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Problems with Epifani UL, anyone?

R

rabass6

Commercial User
Jun 3, 2004
230
10
53
Italy
Disclosures
Owner, Groovemania.it
#1
Hallo, in those days, 2 of my friends who are Acoustic Image dealers, have reported some issue from customers that use Epifani UL cabs.
They seem to loose power and punch after some use, and we're thinking that the problem is the neodymium magnet, 'cause my Focus and my 1210 Schroeder works very well, and also other friends that use a Focus with traditional speakers haven't had any isuue.
Saturday, at a local bass player's meeting, we've powered 2 4ohm Acme (2 ohm load to the amp) for 4-5 hours at high volumes without any problem, but 3 customers reported problems with Epifani, and they say that their cabs usually works very well.
Anyone experienced something similar?
 
#2
I've own a number of EpifaniUL's, and I've been REALLY cranking my 410UL (40hm) for well over a year now at high volumes with either a Walter Woods Ultra or Thunderfunk500. No problems. I also know a number of other players who have been using them for a while with no problem.

Sounds like there's something going on with the head.
 
#3
I know myself and others have been using an AI Focus with Epifani UL cabs with good results and nothing like you describe. I don't question you, I'm just not sure what the problem could be. I use the Focus with Bergs and Epis, they both sound great. (Want more Epi's!)

PS, Hi Ken!
 
#4
Wilbyman said:
I know myself and others have been using an AI Focus with Epifani UL cabs with good results and nothing like you describe. I don't question you, I'm just not sure what the problem could be. I use the Focus with Bergs and Epis, they both sound great. (Want more Epi's!)

PS, Hi Ken!
Click to expand...


Hello! Boy, I love those neo mag cabs so much... I would be TOTALLY bummed if the magnets for some reason weren't reliable. :hmm: I'm pretty sure that's not the case, though.
 
#5
KJung said:
Sounds like there's something going on with the head.
Click to expand...
That's strange, because the problem has been displayed only with Epi Ul cabs, and the Focus.
Frankly, Walter Woods heads are much more dry sounding in the low end that the Focus, and I suppose the fuller sound of this head is what drives hardly the speakers...but I'm really not sure about...
 
#6
KJung said:
Hello! Boy, I love those neo mag cabs so much... I would be TOTALLY bummed if the magnets for some reason weren't reliable. :hmm: I'm pretty sure that's not the case, though.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I love the sound of my Bergs but the UL cabs are just the bomb for a totally painless load in. I don't think there's an issue with the mags, I agree that it must be something with the head? The Schroeders are pretty LOUD from what I hear, and 2 4ohm Acmes would also get a pretty hot speaker load...maybe you're just hearing a drop in speaker efficiency?

Edit...R, what do you mean by "dry sounding" in the low end? Are you talking about the Focus or the Woods?
 
#7
Wilbyman said:
Agreed, I love the sound of my Bergs but the UL cabs are just the bomb for a totally painless load in. I don't think there's an issue with the mags, I agree that it must be something with the head? The Schroeders are pretty LOUD from what I hear, and 2 4ohm Acmes would also get a pretty hot speaker load...maybe you're just hearing a drop in speaker efficiency?

Edit...R, what do you mean by "dry sounding" in the low end? Are you talking about the Focus or the Woods?
Click to expand...
I'm talking about the WW, it sounds great, but the Focus has a fuller low end to my ears.
Do you know if Epifani Ul uses Eminence speakers?
 
#10
KJung said:
I think Epi uses neo's from some Italian company (B&C, B&L, something like that).
Click to expand...
B&C is the company, but someone is sure they also use Neo from Eminence...someone has a photo of the speakers?
Thank you so far to everyone...
 
#11
Wilbyman said:
Agreed, I love the sound of my Bergs but the UL cabs are just the bomb for a totally painless load in. I don't think there's an issue with the mags, I agree that it must be something with the head? The Schroeders are pretty LOUD from what I hear, and 2 4ohm Acmes would also get a pretty hot speaker load...maybe you're just hearing a drop in speaker efficiency?

Edit...R, what do you mean by "dry sounding" in the low end? Are you talking about the Focus or the Woods?
Click to expand...
Both with Acme and Schroeder, even when pushed hard, the Focus doesn't seem to have drop of efficiency, only Epi Ul has showed that...
 
#12
rabass6 said:
They seem to loose power and punch after some use, and we're thinking that the problem is the neodymium magnet, 'cause my Focus and my 1210 Schroeder works very well, and also other friends that use a Focus with traditional speakers haven't had any isuue.
Are you saying they loose power and punch during the gig,
but are fine at the start of the next gig? OR.... The boxes are
loosing power and punch and its not comming back?
If it comes back for the next gig, I would have to think its
comming more from ear fatique at higher volumes. Mike Pope
has been using his Epi 410UL for years with his Woods ultra.
No problems at all. I thought I was loosing punch and
presence on a gig about a month ago. I realized after the gig
that by the last set, my ears were fatiqued from the volume.
(just my opinion)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
#14
+1 on the 410UL and WW Ultra combo. I've only had my cab for 3 months so far, and nothing but great tones from this setup.

Like B String said, end of gig ear fatigue could be part of the problem in question. For most of my gigs I usually don't need to open up my amp too much but when I get the chance to move some air on a gig, I can sometimes notice it the next morning....

I really should order some good ear plugs.
 
#15
rabass6 said:
2 of my friends who are Acoustic Image dealers, have reported some issue from customers that use Epifani UL cabs.
Click to expand...
Be wary of any of these sorts of coments from anyone who is a dealer. For all we know they've struck up a deal with another cab manufacturer to push their products instead.

That's where places like TB are awsome. You can come here and get unbiased reviews from people who own the gear and have used it over a period of time. Sure some of those opinions are biased as well, but at least it's not profit driven.
 
#16
Petebass said:
Be wary of any of these sorts of coments from anyone who is a dealer. For all we know they've struck up a deal with another cab manufacturer to push their products instead.

That's where places like TB are awsome. You can come here and get unbiased reviews from people who own the gear and have used it over a period of time. Sure some of those opinions are biased as well, but at least it's not profit driven.
Click to expand...
Well, one of them is an Epifani retailer, and the other owns one 4x10UL, but he plays mostly jazz, so he doesn't use lots of volume.
 
#18
rabass6 said:
B&C is the company, but someone is sure they also use Neo from Eminence...someone has a photo of the speakers?
Thank you so far to everyone...
Click to expand...

the initial prototypes were a few eminence speakers, but Nick didnt like how they turned out, thus going with another company in Italy.

Petebass said:
Be wary of any of these sorts of coments from anyone who is a dealer. For all we know they've struck up a deal with another cab manufacturer to push their products instead.

That's where places like TB are awsome. You can come here and get unbiased reviews from people who own the gear and have used it over a period of time. Sure some of those opinions are biased as well, but at least it's not profit driven.
Click to expand...

what he said...

and no, have not had a problem at all with my speakers.
 

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