THE Boutique Bass Cab Shootout

[Basssy]

Can’t wait to hear your results. I am looking to change to an FRFR system hopefully sometime this year

 

[TrentB]

Getting ready to start some SERIOUS comparison testing

I'll be recording various signals direct through my pedal board to Cubase, 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

View attachment 2855775

Looking forward to hearing the results.

 

[Passinwind]

Getting ready to start some SERIOUS comparison testing

I'll be recording various signals direct through my pedal board to Cubase, 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...

Not too surprising at all. I owned three or four different "studio monitor on steroids cabs" for a little while and not one really rendered recorded music all that well IMHO. And yeah, when I finally found a couple that did I greatly preferred them for bass too. Go figure...

 

[Kro]

Not too surprising at all. I owned three or four different "studio monitor on steroids cabs" for a little while and not one render recorded music all that well IMHO.

I'll be honest, while there's no doubt that my F115 is "full range", I've never really considered it as being "flat response". Not before, or after I tested and purchased it. Maybe more flat response than some, or flat-ish, but I'll be very surprised if this scientific test proves otherwise. IIRC, while the goal for the Fearfuls was to be about as flat as possible, I believe that they tip-toed into bass-friendlier voicing territory with the Fearless line.

Doesn't really matter to me as I like the way it sounds regardless, just saying.

 

[Kro]

Also, just out of curiosity, how are you planning on accounting for the Fearless's mid-selector switch? One assessment for each position perhaps?

 

[monsterthompson]

Damn. I was looking forward to having swing by with a cup of coffee for some hang time.

Still curious to see where this goes

 

[Passinwind]

I'll be honest, while there's no doubt that my F115 is "full range", I've never really considered it as being "flat response". Not before, or after I tested and purchased it. Maybe more flat response than some, or flat-ish, but I'll be very surprised if this scientific test proves otherwise. IIRC, while the goal for the Fearfuls was to be more flat, I believe that they just tip-toed into bass-friendlier voicing territory with the Fearless line.

Doesn't really matter to me as I like the way it sounds regardless, just saying.

Roger that. I really liked the way all those other cabs sounded -- for bass. And each one also did some other things quite well, just not all the things I wanted. For me there's an ongoing theme that usually inevitably resolves to "DIY", as many of you know by now. But even then, I have finally more or less copped to the "horses for courses" mantra.

 

[MDBass]

Also, just out of curiosity, how are you planning on accounting for the Fearless's mid-selector switch? One assessment for each position perhaps?

That was indeed the plan.

Since the cab isn't mine, can someone who owns one of the F design cabs let me know what setting each position (I and II) is?

The owner himself didn't actually know: he thought it turned the tweeter on and off, but I knew that wasn't it even before listening

 

[MDBass]

Damn. I was looking forward to having swing by with a cup of coffee for some hang time.

Still curious to see where this goes

Oh, that's still happening bud!

I just jumped at the opportunity for a recorded multi-cab shoot out while I had it

 

[Kro]

That was indeed the plan.

Since the cabs isn't mine, can you let me know what setting each position (I and II) is?

The owner himself didn't actually know: he thought it turned the tweeter on and off, but I knew that wasn't it even before listening

Depends on who wired it up. For mine, built by Scabbey Road, the I setting has more mid padding than II (II = more = more mids).

I have heard reports of other builders wiring it as I = normal and II = padded mids. Not sure which builders do it which way though.

If you flip back and forth between the two, it shouldn't be hard to tell though which has the mids padded. Now as to which setting is more flat - that's not something that I've ever been able to hear anybody confirm with 100% certainty. Perhaps your test can help clear that up!

 

[dukeorock]

That was indeed the plan.

Since the cab isn't mine, can someone who owns one of the F design cabs let me know what setting each position (I and II) is?

The owner himself didn't actually know: he thought it turned the tweeter on and off, but I knew that wasn't it even before listening

The switch in the back slightly attenuates 2.5k. It’s pretty subtle. Lots of folks can’t tell at first, if ever. It’s really noticeable on upright to me

 

[MDBass]

The switch in the back slightly attenuates 2.5k. It’s pretty subtle. Lots of folks can’t tell at first, if ever. It’s really noticeable on upright to me

Got it. Even the tweeter/horn control itself is pretty subtle, definitely unlike any other design I've experienced.

 

[Djadja]

Getting ready to start some SERIOUS comparison testing

I'll be recording various signals direct through my pedal board to Cubase, 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

View attachment 2855775

bummer that you don't have an AK or a Genzler in the mix... I live up in the Santa Ynez Valley or I'd volunteer my Genzler. Indeed, I'd volunteer it anyway if there seemed to be a way to make that work.

 

[MDBass]

bummer that you don't have an AK or a Genzler in the mix... I live up in the Santa Ynez Valley or I'd volunteer my Genzler. Indeed, I'd volunteer it anyway if there seemed to be a way to make that work.

I'd be happy to include any other cabs if the owners are willing to loan them to me for a week or so

I'm up in Santa Ynez a few times a year, but no plans to be up that way in the near future unfortunately; I can always add other cabs at a later date though, since I'll still be using the same mic and recorded performances to reamp with.

 

[Djadja]

I'd be happy to include any other cabs if the owners are willing to loan them to me for a week or so

I'm up in Santa Ynez a few times a year, but no plans to be up that way in the near future unfortunately; I can always add other cabs at a later date though, since I'll still be using the same mic and recorded performances to reamp with.

At the very least, if you find yourself up this way and want to give the cab a spin... drop me a note. It actually is in Santa Barbara most of the time.

 

[GrapeBass]

Traynor TC1510 Traynor Amps

 

[singlemalt]

Are these all 8 ohm cabs?

 

[monsterthompson]

Are these all 8 ohm cabs?

Mostly, for the single woofer designs. I believe the AudioKinesis cabs can be ordered with a 4 Ohm single woofer design.

 

[MDBass]

Are these all 8 ohm cabs?

Yes indeed they are.

 

[Foz]

66 is 4 ohms