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New Dr Bass BL158 Cab
- Thread starter Blues Cat
- Start date
I probably would have bought that if I would have saw it 3 weeks ago. However, I went a different direction.
Chef
In Memoriam
BC - Both of those cabs look great! I've been seriously considering Dr. Bass lately. How would you compare the differences (tonal and otherwise) of the BL1260 and the BL1580?
These aren't my cabs. I believe 1 of them is Matt Morgan's. I'm in the market so I'm doing some inquiring.
From what Marc explained the 8" mid is smoother than the 6" giving the sweetness of a 10" combined w/a 15". Looks like a winner. I think I'd like a BL212 w/an 8".
Some things he's doing with his cabs that he hasn't mentioned is aircraft type bracing on all cabs now. The baffle is slightly bowed so there are less standing waves. The RX line is being phased out. The CS is limited production. The Rxl series is on hold because of slow shipping on the new drivers from the X JBL guys.
He's going to have some of his cabs @ Bass Player Live.
From what Marc explained the 8" mid is smoother than the 6" giving the sweetness of a 10" combined w/a 15". Looks like a winner. I think I'd like a BL212 w/an 8".
Some things he's doing with his cabs that he hasn't mentioned is aircraft type bracing on all cabs now. The baffle is slightly bowed so there are less standing waves. The RX line is being phased out. The CS is limited production. The Rxl series is on hold because of slow shipping on the new drivers from the X JBL guys.
He's going to have some of his cabs @ Bass Player Live.
I was kind of holding out until I got them in but since the photos are already out, I'll give up the goods.
As some of you probably remember, I owned the first couple three way Concert Series cabs from Marc last year. They were fantastic cabs but since I ordered them with Beyma speakers (ceramics) they were just too heavy for my personal preference. They sounded absolutely fantastic but they were more than I was willing to cart around. So, I passed them along and have been on the hunt for other cabs that sounded as good. After trying out a variety of different cabs (unsuccessfully) I decided to talk to Marc about doing something similar in a Neo design. After much discussion he and I talked through the new BL 1580.
Mine will be a Neo version with Marc's custom tuned Neo 3015LF, an Eminence 8" mid and a JBL tweeter. My BL 1260 will have Marc's custom high Xmax Neo 12" speaker, an Eminence 6" mid and a JBL tweeter as well.
Marc will offer the 1580 in a 17.5" depth but I requested a 15" depth for a little more compact cabinet that will stack nicely with the 1260. The difference will be a low end frequency response of 37hz (17.5") vs. 42hz (15"). Marc and I concluded that the audible difference in low end response would be hardly audible. I actually think I will prefer the slightly tighter low end of the 15" cabinet.
I'll use the 1260 for small gigs/rehearsals, the 1580 for louder venues and together, well...they should sound fantastic and be plenty loud! 15+12+8+6+two tweets!
The 8" speaker in the 1580 is a little stronger than the 6" and provides a little smoother punch than the 6", much like a 10" speaker. The 1580 should be a really great stand alone cabinet with a really full low end, smooth yet punchy and articulate mids and a nice snappy top end too!
The 1260 and 1580 will both have Marc's two way attenuator that allows for independent adjustment of the mid driver and the tweeter.
I'll post a full review when I get them in and get the opportunity to really play through them.
As some of you probably remember, I owned the first couple three way Concert Series cabs from Marc last year. They were fantastic cabs but since I ordered them with Beyma speakers (ceramics) they were just too heavy for my personal preference. They sounded absolutely fantastic but they were more than I was willing to cart around. So, I passed them along and have been on the hunt for other cabs that sounded as good. After trying out a variety of different cabs (unsuccessfully) I decided to talk to Marc about doing something similar in a Neo design. After much discussion he and I talked through the new BL 1580.
Mine will be a Neo version with Marc's custom tuned Neo 3015LF, an Eminence 8" mid and a JBL tweeter. My BL 1260 will have Marc's custom high Xmax Neo 12" speaker, an Eminence 6" mid and a JBL tweeter as well.
