I'm also returning my 800c for the 500c. I'm gutted about doing so, but here's why:
1. As you mentioned, its difficult to get a "full" sound out of the 800. The 800 doesn't.....well....RUMBLE! The clarity is unreal and I will be sad to lose it. The 500c sounds more "muffled" like there's a cloth covering the speakers, where as the 800c is inherently bright, crisp, and clean. I didn't find it punchy and deep, which is important to me. It was hard to get a "bad" sound out the eq settings on the 800c, where-as the 500c I'm struggling to dial in a setting that mimics the quality of the 800c.
2. There is a very, very definite "clipping"/snapping sound when plucking anywhere on the E string of any of my basses be it passive or active. It reminds me of sounds I'd get out of the MXR-87 compressor. Dislike strongly. Is there hidden compression in the 800c? If you've ever tried blasting a bass through headphones, it's similar in that regard. The clipping was worse at 100W, oddly enough. It was present through headphones and running through FOH. Completely unacceptable. It would be at its absolute worst with the amp mic'd or running through the house. I called Fender about the issue. The guy on the phone was nice but was very blunt when he told me, "well, what did you expect from some cheap stuff from overseas? They're meant to be workhorses. You plug them in and they do their job, but they're not well made." I was floored! $850 for me, is not cheap! Plus, how is that good customer service? In any case, it seems like it's a known issue, but he suggested simply taking it back to the shop, which I did.
I should note also, that I had a sound guy who had been in a pretty popular regional band (he's also the band director at our high school) check it out. He agreed that it sounded great, but there's a definitive clipping happening, despite aggressive low end eq settings and heavy handed attack on the bass. I mean...I could lightly pluck a string and it'd happen.
I asked
@ClassicJazz if he noticed this issue, and he said he didn't. Maybe I got a bad unit?
3. Extra headroom???? I don't think so. The 800c was near impossible to compete with drums. Plus, any attempt to increase presence resulted in the aforementioned issues. The 500 actually seems louder...it actually RUMBLES.
4. When I coupled the 800c with a 210....all the magic was gone. The quality and high definition of the new neo speakers from the 800 was instantly dulled by the warm presence of the 210. Basically, it ended up sounding like a rumble 500. So why not just save a few hundred bucks and couple a 500c with a 210 to effectively get the same sound. Forget the extra wattage....there was NO difference volume-wise between the 500c and the 800 w/ 210. Again, I'm confused at the advertised extra headroom, as it made no difference in this scenario. I can't try another 800c, as this is the only one in town. I simply couldn't trade it for another at this time, and I need something now.
I apologize for the long rant, but this was a frustrating journey. I would like to thank G-Dawg for all the help with my questions. At the end of the day, sometimes newer isn't better. Maybe I simply got a bad unit. I'll settle for the 500c for now because at least it's predictable and has presence. I do wish my city had more options, however. I really would love to try GK and Ampeg amps. All we have in our town is Orange, Peavey, Vox, and Fender.
