New TC Elec. BH550 & 800

[srcTW]

ProStar Audio is selling them on eBay for $200 less than their competitors if you are interested. I couldn't resist buying a BH550 for $300. I'll do a video demo when it gets here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TC-Electron...047?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43d0b7f6df

I just did the same.

 

[arai]

Its a shame that companies have created a situation where you HAVE TO wait for it to be benched... but thats where we are

And thats ALL CLpeavey is saying

Who could do a bench test and how would we know that that bench rest was accurate?

 

[ursus]

Maybe I go for the BH800, but want some reviews first. I had both the RH450 and a Staccato. My concern was not the output but the somewhat compressed sound and was unable to get a more modern sound out of it.

 

[Tunaman]

Who could do a bench test and how would we know that that bench rest was accurate?

Experts in the bass gear magazines like @tombowlus

 

[arai]

Experts in the bass gear magazines like @tombowlus

I thought BGM magazines methods were questionable?

 

[peledog]

Still at it I see. If this was about a Fender product, the thread would be closed already.




For those interested - grab a BH550 for $299 http://www.ebay.com/itm/TC-Electron...047?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43d0b7f6df

Edit: Soz! I didn't see the ebay link in an earlier post.

 

[Tunaman]

I thought BGM magazines methods were questionable?

TC electronics is MUCH more "questionable" than BGM

 

[arai]

TC electronics is MUCH more "questionable" than BGM

How do you mean?
I thought BGM methods of bench testing didn't add up, am I wrong?

 

[peledog]

It seems you can only run one tone print at a time?

 

[4StringsEnough]

It's very easy for me.....the spec of the new heads looks great. They're either loud enough or they're not (and I'd wager the former). I don't need a bench test....I'll just use my ears (shock horror!).

 

[lomo]

Frankly, at $299, even if it's 200 watts, the BG 550 is a bargain as compared to other 200 watt micro heads. I can almost rationalize a "need" for one

 

[bass4u]

I received a TC Electronics BH550 yesterday and spent a few hours last night checking it out. I have a GK MB500 and was comparing the two side by side through the same identical cabinets (GK NEO 2x12).

Both amps are comparable in volume to my ears. The Bh550 can get really loud. I have no resources to bench test it.

The BH550 seems to have a lot more going on with the bass knob compared to the GK MB500. When you turn up the bass knob on the TC, you can really hear and feel the difference. The same goes for the Low Mid knob on the TC. The Treble knob doesn't create the super extended high end that the GK can produce but that's fine with me. I never turn the GK Treble knob past 1 o'clock anyway. It seems like the TC controls have a fairly flat frequency response in the 12 o'clock position compared to the GK.

I downloaded the Tone Print App and sent a Chorus effect to Tone Print #1 and Octaver efffect to Tone Print #2.
There are a lot of different Chorus Tone Print effects you can download but I just went for the 'classic chorus'. Sounds just like the description in the effect's title, a classic bass chorus with no low end loss. Homerun.

The same goes for the Octaver. Mutiple different type of octave effects are available. I went for the 'Smooth Octaver'. It gives an octave down effect and sounds like my Boss OC-2. But it tracks notes impeccably and could handle the low D on my bass with no problem. Another Homerun.

The built in tuner works. Unfortunately in two of the bands I play in I tune the E string to D in one band , and C# in another band. So I will still be using my pedal tuner. The Tuner appears to only do standard tuning. Too bad it's not a chromatic tuner ( hint to TC )

Only negative comment so far is I wish it had two speakon outputs. It only has one so you must daisy-chain two cabinets together. Not a problem as long as your cabinets are equiped with two speakon connections.

I will be playing a gig tonight, anxious to see how the BH550 performs in a live stuation.

here is a poor iphone pic

 

[drpepper]

I received a TC Electronics BH550 yesterday and spent a few hours last night checking it out. I have a GK MB500 and was comparing the two side by side through the same identical cabinets (GK NEO 2x12).

Both amps are...

Blah, blah, blah...until we get a bench test, doesn't matter how it sounds.



j/k good starting comparo

 

[Ryan L.]

It's very easy for me.....the spec of the new heads looks great. They're either loud enough or they're not (and I'd wager the former). I don't need a bench test....I'll just use my ears (shock horror!).

Exactly what I'm thinking.

 

[Low Class]

Blah, blah, blah...until we get a bench test, doesn't matter how it sounds.



j/k good starting comparo

If any of you guys blabbering about the watts has played through a BH250 you probably wouldn't be saying anything. They way it lit up my Bergs I don't need a bench test to know it was a honest 250 watts, just like I didn't need a bench test to know the RH450 was not 450 watts. One would think TC learned their lesson on this already from the flak they caught before. Looking forward to trying the BH550.

