I am surprised OP gave you a 'like' as his goal is a reference cab that reflects his DI signal to the FOH. Cabinet colouration runs counter without involving a mic and we all know where that goes.
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- Nov 7, 2012
- 8,590
- 14,890
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Dingwall-Fender-Bergantino-Dunlop-Tech 21-Darkglass-Nordstrand
I tried to like all of the posts that added anything useful to the thread, which may have actually been all of them to varying degrees
The frequency response curve someone else posted for a T3W fEarful was definitely the flattest I've seen for a bass cab and and jived with what this post indicated; you are absolutely correct, I'm looking for the absolute minimum cabinet coloration possible.
- Nov 7, 2012
- 8,590
- 14,890
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Dingwall-Fender-Bergantino-Dunlop-Tech 21-Darkglass-Nordstrand
Thanks again for all the replies and helpful info everyone: looking forward to driving around the greater Los Angeles area making some really glorious noise this next week 
I recently accuired an F12/6/1 cab and there is no way one alone could do my live rockblues/dance club gigs. I've played two together and that works. I normally use a pair of Berg 12s or my Berg 212 or three on the loudest dates. I'm wanting to try one of Dukes (AK) 115 iterations someday. I've played an F115 cab and it slammed. But I thought it seemed a little too big and heavy. My ideal would be something like what you are looking for. The harsh reality is that for the highest quality components, performance, low weight, and schlepp ability we pretty much have to pay a premium. A friend I rarely see bought one of the bigger Barefaced cabs. I've gotta corner him in the new year to check it out too. I've never even seen a BF cab in the wild. Merry Christmas and happy hunting!
Although the fEARless cabs are very nice, they are too heavy and big for a comfortable one hand carry IMO, so if I were in your situation, I would get instead either a Barefaced Big Baby II, or an Audiokinesis Thunderchild 115, depending on your volume needs...
The Big Baby, at 29lbs is easily a one hand carry that can hang with a drummer at loudish volumes, and with very flat freq. response, almost comparable to the fEARless cabs, while being much lighter than it's F112 counterpart. It is probably as loud as some 80's and 90's 4x10's, although maybe not as loud as some of the more modern, higher end 4x10 cabs out there. As someone already mentioned, it has an adjustable crossover freq. so you can gradually disable the horn when you want to use some distortion and use the woofer's high frequencies instead.
If you need the extra loudness, and perhaps an even flatter response, then I would go for the Audiokinesis Thunderchild 115, which uses a custom Eminence Kappalite 3015LF variant, so it would be even louder than any 1x12" (certainly closer to the higher end 410's spl requirement), but still light enough for a one hand carry at 37 lbs, more compact and way lighter than the fEARless F115.
It also has a very flat freq. response (there are even some Thunderchildren being used as studio monitors), and it has the advantage of having switches to roll off the treble (which would be nice for distortions), to smooth out the mids or make them grindy, and to switch between 4 ohms or 8 ohms, and it has 3 pluggable ports to roll off the low end a bit, or turn it into a sealed cab, so it is definitely one of the most versatile cabinets out there.
Either one of these would be an excellent quality product, and with great customer service, so no worries there.
The Big Baby, at 29lbs is easily a one hand carry that can hang with a drummer at loudish volumes, and with very flat freq. response, almost comparable to the fEARless cabs, while being much lighter than it's F112 counterpart. It is probably as loud as some 80's and 90's 4x10's, although maybe not as loud as some of the more modern, higher end 4x10 cabs out there. As someone already mentioned, it has an adjustable crossover freq. so you can gradually disable the horn when you want to use some distortion and use the woofer's high frequencies instead.
If you need the extra loudness, and perhaps an even flatter response, then I would go for the Audiokinesis Thunderchild 115, which uses a custom Eminence Kappalite 3015LF variant, so it would be even louder than any 1x12" (certainly closer to the higher end 410's spl requirement), but still light enough for a one hand carry at 37 lbs, more compact and way lighter than the fEARless F115.
It also has a very flat freq. response (there are even some Thunderchildren being used as studio monitors), and it has the advantage of having switches to roll off the treble (which would be nice for distortions), to smooth out the mids or make them grindy, and to switch between 4 ohms or 8 ohms, and it has 3 pluggable ports to roll off the low end a bit, or turn it into a sealed cab, so it is definitely one of the most versatile cabinets out there.
