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

#41
Okay, I listened to the clips again. As I said, I'm using VERY small, inexpensive computer speakers.

Nonetheless, there is a difference in sound. The GK sounds more "scooped". Was the "contour" in fact, set straight up?

The Mesa sounds a bit "fatter". But I'm wondering if it is just slightly louder, giving the illusion of more meatiness. Again, if the GK's EQ was scooped, this would reduce its volume - especially in the mids.

Which ties into my final observation: To me, the two amps sound more alike in the lower register (beginning of the sound files) and more different from each other in the mid and upper mid departments.

At the end of the day, both heads sound good. And has been astutely pointed out, each could probably be adjusted to sound like the other. I have to say I prefer the Mesa's built-in tone just by a hair. And I currently play a GK MB500!

Great. More stuff to buy. I'm supposed to be saving up for a new bass!
 
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#44
I'm actually surprised how much I like the Subway. That is a really good DI tone that isn't grating, and it has some nice mid definition. Typically Mesa amps are a bit on the "edgy" side of things for me. GK is as well (I had MB Fusions in the past), but between those two I liked the Mesa way more. Ymmv.
 
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#45
I bet the major difference is little nuances when amps near maximum power. There's no doubt the Mesa has some special feedback path just for this extreme.
It also has a 2/4 ohm switch. If you had a 4 ohm cab, you could put it in 2ohm mode and the amp will not be able to generate enough voltage for 800w into 4 ohm, and I bet it has a special sound in this case.
 
#47
Thanks for this; the DI sounds very nice.
If you get a minute, I would love to hear some finger style playing with more bottom and less upper mids through a cabinet.

Agreed that if you play in bands, the only way to be sure about an amp is in the mix.
Most of them sound great alone at the house!
 
#50
Jim C said:
Thanks for this; the DI sounds very nice.
If you get a minute, I would love to hear some finger style playing with more bottom and less upper mids through a cabinet.

Agreed that if you play in bands, the only way to be sure about an amp is in the mix.
Most of them sound great alone at the house!
Click to expand...

Also, sounds like it was a J-bass. Would love to hear a P or Smith through it.

Or if the Mesa store has one maybe I'll go plug into one myself :D
 
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#54
I think the Mesa is more aggressive in the mids. Aguilar is more smooth and old school. I would agree the Mesa sits between the GK and the Aguilar. Curiously, I would say the Mesa has about the same volume capabilities as the Aguilar...go figure. That's a cursory assessment, but I would not currently recommend switching to the Mesa if your goal is more volume or headroom. I do predict the Mesa will stand out in the mix better than the Aggie though...due to its voicing.
 
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#58
Ok...I have played the Mesa a fair amount...who ever said "connected"....great word. The mid presence is addictive. The GK has a LOT more hair on top, especially if you dial it in. And it's appreciably louder. But the Mesa voicing is addictive...every note stands out...pretty evenly. I really think this will kill in the mix.
 
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#59
Now I want a true testing. Tom? Where are you? C'mon guy....bench testing.

In fact, I cannot understand that the mesa is not as loud as the gk. I totally trust captainwally, but it's strange, because a middy tone is always perceived louder than a scooped one , everything else being equal, because human ear is much more sensitive to that frequency range, the one of human voice. The two amps are rated at similar power so maybe it's a question of dynamics, burst power, compression? We know that gk class d amps behave like hammers.
 

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