Marc will offer the 1580 in a 17.5" depth but I requested a 15" depth for a little more compact cabinet that will stack nicely with the 1260. The difference will be a low end frequency response of 37hz (17.5") vs. 42hz (15"). Marc and I concluded that the audible difference in low end response would be hardly audible. I actually think I will prefer the slightly tighter low end of the 15" cabinet.
I'll use the 1260 for small gigs/rehearsals, the 1580 for louder venues and together, well...they should sound fantastic and be plenty loud! 15+12+8+6+two tweets!
The 8" speaker in the 1580 is a little stronger than the 6" and provides a little smoother punch than the 6", much like a 10" speaker. The 1580 should be a really great stand alone cabinet with a really full low end, smooth yet punchy and articulate mids and a nice snappy top end too!
The 1260 and 1580 will both have Marc's two way attenuator that allows for independent adjustment of the mid driver and the tweeter.
I'll post a full review when I get them in and get the opportunity to really play through them.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Matt, you gas-passer, you 
Your strong recommendations provided just the nudge I needed to buy my 2260 (neo); I came "this close" to upgrading to Beymas because you were enjoying yours so thoroughly, but haven't regretted anything about my Dr. Bass purchase except the fact that my 2260 is too short to hear myself clearly - though my knees and shins, and the audience, have been in bass heaven.
Now you've gone and done it again!
But now you've got me thinking of a taller cabinet with a 15, 12, 8, and tweet, plus a 6.5 pointing at my head 
Your strong recommendations provided just the nudge I needed to buy my 2260 (neo); I came "this close" to upgrading to Beymas because you were enjoying yours so thoroughly, but haven't regretted anything about my Dr. Bass purchase except the fact that my 2260 is too short to hear myself clearly - though my knees and shins, and the audience, have been in bass heaven.
Now you've gone and done it again!
But now you've got me thinking of a taller cabinet with a 15, 12, 8, and tweet, plus a 6.5 pointing at my head 
Cool that you can independently adjust the levels of the mids & highs, should really make this a versatile cab.
And yes, a full review (with comparisons to other cabs) would be very much appreciated.
Sorry about the gas boys...couldn't be avoided!
I really did love my Concert Series cabs, especially the 3 way 1x15. They were the best sounding cabs I'd ever played through in 20 years of playing everything from pawn shop to "boutique" level cabs. Howevery, they were just too heavy and a little too bulky for me. I'm sure others would sling them around no problem, but I was looking for something a little more compact and easy to load in the back of my car.
Physically, the 1580 is in the same size as the 2260 but will be several pounds lighter. It will also be significantly lighter than my previous Concert Series cab.
Glad to hear that you're liking your Neo 2260. I'm sure you've tried tilting it back or putting it on top of a milk crate or something like that. I'll bet if you got it a couple feet off the ground and a little closer to chest level that you'd probably self inflict some hearing loss!
After the "honeymoon" period with the cabs, I will give a general comparison to the other cabs that I've owned over the last 20 years (SWR, Aguilar, Acme, Euphonic Audio, etc.).
I really did love my Concert Series cabs, especially the 3 way 1x15. They were the best sounding cabs I'd ever played through in 20 years of playing everything from pawn shop to "boutique" level cabs. Howevery, they were just too heavy and a little too bulky for me. I'm sure others would sling them around no problem, but I was looking for something a little more compact and easy to load in the back of my car.
Physically, the 1580 is in the same size as the 2260 but will be several pounds lighter. It will also be significantly lighter than my previous Concert Series cab.
Glad to hear that you're liking your Neo 2260. I'm sure you've tried tilting it back or putting it on top of a milk crate or something like that. I'll bet if you got it a couple feet off the ground and a little closer to chest level that you'd probably self inflict some hearing loss!
After the "honeymoon" period with the cabs, I will give a general comparison to the other cabs that I've owned over the last 20 years (SWR, Aguilar, Acme, Euphonic Audio, etc.).
HA-HA!! That 1580 in the top photo is mine! Allllll mine!!
