Mesa Boogie Subway D800+ Is it LOUD?

[ubernator]

Anyone tried one with a pair of V3 rumble 210s?

 

[mpdd]

even though i loved the subway action at bass player live that the guy from incubus was getting:

heres the trade secret for my fake subway
mesa d180 into a moog mf delay into two orange 115s

(and yes it is loud and the drive of the moog keeps the d180 clean)

 

[Jason Z Chicago]

Just because I can (thanks to tax refund and work bonus) I called Sweetwater and asked if they would let me shootout the Mesa Subway 800+ and the GK Fusion. Will post my results of shootout here. Going for which one produces the most sound pressure (in my opinion). Well... that AND tone quality, obviously.

And for sure I realize that speakers are a huge part of "loud". I have a practice space shared by a bunch of bands. Willl give all cabinets a shot. Trying both heads on each cab should give me a good idea of which is "louder".

Again thanks so much for all the input, fellas!

 

[srcTW]

Plenty loud. Ran the D800 through a 8ohm 4x10 Saturday night with a full big band ensemble. It smoked with the gain at noon and the volume at 10 o'clock... that's all I needed.

 

[InhumanResource]

Had a D800 going through a Markbass 210 and 115...it NEVER got loud enough and always clipped. Promptly traded it for a second GK MB Fusion 800 which is ridiculously loud.

That's interesting, I wonder if it has to do with EQ voicing differences. You'd think (as far as wattage ratings go anyway) they would be kicking out roughly similar amounts of juice.

 

[bass40hz]

Just because I can (thanks to tax refund and work bonus) I called Sweetwater and asked if they would let me shootout the Mesa Subway 800+ and the GK Fusion. Will post my results of shootout here. Going for which one produces the most sound pressure (in my opinion). Well... that AND tone quality, obviously.

And for sure I realize that speakers are a huge part of "loud". I have a practice space shared by a bunch of bands. Willl give all cabinets a shot. Trying both heads on each cab should give me a good idea of which is "louder".

Again thanks so much for all the input, fellas!

Any cabs with a sensitivity of 100db+ will be ideal,

That's interesting, I wonder if it has to do with EQ voicing differences. You'd think (as far as wattage ratings go anyway) they would be kicking out roughly similar amounts of juice.

Couldn't tell ya...what I can tell ya is that I loved my M6 Carbine, it was loud as hell, the D800 was very disappointing.

 

[bherman]

Just because I can (thanks to tax refund and work bonus) I called Sweetwater and asked if they would let me shootout the Mesa Subway 800+ and the GK Fusion. Will post my results of shootout here. Going for which one produces the most sound pressure (in my opinion). Well... that AND tone quality, obviously.

And for sure I realize that speakers are a huge part of "loud". I have a practice space shared by a bunch of bands. Willl give all cabinets a shot. Trying both heads on each cab should give me a good idea of which is "louder".

Again thanks so much for all the input, fellas!

One thing to keep in mind when you get them both and are running them side by side is that the GK gain and volume profile is way different than the Mesa. GK is VERY LOUD for the first 1/3 or so of the dial scale, and the Mesa is more linear, it get louder more evenly as you turn up the dial. . I have owned both amps - found that I couldn't turn the GK up past 3 or 4 without it being too loud (with 2 - Baer ML112 8 ohm cabs). The Mesa is set up differently - the best way that I can describe it is that the Mesa is linear and the the GK is exponential. Doesn't mean the Mesa cant get just as loud, just that you need to turn it up higher than the GK. They are both 800 watt class D amps but you can't compare them to each other with the same settings. Hope this makes sense - have fun trying them both!

