Powered speaker/modeler vs amp/cab ??? Can powered speakers compete?

[HappyChillmore]

I pretty much have to decide today between…

Two Aguilar db112 cabs and an aguilar ag700 (also open to different heads)

Or a powered speaker like the qsc k12.2 along with an HX stomp/kemper modeler. (Also open to different speakers)

I am a studio player not really gigging, and I value having the modelers ability to immediate recall settings as well as have tonal versatility. I’ll also likely be recording with it a ton. But ultimately I just want to have the best tone/feel of sound to play with.

Would love some insight from you guys who know more than me!! I have the chance to get an incredible deal on two db112s for 600 total.

 

[Kevin Hailey]

I pretty much have to decide today between…

Two Aguilar db112 cabs and an aguilar ag700 (also open to different heads)

Or a powered speaker like the qsc k12.2 along with an HX stomp/kemper modeler. (Also open to different speakers)

I am a studio player not really gigging, and I value having the modelers ability to immediate recall settings as well as have tonal versatility. I’ll also likely be recording with it a ton. But ultimately I just want to have the best tone/feel of sound to play with.

Would love some insight from you guys who know more than me!! I have the chance to get an incredible deal on two db112s for 600 total.

Although I very often use QSC’s while traveling, they are fine. I would, if given the choice always choose a dedicated bass amp.

 

[silky smoove]

If you're not gigging I would go the modeler and powered speaker route.

 

[agedhorse]

You can always add a modeler if you find the “need” down the road.

The bass rig you are looking at is a good choice imo.

 

[Tosh]

Right - no need for a bass amp/cab rig at home. However, you aren't likely to find a good PA speaker and amp modeler for $600....

 

[gtirard]

For me now, I prefer using a good amp that I know very well, rather than the HX Stomp because the room's acoustics vary, so I prefer physical knobs for instant access. I keep my Stomp for effects, like a wild card, but no amp sim for me now.

 

[Wasnex]

I am a studio player not really gigging, and I value having the modelers ability to immediate recall settings as well as have tonal versatility. I’ll also likely be recording with it a ton. But ultimately I just want to have the best tone/feel of sound to play with.

Tone is subjective, so only you can answer. To some degree the answer will depend on the quality of active cabs.

If you really love the tone of the AG700 and DB112 combo, it could prove difficult to better your experience with modeling. A modeler will be a lot more versatile. If you need more volume, you can either add cab or buy more powerful cabs. It's easy to assemble a rig that could bury a pair of DB112s and the AG700...however, most people would find that a bit gratuitous.

 

[57pbass]

The amp choice is a good one. Our keyboard player uses a powered QSC monitor and it sounds okay to me .. I think the speaker might just be at the end of its time since it’s been used heavily. Certain frequencies just don’t sound right.

I do have experience with powered cabinets and use one occasionally on certain live performances. It’s a Bag End 15” cabinet and it has plenty of power and the amp is silent..no fan of hissing. I had Bag End customize it so I can use it with an external amp or the internal amp and a pre amp of my choice. I can also plug directly into the cab and it sounds great.
Bag End makes them in 10” - 12” and 15” versions and they offer different cabinet finishes.

 

[bherman]

Killer deal on the speakers, and the AG700 is a great head. There have been numerous threads on TB about powered cabs vs amps (particularly on the DB side), my sense from reading many of them over time is that the amp/cab give you more flexibility. You say in your op "not really" gigging, but if you do gig at all or see that in your future, the amp would also be a better choice. So far as I can tell, other than GR powered cabs (which are quite expensive) there aren't many made that are particularly suited for bass.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

Amp and cabs.

 

[Bald-N-Bassy]

I use both modelers with in ears and amps regularly. I prefer the sound of an amp in the room vs a powered wedge.
Thats a great deal for the DB112 pair and the AG700 is awesome. I had one before I switched to a TH700 and 2x SL112 cabs.

Modelers are great for IEMs and studio work. But Ive never been impressed with running it through powered speakers, unless there is a sub involved.

 

[prndltech]

I’ve been debating getting rid of my 100w combo 1x12 and my GK 500w head and 4x10 cab in favor of a powered FRFR speaker for home use, because everywhere I play is IEM only now, so I’ve already switched to modelers because of that. I have had an hx stomp for a while and just got a quad cortex a couple months ago and love them both… so many options!

