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Orange 500W/2x12 Combo... talk me off the ledge?

LakeEffect

LakeEffect

Supporting Member
Feb 21, 2013
1,131
679
Denver
#1
I was at the local shop today in the market for a new amp and spent about an hour with the Orange Terror 500W 2/12 Combo (this is the same Orange Terror head, but paired with 2/12's in a compact hybrid setup [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]).

The thing blew me away. It had everything I am looking for - enough power to easily keep up (with a drummer, some horns, a sitar, a cajon and the occasional vocalist), great punch and clarity at both low and high volumes, either clean or dirty on command, a simple design housed in an extremely compact (seemingly, durable) combo. To top it all off, it really is perfect for what I need given that it is also easy to transport - I don't have my own car and will be traversing some neighborhoods in Chicago with it on some sort of dolly apparatus (ya do what you have to do, right?). So the 'one unit' characteristic of a combo is very attractive to me. Basically, I loved everything about it besides one thing.

The price! The thing is $1,500! Despite how much I liked it and my understanding that quality gear is expensive, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just way too steep for a combo amp.

This is where I turn to TB'ers, what is your impression of a $1,500 500W hybrid tube/solid state 2x12 combo? This isn't a "convince me that I will like the thing thread", I spent some time with it and I know I like it, but is it a bad investment to spend that much money on a combo? Are there other amps that I need to seek out and give a go with the same criteria?

Any and all input is appreciated!
 
#2
I should add, I will occasionally be playing this at lower volumes, as it is going to be my practice amp as well, so I am wary of buying something with solely a '15 - the comparable one I played at the shop (a Markbass) wasn't as clear/punchy/articulate at lower volumes - something I would like to avoid.

Again, if this isn't necessarily with all 15's, let me know!

Thank you!
 
#5
CL400Peavey said:
The problem with the 212SP cab is you are paying for both drivers in money and weight, but you are only getting the output of a single 112.

If I was spending $1500 and wanted the orange sound, IMHO there are better ways to get a small, light, powerful rig.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate a bit? Why is it that you're only getting the output of a single 112? Any alternatives come to mind given what I described?

I appreciate the input!
 
#8
LakeEffect said:
Can you elaborate a bit? Why is it that you're only getting the output of a single 112? Any alternatives come to mind given what I described?

I appreciate the input!
Click to expand...

The Iso design compensates for the limits of a small cab by adding a second driver. So pretty much you are reducing the output with a small cab, then to make up for that lack you add a second speaker. Pretty expensive way to get a small cab in my opinion. You can attain the same sound and output with a single driver in a larger box.

For me, pairing an orange TB500 (used) with a more capable cab is the way to go. greenboy Bassic15, fEARless F115, fEARful 15/6.

Im sure there are a lot of other cabs that other people have preference to as well. Some of the top contenders in my mind are as follows.

Barefaced Bass
Audiokinesis
BFM
Baer Audio
 
#11
SolarMan said:
You only get the SPL of a single 12 inch.

The "output" however, is different than a single 12inch.

They do NOT sound the same.

That being said - the negatives outweigh the positives on this speaker design.
Click to expand...

Hm, interesting, I'll have to read up on it. It is still is to some extent, more volume/punch than a single 12 inch though, correct?

zachoff: I looked into that option, the issue, however, is that I cannot really go an 'bigger' as far as dimensions go (no car and I need to transport it occasionally), so I'm kind of at a loss. Basically, would getting a separate 2x12 to match with the terror instead of using the combo's 2x12 make a significant difference (if so, how)?
 
#12
CL400Peavey said:
For me, pairing an orange TB500 (used) with a more capable cab is the way to go. greenboy Bassic15, fEARless F115, fEARful 15/6.

Im sure there are a lot of other cabs that other people have preference to as well. Some of the top contenders in my mind are as follows.

Barefaced Bass
Audiokinesis
BFM
Baer Audio
Click to expand...

+1. Love the sound of the TB500 but man that combo is expensive. I have mine running a single 15 cab and it is plenty. the terror could probably run any cab you want to eardrum splitting levels.

Just looked at the combo and the control layout is different that the TB500? Wonder if it's a different preamp?
 
#15
Ok, so taking your chicago transportation issue into mind a bit more. I would suggest you check out a fEARless F112. It will handle everything the TB500 will throw at it, and will be quite small, and lightweight. The cab takes advantage of a better design than the ISO cab IMHO. It using a high xmax woofer, crossed over to a mid driver. This means you are not sacraficing output, as the 3012LF woofer in it will get you about as loud as a good 212.


This is coming from someone very understanding of your transportation situation. I did my grad work at Depaul, spent three years in Chicago proper.
 
#16
LakeEffect said:
Hm, interesting, I'll have to read up on it. It is still is to some extent, more volume/punch than a single 12 inch though, correct?
Click to expand...
No. An iso cabinet gives you the same punch and volume as a single 112 would in a larger box. Keeping in mind that the speakers take up volume so the box isn't even really that much smaller, but it is much heavier, much more expensive and much less efficient than a 112.

IMO, iso cabinets are an interesting design that, in practice, make little sense.
 
#17
YuppyPunk said:
No. An iso cabinet gives you the same punch and volume as a single 112 would in a larger box. Keeping in mind that the speakers take up volume so the box isn't even really that much smaller, but it is much heavier, much more expensive and much less efficient than a 112.

IMO, iso cabinets are an interesting design that, in practice, make little sense.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification!
 
#18
CL400Peavey said:
Ok, so taking your chicago transportation issue into mind a bit more. I would suggest you check out a fEARless F112. It will handle everything the TB500 will throw at it, and will be quite small, and lightweight. The cab takes advantage of a better design than the ISO cab IMHO. It using a high xmax woofer, crossed over to a mid driver. This means you are not sacraficing output, as the 3012LF woofer in it will get you about as loud as a good 212.


This is coming from someone very understanding of your transportation situation. I did my grad work at Depaul, spent three years in Chicago proper.
Click to expand...

Awesome suggestion, and I'm only here for grad school as well. Fun city and all, but man, take me back to the wilderness!
 
#20
LakeEffect said:
zachoff: I looked into that option, the issue, however, is that I cannot really go an 'bigger' as far as dimensions go (no car and I need to transport it occasionally), so I'm kind of at a loss. Basically, would getting a separate 2x12 to match with the terror instead of using the combo's 2x12 make a significant difference (if so, how)?
Click to expand...

Gotcha... In that case I'd find a rippin' 2x10 to pair with the TB500 head. You can put the TB500 in a backpack and carry most 2x10s with one hand. The TB500 also comes w/ its own carrying case if you'd rather do that.
 

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