 

[Al Kraft]

One thing to keep in mind when you get them both and are running them side by side is that the GK gain and volume profile is way different than the Mesa. GK is VERY LOUD for the first 1/3 or so of the dial scale, and the Mesa is more linear, it get louder more evenly as you turn up the dial. . I have owned both amps - found that I couldn't turn the GK up past 3 or 4 without it being too loud (with 2 - Baer ML112 8 ohm cabs). The Mesa is set up differently - the best way that I can describe it is that the Mesa is linear and the the GK is exponential. Doesn't mean the Mesa cant get just as loud, just that you need to turn it up higher than the GK. They are both 800 watt class D amps but you can't compare them to each other with the same settings. Hope this makes sense - have fun trying them both!

I have an MB 800 and D-800 and have observed the same thing relative to the control tapers.

 

[Jason Z Chicago]

Im honestly stoked by how many people own these lightweight amps. Great feedback!!

Now to look for some lightweight cabs. Something that can compete with three loud ass bandmates. We play a lot of DIY shows (vocal PA only).

 

[bass40hz]

Im honestly stoked by how many people own these lightweight amps. Great feedback!!

Now to look for some lightweight cabs. Something that can compete with three loud ass bandmates. We play a lot of DIY shows (vocal PA only).

My band also does a lot of DIY gigs...Markbass, price versus weight versus power handling, cant beat them if you have deep pockets. GK NEO cabs 2nd choice.

 

[Al Kraft]

Im honestly stoked by how many people own these lightweight amps. Great feedback!!

Now to look for some lightweight cabs. Something that can compete with three loud ass bandmates. We play a lot of DIY shows (vocal PA only).

Mesa Subway cabs are excellent, and the 115 truly pumps out serious low end. I use the 112/115 and it slams! A Berg HDN 212 or 410 will also do a nice job and keep you in the light weight category. I like my Mesa PH cabs and Carbine heads, but this newer class D stuff is every bit as good for my needs.

If it makes you more comfortable, just stop and think about all those powered PA speakers and powered subs you've been hearing drown the audience with sound. In most every case they are powered with a class D amp and SMPS, vice heavier and less efficient class AB amps with heavy transformers. We've been living in the class D revolution for decades, it just seems new and unproven to us in the bass amp world.

 

[agedhorse]

This issue with comparisons based on knob position come up pretty regularly, so let me comment directly to this point.

One of the goals of the Subway project was to make it FEEL like a pro amp, that means that the controls operate over their entire range, smoothly and evenly. While this comes more from the pro audio perspective where feel and predictability of an adjustment is important over the entire range, this is not at all universal among bass and guitar amps. In fact, for the very reasons mentioned, having a control that appears more "active" earlier in the rotation gives the "impression" that an amp may be "louder" or "more powerful", when it is not. This, along with a specific voicing can leave the inaccurate impression if the player doesn't understand why it is this way and that it's intentional.

The Carbine is more traditional in that the controls are more active earlier in their rotation, which may explain the side by side comparison results, though the Subway will continue to get louder as you turn it up. I don't understand why folks would think that having a control with 270 degrees of rotation with only 120 degrees of adjustment is a benefit, but it continues to be done this way on some products.

 

[ubernator]

I don't understand why folks would think that having a control with 270 degrees of rotation with only 120 degrees of adjustment is a benefit, but it continues to be done this way on some products.

Many don't even have 120 degrees, more like 90! Like the fender 3=10 thing on many guitar amps, anything higher is just dirt.

The new rumble isn't as bad in that respect, depending on how the gain structure is set. But with the gain up high it is back to 111 degrees of adjustment at the master. But I am only working with the 200, a couple of bridged icepower 100w modules. The 500 may be different, but other users describe a linear master volume. Probably not quite as linear as the subway.

 

[bherman]

This issue with comparisons based on knob position come up pretty regularly, so let me comment directly to this point.

One of the goals of the Subway project was to make it FEEL like a pro amp, that means that the controls operate over their entire range, smoothly and evenly. While this comes more from the pro audio perspective where feel and predictability of an adjustment is important over the entire range, this is not at all universal among bass and guitar amps. In fact, for the very reasons mentioned, having a control that appears more "active" earlier in the rotation gives the "impression" that an amp may be "louder" or "more powerful", when it is not. This, along with a specific voicing can leave the inaccurate impression if the player doesn't understand why it is this way and that it's intentional.

