ability to audition any of these?

My personal choice would be the iAMP 800, but I have a ton of respect for both the Thunderfunk and the newest iteration of the Focus.

Tom.
 
#6
Can't speak for the Thunderfunk, but I've owned both the iAmp800 and the Focus. If I were still playing BG, I'd be using the iAmp, since it has ridiculous headroom, a huge low end, and a flexible EQ that can get anything I ever asked of it. I had no problems with build quality, and loved the amp to death. I only sold it because I quit doubling, and for DB, the Focus has a better set of features for me.

I love the Focus for the open sound that it provides, and for the ability to mix a mic and a pickup right there in the box. The high pass filters on each channel are perfect for DB players who don't want that artificial bottom on the sound. For BG, I'd say that the EQ might leave me wanting more, and even though they're both rated 800w @ 4ohms, I think the iAmp has more headroom.

Both are great choices, though. :)
 
#7
In my limited experience with AI amps, they provide a very clear, unadulterated sound. If you like the sound of your bass, this appears to be a good choice. They are also CRAZY light and pretty loud.

In my ongoing experience with ThunderFunk amps, they provide a quick, punchy tone. They are also pretty light and have a wealth of different tones (the EQ section is pretty indepth), but I've found they sound best with minimal tweaking. CRAZY loud, definitely the loudest 400 watts I've ever heard. The only thing I don't completely love is that it can take some work to get high end zing out of them, if that's your thing. I adore mine and don't see replacing it with anything in the near future, except maybe another TF with more juice. :D

Don't know about EA, heard good things.
 
#9
I can't compare the AI to the thunderfunk (never used AI stuff), but I will say that after switching to a TFB550 from an Iamp 800 I am not experiencing a loss of volume/headroom. From what I've heard, the AI has a little less available oomph than the iamp. So I'd presume that the AI wouldn't quite belt it out like a thunderfunk. But that is just a guess...
 
#11
KJung said:
Focus..... crazy small and light... almost unbelievable. Plenty loud into 4ohms, but it has a very warm, relatively dark voicing to my ear. The EQ is very limited, and the amp has a very strong mid response built into its sound (again IMO). Many who own this amp and use it with EB place some sort of additional pre in front of it. This amp is also quite sensitive to which cabinet it is paired with.... it can go from sounding very nice (like with the Epi112UL's) to quite anemic with a lack of low end punch with other cabs. My least favorite of the three you mention. However, the voicing and pre of this amp sounds GREAT with semi-acoustic instruments like the Rob Allen or EUB's... very organic and warm. It also works very well IMO if you are primarily a 'bridge pickup fingerstyle player who plays 'close to the bridge'... that sound is warm and fat but still quick through this head. J Bass with both pickups wide open and SS round wounds... not so much IMO. Edit: I notice you list the 2R version of this head... which is two channel with effects. Since the other two are single channel heads, I assume having two channels is not important. If you go with a Focus I Series III, you can save some cash if you don't need the effects, etc.


Thunderfunk..... smaller and lighter than the iAmp, but larger than the Focus.... very 'plug and play'.... sounds good 'flat'. The most powerful EQ of the bunch IMO, with multiple semi-parametric mids, enhance, timbre control, revoicing switch, and traditional treble and bass shelving. The sound of this amp is very quick (like the iAmp) but much warmer and punchier in the low mids. It sounds good with every cab I've used it with, and is a loud 550 watts. It does not have the huge low end of the iAmp, and the treble is not as extended, but it has a very wonderful 'mid definition' built into it, with a very tight and usable low end. It sounds just great on the gig for many styles of music. It has IMO the best build quality of the three by far. Some find the punch, tight lows and quickness a little too much for their sound (I recommend the Eden WT550 in that case.... similar volume and size with a little wider low end, a little more 'give' in the preamp, and a sweeter treble... due IMO to the tube in the pre). Per that previous comment, this head will sound the most similar to the WT300 you have listed in your profile, but will be louder, quicker and have a tighter, more driving low end.


All three of these companies provide great service after the sale, and again, all are great in their own way. I find the TF sounds the best to me set reasonably flat on a gig, which is a big positive. It's interesting that the amp that sounds the best 'flat' has the most extensive tone controls.

