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gk 700 RB II -how does it work?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Sturg, Jan 2, 2015.

  1. Jan 2, 2015 #1
    Sturg

    Sturg

    Nov 29, 2013
    pittsburgh
    My question is:
    Would this be a good amp to power a single 12 cab?
    I bought a new avatar sb126, but still searching for an amp. Would this be a good choice?
    Here is my confusion: it has bi amping capabilities, so does that mean that you need a
    special hookup on the back of the cab that sends some power to the tweeter and some
    power to the woofer????
    What if you just have a standard, non biamped, connection on your cab?
     
  2. Jan 2, 2015 #2
    jnewmark

    jnewmark Just wanna play the groove. Supporting Member

    Aug 31, 2006
    Stax 1966
    Third St. Cigar Records staff musician.
    Been awhile since I played one, but the head can be used full range, which is how I think most owners use it. The Bi-amp function is for GK cabs that have that feature, and I think you need a " GK " cable for it to work, not sure about that though. I never knew anybody who used the RB700 II in bi-amp mode , though. I used one for many years with a 215, and it killed. You should probably go to the GK site, and download the manual.
     
  3. Jan 2, 2015 #3
    Troph

    Troph Guest

    Apr 14, 2011
    Kirkland, WA
    The GK 700RB-II works with both regular and bi-amp cabinets. If you plug in a regular (2-conductor) speakon cable into it, you'll get a full-range output signal like any other amp (well, better than any other amp, assuming you like the GK sound). :) The extra high frequency amplifier will simply go unused until you hook up a 4-conductor speakon cable to a cab that is wired specifically for bi-amping.

    The bi-amp feature is primarily useful because the 700RB-II routes the effects channel *only* through the full-range amplifier and not through the high-frequency amp. So, if you run lots of distortion effects, this could save your tweeter from blowing at higher volume levels, since in bi-amp mode only the natural bass signal would go to the high-frequency amplifier. Theoretically it's also supposed to sound better too, since you can bypass the crossover network in your cabinet, and you can adjust high-frequency levels separately without messing with EQ.

    I've had a 700RB-II for years and I've never owned a GK NEO cabinet that can use the bi-amp feature. It's a strictly optional feature.
     
  4. Jan 2, 2015 #4
    petrus61

    petrus61

    Dec 18, 2011
    Hudson Valley, New York
    Another cool feature, if you do use a GK cab you can bypass the pre through FX return with a preamp of your choice (VT, BDDI) and still retain the BOOST and BI-AMP sections.

    I used SWR and Epifani cabs for a few years with my 700RBII with great results.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2015 #5
    slade

    slade

    Apr 5, 2001
    yup, great amp, especially for the $$$
     
  6. Jan 2, 2015 #6
    gpx1200

    gpx1200 Supporting Member

    Apr 24, 2013
    spencer mass
    the gk bi amp is not the normal type of bi amp since it still sends the full range signal to the drivers and sends a separate 5khz+ signal to the tweeter, also the boost knob on the amp only effects the driver channel so you can use it to add some grit to the sound while the tweeters stay crisp and clear.
    any standard 4 conducter speakon cable will work and any cab can be wired to use the system by bypassing the internal crossover and wireing the tweeter to the +2 &-2 poles of a 4 conductor speakon jack.
    im building a fearful 12/6/1 cab now that will be wired to use the gk biamp system.
    I have seen some mesa cabs that are wired from the factory for use with this system as well