New mesa subway amps and cabs!

[treyandres]

I run my Walkabout pre into the D800+ power amp which I believe is pretty much the same power section as the WD-800 (although the WD-800 may use mosfets to drive the class D power amp, @agedhorse can verify this). I found the best sounding combination was using the WA post everything DI into the FX return of the D800+. When using 2 cabs (in my case a Berg CN112 and CN212), I also run one cab off with the WA, and the other with the WA flavored D800+ power amp. This results in the best 800 (actually 965w) Walkabout I have heard to date. I wonder if a similar arrangement would work with the WA + WD-800 in this kind of set-up ?

I would imagine so. I have a D800 that I have tried it with and with good results, so same power section as the D800+. But the magic seems to be in the damping feature of the WD800. At low volumes, the low damping sounds really great, and at high volumes, the medium damping seems to retain the WA cleanish magic but with MORE volume. What I really seem to want is that new power section in my WA case, but you know what they say about wishes. I guess if I have to haul the WD around as a power amp section for more volume, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. Might set up an A/B pedal or something for two different tones.

 

[Calvin Maine]

I'd say the Subway 2-15 cab, or a pair of 1-15 cabs

Hey Man, you mentioned 2 1x15 cabs and that’s really got me thinking. Firstly, it’s $200 cheaper to get the two singles and if I didn’t need to do a massive gig so to speak, it’s easier to just lug the one around. Would there be any difference in sound quality or vibrational anomalies due to having two singles that you may not get if you had one double? Is it a much of a muchness type of scenario?? Cheers

 

[nostatic]

Hey Man, you mentioned 2 1x15 cabs and that’s really got me thinking. Firstly, it’s $200 cheaper to get the two singles and if I didn’t need to do a massive gig so to speak, it’s easier to just lug the one around. Would there be any difference in sound quality or vibrational anomalies due to having two singles that you may not get if you had one double? Is it a much of a muchness type of scenario?? Cheers

In a mix, I doubt you can tell the difference between the 2-15 and 2x1-15 setup. I always go for modularity, but that is because most gigs I play don't require massive volume. I have a pair of 1-12 cabs, can cover most gigs with a single cab, but when I need to push more air I bring the second. Works for me.

If almost all of my gigs required more volume, then I could see opting for a single cab with multiple drivers. Also depends on your physical state of being and hauling vehicle. Since I'm 57 and have a history of back/neck issues, I need to be careful about what I'm lifting and how I'm lifting it. When I was 27 it was a different ballgame. That's one reason I am picky about weight and form factor for a cab. There are some light cabs (Aguilar SL112 comes to mind) that are light but I found to be kinda oddly shaped to carry - which stressed my body more than a heavier but better (to me) size/shape.

At TB we agonize over a lot of details that frankly don't make a lot of difference on a gig. Having gigged 2x12 cabs and two 1x12 cabs by the same manufacturer, I've found the only significant differences are in the carry rather than the sound (as long as the drivers are similar). With two cabs you can always turn off the tweeter on one if that is a sonic difference that you notice and bugs you.

 

[tkonbass]

Hey Man, you mentioned 2 1x15 cabs and that’s really got me thinking. Firstly, it’s $200 cheaper to get the two singles and if I didn’t need to do a massive gig so to speak, it’s easier to just lug the one around. Would there be any difference in sound quality or vibrational anomalies due to having two singles that you may not get if you had one double? Is it a much of a muchness type of scenario?? Cheers

I think you have pricing on these reversed. The 115 is $900 the 215 is $1600.

 

[Lovep]

I think you have pricing on these reversed. The 115 is $900 the 215 is $1600.

Yep! I couldn’t see how two separate cabs could be cheaper...more parts, etc.

 

[Calvin Maine]

I think you have pricing on these reversed. The 115 is $900 the 215 is $1600.

No here in Australia, it’s $3365 for a pair of 1x15 and $3595 for the 2x15.

 

[Calvin Maine]

In a mix, I doubt you can tell the difference between the 2-15 and 2x1-15 setup. I always go for modularity, but that is because most gigs I play don't require massive volume. I have a pair of 1-12 cabs, can cover most gigs with a single cab, but when I need to push more air I bring the second. Works for me.

If almost all of my gigs required more volume, then I could see opting for a single cab with multiple drivers. Also depends on your physical state of being and hauling vehicle. Since I'm 57 and have a history of back/neck issues, I need to be careful about what I'm lifting and how I'm lifting it. When I was 27 it was a different ballgame. That's one reason I am picky about weight and form factor for a cab. There are some light cabs (Aguilar SL112 comes to mind) that are light but I found to be kinda oddly shaped to carry - which stressed my body more than a heavier but better (to me) size/shape.

At TB we agonize over a lot of details that frankly don't make a lot of difference on a gig. Having gigged 2x12 cabs and two 1x12 cabs by the same manufacturer, I've found the only significant differences are in the carry rather than the sound (as long as the drivers are similar). With two cabs you can always turn off the tweeter on one if that is a sonic difference that you notice and bugs you.

