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How loud are the IP's really??

J.Wolf

J.Wolf

Supporting Member
Commercial User
Apr 29, 2003
9,078
9,800
Asheville, NC
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Disclosures
Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
#1
I'm curious about this. My frame of reference for a loud amp is my CA9 (one side). That amp to me defines loud punchy volume, and it sounds great to boot. So which has more volume and headroom? Preamp x > one side of a Crest CA9 > Bergie HT310 OR preamp x > IP310?
 
#3
LOL

Everyoen has their own point of reference. My current IP112/EX112 is extreemly louder than my SM-900/4ohm Goliath III setup. For outside gigs, the SM-900 turned all the way up would not be out of line. With the IP112/EX112 mini-stack, 1/2-2/3's volume is max for a good mix.

If you get a chance to A/B the IP310 vs. Alt.X, let us know.
 
#4
That kind of gives me a picture, although to be honest, I was never blown away by the volume of an SM900 > goliath 410. Something about SWR amps and cabs never quite did it for me, tonally or volumewise.

Still, if the IP112 stack is THAT much louder, thats definitely saying something.

Hey Bowlus. I'll take a stab in the dark and bet you've compared the CA9 to an IP before, any thoughts?
 
#5
wolfbass1025 said:
Hey Bowlus. I'll take a stab in the dark and bet you've compared the CA9 to an IP before, any thoughts?
Click to expand...


I think in the past, Mr. Bowlus said that the IP310 would crush the CA9 / HT322 setup but I'm not sure what thread it was in.

Not sure if "crush" was from a tone perspective or if it had anything to do with volume.
 
#8
yup that just about answers it! Thats crazy, I really have to get my hands on one some time. If anyone in the NC/ATL area has an IP 310 or 212, let me know.

Thanks for the link Jeff, maybe some day I'll use the search function:)
 
#9
wolfbass1025 said:
That kind of gives me a picture, although to be honest, I was never blown away by the volume of an SM900 > goliath 410. Something about SWR amps and cabs never quite did it for me, tonally or volumewise.

Still, if the IP112 stack is THAT much louder, thats definitely saying something.

Hey Bowlus. I'll take a stab in the dark and bet you've compared the CA9 to an IP before, any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I`ve used my SM900 with a 4 ohm EBS410 the last three years, that combo goes much louder than the SM900+a 8 ohm Goliath. Anyway, IMO the SM900 is pretty loud. Almost as loud as My Eden WT800B.
So the IP112 stack is MUCH louder? Hmm
 
#11
Pako said:
LOL

Everyoen has their own point of reference. My current IP112/EX112 is extreemly louder than my SM-900/4ohm Goliath III setup. For outside gigs, the SM-900 turned all the way up would not be out of line. With the IP112/EX112 mini-stack, 1/2-2/3's volume is max for a good mix.

If you get a chance to A/B the IP310 vs. Alt.X, let us know.
Click to expand...

It has been chronicled here recently how the misuse of an SM-900 will yield less then perfect tone or volume. Overzealous use of eq. will also stunt as SWR's apparent output. Ignorance of impedance will also. I believe that my IP310 will provide greater clarity at a high volume. Tombowlus would know. Are the IPs capable of equal volume of similar rigs? Oh yes. An EA iAmp800 and two Cxl 112s can be quite loud. The IP112 stack isn't louder than an IP310. Physics is Physics. I can get a Goliath III with a Bass 750 quite loud but not as articulate as the IP310. Raunchier for a different kind of music oh yeah. Are IPs loud enough? Oh yeah.
 
#14
Bergantino's list is there street price. When you think of it, their HT112 goes for $549 and you're paying $1350 for a 1000 watt@4ohm amp and DSP. The $1350 for a 1000 watt amp competes relatively well in that range.

And, they are really loud.
 
#15
I can only judge from the IP 310. But as they guys who were around me can attest too. Burk tested them at the first Bowlus GTG and they were DAMN LOUD!:D They still had plenty of grunt left in reserve. I can't imagine a club gig that they wouldn't be loud enough for. For reference I'm playing an Eden 550WT at 4 ohms with fairly efficient cabs.
 
#17
chadds said:
It has been chronicled here recently how the misuse of an SM-900 will yield less then perfect tone or volume. Overzealous use of eq. will also stunt as SWR's apparent output. Ignorance of impedance will also. I believe that my IP310 will provide greater clarity at a high volume. Tombowlus would know. Are the IPs capable of equal volume of similar rigs? Oh yes. An EA iAmp800 and two Cxl 112s can be quite loud. The IP112 stack isn't louder than an IP310. Physics is Physics. I can get a Goliath III with a Bass 750 quite loud but not as articulate as the IP310. Raunchier for a different kind of music oh yeah. Are IPs loud enough? Oh yeah.
Click to expand...

Did I have a DB meter out there with me? Not a chance. Nope. Nothing scientific about my claim of relevent loudness. Read the last little review I wrote up for BigMikeW in my IP112 Gas All Sorted Out thread. There is no way I could achieve the same results with the SM-900+goliath III 4ohm rig and still maintain a usable tone for my gig. I'm sure I could dump the lows on the SM-900, throw a bunch of distortion on it and make it sound like a skull crushing guitar player that would be pretty dang loud, but not a usable tone for playing bass were you are providing lowend support for the band. From what I've heard, the IP112 mini stack doesn't appear to be as 'big' of a sound as the IP310 or IP212's and Understandably so given the different cab designs. Loud enough? Oh yeah! ;)
 
#18
I have had much better results with the SWR Bass 750 as it is mono 450 or 750w and is quite big sounding. No bridging issues. Many folks really hook up some weird combinations of ohmages and get bad results with SWR. Many never read the manual about pre amp gain then setting the master. It sounds it's best without radical Eq. with a powerful bass. Fenders sound anemic to me through SWRs. I do get great sound out of the 750 w/ one or two GIIIs. They rule outside. I like the slight breakup they can give me and I can play effects into them and return to clean with no stess at all. I have used SWR since 1986 or 7 and am alway complimented on my tone. Never mud, clear boom, good mids and smooth highs.
The Bergs are truly in another league. Because they are doesn't make the SWRs now #%@#. Used to be that the boutique rig that gave you awesome articulation couldn't take the hard hitting big musics but excelled the way solo bassists use them with very articulate fidelity. EA taught me I could have near to both. Now the IP can do it all. Loud enough?
Oh yeah!
 
#19
Jeff A said:
I think in the past, Mr. Bowlus said that the IP310 would crush the CA9 / HT322 setup but I'm not sure what thread it was in.

Not sure if "crush" was from a tone perspective or if it had anything to do with volume.
Click to expand...

Yup. Crush both in terms of volume and tone. The larger IP cabs are ridiculously loud, but still stay tight, controlled and musical. Very impressive!

Tom.
 

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