And, like Matt Morgan, I plan on buying a 1260. Combine and seperate cabs for various gig situations. I tend to play a lot of different situations, and the Dr. Bass cabs seemed like the way to go for my needs.
I have just played it for a short time, but it seems like a keeper. Nice bottom end and the "depth" of a 15 (which I like), and the cut of the tweeter and mid driver. Plus, you can adjust the attenuators for different rooms/situations.
And the price is not too shabby! Give Marc a ring and he'll quote you a price! Heck, tell 'im Bruce From Ohio sent you and maybe I'll get a discount on my 1260!!
And, like Matt Morgan, I plan on buying a 1260. Combine and seperate cabs for various gig situations. I tend to play a lot of different situations, and the Dr. Bass cabs seemed like the way to go for my needs.
I have just played it for a short time, but it seems like a keeper. Nice bottom end and the "depth" of a 15 (which I like), and the cut of the tweeter and mid driver. Plus, you can adjust the attenuators for different rooms/situations.
And the price is not too shabby! Give Marc a ring and he'll quote you a price! Heck, tell 'im Bruce From Ohio sent you and maybe I'll get a discount on my 1260!!
That 1580 looks very cool,Marc builds some very innovative cabinets.I was talking with him last week and he was going on about a new 4-8"neo cabinet,probably the same 8" as in the 1580,paired with a 12" sub he designed and how great it worked at gigs.He's a definite gas builder and if I didn't love the cabs he built for me so much already I would need a case of Rolaids.He put that JBL tweeter in my RX310 and it is a very sweet tweeter.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Sorry about the gas boys...couldn't be avoided!
<SNIP>Glad to hear that you're liking your Neo 2260. I'm sure you've tried tilting it back or putting it on top of a milk crate or something like that. I'll bet if you got it a couple feet off the ground and a little closer to chest level that you'd probably self inflict some hearing loss!
After the "honeymoon" period with the cabs, I will give a general comparison to the other cabs that I've owned over the last 20 years (SWR, Aguilar, Acme, Euphonic Audio, etc.).
What I ended up doing for rehearsals was use my EA VL208 on a stand angled up toward me. For gigs, I've been stacking the VL208 on top of the 2260 to add clarity; the result has been that I've been able to turn down AND i've been able to hear myself far more clearly.
I'm looking forward to your in-depth review!
Yeah, you guys are hurting me with all this! That looks like a killer setup, with lots of sonic canvas covered. Seems the additional 6" and 8" mid drivers would really fill out the sound. 
Bruce,
I can just imagine the differnce in this cab and your previous 1x15, but I'd still like to know your impressions and differences between the two. (If this is Matt's old one, then the driver is ceramic, correct?) What's the weight like?
Matt,
What is the weight gonna be like on the neo version cabs you're getting?
Thanks fellas. I've been looking at Dr. Bass cabs and emailed Marc a couple times, but decided on something different. Now the GAS is back and I need answers!
Bruce,
I can just imagine the differnce in this cab and your previous 1x15, but I'd still like to know your impressions and differences between the two. (If this is Matt's old one, then the driver is ceramic, correct?) What's the weight like?
Matt,
What is the weight gonna be like on the neo version cabs you're getting?
Thanks fellas. I've been looking at Dr. Bass cabs and emailed Marc a couple times, but decided on something different. Now the GAS is back and I need answers!
Jesse, this is the first BL1580 , and it has a neo woofer. I don't know if it has a neo mid driver. I believe Matt had the Concert Series cabs.
As far as the Epi PS115, totally different animal. The PS115 went way deeper and was definitely darker sounding. More of a sub than a standalone cab. The 1580 covers way more sonic ground, but like I said, doesn't go as low. For my needs, the 1580 is a much better cab. If you are looking for a sub for your UL3x10, then the PS115 will work great.
The weight is in the mid 50's, I'd estimate. Probably the same as the PS115. I will say that the PS115 is easier to move around. Not sure why, but it is. Though the 1580 is not hard to move around, so it's really just a slight difference. But a diff nonetheless.
