MARKBASS 4x6 cab aka. NY 604

[Jackbass]

This cab is really impressive. I played it for pop/rock covers and it's always sharp, deep and dynamic.

I thought it was not enought for loud songs but RATM and MUSE songs were great to play with this cab.

 

[Matt Morgan]

I used this cab today at a rehearsal with two motivated guitar players, solid drummer and PA. I had the master volume on my SD800 at about 9 o'clock and had PLENTY of volume to keep up. I was really surprised. I thought I would have to turn up much more. Turned up this thing would have really crushed the rehearsal. I now have no doubt that two of them would cover any gigs that I'd ever do.

The only down side was that I found the voicing of the cabinet to be a little too polite and a little heavy in the low end. I actually had to back off the bass on the amp's EQ and boost the midrange a little bit to get a more even tone. Didn't take much EQ but with the amp and my basses set flat the cab was a little warm and pillowy down low. I expected the 6" drivers to be more punchy and quick instead of warm and smooth.

It was one of those classic "sounds great by itself, but in a mix gets a little boomy and lost" type situations. Like I said, didn't take much to fix , but the cab does have a relatively warm and polite kind of tone to my ears anyway.

I like the cab, but I'm not sure that I love it just yet. Hmmm.

Just my $.02.

 

[Brad Johnson]

That's good to know.

 

[CH Design]

Does anyone else think that these boxes (which are about the same size as a 1x12 cabinet) are a little pricy?

 

[Brad Johnson]

Does anyone else think that these boxes (which are about the same size as a 1x12 cabinet) are a little pricy?

At $799 I'd bet most people do. Even the people who like them. I'm not just running out and buying a pair.


I'd need to compare them to what I already own. After my gigs yesterday, I think they'd have some pretty big shoes to fill. I have a couple of light 2-12 cabs (~40 lb.) and I'd be amazed if this keeps up with either of them. And I already own the 2-12's.. One of them is not much bigger than this cab. Amazing.

We'll see.

 

[Wilbyman]

I was initially pretty interested in this box but the price point really quelled my curiosity. Tough to compete with the similarly sized 1x12's dollar for dollar.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I was initially pretty interested in this box but the price point really quelled my curiosity. Tough to compete with the similarly sized 1x12's dollar for dollar.

You should probably still check it out if you haven't. I haven't come across a 1-12 that impressed me as much as this did.

My problem is it would have to beat out my compact 2-12s. That may be a bit much to ask for.

 

[Wilbyman]

You should probably still check it out if you haven't. I haven't come across a 1-12 that impressed me as much as this did.

My problem is it would have to beat out my compact 2-12s. That may be a bit much to ask for.

Oh, I would like to hear it...I checked out the Markbass 2x6 combo and thought it was really cool for the size.

I agree on the 2x 1x12's thing...Right now I have 2x of the Schroeder Mini12L's and they are about 22lbs a piece. The two of them in tandem are really very big sounding. The 2x NY604 stack probably sounds equally great but would run about $1600USD

 

[Brad Johnson]

Oh, I would like to hear it...I checked out the Markbass 2x6 combo and thought it was really cool for the size.

I agree on the 2x 1x12's thing...Right now I have 2x of the Schroeder Mini12L's and they are about 22lbs a piece. The two of them in tandem are really very big sounding. The 2x NY604 stack probably sounds equally great but would run about $1600USD

Don't I know it. That's the first thing that occurred to me when I contemplated a stack.

Even though I have stuff I could let go that would bring that actual cost to me down... at the end of the day it'll still say $1600+ on the receipt.

I tried and liked the Minimark but I was able to hit the wall with it as far as the limiter. It would have limited use for me. I don't do that many rehearsals or really small gigs.

 

[CH Design]

I agree on the 2x 1x12's thing...Right now I have 2x of the Schroeder Mini12L's and they are about 22lbs a piece. The two of them in tandem are really very big sounding. The 2x NY604 stack probably sounds equally great but would run about $1600USD

+1
Even a pair of the more expensive 112 cabs would run you way less than $1600USD. Or, you could get one small cab and a larger 410 and still come out ahead. It would have to be a pretty amazing cab for someone to want to pay for a pair.

btw, if anyone is looking for one, Invalid Link Removed has a demo cab at a reduced price. And no, I'm not affiliated with Club Bass in any way.

 

[Petebass]

Does anyone else think that these boxes (which are about the same size as a 1x12 cabinet) are a little pricy?

Size is one thing, but the 4x6 does have 4 drivers in it as opposed to 1. Go down to your local raw driver store and see if buying a single 12" is cheaper than buying four 6" speakers. There's no way, especially when you consider the 6" speakers in question are fairly specialised and unique.

 

[CH Design]

Size is one thing, but the 4x6 does have 4 drivers in it as opposed to 1. Go down to your local raw driver store and see if buying a single 12" is cheaper than buying four 6" speakers. There's no way, especially when you consider the 6" speakers in question are fairly specialised and unique.

Agreed. I wasn't trying to imply that Markbass was making a killing on the profits with this cab. However, unless it's got something that you can't get with a 1x12, I don't see why people would pay the extra $ for it.

 

[Petebass]

Agreed. I wasn't trying to imply that Markbass was making a killing on the profits with this cab. However, unless it's got something that you can't get with a 1x12, I don't see why people would pay the extra $ for it.

It depends what you're after I guess. The 4x6 and 1x12 don't sound similar.

 

[Nook]

Size is one thing, but the 4x6 does have 4 drivers in it as opposed to 1. Go down to your local raw driver store and see if buying a single 12" is cheaper than buying four 6" speakers. There's no way, especially when you consider the 6" speakers in question are fairly specialised and unique.

yep, comparing the price of 6NDL38, which could be closest to the 6" used by Markbass and the price of, let's say 12HPL64, throws some light onto it: one 6NDL38 is for approx. 75% of the 12HPL64 price here in Czech Republic.
and yes, the sound will be very different...

 

[CH Design]

I guess if it's got the sound you want, people will find a way to afford it.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Agreed. I wasn't trying to imply that Markbass was making a killing on the profits with this cab. However, unless it's got something that you can't get with a 1x12, I don't see why people would pay the extra $ for it.

It does. I haven't heard a 1-12 that sounded like it or one that could keep up with it.

 

[minuseri]

Got a pair of the 604s a few weeks ago. Killin'! No issues with farting out. Very articulate and holds the B string very well. Running my pair with an F1 and even tried with my WW Blue Light. Both combinations sound good.

Real Nice. Two keepers.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Man, if they weren't so pricey I'd have two of them right now!

 

[newbold]

Played one today.

Had to turn the low end down. Holy crap. More low end than I'd need.

Very evenly voiced. Unfortunately expensive.

 

[Petebass]

Played one today.

Had to turn the low end down. Holy crap. More low end than I'd need.

Don't worry you're not the only one who's surprised. I'm not even sure if the surprise is a pleasant one because I, like most people who try the cab, was expecting a typical 6" driver response which isn't so heavy in the lows had could add some clarity and bite to an existing rig.

Personally I'd like to see the current 4x6 be badged the LF model (low frequency), then see a 4x6 version released that has less lows and more bark as most would expect from such small drivers. It would at least be louder (those pesky laws of physics at work), and you could mate it with a 12" or 15" for a killer full range rig.