Either one of these would be an excellent quality product, and with great customer service, so no worries there.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,042
- 45,892
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Kirk, just curious: how much PA support does your bass have on those gigs? When I had a single fEARful 12/6 I had it run out of gas a couple of times outdoors with no PA support, but my solution was to stop taking gigs that were that loud and had no support. Clearly no help for those who need a 410 equivalency just to get by.
Hey Charlie, I don't usually have any foh so I always carry a pair of berg 112s min. They can get more than painfully loud enough.
Seems to me you're describing the Barefaced BT2.
They are an eye opener. Check them out.
Heres a decent demo of the BT2 on youtube, with a Dingwall no less:
I am astounded by the volume an Accugroove Tri-112 puts out and it is the closest bass cab to reproducing the sound I get from my Theil speakers in my home theater. I have the 112, the 115 and the Whappo, which is a 1x15, 1x12 plus the 6" midrange driver and tweeters that are common to the line. AWESOME sound from each of them and, if needed, I could use them as modular units...but I don't do gigs that would require all three! Still, the tone from each is almost the same, so they match well and get LOUD!
I really like the Tri-115 for mid-range stuff as it is 42 lbs and has casters. It does not check off the specification of "one hand" as the handles are on the side but I suppose you could roll it 90 degrees and then lift it.
Dan
I really like the Tri-115 for mid-range stuff as it is 42 lbs and has casters. It does not check off the specification of "one hand" as the handles are on the side but I suppose you could roll it 90 degrees and then lift it.
Dan
I have used AK Thunderchild 112 & 115's exclusively for several years now - sold off everything else. These are the compression horn models - I don't use dirt much, so no problem there for me. I wanted to add that the 115 with a 4-ohm Kappalite (not the 15" driver Duke is using now, but a relative) did in fact replace an Eden 410XLT with no sweat at all - at somewhere just south of 40 lbs. I have used it by itself for all my larger stage and outdoor gigs and it can carry a big club without house sound if needed - I've never had to test its limits. It shares a similar voice with the TC112 (which I use solo for most small venues), but it definitely has more heft and SPL available - the 112 could not replace a 410XLT volume-wise. This is the first time I've been happy enough with a pair of cabs that I'm not looking for the next one. This is not a knock on any of the other suggestions you've gotten, just a happy camper weighing in.
I use the Acme B2 exclusively but I’d never play any size of a gig with just one. Always a pair in a vertical stack. Yes the low end response is incredible but time using them sorts that out. I own four of the B2 model.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,042
- 45,892
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Sure, quite a few times. It's fun, but IME only slightly instructive unless done outdoors as either a half space or ground plane data set. Move your reference mic a foot indoors and the results skew wildly.
- Nov 7, 2012
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- 14,890
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- Endorsing Artist: Dingwall-Fender-Bergantino-Dunlop-Tech 21-Darkglass-Nordstrand
Getting ready to start some SERIOUS comparison testing 
I'll be recording various signals direct through my pedal board to Pro Tools, then reamping that signal through each of the respective cabs mic'ed w a U87 to test just how "accurate" they each are.
I'll be happy to playlist them on SoundCloud so you can all hear them for yourself as well
I've already plugged my bass directly in to the Monique and moved the speakon cable around to each of the cabs in turn, and the differences were honestly pretty shocking...
I'll save the rest of my thoughts on how they compare until the recorded tests are done, but it's definitely going to be a horse race
I'll be recording various signals direct through my pedal board to Pro Tools, then reamping that signal through each of the respective cabs mic'ed w a U87 to test just how "accurate" they each are.
I'll be happy to playlist them on SoundCloud so you can all hear them for yourself as well
I've already plugged my bass directly in to the Monique and moved the speakon cable around to each of the cabs in turn, and the differences were honestly pretty shocking...
I'll save the rest of my thoughts on how they compare until the recorded tests are done, but it's definitely going to be a horse race
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YES.
Man, I love these types of head to head comparisons - really excited to hear your thoughts on them - especially as to how you'd compare the LDS 15/6 with the F115 given their component-level similarities and that your desire for something other than the LDS is what started this whole thing.
Can't wait - subbed and super impatient.
Man, I love these types of head to head comparisons - really excited to hear your thoughts on them - especially as to how you'd compare the LDS 15/6 with the F115 given their component-level similarities and that your desire for something other than the LDS is what started this whole thing.
Can't wait - subbed and super impatient.