 

[tastybasslines]

I received a TC Electronics BH550 yesterday and spent a few hours last night checking it out. I have a GK MB500 and was comparing the two side by side through the same identical cabinets (GK NEO 2x12).

Both amps are comparable in volume to my ears. The Bh550 can get really loud. I have no resources to bench test it.

The BH550 seems to have a lot more going on with the bass knob compared to the GK MB500. When you turn up the bass knob on the TC, you can really hear and feel the difference. The same goes for the Low Mid knob on the TC. The Treble knob doesn't create the super extended high end that the GK can produce but that's fine with me. I never turn the GK Treble knob past 1 o'clock anyway. It seems like the TC controls have a fairly flat frequency response in the 12 o'clock position compared to the GK.

I downloaded the Tone Print App and sent a Chorus effect to Tone Print #1 and Octaver efffect to Tone Print #2.
There are a lot of different Chorus Tone Print effects you can download but I just went for the 'classic chorus'. Sounds just like the description in the effect's title, a classic bass chorus with no low end loss. Homerun.

The same goes for the Octaver. Mutiple different type of octave effects are available. I went for the 'Smooth Octaver'. It gives an octave down effect and sounds like my Boss OC-2. But it tracks notes impeccably and could handle the low D on my bass with no problem. Another Homerun.

The built in tuner works. Unfortunately in two of the bands I play in I tune the E string to D in one band , and C# in another band. So I will still be using my pedal tuner. The Tuner appears to only do standard tuning. Too bad it's not a chromatic tuner ( hint to TC )

Only negative comment so far is I wish it had two speakon outputs. It only has one so you must daisy-chain two cabinets together. Not a problem as long as your cabinets are equiped with two speakon connections.

I will be playing a gig tonight, anxious to see how the BH550 performs in a live stuation.

here is a poor iphone pic

FWIW, I believe that the 2 outer lights on together on the tuner indicates B, while the 2 inner ones indicates C, if that helps you.

 

[seamonkey]

Look at all you can do tonal wise with the pre-amp in this thing. For the price it's a excellent pre amp alone. It just happens to include and amp if you need one. Even for a little more, it a good deal on an pre-amp with presets and automation.

 

[bass4u]

My friend came by to check out the BH550 and brought his TCE RH750. The BH550 is louder. hah!
He's ordering the BH800 as I am posting.

 

[CL400Peavey]

My friend came by to check out the BH550 and brought his TCE RH750. The BH550 is louder. hah!
He's ordering the BH800 as I am posting.

That is good news! The 800 might be tempting me.

 

[Low Class]

I received a TC Electronics BH550 yesterday and spent a few hours last night checking it out. I have a GK MB500 and was comparing the two side by side through the same identical cabinets (GK NEO 2x12).

Both amps are comparable in volume to my ears. The Bh550 can get really loud. I have no resources to bench test it.

The BH550 seems to have a lot more going on with the bass knob compared to the GK MB500. When you turn up the bass knob on the TC, you can really hear and feel the difference. The same goes for the Low Mid knob on the TC. The Treble knob doesn't create the super extended high end that the GK can produce but that's fine with me. I never turn the GK Treble knob past 1 o'clock anyway. It seems like the TC controls have a fairly flat frequency response in the 12 o'clock position compared to the GK.

I downloaded the Tone Print App and sent a Chorus effect to Tone Print #1 and Octaver efffect to Tone Print #2.
There are a lot of different Chorus Tone Print effects you can download but I just went for the 'classic chorus'. Sounds just like the description in the effect's title, a classic bass chorus with no low end loss. Homerun.

The same goes for the Octaver. Mutiple different type of octave effects are available. I went for the 'Smooth Octaver'. It gives an octave down effect and sounds like my Boss OC-2. But it tracks notes impeccably and could handle the low D on my bass with no problem. Another Homerun.

The built in tuner works. Unfortunately in two of the bands I play in I tune the E string to D in one band , and C# in another band. So I will still be using my pedal tuner. The Tuner appears to only do standard tuning. Too bad it's not a chromatic tuner ( hint to TC )

Only negative comment so far is I wish it had two speakon outputs. It only has one so you must daisy-chain two cabinets together. Not a problem as long as your cabinets are equiped with two speakon connections.

I will be playing a gig tonight, anxious to see how the BH550 performs in a live stuation.

here is a poor iphone pic

How did it sound on your gig?