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Power Amplifier that fits with FRFR or Barefaced Cabs

CarloVato

CarloVato

Dec 8, 2022
23
4
#1
I’ve seen some similar threads here , but this is a bit different.
There are many of us who use some sort of FRFR system.
My rig starts with a passive P Bass.
I’m running that into my pedalboard which ends with a Noble Preamp.
So I have decided to go with a Barefaced Big Baby 3 for my cab.
I really think the smart play is to simply get a straight up power amp , but I want it to be a bit future proof in case I decide to double up another BB3.
I considered a GSS Sumo Monster.
But I’d like to see what these amps like Crown or Crest have to offer in this regard.
The Crown website has all kinds of models.
I actually kind of like having the ability to cut 50hz or even 60hz. Some of these amps let you do that. Anyone have any recommendations with these kind of power amps? Something that allows me to bridge at 8ohms and have at LEAST 1000 watts.
 
#2
There are a huge number of units that will likely work, from older, heavier class AB/G/H units that can be had to lighter newer class D amps. Crown, Crest, Yamaha, QSC and many other known and reputable brands are out there. Depending on budget and other specs that interest you check classifieds or the stores and see what you can afford and carry and see that it has the sensitivity so that you gear can drive it to full power. 1kW bridged is really common, heck even 2ch at 1kW/4R/ch is common and fairly inexpensive.

Pro power amps have no 'tone' so if they have the power you need, any of them will sound the same.

I've been using full range cabs with pro amps for many years and only gone to my HB 800B recently as it's small, light and inexpensive (and it has an IcePower power module).
 
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#3
Snert said:
There are a huge number of units that will likely work, from older, heavier class AB/G/H units that can be had to lighter newer class D amps. Crown, Crest, Yamaha, QSC and many other known and reputable brands are out there. Depending on budget and other specs that interest you check classifieds or the stores and see what you can afford and carry and see that it has the sensitivity so that you gear can drive it to full power. 1kW bridged is really common, heck even 2ch at 1kW/4R/ch is common and fairly inexpensive.

Pro power amps have no 'tone' so if they have the power you need, any of them will sound the same.

I've been using full range cabs with pro amps for many years and only gone to my HB 800B recently as it's small, light and inexpensive (and it has an IcePower power module).
Click to expand...
Snert said:
There are a huge number of units that will likely work, from older, heavier class AB/G/H units that can be had to lighter newer class D amps. Crown, Crest, Yamaha, QSC and many other known and reputable brands are out there. Depending on budget and other specs that interest you check classifieds or the stores and see what you can afford and carry and see that it has the sensitivity so that you gear can drive it to full power. 1kW bridged is really common, heck even 2ch at 1kW/4R/ch is common and fairly inexpensive.

Pro power amps have no 'tone' so if they have the power you need, any of them will sound the same.

I've been using full range cabs with pro amps for many years and only gone to my HB 800B recently as it's small, light and inexpensive (and it has an IcePower power module).
Click to expand...
What is an Ice Module??
I’m trying to avoid using anything with a preamp. Even though, some preamps are very transparent. I’m just trying to avoid that , since I have all my tone needs taken care of with the Noble.
The ultimate would be to have some kind of stereo power amp ( Crown) that was about 1000 watts a side in 8ohms. Then I’d just use one side for now. I’d have the other side for the 2nd BB3 sometime later.
 
#6
1000 watts into 8 ohms? I recommend that you learn about speaker power ratings and what they actually mean. Details matter in this case.

Most amps have an effects loop or aux input that allows you to bypass the onboard preamp. This means that if your pedalboard preamp, you have a built in preamp to get you through the gig.

The power amps in most quality bass amps these days are essentially the same as a stand alone power amp, they are designed that way for exactly this purpose.
 
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#8
agedhorse said:
1000 watts into 8 ohms? I recommend that you learn about speaker power ratings and what they actually mean. Details matter in this case.

Most amps have an effects loop or aux input that allows you to bypass the onboard preamp. This means that if your pedalboard preamp, you have a built in preamp to get you through the gig.

The power amps in most quality bass amps these days are essentially the same as a stand alone power amp, they are designed that way for exactly this purpose.
Click to expand...

.
The Barefaced Big Twin and BB3 are both rated at very high wattage. I was mainly looking for something that would allow me to run 2 of them on a stereo power amp. Not paired to 4ohms. I really should have said 800 watts per side , at 8ohm.
 
#9
CarloVato said:
.
The Barefaced Big Twin and BB3 are both rated at very high wattage. I was mainly looking for something that would allow me to run 2 of them on a stereo power amp. Not paired to 4ohms. I really should have said 800 watts per side , at 8ohm.
Click to expand...
You are completely misunderstanding the specs. Those speakers are 4 ohm, so the 8 ohm amp specs do not apply and you won’t be able to drive both cabinets bridged in any event because there are no amps commonly available that can drive the resulting 2 ohm load in BTL mode.

You need to be looking at the 4 ohm amp specs, and I recommend sticking close to the continuous rms rating of the speaker.
 
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#10
Actually…my friend , you are misunderstanding the specs.
upload_2023-10-21_0-5-30.png
 
#11
The Big Baby is 8ohms. 800 watts RMS.

