Jad Freer Review
I recently received the lovely Sisma Bass Amp And Minerva 112 cabinet from Jad Freer Audio.
I will first describe my experience with the Sisma by saying it’s built to military specs, feels quite robust and not unsubstantial.
The input gain is lovely sounding and can be driven to quite usable break up depending on how it is staged. The tone stack has a vintage voicing that will make many quite happy. The parametric section is pro audio clear and I’m certain would be effective in cleaning up most basses.
As a studio guy I appreciate how the preamp mimics the classic Ampeg signature but as this is a product targeted towards the live market I would’ve loved a more open voicing as an option ( switchable bass and treble frequencies for the Baxendall section.) I suspect the target market for this head is the crowd that likes to carry an SVT to the gig, but their back no longer wishes to do so. The power section is beyond reproach, and is probably the most meaty sounding of anything outside of a tube amp
I have ever used. My only real criticism is that I feel the presentation is in general a little dark compared to say a Eich T900 Upon which I compared to. In the studio I prefer the tube color and vintage EQ character but for live, I like a quicker clearer preamp. This is personal preference, and no way is implicating the Sisma as an inferior product.
For those that love high power, vintage tube units look no further as this is a really great alternative without having to go through the periodic expense of replacing power tubes and of course the hi weight penalty.
As for the Minerva 112 cabinet, I was less excited. I could hear a pretty clear boxiness as in cabinet resonance, which could perhaps be remedied with more dampening. I would’ve liked to hear more integration between the tweeter and the woofer as I can hear the gap in the crossover. Being a mix and mastering engineer as my day job I may be asking too much from a small live unit.
This being said, I’m sure folks would enjoy this, but my taste is quite rarefied.
I’m curious about their other speaker line which has a soft dome coaxial set up?
All in all, there is no doubt that the folks at Jad freer Audio are quite passionate about building, a better mousetrap, and to a great extent, they have achieved this my quibbles not withstanding.
Michael Hynes
Session Bassist
Record Producer, Mix/Mastering Engineer
I recently received the lovely Sisma Bass Amp And Minerva 112 cabinet from Jad Freer Audio.
I will first describe my experience with the Sisma by saying it’s built to military specs, feels quite robust and not unsubstantial.
The input gain is lovely sounding and can be driven to quite usable break up depending on how it is staged. The tone stack has a vintage voicing that will make many quite happy. The parametric section is pro audio clear and I’m certain would be effective in cleaning up most basses.
As a studio guy I appreciate how the preamp mimics the classic Ampeg signature but as this is a product targeted towards the live market I would’ve loved a more open voicing as an option ( switchable bass and treble frequencies for the Baxendall section.) I suspect the target market for this head is the crowd that likes to carry an SVT to the gig, but their back no longer wishes to do so. The power section is beyond reproach, and is probably the most meaty sounding of anything outside of a tube amp
I have ever used. My only real criticism is that I feel the presentation is in general a little dark compared to say a Eich T900 Upon which I compared to. In the studio I prefer the tube color and vintage EQ character but for live, I like a quicker clearer preamp. This is personal preference, and no way is implicating the Sisma as an inferior product.
For those that love high power, vintage tube units look no further as this is a really great alternative without having to go through the periodic expense of replacing power tubes and of course the hi weight penalty.
As for the Minerva 112 cabinet, I was less excited. I could hear a pretty clear boxiness as in cabinet resonance, which could perhaps be remedied with more dampening. I would’ve liked to hear more integration between the tweeter and the woofer as I can hear the gap in the crossover. Being a mix and mastering engineer as my day job I may be asking too much from a small live unit.
This being said, I’m sure folks would enjoy this, but my taste is quite rarefied.
I’m curious about their other speaker line which has a soft dome coaxial set up?
All in all, there is no doubt that the folks at Jad freer Audio are quite passionate about building, a better mousetrap, and to a great extent, they have achieved this my quibbles not withstanding.
Michael Hynes
Session Bassist
Record Producer, Mix/Mastering Engineer