Man that’s so helpful. Much appreciated. I hear you re weight. I also have a history of back issues that at 42 yrs old ain’t gonna get any better. I put everything on wheels and lifting is only done to put in a car or up stairs which I grab another pair of hands. But I’d say the 2 singles might be the way! Cheers

 

[Lowendtech]

No here in Australia, it’s $3365 for a pair of 1x15 and $3595 for the 2x15.

Ouch!
I thought we Canadians were pocketbook challenged with the exchange rate.

 

[Lovep]

Great! Mine will combine with my SW15. Im excited to hear it through a couple amps this afternoon.

As my daughter would say, “O...M...G!”
I am sold on these cabs! I can’t believe how well these two sound together. There is a deepness and roundness that is so rich...neither cab could achieve on its on. Definitely some synergy going on. I love it!

 

[nostatic]

View attachment 3272070
As my daughter would say, “O...M...G!”
I am sold on these cabs! I can’t believe how well these two sound together. There is a deepness and roundness that is so rich...neither cab could achieve on its on. Definitely some synergy going on. I love it!

Curious if you see a lot of woofer movement with the DG900, even at lower volumes. I tried one and it was moving my 12" like crazy - as if it didn't have any HPF built in. I ended up sending it back. The exact same cab and bass had very little movement with the D800.

 

[Lowendtech]

Got the call from my local L&M Mesa dealer.
My WD800 is in stock. 2 weeks early, even.

So should I go get it today or wait till Monday?

Hmm...... decisions, decisions.

 

[Jim C]

Got the call from my local L&M Mesa dealer.
My WD800 is in stock. 2 weeks early, even.

So should I go get it today or wait till Monday?

Hmm...... decisions, decisions.

I don't understand the question, yet we all know the answer

 

[Al Kraft]

Got the call from my local L&M Mesa dealer.
My WD800 is in stock. 2 weeks early, even.

So should I go get it today or wait till Monday?

Hmm...... decisions, decisions.

There is a decision to made there? This is one of those times when the decision makes itself for me, but then I wasn't exactly blessed at birth with an overabundance of patience!

 

[kesslari]

Got the call from my local L&M Mesa dealer.
My WD800 is in stock. 2 weeks early, even.

So should I go get it today or wait till Monday?

Hmm...... decisions, decisions.

Get on your bike and RIDE!

 

[Doug Parent]

I've found the only significant differences are in the carry rather than the sound (as long as the drivers are similar). With two cabs you can always turn off the tweeter on one if that is a sonic difference that you notice and bugs you.

This. I sold a bunch of Berg HD112's for this very reason. A one cab solution that's easy to schlep and under 50 pounds..but that Mesa 215 @ 60lbs is calling my name.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Got the call from my local L&M Mesa dealer.
My WD800 is in stock. 2 weeks early, even.

So should I go get it today or wait till Monday?

Hmm...... decisions, decisions.

You took the time to type this?

 

[nostatic]

Get on your bike and RIDE!

funny, I picked up my WD800 from the Mesa store on my motorcycle. Strapped it to the rear seat for the ride home.

Get your motor running...

 

[Al Kraft]

funny, I picked up my WD800 from the Mesa store on my motorcycle. Strapped it to the rear seat for the ride home.

Get your motor running...

...and yet another plus for the newer class D gear...try that with an Aguilar DB750/751 or SVT-2PRO...

 

[treyandres]

My observations from at-volume rehearsal last night are that the WD-800 is a great new amp. It has transparency and power at volume that the WA does not have while retaining some of the WA warmth. That said, it is a different amp. It is not a high-watt Walkabout. It has WA flavor, but the pre is different. I took the WD-800 and the Monique 700 to rehearsal last night, and the band unanimously preferred the punch and transparency of the Monique, which retails for nearly 3X the price...so that’s not entirely unexpected. They did all think the WD-800 sounded really great though. Better than the D800 I’ve been using at rehearsal for the last 4 months, and they all liked that amp too, though they preferred the warmth of the original Walkabout over the D800. The WD-800 is a great in-between with some really cool damping features in the power amp section. There are no wrong answers in the Subway line-up. It’s all solid kit.

This morning I tried the WA pre into the Hypex 700 power amp section of the Monique 700 in my home studio. Holy sh*t. It’s the sound I’ve had in my head for a while now. Going to try this configuration at the next rehearsal. Maybe it has something to do with the 1200w power board? I dunno. But the punch of the Hypex 700 is ridiculous, and it sounds just stupid amazing with Monique AND with the original WA pre. It’s nice to have fun toys to experiment with...

 

[Maxfenderbass]

Got the call from my local L&M Mesa dealer.
My WD800 is in stock. 2 weeks early, even.

So should I go get it today or wait till Monday?

Hmm...... decisions, decisions.

Hopefully London gets my 215 in ASAP haha