I have been trying for a long time to import a couple of these Monacor Stageline HT-30 speakers into North America. Why are European retailers so hesitant to ship here?
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Tweeter for MarkBass amps (151p and 121p)
- Thread starter Agito
- Start date
I found an eBay seller who is selling the HT-30's out of Germany for $18 ea and only $15 shipping to Canada. I bought 2! Just FYI.
I got my Monacor HT-30's and installed one in my SWR Baby Blue 110 combo rigged with a Headlite amp and an Eminence Deltalite II 10" speaker.
The HT-30's sound MUCH better. Less hiss, more usable treble and an overall smoothness to the highs. I'm a slapper and really appreciate a good highs out of my cabs. The HT-30 totally put the cheap LeSon Peizio (sp?) to shame.
It wasn't a simple drop in replacement though... I had to make the hole a little bigger in two places to get the flange of the HT-30 to sit flush with the cab. Other than that, the existing screw holes lined up ok and it's so sweet now. The BB combo has a switch for tweeter on, off, and -6 db. It really sounds dead without the tweeter in and when it's in it's seems to vanish into the mix. It wasn't til I cranked up the treble and did a sweep with the semi parametric EQ to hear the crossover point that I could really hear it way over the speaker.
I'm not sure how it would be in a Markbass combo but the way I see it, it's got to be better than the existing LeSon tweeter. I'm very impressed with its performance in my SWR Baby Blue combo.
The HT-30's sound MUCH better. Less hiss, more usable treble and an overall smoothness to the highs. I'm a slapper and really appreciate a good highs out of my cabs. The HT-30 totally put the cheap LeSon Peizio (sp?) to shame.
It wasn't a simple drop in replacement though... I had to make the hole a little bigger in two places to get the flange of the HT-30 to sit flush with the cab. Other than that, the existing screw holes lined up ok and it's so sweet now. The BB combo has a switch for tweeter on, off, and -6 db. It really sounds dead without the tweeter in and when it's in it's seems to vanish into the mix. It wasn't til I cranked up the treble and did a sweep with the semi parametric EQ to hear the crossover point that I could really hear it way over the speaker.
I'm not sure how it would be in a Markbass combo but the way I see it, it's got to be better than the existing LeSon tweeter. I'm very impressed with its performance in my SWR Baby Blue combo.
Just ordered two, myself, from MuthaFunk's ebay seller. When I've got them and am able to install one in my Markbass CMD121P combo, I will post the results. So far, actually, I've dug the sound of the combo sans tweeter, but it changes quite a bit off-axis (highs disappear). Right on-axis, I could be happy with the highs from the 12" driver.
I ordered 2 of the HT-30 tweeters from the same Ebay seller. They arrived no problem, but I have decided not to use them. If anyone is interested, I will sell them at cost.
I'm surprised you went through the trouble to get them and decided not to install. Just curious as to why?
I can't figure out a way to install the tweeters into my CMD-151 without modification to both the box and the tweeter itself. So I placed a piece of black foam over the LeSon tweeter, and will use it this way until the warranty expires.
I see. It's a warranty thing. Just as a sampler before I notched out the main hole to fit the tweeter, I mounted it as far as it would fit with the existing screws just to hear it. After I heard it, I had no problem cracking the Dremel out and widening a couple spots to fit it properly. You may want to keep one for when the warranty runs out.
Just for interest sake ... in my CMD121P, the Monacor was a straight swap for the Leson, but only just. I had to file down the edge of Monacor speaker, and it was still a tight fir in the hole.
Now it's fitted, I keep it a back up for when I don't want to use my external CTS Powerline piezo tweeter ... the high response from that is MUCH clearer than the Monacor.
Now it's fitted, I keep it a back up for when I don't want to use my external CTS Powerline piezo tweeter ... the high response from that is MUCH clearer than the Monacor.
Here is my Ebay listing for the Monacor tweeters, if you are interested.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-NEW-Monacor-Stageline-2-HT-30-PA-Horn-Tweeter-100W-for-MarkBass-CMD121-/231022699604?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Speaker_Drivers_Horns&hash=item35ca06a454
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-NEW-Monacor-Stageline-2-HT-30-PA-Horn-Tweeter-100W-for-MarkBass-CMD121-/231022699604?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Speaker_Drivers_Horns&hash=item35ca06a454
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My CMD121P is with a local amp tech now -- I want him to check the crossover/hi-pass board in there to make sure everything's kosher (I think it's just a high-pass for the tweet, not a true crossover, but am not sure -- anyway, I've heard of those going bad/stressed solder joints). While he's at it he'll install the tweeter. Will report back when I receive the amp and have some time to play with it.
How did it go?
I've not actually much used mine with the Monacor speaker. It's permanently fitted, very neat .. but I've reverted to using the external CTS Powerline piezo .. gives me a more powerful top end than the Monacor.
It's a bit ugly ... I have a cable running from the crossover out through the rear port, connected to my DIY external piezo cabinet, about the size of a coffee mug, which clips to the top of my amp.
Everyone raises a suspicious eyebrow... but it sounds amazing.
I've not actually much used mine with the Monacor speaker. It's permanently fitted, very neat .. but I've reverted to using the external CTS Powerline piezo .. gives me a more powerful top end than the Monacor.
It's a bit ugly ... I have a cable running from the crossover out through the rear port, connected to my DIY external piezo cabinet, about the size of a coffee mug, which clips to the top of my amp.
Everyone raises a suspicious eyebrow... but it sounds amazing.
