HI-FI CABS???

[tempo2112]

Hi everyone, I'm looking to upgrade/change my amp. Currently have an Ashdown combo (EB12). I have started playing 6&5 string basses. Have noticed that most amps (including my own), dont actually extend that low.
I'm presuming most amps/cabs are made with loudness/efficiency as a main goal, along with trying to reproduce "classic tones". Thats ok, but what about conveying the entire frequency spectrum of the instrument???
Anybody any thoughts on this, and other than Accugrove, which I'm looking at (££$$ permitting), is there any stuff designed to do this?.

 

[James Hart]

Anybody any thoughts on this, and other than Accugrove, which I'm looking at (££$$ permitting), is there any stuff designed to do this?.

Accugroove is the king of full range hi-fi bass cabinets IMHO/E.

Cheap used substitute (barely) might be an SWR Triad

 

[KJung]

Depends what your definition of 'hi fi' is. If you are mainly talking about low end extension, the Acme's are quite amazing, although just like with the Accugrooves, the rather polite upper mids and treble are an acquired taste.

To me, if you define hi fi and relatively even frequency distribution, with clear, crisp highs if you want it, punchy mids, and nice low end extension, the three cabs that do it best without the shortcomings (IMO) of the above mentioned cabs are the Bergantino line, the EA NL-210/NM-410, and the EpifaniUL line... full range, not overextended in the low end, nice crisp treble response if you want it without diming your treble control, and nice efficiency.

All the above cabs are great IMO!

 

[tempo2112]

Well, hopefully, I'm looking for a setup that can go flat down to 30hz, since that is ths fundamental of my open B and go upto 15-20khz, as most tweeters should do. Efficiency or loudness is not really an issue at the moment.
Just suprised that "bass guitar amps" in general dont really cover the low end of the instument they're amplifying. By the way, what brought this on was trying my six string through my (pretty high-end) hi-fi, which has an active REL sub, and noticing how different (cleaner and more extended) it sounded.

 

[KJung]

Well, hopefully, I'm looking for a setup that can go flat down to 30hz, since that is ths fundamental of my open B and go upto 15-20khz, as most tweeters should do. Efficiency or loudness is not really an issue at the moment.
Just suprised that "bass guitar amps" in general dont really cover the low end of the instument they're amplifying. By the way, what brought this on was trying my six string through my (pretty high-end) hi-fi, which has an active REL sub, and noticing how different (cleaner and more extended) it sounded.

There are tons of threads on the site on the 30hz issue. It is quite misunderstood IMO. The only cabs that I know of that are readily available for purchase and truly don't roll off significantly above 31 hz is the Acme line. And you know what, many TBers that use them that I greatly respect find that the best sound you get out of them is by using a 50hz hi pass filter!

IMO and IME (if you look at my profile, I've owned and gigged with just about everything ), don't assume that just because the -3db roll-off is very low that this will by definition result in a great sounding, punchy, usable low frequency response below the open E on a 5 string bass.

Of course, you need to listen to various cabs, but I've found that the main problem I encounter, whether playing or listening to bassists in smaller clubs or events where backline can be heard, is an indistinct, boomy low end, and a lack of upper mid definition and treble clarity.

As always, IME and IMO.... just food for thought!

 

[chadds]

EA cxl112s put out great low end. My guitarist was experiencing a wow wow effect when he was in front of me. I dialed up the mids flattened the lows and got a very clear articulate bass sound out front and on stage. These new cabs can give to you but it's cool at home but not live when there is other low info going on from other band sources. Then the room contributes. Solo bassist go ahead. Remember audiences can hear pitch and the beauty of your melodies with mids.

 

[00Funk]

Get a SWR Baby Blue amp. Go line out to a power amp, and bridge it to Euphonic 3 way full range hi-fi VL208 cab. You'll love it, trust me.

 

[Mike Dimin]

IMO and IME (if you look at my profile, I've owned and gigged with just about everything ), don't assume that just because the -3db roll-off is very low that this will by definition result in a great sounding, punchy, usable low frequency response below the open E on a 5 string bass.

Ken,

hold on to your hat - we are in total agreement. The 3 dB roll off, that is the industry standard, does not do a good job of determining the low end of a cab. If you cannot actually listen to the cab in a gigging situation it would be helpful (although impossible) to know the 10 dB roll off point. Manufacturers do not post it. It seems that the more detailed specs you publish, the more confusion abounds. The othe consideration for a tight low end is how the cab handles the first order harmonics.

The Transmission Line design of all EA cabinets make a slower roll off than standard porting cabs. It is one of the reasons why the low end is really well defined in the EA cabs

Mike