 

[Mastiff_5]

Bass cabs. That’s a great deal. Color me jealous!

 

[vickerekes]

Best cab I've ever had (see avatar) or ever heard, playing 50 yrs! Wayne Jones 1000W powered 2X10 - designed for bass.

Review - Wayne Jones Audio WJBA & WJBA2 Amplifiers and WJ 2x10 Cabs
Wayne Jones Audio WJ 2×10 and WJ 1×10 Bass Cabs | Bass Gear Magazine

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I pretty much have to decide today between…

Two Aguilar db112 cabs and an aguilar ag700 (also open to different heads)

Or a powered speaker like the qsc k12.2 along with an HX stomp/kemper modeler. (Also open to different speakers)

I am a studio player not really gigging, and I value having the modelers ability to immediate recall settings as well as have tonal versatility. I’ll also likely be recording with it a ton. But ultimately I just want to have the best tone/feel of sound to play with.

Would love some insight from you guys who know more than me!! I have the chance to get an incredible deal on two db112s for 600 total.

In your situation I would get an amp that is great for recording with a mic, in addition to having a modeler. I loved my DB 112's, and since you won't be shlepping, even better. That route increases your options, instead of limiting them. Not that you couldn't mic a powered pa cab, but I think you probably understand the angle I'm coming from.

 

[DonaldR]

I'm using modelers for the last decade. They are good thru a big PA for live, headphones for silent practice and studio monitors for recording.
But they are a bit disappointing with just a single powered PA speaker, it will not compete with your bass amp + two cabs.
At home I have a 12" powered speaker + a 12" powered sub, and now we are talking. I wanted such a setup to create my patches.

If you have the money have a look at Accugroove Latte.

 

[JimChjones]

Well, ultimately the technology is basically the same isn't it. It's all electrons going through circuits and ending up in a voice coil. So arguably there's nothing intrinsically different about one or the other. But on one hand you have a setup closely targeted at electric bass and voiced for that, and the other a system targeted for versatility and different instruments.

One might imagine that getting a really good bass sound would be easier on a designed bass rig, but equally that getting a good sound for other uses would be harder. But the good news is there isn't really a wrong choice here, it's down to personal preference. And the bad news is that there isn't an easy decision here, it's down to personal preference.

 

[gtirard]

Well, ultimately the technology is basically the same isn't it. It's all electrons going through circuits and ending up in a voice coil. So arguably there's nothing intrinsically different about one or the other. But on one hand you have a setup closely targeted at electric bass and voiced for that, and the other a system targeted for versatility and different instruments.

One might imagine that getting a really good bass sound would be easier on a designed bass rig, but equally that getting a good sound for other uses would be harder. But the good news is there isn't really a wrong choice here, it's down to personal preference. And the bad news is that there isn't an easy decision here, it's down to personal preference.

I fully agree.

IMO, a PA cab may be preferable if you want to be able to use the share the setup for other instrument (keys, or vocals…). But if a bass guitar is the only application I don't see why a generic purpose PA cab would be better than a specialised bass cab. Some of us, looking for a bargain solution, "higher watts for the buck" may think PA cabs are more affordable, because they compared specs that are not mesured the same way.

 

[direktor]

I have been doing my damndest to do a Quad Cortex modeling setup, but based around a traditional bass amp that is modern/hifi enough to let the characteristics of the modeled amps and IRs though.

I only mention this because I was in the same boat, traditional vs PA speaker route and I'm having luck so far

So far the larger Ampeg Venture cabs are in the lead. I dont know if they are "flat", but they are really incredibly light, sound fantastic when used as intended, but also my models and IRs sounded good though them too (when amplified dead flat with power amp).

 

[dune]

I'm currently using a QSC K12.2 with a HX Stomp XL. I am not gigging either, just playing here in my home studio.
While I think that the QSC sounds great, had I been presented with the options you're faced with, I likely would have gone for the Aquilars and a power amp.
I would also have to consider the resale equations for each, lest they not work out. I'm guessing that there would be less downside to reselling the Aggies vs. the QSC, provided that you will be buying the QSC new and paying retail.