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Yes, I dropped them by the Post Office yesterday Priority Mail. Thank you. I hope you enjoy. If you are putting them in the 151 cabinents, it will require a little bit of modification to the hole for them to fit. I'm not sure you can do the mod without voiding your warranty, so be really careful with the Dremel so that the modification to the mounting hole is discrete, just in case you need replace the original LeSon. Maybe with 121 cabinets, it is a different story.
Got them yesterday-thanks!! I went ahead and put one in my NY121p cabinet right away. Was a straight drop in, with only a slight mod on the tweeter itself with a dremel to round off one mounting hole. Interestingly enough the original tweeter also had a similar mod from the factory with one of the tweeter mounting hole corners removed to fit it. No mods required to the cab itself, just needed to finagle it in a little but when I found the correct angle it went straight in.
With my LM3 it sounds great, although I didn't have time to do extensive testing last night. I would say overall it is smoother and less harsh. Not a huge difference but definitely an improvement, although the real test will be with the band. The build quality was certainly much better than the stock LeSon as well. I like it!
I will be picking up my CMD121p from church this weekend and will drop the other tweeter in that one. My other MarkBass rigs already have horns so I am set there (Alain Caron combo and NY604 w/GK MB800 head-killer combination!). As light as the Markbass stuff is to carry I still like to not carry much and have rigs at all my regular gigs.
Anyway, thanks a bunch-it was a real pleasure doing business with you!
With my LM3 it sounds great, although I didn't have time to do extensive testing last night. I would say overall it is smoother and less harsh. Not a huge difference but definitely an improvement, although the real test will be with the band. The build quality was certainly much better than the stock LeSon as well. I like it!
I will be picking up my CMD121p from church this weekend and will drop the other tweeter in that one. My other MarkBass rigs already have horns so I am set there (Alain Caron combo and NY604 w/GK MB800 head-killer combination!). As light as the Markbass stuff is to carry I still like to not carry much and have rigs at all my regular gigs.
Anyway, thanks a bunch-it was a real pleasure doing business with you!
Inter
I just ordered the famous Monacor HT30 and give some feedback here soon.
Interresting, my mini combo 121 has no tweeter sound, it´s just dead, my drummer who plays off axis the amp request me to play pick, no finger, I think he gets back the missing treeble then.
I just ordered the famous Monacor HT30 and give some feedback here soon.
Late report:
Had the Monacor installed along with an on/off switch in the CMD 121P combo -- been playing other amps/cabs lately, but I'll say this. At least with my install, the Monacor is subtle. Almost sounds like there's no tweeter in there (unlike the piezo), until you turn it off. Listening to the combo on-axis when the original piezo tweeter was blown was nice -- warm, articulate sound without the annoying hiss floating up top. Off-axis, though, the highs got lost. The Monacor adds clarity in slapping and highs off-axis. Would be interesting to try it with a different resistor/hotter output from the tweeter, but it's doing well enough as is. Doesn't seem to extend as high as the piezo (or the horn in my Epifani PS 112) but, overall, is a better solution, IMO.
Changing a resistor value with the piezo could work well, too, but isn't something I'm likely to try at this point.
Had the Monacor installed along with an on/off switch in the CMD 121P combo -- been playing other amps/cabs lately, but I'll say this. At least with my install, the Monacor is subtle. Almost sounds like there's no tweeter in there (unlike the piezo), until you turn it off. Listening to the combo on-axis when the original piezo tweeter was blown was nice -- warm, articulate sound without the annoying hiss floating up top. Off-axis, though, the highs got lost. The Monacor adds clarity in slapping and highs off-axis. Would be interesting to try it with a different resistor/hotter output from the tweeter, but it's doing well enough as is. Doesn't seem to extend as high as the piezo (or the horn in my Epifani PS 112) but, overall, is a better solution, IMO.
Changing a resistor value with the piezo could work well, too, but isn't something I'm likely to try at this point.
Got it installed. Had to reshape the hole twice, first try I let a small bit of space around the tweeter that didńt fully plugged in the hole and raising the volume it gave incredibly noisy breathe through this really small space around it.
So don't hesitate filing the wood till you get the proper slot for having the tweeter flat mounted.
I've recently set my neck for a low string action (1,5/2mm), giving a light fret buzz in some cases, it´s the sharpest tune I can get for my taste, not audible at all with my no tweeter config.
When I installed the Monacor, i couldńt hear any difference, I though the hi filter was burnt.
So I put back the LeSon and started hearing metallic noise from the fretbuzz. My LeSon tweeter was effective indeed but my finger playstyle with high action strings gave not much diffence when I tested it.
Back to the Monacor it´s that subbtle, the 12" is by itself dealing with frequencies up to 3,5kHz, so the tweeter is not that mandatory if more you play fingers, a 15" box may show more differences.
It brings the presence/bright touch without undesired metallic hi freq noise for which many people unplug the tweeter in their combo,as I bought mine .
So don't hesitate filing the wood till you get the proper slot for having the tweeter flat mounted.
+1 can't say better.
I've recently set my neck for a low string action (1,5/2mm), giving a light fret buzz in some cases, it´s the sharpest tune I can get for my taste, not audible at all with my no tweeter config.
When I installed the Monacor, i couldńt hear any difference, I though the hi filter was burnt.
So I put back the LeSon and started hearing metallic noise from the fretbuzz. My LeSon tweeter was effective indeed but my finger playstyle with high action strings gave not much diffence when I tested it.
Back to the Monacor it´s that subbtle, the 12" is by itself dealing with frequencies up to 3,5kHz, so the tweeter is not that mandatory if more you play fingers, a 15" box may show more differences.
It brings the presence/bright touch without undesired metallic hi freq noise for which many people unplug the tweeter in their combo,as I bought mine .
