I now have a Shuttle 9.0!!!!
I posted the text below in the Bergantino AE212 thread, but since there's so much Shuttle content in it I figured I'd post it up here for everyone. I can't believe I waited so long to pick a 9.0 up! After absolutely loving a GBE 1200, Neo-pak and Shuttle 6.0, why the hell did I not do this sooner?
--repost below--
Shuttle 9.0 is here. I've been banging on this combo for an hour or so now. Versus the RH450, the AE212/Shuttle 9.0 has a MUCH better sound all the way around, as if they were designed in tandem. The Shuttle will drive the absolute snot out of the AE212 without the output limit light ever flashing. It's just wonderful sounding. Run flat, it's very aggressive with an ultra tight bottom that I like, with much more top end than the RH450 provided. I've never really used the filters on the Genz heads, but the LF Boost on the 9.0 actually sounds really good with the AE212 since it just lowers that high pass filter without really boosting any bass. It's kind of like an on/off switch for a pillowy bottom. VERY nice. Maybe I'll actually use it some time.
For me though, leaving the filters off and dialing up the lows to about 1 or 1:30 with my 55-02 was just instant gratification. Still a bit aggressive but smoother sounding. To get it even smoother still, taking a touch off around 1k just sounds incredible. This is the tone I've been missing for quite a while. Since the AE212 is so aggressive sounding, scooping a bit out at 1k still has a lot of bite, but it's buried in the other frequencies at this point. The resulting tone is more modern sounding without being anemic. For my goals, I much prefer this approach versus trying to add 1k to a smooth sounding cab which just seems to make it honky or clanky.
I turned down the Tweeter to about 10 o'clock which is just right for me. With the Shuttle treble set at noon, it seems to give me the perfect blend, and boosting just a touch adds some nice sizzle. Since the Shuttle's treble is at 4k, just like the crossover on the AE212, cutting treble has the effect of pulling that sizzle out quickly if you want, and it gets warm and round. I don't think I need a VLE or PTC at all from what I'm hearing.
This almost makes me wonder if Jim Bergantino and Andy at Genz worked together on this and decided not to tell anyone about it. Very nice synergy going on. Can't wait to get this on a gig, but I can already tell it will be wonderful. I'll never need much more than about 75% of the total volume this thing can put out, which is just right given the form factor. I'm a happy camper!
Side Note: I also bet this head would KILL with a Neox 212!
woot!