The Carbine is more traditional in that the controls are more active earlier in their rotation, which may explain the side by side comparison results, though the Subway will continue to get louder as you turn it up. I don't understand why folks would think that having a control with 270 degrees of rotation with only 120 degrees of adjustment is a benefit, but it continues to be done this way on some products.

Thanks for a more articulate explanation than my earlier post. I agree with you, the way that the Subway controls work makes so much more sense to me. My point to the OP was not to judge which amp is "louder" simply based by the knob position.

 

[Lava]

I run 2 Eden 210XSTs @2ohms with my D800 and it can get very f'in loud...

 

[lermgalieu]

The D-800 can get stupid loud; don't let anyone tell you otherwise. See @agedhorse's excellent post about knob taper.

 

[bhoff5150]

I have not used a D800, but I have used the GK fusion 800. It was loud. The only thing I can compare it to is my Demeter D800 with an Ampeg tube pre in front of it. I would say it got just as loud as the GK, but the taper on it's volume knob is just like agedhorse describes above. It still has a useable/noticeable increase in volume as you get close to max. I could not run the D800 at full volume at band practice because I drowned out the rest of the band - this was also only with an 8ohm cab, so the amp was only pushing 500W. I cannot believe that you won't have enough volume....

 

[Snaxster]

One of the goals of the Subway project was to make it FEEL like a pro amp, that means that the controls operate over their entire range, smoothly and evenly. While this comes more from the pro audio perspective where feel and predictability of an adjustment is important over the entire range, this is not at all universal among bass and guitar amps.

Andy, you achieved that goal. It feels great to use. Between my Subway D-800+ and my Blue Rock, I am forever spoiled for integrated bass amps. Never again will I be fooled by amps with volume controls that go to eleven.

Mesa Boogie Subway D800+ Is it LOUD?

Jason, though I don't play loudly anymore, I remember what "loud" is from gigging years ago. And I have the tinnitus to prove it.

Anyway, today I'm at home. When I read your post, I already had my D-800+ warmed up, driving my Fearless F112. Risking pissing off my landlady: with the D-800+ input at halfway, I tapped on my passive Jazz Bass's strings lightly as I slowly turned up the D-800+ master volume to full. It was Really Freaking Loud... and clear.

If you didn't know, the F112 is assumed to be conservatively rated at 600 watts RMS 8 ohm to the D-800+'s 400 watt RMS 8 ohm rating.

As others already said, if you have the right cabinets, the D-800 models will enable punishingly loud SPLs and sound good doing it. Makes me want to start gigging again! Not at high volumes, but with high headroom.

Good luck with your amp comparison (and your hearing!)

 

[Charlzm]

Anybody use this to play very heavy/loud music?

So far I havent heard a bad thing about the D800 and Im about to pull the trigger. Im concerned about its ability to be loud as I need it to be.

Im weary of the light-weight amps for perhaps silly reasons. It just seems like something this light wont push decibels like I would want it to. I would be competing with two fully cranked half stacks and a drummer who hits like a beast.

I know I could just return it if it doesnt work out. I am just looking to the community for reassurance. If you know there is a deficit with this head getting loud as fxxk, please share.

Thanks!!!

I played the D800 at the Mesa Boogie store in Hollywood about a month ago. There was so much headroom... I'm doing fine with my current amp, but the D8000 is on the short list when it's time to get a new one.

 

[agedhorse]

Andy, you achieved that goal. It feels great to use. Between my Subway D-800+ and my Blue Rock, I am forever spoiled for integrated bass amps. Never again will I be fooled by amps with volume controls that go to eleven.

Thanks! It's hard to overcome preconceived opinions about bass amps, but I'm trying hard