Does all this help or hurt the GAS??
Jesse, this is the first BL1580 , and it has a neo woofer. I don't know if it has a neo mid driver. I believe Matt had the Concert Series cabs.
As far as the Epi PS115, totally different animal. The PS115 went way deeper and was definitely darker sounding. More of a sub than a standalone cab. The 1580 covers way more sonic ground, but like I said, doesn't go as low. For my needs, the 1580 is a much better cab. If you are looking for a sub for your UL3x10, then the PS115 will work great.
The weight is in the mid 50's, I'd estimate. Probably the same as the PS115. I will say that the PS115 is easier to move around. Not sure why, but it is. Though the 1580 is not hard to move around, so it's really just a slight difference. But a diff nonetheless.
Does all this help or hurt the GAS??
Both!!!! That is very nice!
Duh! Thanks for staightening out the neo/ceramic thing - that it's a BL. Sounds (reads) like you have found just what you were looking for. I think the 3-way design is the way to go. Before I knew about Dr. Bass (hadn't seen anything here about the cabs), I was wanting a 3-way 1x12. I had a few of the older VL cabs from EA, but really wanted more heft from a 1x12. I really like the above concept of the 3-way 1x12/1x15 stack.
Don't mean to keep hammering you with questions, but here goes.
How would you compare the tone to the UL115?
Hurting and helping, man. But mostly hurting.
Well, it looks like th
I was the first guy on HCBF to get a Dr. Bass, may have been the first to review one over here too, not sure about that though. Regrettably, I sold my Dr. Bass rig and I've been wanting to get another set every since. He makes it really difficult though as he's always coming out with newer and cooler stuff. Stop it already so I can buy something! 
A couple quick things:
The 4x8" cab will use a very differenct custom driver than the Eminence 8" mid driver in the BL1580. Marc's pretty hush-hush about it right now but I suspect it will be a high Xmax driver that will go significantly deeper than the Eminence.
My 15" deep BL1580 should come in right around 50lbs. The Neo 1260 should be about 40lbs.
Having played a few other high quality 1x15 cabs, the three way design (to me) is much more clear, focused and articulate. It is much more "useable" as a stand alone cab. Not better or worse than any other high quality 15" cab out there, just voiced differently for the specific purpose.
For my personal tone tastes, I would not use a even a great quality 1x15 cab as a stand alone. For me, most 1x15 cabs are a little short on clarity, articulation, and upper midrange. Combined with another cab with smaller drivers, they work great but as a stand alone, not for me.
The three way design gets over this through the mid driver, good cross-over points and a good quality tweeter.
Just my thoughts!
The 4x8" cab will use a very differenct custom driver than the Eminence 8" mid driver in the BL1580. Marc's pretty hush-hush about it right now but I suspect it will be a high Xmax driver that will go significantly deeper than the Eminence.
My 15" deep BL1580 should come in right around 50lbs. The Neo 1260 should be about 40lbs.
Having played a few other high quality 1x15 cabs, the three way design (to me) is much more clear, focused and articulate. It is much more "useable" as a stand alone cab. Not better or worse than any other high quality 15" cab out there, just voiced differently for the specific purpose.
For my personal tone tastes, I would not use a even a great quality 1x15 cab as a stand alone. For me, most 1x15 cabs are a little short on clarity, articulation, and upper midrange. Combined with another cab with smaller drivers, they work great but as a stand alone, not for me.
The three way design gets over this through the mid driver, good cross-over points and a good quality tweeter.
Just my thoughts!
That 1580 looks very cool,Marc builds some very innovative cabinets.I was talking with him last week and he was going on about a new 4-8"neo cabinet,probably the same 8" as in the 1580,paired with a 12" sub he designed and how great it worked at gigs.He's a definite gas builder and if I didn't love the cabs he built for me so much already I would need a case of Rolaids.He put that JBL tweeter in my RX310 and it is a very sweet tweeter.
I really dig your setup!!
