NAD Cage Match: GK MB800F vs. Mesa Subway (audio content)

[CaptainWally]

Bass San Diego received their Subways today, and I decided to bite. I used the Aguilar TH500 for a couple years, and I've been using the GK MB800F for about the same. So I can use those as a reference point.

My take on the Subway so far:

* Top quality packing and manual.

* Awesome form factor. Just the right weight. Super high quality chassis, knobs, switches. Looks really great - very classic. Everything is simple and clearly laid out. A clear win over the GK.

* $699 with a bag is ... a good deal for this amp.

* I actually don't mind the little power switch on the back. It seems like the GK button on the front would be better, but I don't mind the switch at all.

* Volume wise, the GK seems to have the edge. The Mesa has plenty of power, but perhaps not the freakishly high power/volume of the GK MB800F. Also, this is just me fiddling with it in my office. I have to bear this out at a rehearsal or gig.

* Now the tone. Back to back, the GK sounds more modern. More sheen. More scooped. More clean.

The Subway is squarely in the Mesa family, and has a shade of the M6. It has less sheen/bite on top. A solid bottom, and very "present" mids. Not like the chewy, tubey mids of the Aguilar - these are ballsy/present mids.

I wonder if I'll miss the GK top end. But I have a feeling the Subway mids will kick all kinds of butt in the mix, and I look forward to trying it out live.

Here are recordings from XLR out.. Both amps set flat. Please excuse the noodly playing.

Want to try and guess which is which?





UPDATED CLIPS WITH REQUESTED EQ TWEAKS:

Mesa EQ @ noon, with voicing not turned quite all the way to the left. This was my best attempt to match the GK.

GK:
High: 11ish
Hi Mid: 1ish
Low Mid: 1ish
Bass: Just shy of noon
Contour off

 

[kringle77]

Amp 1 is the mesa.

 

[BassikLee]

Nice review/taste. I look forward to more, after you gig it.

 

[tombowlus]

Nice job! Your observations definitely mirror my experiences with those same two heads (though I was admittedly playing through a D-800 prototype).

 

[sratas]

I think amp two is the GK, so amp one should be the mesa.

Anyway, amp one will be much more present and clear in a busy mix, albeit less grindy .
Think more 1000-1500 hz with amp one versus more 2500-5000 with amp two

 

[CaptainWally]

You guys are correct. Amp 1 = Mesa, Amp 2 = GK

 

[kringle77]

Sweet, knew it, hope to have one by end of next week, play a gig and do some videos.

 

[CaptainWally]

I think amp two is the GK, so amp one should be the mesa.

Anyway, amp one will be much more present and clear in a busy mix, albeit less grindy .
Think more 1000-1500 hz with amp one versus more 2500-5000 with amp two

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. The Mesa might be a great mix amp with those present mids bumping along in there.

 

[Holdsg]

I agree with everything said. We have similar tastes I'm thinking.
I sold my "freakishly loud" one for this, and I think I'll be happy.
I still have the TH500 for my upright gigs.

 

[svtb15]

The GK 800 is freakishly Loud.. Maybe teh loudest Class D amp that i own and have played. However I like Amp #1 in your tone test.
I was Hoping the new Mesa would also be Freakishly LOUD or louder...

 

[Kukulkan61]

Nice clips,I like both but that GK Tone character is really hard to beat..IMO

 

[monsterthompson]

Amp 1 gets my money. I'm a Mesa guy, I guess

 

[Doug Parent]

I prefer the Mesa and the midrange frequency that it has for it's primary voice. The GK always was too "clacky" for my ears and the Mesa sounds more smooth but also more defined in a way that should help in a cluttered mix. I think the freq centers on the low mid and high mid for the GK is 250 and 1000 (shooting from the hip I'm not certain) and with the upper midrange on the Mesa being what.....480 or something? really seems to shape the flat tone in a good way.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Mesa is #1 (in more than just the clip)
The mid forward "baked in" character sounds more like true flat to me.
The GK MB800 (owned one) always sounded scooped, and I had to punch up the mids to enrich the definition I was seeking.
I loved it but feel I will love the Mesa more.
I'm proud that 2 of the top end bass amps are built and designed right here in northern California USA!

 

[nutdog]

1 sounds meatier. The gk800 is loud but I didn't get along with it.

 

[Bodeanly]

Both sound great! I blame the player.

 

[Chef]

where was the eq on the amps when you did these?

 

[CaptainWally]

See above

 

[Chef]

Ah; I read right over that, thanks.
I kinda actually like the Mesa better.......

 

[Bob Coldwell]

Wow, I'm surprised at how similar the two sound (on my bottom of the line computer speakers).

Chef, the OP said both amps were set flat. So, I'm guessing that means all tone controls at noon?

Captain Wally, I know this recording was XLR direct. But what cabs are you/will you be using with the Mesa head?

Has anyone tried the subway cabinets yet?