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If speaker cab manufacturers would only...

G

Growlseeker

Apr 22, 2023
2
10
#1
... publish more meaningful specs.
When frequency response is given as 40-20k... Ok, really? how about +/- how many Db@ what frequency? Like a real curve? And (Bwaahhhahaaa..) what trusted entity shall be the arbiter of the measurement method and accuracy of said assertion(s)???

Same issue with sensitivity- Ok- x Db...??? with what wattage input? Hoping they're measuring at one watt/one meter, but at what frequency?

While these and other specs have limited usefulness even if reported as fairly and accurately as possible (ain't gonna tell you if you'll think it sounds good or bad), standardized, measurable differences would be relevant information.

Just sayin'
 
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#3
gtirard said:
I couldn't agree more.

Mesa is the only brand I know who publishes all the details you ask (except for the curve, I wonder why).
Click to expand...
Because frequency response curves are so pre-judged and misinterpreted by the average player that they lead mostly to false conclusions. I’ve been down that road before and it’s very frustrating.

We already provide more information than any other bass cabinet manufacturer in the industry (and already have to answer a lot of questions, and explain what they mean again and again).

For example, we have resisted using program and peak power ratings while (some) competitors use program or peak numbers that are naturally both larger and meaningless. We then hear players complain that our cabinets power handling is not as much as the 2000 watts the competition offers for $299.

It’s a no win situation…
 
Last edited:
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#4
#5
From what little I know, it seems that providing meaningful specs in a way that can be understood by the layman is pretty hard to do. There are lots of specs for speakers, but they are largely gibberish to the average musician that isn't an engineer.
We live in a world of contradictions where the only way to know how a bass, cab, or amp is going to sound is to play it in person, at volume, in a band setting. That's hard enough without 90% of brick and mortar of MI shops disappearing.
 
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#6
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#7
Growlseeker said:
... publish more meaningful specs.
When frequency response is given as 40-20k... Ok, really? how about +/- how many Db@ what frequency? Like a real curve? And (Bwaahhhahaaa..) what trusted entity shall be the arbiter of the measurement method and accuracy of said assertion(s)???

Same issue with sensitivity- Ok- x Db...??? with what wattage input? Hoping they're measuring at one watt/one meter, but at what frequency?

While these and other specs have limited usefulness even if reported as fairly and accurately as possible (ain't gonna tell you if you'll think it sounds good or bad), standardized, measurable differences would be relevant information.

Just sayin'
Click to expand...
To me all those spec's are basically useless. Playing a cabinet live with a group is the real test. I have found that cabinets that sound great in a showroom do not necessarily mean they will sound good on stage. Many cabinets rated for high power handling don't sound as good as something rated for much less. I think you have to let your ears and your band mates ears be the judge.
 
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#8
Mike Marshall said:
To me all those spec's are basically useless. Playing a cabinet live with a group is the real test. I have found that cabinets that sound great in a showroom do not necessarily mean they will sound good on stage. Many cabinets rated for high power handling don't sound as good as something rated for much less. I think you have to let your ears and your band mates ears be the judge.
Click to expand...

Same. I completely stopped looking at the specs of a cab, it's meaningless - except maybe if I want to compare a cab that I know from a brand, with another cab I don't know from the same brand.
 
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#9
Specs are important for basic performance, and to understand a cabinet’s limitations but voicing is hard to extrapolate for 99% of players IME.

Many years ago I did some testing where I plotted response graphs and asked players to identify which cabinet went with which plot. For the most part, they ended up just guessing. It was obvious how worthless it was to the average player.
 
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#12
S-Bigbottom said:
If they were really as useful as some think they are, then it would have been done a long time ago.


Ha, ha! Marko 1 has it good with the 50hz means you ain't hearin' the open E. :headphone:
Forget about the B. :woot:
Click to expand...
I play one cab (maybe more) rated 50hz (older MarkBass 2x15),

I play a 5er AND have a HPF set at 50-55hz. :D
 
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#13
That’s why there’s return policies, advertising,
product endorsements,
online forums etc…

Talkbass:woot:

Brand recognition as in “B’rads are
The best” , they’re talked about and the word spreads like wildfire. They will do pretty good. And the minute they make a turd it can be a blow for a bit.
Man , word of mouth can make or break the best and the worst offerings.

Really talented musicians are not necessarily educated to understand engineering ( engineers) specifications, and vice versa. Nor does all of them care. Does it sound killer ?

Studio engineer , yes I can see them diving into specs , Nigel Tufnel not so much, he’s just looking for a volume control that goes to eleven.

Thanks for listening
 
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#14
Growlseeker said:
... publish more meaningful specs.
When frequency response is given as 40-20k... Ok, really? how about +/- how many Db@ what frequency? Like a real curve? And (Bwaahhhahaaa..) what trusted entity shall be the arbiter of the measurement method and accuracy of said assertion(s)???

Same issue with sensitivity- Ok- x Db...??? with what wattage input? Hoping they're measuring at one watt/one meter, but at what frequency?

While these and other specs have limited usefulness even if reported as fairly and accurately as possible (ain't gonna tell you if you'll think it sounds good or bad), standardized, measurable differences would be relevant information.

Just sayin'
Click to expand...
PA speakers do a frequency chart. Every make and model I've ever seen. But specific instrument cabs...nope. all you get is something like "superior tone" or "sonically advanced design for so and so"
 
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#15
Only your ear in conjunction with your influences and interests can determine a favourable sound.
Speakers are very important to "your" sound and no specs on paper can spell out what you are hearing also because, you add the amp and guitar of your choosing, with your settings and your playing style.
All these things influence the way the cab sounds to you.
 
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#16
agedhorse said:
Because frequency response curves are so pre-judged and misinterpreted by the average player that they lead mostly to false conclusions. I’ve been down that road before and it’s very frustrating.

We already provide more information than any other bass cabinet manufacturer in the industry (and already have to answer a lot of questions, and explain what they mean again and again).

For example, we have resisted using program and peak power ratings while (some) competitors use program or peak numbers that are naturally both larger and meaningless. We then hear players complain that our cabinets power handling is not as much as the 2000 watts the competition offers for $299.

It’s a no win situation…
Click to expand...

Which cost center or budget at Mesa (or any manufacturer really) do the specs documents that are produced and published come out of, I wonder?
 
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#18
pglaser01 said:
Which cost center or budget at Mesa (or any manufacturer really) do the specs documents that are produced and published come out of, I wonder?
Click to expand...
As a generality, it’s primarily the R&D budget but it does impact marketing as well.
 
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#20
pglaser01 said:
If it was marketing, then that could help explain the formatting being pushed more to features than a true R&D publication done by a technical writer
Click to expand...

The data is all generated and formatted by the R&D guys, marketing stays out of our area for the most part. This is not true of many (or most) companies however.
 
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