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Double Bass New MAS 18.5 Version 2

Blmbass1987

Blmbass1987

Apr 11, 2020
23
19
Northeast
#1
Just received a MAS 18.5 version 2 last week, I also have a MAS 18.5 which is my comparison for the version 2. First off I love the 18.5 it’s awesome but the new version 2 is even better.
It’s 2 way, has a new crossover designed by Mike, looks to be the same size and same inclosure. Everything I love about the 18.5 is there, fast response, tight lows, punchy mids, full high end. Version 2 still has all those qualities but what I notice is the mids in particular are much smoother, I believe it is Mike’s design goal to create a “flat” sounding cab I thought the 18.5 was there but version 2 is just a little better. I don’t think it’s massively better as I said they are both awesome but if I could only choose one it would definitely be version 2. Haven’t tried it with electric but did a rehearsal with a piano trio and it’s just awesome to play with that cab.
 
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#5
Man I wish Mike were around to answer...as he’s always tweaking and changing things....my 18.5 is a 3 way design low frequency driver mid and tweeter...the 18.5 version 2 is 2 way only a 8inch driver and tweeter....like I said I wish he were still on here to be able to tell you all the the technical stuff of what’s going on and the differences.
 
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#7
Blmbass1987 said:
Man I wish Mike were around to answer...as he’s always tweaking and changing things....my 18.5 is a 3 way design low frequency driver mid and tweeter...the 18.5 version 2 is 2 way only a 8inch driver and tweeter....like I said I wish he were still on here to be able to tell you all the the technical stuff of what’s going on and the differences.
Click to expand...

Bimbass,
He's banned from Talkbass for the new future, I just talked with him today. The driver in the Mas 1/8.5 v1 and v2 is a Ciare 8.5 inch speaker, he found a way to get better midrange response from a new two way design than the three way.
How much does your speaker weigh?
 
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#13
I had an experience with Mike where he said sumthin about the difference between the two cabs I own that he made and while I had been annoyed that he kept going on about how every new version of his cabs are so much better then the old version (the old being a version I had just bought as the "new version") ...so even though I was annoyed at that, what he said about the sound and audible difference was spot on. That cat has some dialed in ears for upright amplification and cabs. My two MAS cabs sound very different inside of a little circle that is inside of a much much bigger circle where they both sound so utterly stellar that I don't split hairs about which sounds better. I believe the new MAS sounds damn good. My ten year old MAS46 sounds totally crazy much better then anything ever, so does my powered 18 although slightly different. Right now I have them stacked on top of one another and connected and together they sound supreme, a slightly different supreme from the "new" MAS 46,18 stack but only Mike would know that, or care.
 
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#14
flatback said:
........Right now I have them stacked on top of one another and connected and together they sound supreme, a slightly different supreme from the "new" MAS 46,18 stack but only Mike would know that, or care.
Click to expand...

Agreed Piro,
I have a MAS 1/8 v1 and v2. They sound amazing, so at my current level of gigs (next to zero) I don’t see any need to consider the newest MAS 1/8.5 until I’m playing again. I talked with Mike about them when he called me Sunday, to clarify, the difference between the MAS 1/8’s and the new MAS 1/8.5. What he was able to do with the new 8.5” Cirae drivers, was have better lower end and extended midrange, making the midrange drivers unnecessary. All that said, I’m so happy with with what I have, I’m sticking with mine.
 
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#15
Ric Vice said:
Agreed Piro,
I have a MAS 1/8 v1 and v2. They sound amazing, so at my current level of gigs (next to zero) I don’t see any need to consider the newest MAS 1/8.5 until I’m playing again. I talked with Mike about them when he called me Sunday, to clarify, the difference between the MAS 1/8’s and the new MAS 1/8.5. What he was able to do was due to the new 8.5” Cirae drivers, that have better lower end and extended midrange, making the midrange drivers unnecessary. All that said, I’m so happy with with what I have, I’m sticking with mine.
Click to expand...
Me too! My MAS 16 sounds great for quieter gigs. My MAS 18 sounds great for louder gigs. I’d consider getting another MAS 18 used for outdoor gigs with no sound reinforcement. Can’t keep up with all the new versions!
 
#17
flatback said:
I had an experience with Mike where he said sumthin about the difference between the two cabs I own that he made and while I had been annoyed that he kept going on about how every new version of his cabs are so much better then the old version (the old being a version I had just bought as the "new version") ...so even though I was annoyed at that, what he said about the sound and audible difference was spot on. That cat has some dialed in ears for upright amplification and cabs. My two MAS cabs sound very different inside of a little circle that is inside of a much much bigger circle where they both sound so utterly stellar that I don't split hairs about which sounds better. I believe the new MAS sounds damn good. My ten year old MAS46 sounds totally crazy much better then anything ever, so does my powered 18 although slightly different. Right now I have them stacked on top of one another and connected and together they sound supreme, a slightly different supreme from the "new" MAS 46,18 stack but only Mike would know that, or care.
Click to expand...
Completely agree all his cabs I’ve heard are really good, I’ve got the 2 MAS 18.5 and a really old 2/5 MAS that I think sounds really good too and that thing only weighs like 12lbs....gotta respect a guy who keeps improving his cabs, tough to keep up though...I did just see on his FB he’s got a couple more 18,5 version 2s that are finished he’s selling if anyone’s itching and being that there finished you won’t have to wait 2 months to get it...
 
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#18
flatback said:
I had an experience with Mike where he said sumthin about the difference between the two cabs I own that he made and while I had been annoyed that he kept going on about how every new version of his cabs are so much better then the old version (the old being a version I had just bought as the "new version") ...so even though I was annoyed at that, what he said about the sound and audible difference was spot on. That cat has some dialed in ears for upright amplification and cabs. My two MAS cabs sound very different inside of a little circle that is inside of a much much bigger circle where they both sound so utterly stellar that I don't split hairs about which sounds better. I believe the new MAS sounds damn good. My ten year old MAS46 sounds totally crazy much better then anything ever, so does my powered 18 although slightly different. Right now I have them stacked on top of one another and connected and together they sound supreme, a slightly different supreme from the "new" MAS 46,18 stack but only Mike would know that, or care.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a killer rig!
 
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#20
Ric Vice said:
Agreed Piro,
I have a MAS 1/8 v1 and v2. They sound amazing, so at my current level of gigs (next to zero) I don’t see any need to consider the newest MAS 1/8.5 until I’m playing again. I talked with Mike about them when he called me Sunday, to clarify, the difference between the MAS 1/8’s and the new MAS 1/8.5. What he was able to do with the new 8.5” Cirae drivers, was have better lower end and extended midrange, making the midrange drivers unnecessary. All that said, I’m so happy with with what I have, I’m sticking with mine.
Click to expand...

Have you stacked the 1,8 v1 with the newer 18.5 v2?

I use the older 1,8 all the time but ordered the latest one to stack when needed. It’s a different driver compliment and I wonder if there will be phasing issues.

On a side note, I wish the format for naming the model # would stay the same.
 
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