MARKBASS CABINET AMS 121H

[CAILLOUX]

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Could be fun.

 

[abarson]

Weren't the TC Electronic RS series cabinets built deep like this?
It certainly is out of the ordinary.
If I were to stack it, I'd have this on top of the tweeterless version (non-H). But in general, I think I'd prefer tall and narrow.

 

[SJan3]

Scratching my head on this one. In addition to the depth I'd like to understand why they mounted the tweeter outside of the protective grill.

 

[abarson]

Scratching my head on this one. In addition to the depth I'd like to understand why they mounted the tweeter outside of the protective grill.

Same cabinet as the non-tweeter version. Much simpler parts inventory and assembly.
Not that I'm agreeing with their choice, but from the manufacturer's perspective it makes sense.

 

[fast slapper]

They really like to mix up their product line...I don't think I've seen a bass amp company cycle through as many variations and artist editions as they have.

 

[SJan3]

Same cabinet as the non-tweeter version. Much simpler parts inventory and assembly.
Not that I'm agreeing with their choice, but from the manufacturer's perspective it makes sense.

I don't buy that explanation. And we don't yet know the cost of these cabs. I'll reserve judgement until I read/hear a critical review.

 

[vin*tone]

I never understand why cabinet makers insist on making short, deep 112 cabs. I'm looking at you Aguilar

"Hey could you make it fire at my ankles and take up as much floor space as possible please?"

 

[Jaco who?]

I never understand why cabinet makers insist on making short, deep 112 cabs. I'm looking at you Aguilar

"Hey could you make it fire at my ankles and take up as much floor space as possible please?"

I couldn't agree more. I'm tempted to mention other brands, but the fanboys on TB wouldn't like it.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The tweeter design is to allow a more compact size and the goal of this design is to allow you to stack an 8x10, 4x10, 2x12, 4x12 or whatever you want during this "current financial climate" (their words). They have a conversion cable available that allows you to run some cabs in series so you can keep the total impedance in line with the amp you’re using. I really don’t see anyone Jenga-ing an 8x10 this way.

 

[juggahnaught]

I don't think the fundamental concept is bad, but depending on cost, it's not feasible. I like the modular concept and I've thought about something like this for a while, but I'm not really sure if this is the way to do it. I can't help but feel like powered cabs would be a better option for modularity. They could use the Neutrik PowerCON power connectors that are used on PA gear and lighting systems, which are already chainable - essentlally, a small line array of bass cabs. I think that would be far more functional and allow for fewer limitations in potential setups.

 

[Redbrangus]

For me, the only thing that would say 'pointless POS' louder than a black, plastic, dime-store piezo tweeter would be a Caterpillar-yellow one. (With all due respect and just IMHO, of course. ) And I agree -- I can't imagine anyone actually McGyver-ing up more than a couple of these for any purpose. For one thing, it would be too complicated for about half the bass-playing community, if the questions that continue to pop up about impedance are any indicator. I'm all in favor of modularity, but I don't see this as a particularly effective (or elegant) expression of the concept.

 

[juggahnaught]

Not sure how accurate this is, but Thomann is setting the price for the 12-inch versions around $545 USD (choosing Great Britain as the country): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Edit: A more direct price comparison can be found by looking at the Thomann listings for all the Markbass cabs: https://www.thomann.de/intl/markbass_misc_bass_cabinets.html.

At this price, the concept doesn't really work unless you're sponsored by Markbass. It simply wouldn't be cost-effective to buy more than one of these, much less buy four. Their Richard Bona 212 - an 8-ohm cabinet - costs less than two of these units, and has four times the power handling.

Again, if these were powered cabs, there would be some logic to the purchases (especially given the cab depth - there's space for a module), but as it is, I don't see it.

• The impedance is 8 ohms, so you need two to reach four ohms in parallel
• The power handling is 200 watts RMS at 8 ohms, so you need two (or more) to use with a larger amp with modern power output
• The price is higher than other options, and you need to buy two to take advantage of modern amps
• The cabs are modular, but you are still limited to one, two, four, or eight to maximize impedance (and you have to buy a custom Neutrik splitter cable to get the series/parallel split for impedance reasons)

It sucks, because the core concept is sound. It's just a shame the execution seems really poopy. I really hope someone will refine this concept with powered cabs, which would solve most of the issues I've outlined above.

 

[Nebadon2000]

2 of the 1x12 handles 800 watts [400 each] same as Markbass 2x12 [each speaker in 2x12 handles 400]
Tweeter centered [similar to coaxial has some benefits other than just ability to make Cab smaller]
A AMS 1X12 with tweeter and 1x12 without is cheaper than 2-NY 121 or D2 version and only a little more than 1-2x12 Markbass Cabs.
Modular has many perks including building up over time, ability to bring only whats needed for Gig or Rehearsal, add basically as many Cabs to your pleasure and 4ohm stable Amp will handle ETC.

One more thing any thing new and different from popular companies like Fender, Markbass etc.; like the AMS Cab's will incite baseless and unneeded negative attacks on TB. [unless it is Mesa]

 

[SJan3]

2 of the 1x12 handles 800 watts [400 each] same as Markbass 2x12 [each speaker in 2x12 handles 400]
Tweeter centered [similar to coaxial has some benefits other than just ability to make Cab smaller]
A AMS 1X12 with tweeter and 1x12 without is cheaper than 2-NY 121 or D2 version and only a little more than 1-2x12 Markbass Cabs.
Modular has many perks including building up over time, ability to bring only whats needed for Gig or Rehearsal, add basically as many Cabs to your pleasure and 4ohm stable Amp will handle ETC.

One more thing any thing new and different from popular companies like Fender, Markbass etc.; like the AMS Cab's will incite baseless and unneeded negative attacks on TB. [unless it is Mesa]

I couldn't have said it any better, all of it!