Hey there. Does anyone have any info about how these compare? I know that in the Bodai 28 thread Mike said that the Bodai wasn't too warm or dry, so I assume it just reproduces the sound of your bass straight up(?)
Anyway, I haven't found any info on the MAS 112, so if anyone has any experience with it or extra knowledge (Cough Cough, Mike) on what it sounds like and how it compares to the 28, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Hey Tom---are you in Chicago? You should stop over---I'm in Wilmette.
Ok
First---dynamic capabilities
The amount of air moved (Vd) is a good indicator of maximum volume
The Vd of the 28 is around 700 cc's (nearly 900 with a good HPF)
The Vd of the MAS112 is around 1000 cc's . The B28 is indeed the most balanced speaker I make. Great Mid to upper bass punch with a bit more weight in the mid to upper bass. In comparison to the 112 it is a bit warmer but not too bloomy or romantic.
The MAS112 is crazy punchy. More pop in the mid to upper bass. Strong mid to lower bass, but less than the 28. More efficient by 3 to 4db. Vd specs on the two cabs is similar, in real world situations the 112 goes a lot louder
While the Vd's are close, the Xlim (the actual limit when the coil reaches it's maximum excursion before hitting the backplate or the limit of the forward excursion of the spider) is greater on the 112.
What this means is that while the linear controlled maximum excursion is a bit higher on the 112 ( the point where distortion rises due to losing linear cone control) the Xlim (the point where mechanical excursion is limited by the end of coil travel) is much higher with the 112. So----while the 28 is close to the 112 as far as low distortion linear excursion, in terms of excursion to failure is much higher on the 112.
Now--with the 8's----one of the reasons the 8's will hit the wall is that in order to get the extension and excursion capabilities of my 8 we went with a very compliant surround. There are two points as far as the damping (control over cone movement). One is mechanical. That involves all aspects of surround and spider. The other is electrical. This means the size and strength of the motor system. (magnet size, coil). If we look at the overall damping, or QTS, we have a combination of the mechanical damping and electrical damping. This is a balance between the mechanical Q and electrical Q. I go for a QTS of around .30. Both the 28 and 112 have similar QTS's of around .30. But---the 112 has a bit higher resonant frequency and higher efficiency. It has a stiffer (cloth) surround (more mechanical Q) and less electrical Q (less strong motor assembly by comparison). The stiffer surround and longer Xlim will allow the 112 being played into distortion without slapping the back plate with the coil.
The 8's have a much more compliant surround (less mechanical control) but comparatively more electrical Q (stronger motor by comparison). This means that the surround has less control over cone movement, but the motor has more control.
What this translates to---if you give the 8's subsonic frequencies the amp and motor or the speaker will try their best to reproduce this. Since on the 8's there is less surround control (so as to go lower)---the surround does little to damp cone movement (by design).Those cabs will give more in the 32 to 42 hz region. But---when the amp and speakers see the subsonics---they will do their best to reproduce them. Since we're a bit closer in terms of Xlim and the surround is exerting less control, it is more possible to reach the excursion limit. This means a "splat" sound.
Since the 112 has more physical control and a bigger comparative distance between Xmax and Xlim, the surround will slow things down enough so that, yeah, it can get distorted, but no nasty sounds.
This means--without a good HPF filter set at--let's say 30hz--the 112 will go a lot louder than a 28. More like a 38.
But--if you use a good HPF---the 8's will go lower and with better control. This is because that stronger (comparatively speaking--) motor on the 8's is only trying to reproduce what the 8's are good at. So---with a good HPF, the 28 is just about as loud as a 112, and the 38 is substantially louder.
You can use the 8's without a HPF--just be more careful. I have driven mine to "splat" many times to check and have not damaged the driver.
The MAS112 was designed as a nod to Bergantino 212's. The Berg is a great 212. It is not a hifi sounding speaker. It has a midrange profile that is a standard in high end bass cabs.I just tried to make it to my taste.. Nothing leaves my house unless I would be comfortable using it as a top quality PA cab. The 112 leans more toward a bass guitar sound (more mid-forward) and the 28 is more balanced. Of course the 28 can be eq'd to sound more like the 112.
If you are doubling---the 8's are better. If just EB----the MAS 112 was designed as a practical cab. Decent size and 39#
It wins the HP/to weight ratio in my lineup.
Also, Steve is working like crazy on a
very high quality but inexpensive outboard HPF. Should have prototypes soon.
A note to mods---all comparisons are made comparing my cabs to my cabs. That's what the question was