Maybe you didn’t see that , but I posted the screen shot above.
That said …this being highly subjective , most preamps on most amplifier heads in the market are colored in some fashion. That’s part of why people like them. I am trying my best to avoid that. ( My Noble is my pre)
Having a power amp that simply provides power to the BB3. I was considering getting something like a Yamaha PX8 that can deliver 800 watts per side at 8ohms. That way I can have a 2nd amp for a 2nd BB3 …at some point.
 
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#14
CarloVato said:
The Big Baby is 8ohms. 800 watts RMS.

Maybe you didn’t see that , but I posted the screen shot above.
That said …this being highly subjective , most preamps on most amplifier heads in the market are colored in some fashion. That’s part of why people like them. I am trying my best to avoid that. ( My Noble is my pre)
Having a power amp that simply provides power to the BB3. I was considering getting something like a Yamaha PX8 that can deliver 800 watts per side at 8ohms. That way I can have a 2nd amp for a 2nd BB3 …at some point.
Click to expand...
I believe what @agedhorse is trying to tell you is that with most modern Class D amps (the Ice Power unit mentioned above is a Class D power amp) you can just use the FX In/Out with your Noble and it will bypass the amps preamp and any of its coloration. So, you would be getting a solid power amp solution for your Noble, just like a stand alone power amp ... AND you would have the amps built in preamp in case your Noble or other preamp failed.

FWIW, I might think twice about pushing back too hard on @agedhorse. you may not be aware of his status on TB as a long time amp designer for companies like Genz Benz and Mesa Boogie. In my experience he only ever tries to make sure folks are truly understanding how to best put together their rigs, and he offers a wealth of indepth and pretty unique knowledge when it comes to amps, cabs and all things related.

good luck OP!
 
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#15
CarloVato said:
Actually…my friend , you are misunderstanding the specs. View attachment 5225871
Click to expand...
No sir, I am not.

First, you stated the Big Twin which is a 4 ohm cabinet based on the builder’s own data. An amp rated at 1000 watts into 8 ohms will deliver ~2000 watts into 4 ohms.

Second, you might want to review the builder’s own comments and limitations regarding maximum amplifier power and how that might impact your claim for warranty coverage should you damage the cabinet.

In both cases, you are seeking to power the speakers well beyond the builder’s own maximums.

Regarding my recommendation to use a bass amp’s effects return which in most cases IS the power amp input, which bypasses the preamp, you seem not to understand this concept.

Does this help clarify that I might know a little something about this subject?


Read myth #13: Barefaced Bass - Mythbusters #1 - amplifiers

Read specs for powered Big Baby cabinet, the builder chose 600 watts continuous RMS, not 1000 watts you mentioned in your original post. Presumably there is additional protection contained within the onboard processing:

Barefaced Bass - FR800 high resolution active loudspeaker

In fact, you seem to be the ideal player for their powered cabinet. You won’t need to worry about technical details that you are misunderstanding.
 
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#17
CarloVato said:
.
The Barefaced Big Twin and BB3 are both rated at very high wattage. I was mainly looking for something that would allow me to run 2 of them on a stereo power amp. Not paired to 4ohms. I really should have said 800 watts per side , at 8ohm.
Click to expand...
Running two cabs out of two sides of a power amp is not stereo. Honestly, unless you have a need for a larger, bi-amp power amp, you'd be much better off with a class D Bass amp of your choice that can go down to 4 ohms - which is basically any decent amp these days. As long as it has an effects loop, you can bypass the built-in preamp, so all of your tone shaping comes from your Noble and anything else on your board. It'll be smaller and lighter (and probably cheaper) than a Crown or QSC unit - not to mention more versatile since you can use it without your pedalboard if needed. Lots of good options that can do this - Mesa Subway, Aguilar, Genzler, etc. Any of these heads will produce 350-400 watts at 8 ohms (one speaker cab) and 700-800 watts at 4 ohms (two 8-ohm cabs) which is plenty, and safely within Barefaced's stated capacity.
 
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#18
AgedHorse - I’ve been reading / learning from your post for years. So no disrespect.
I admitted , I typed incorrectly when I said 1000 watts.
Another thing apparently that is getting missed in this context- is that I already am going into the fx return on my Darkglass head , but I’ve noticed when I do that , I also don’t get the EQ. I never hardly touch EQ anyway , but I do like being able to pull down the ultra low 50 hz area depending on the stage I’m on. Some stages are just boomy , but I don’t wish to make EQ decisions for FOH , so having that low cut option on my rig amp ( like the way a Crown XLS lets you) is a nice option.
I think my first paragraph was described poorly. Apologies.…..but I did go back and see that this is what I said I was buying :
“So I have decided to go with a Barefaced Big Baby 3 for my cab. “
 
#20
CarloVato said:
AgedHorse - I’ve been reading / learning from your post for years. So no disrespect.
I admitted , I typed incorrectly when I said 1000 watts.
Another thing apparently that is getting missed in this context- is that I already am going into the fx return on my Darkglass head , but I’ve noticed when I do that , I also don’t get the EQ. I never hardly touch EQ anyway , but I do like being able to pull down the ultra low 50 hz area depending on the stage I’m on. Some stages are just boomy , but I don’t wish to make EQ decisions for FOH , so having that low cut option on my rig amp ( like the way a Crown XLS lets you) is a nice option.
I think my first paragraph was described poorly. Apologies.…..but I did go back and see that this is what I said I was buying :
“So I have decided to go with a Barefaced Big Baby 3 for my cab. “
Click to expand...

So you want to bypass the preamp but also, you'd like to have a preamp to adjust eq?
 
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