All IMO, as always.
Click to expand...
Do you think an amp like the Focus would benefit noticeably from the addtion of a better eq section, for example, the Thunderfunk eq in a Focus?

I've got a Focus and really like it but I have to admit that with all the gear lugging I've done over the years, coupled with the fact I'm only 5'10" 170lbs, I have let weight/size become very important in my gear buying decisions.
 
#14
Akami said:
Do you think an amp like the Focus would benefit noticeably from the addtion of a better eq section, for example, the Thunderfunk eq in a Focus?

I've got a Focus and really like it but I have to admit that with all the gear lugging I've done over the years, coupled with the fact I'm only 5'10" 170lbs, I have let weight/size become very important in my gear buying decisions.
Click to expand...

+1 I just heard Mikebass's Focus/2xEpi112UL in a moderate sized room. He runs a Demeter pre stomp box in front of it, and it sounds very nice. He was going through the PA also, but I was sitting under the mains and could hear plenty of stage sound. His tone was very warm and mid-punchy... it sounded very good. Again, the Focus sounds great, depending on the tone you want. I'm 5'9" and 158!... so I know what you are talking about.

This discussion is similar to the 'under 50 pound cab' discussion in another recent thread. Depending on what kind of sound you are going for, the Focus can be a PERFECT solution. However, if you like a more aggressive, wide, sound, and need a little bit of chest thumping going on, it's probably not the best choice.
 
#15
KJung said:
+1 I just heard Mikebass's Focus/2xEpi112UL in a moderate sized room. He runs a Demeter pre stomp box in front of it, and it sounds very nice. He was going through the PA also, but I was sitting under the mains and could hear plenty of stage sound. His tone was very warm and mid-punchy... it sounded very good. Again, the Focus sounds great, depending on the tone you want. I'm 5'9" and 158!... so I know what you are talking about.

This discussion is similar to the 'under 50 pound cab' discussion in another recent thread. Depending on what kind of sound you are going for, the Focus can be a PERFECT solution. However, if you like a more aggressive, wide, sound, and need a little bit of chest thumping going on, it's probably not the best choice.
Click to expand...
That's good to hear KJung. My Focus 2 just came in today. This thing is so light, I hope it sounds good. I just got a UL-112 this week also (been like Xmas in June.). Me and a buddy are gonna do some side by side comparisions (with and w/out him on guitar and me with my JO5 w/J-Retro) between the Focus and iAmp. We'll use my GS-112, UL-112, and my EA cabs. I hope this thing rocks, but I have a feeling it will be hard to let the iAmp go; I think it's a sweet amp for what I'm doing. But I got high hopes for the little Focus.:hyper:
 
#16
Seems to me based on alot of this discourse that if the TF was offered without the parametric eq knobs (since many claim it sounds fantastic flat and with a switching power supply to reduce weight (like the LMII)...it would become a clear winner hands down and one of the most sought after heads in this forum...IMHO:smug:
 
#17
babaseen said:
Seems to me based on alot of this discourse that if the TF was offered without the parametric eq knobs (since many claim it sounds fantastic flat and with a switching power supply to reduce weight (like the LMII)...it would become a clear winner hands down and one of the most sought after heads in this forum...IMHO:smug:
Click to expand...

If the LMII has the punch, low end ooomph and presence of the TF, it will be a big seller. The other two switching power supply with class D amp products (AI and WW) unfortunately fall short IMO.
 
#19
Figjam said:
jmain just curious , what about the Focus has you thinking of replacing the iamp?
Click to expand...
Hey Figjam,
It's mostly weight, but also something that I can eventually double with on upright bass.

Right now, I'm pretty much a novice upright player, but the iAmp sounds great in practice room.

My main gigs are on BG at church; where we practice on Tuesday nights, and play on Wednesdays and Sundays. Right now I'm leaving a VL-110 on stage and just bring my iAmp, bass, and chords/stand. All that stuff adds up to about 50 lbs on my neck and shoulders and I have a bad back and neck, so if I can just bring the Focus and bass, I'm at about 30 lbs. Gonna get a gig bag for my Lakland and drop the weight some more. (Maybe I can sell some of this stuff and get a Sadowsky:) )

Preliminary tests at home are promising. I'll know more tomorrow cause I'm gonna do some loud testing in a big room.

Long-winded, and pretty much winded.
Jesse
 

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