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Xsonics Club

#301
Okay, time for a few more thoughts.
For the record I am very cautious when it comes to this stuff as I don't have the money to keep changing things around, if I decide I will keep this I will have to sell off several items that I really do like to pay for it.
 
#303
Gab124 said:
Okay, time for a few more thoughts.
For the record I am very cautious when it comes to this stuff as I don't have the money to keep changing things around, if I decide I will keep this I will have to sell off several items that I really do like to pay for it.
Click to expand...

I understand that feeling. Just play it this weekend with an open mind and I am confident it will prove itself.
 
#304
Okay, time for a few more thoughts.
For the record I am very cautious when it comes to this stuff as I don't have the money to keep changing things around; if I decide I will keep this I will have to sell off several items that I really, really do like to help pay for it.
First thing I noticed was that it is pretty even throughout the range. My only experience with a three way is the AvatarTB153, and that cab has an overly pronounced tweeter to my ear, I always turn it way down or off. Xsonics I can turn it up pretty far and, though it is noticeable, it does not "jump" out at me nearly as much. The mid is very smooth. When I blow the mid fuse on the Avatar it is terribly boxy and bad right off. Xsonics really does sound good with it on or off, though I prefer on due to a bit smoother and slightly more punchy or powerful in the upper mids.
On my Laklands I usually have my mid range set ~250 or so and has worked with all my cabs with a slight boost. Xsonics needs it flat or just cut there so far, which could be the cross fire is bumping in that range though I don't have the technical background or ear others do to difine this. No big deal at all, just something I noticed and sounds great. It is just about getting to know a new cab.
One thing I did find interesting. On my Streamliner, with about 4-5 different cabs now, I never kick the gain up too far into distortion/breakup. Just don't like the sound at all. With this cabinet I cranked it up way farther than I ever had before and still really like the way it comes across. That I can't explain but find it kinda cool. I have always been a very clean tone nut but understand the usefulness of a bit of overdrive in a mix but have never found a way to do it that works for my ears.
All in all so far so good. My tonal preference is old school meets modern. I use TI flats on an active bass. I don't want to be flubby in the low end and I do not slap. My upper runs I don't want to bite so much as be powerful and musical with singing qualities. The low end I want to punch and have definition with depth. I play classic rock, to alt county and Americana type stuff. So far this cab seems to mix with that idea. I do think it is laughing at my 600 watt Steamliner though, as if a little kid down the street came over to play. :p
 
#306
So glad you posted this slight comparo to your TB153 cab.

I just recieved the new xover from Avatar and installed it yesterday in my 4ohm, 153 cab. I've had this cab sitting unused with a issues since Oct or 2012 so I kinda forgot how it sounds.

Now that its' fixed, thanks to all the guys at Avatar for their help/advice, it seems it was just the xover after all. But I feel like I'm hearing the if you will-paper-of-the-mid 6" driver more now. I keep my tweeter down to 9:00 or below also, so don't think its that I'm hearing. Just seems the 6" is really in my ear now. Not harsh at all just very present. Wonder if this new xover is designed identical to the bad one I replaced?

I usually use my Streamliner 900 with this cab and I'm now trying my new GB 9.2 with it. Maybe its this head or very possibly the new Nylon Tapes I started using on my P5. I noticed if I don't hit the neck cleanly with lefthand I can hear some different string noise; used Chromes on the P5 before. And I've heard this same noise with this bass and a couple other heads/cabs I own. No biggee that; prolly more sloppy technique than cab issue.:rollno: I'll pull out the 900 and see how it sounds with this cab now. Also, I use the 900 alot with a GB NeoX 212T cab. I do like that you say the 900 works well with you Xsonics cab. That's my main giggin amp.

But so I stay on topic, been lurking in these threads at some of these new, small and light 212/215 cab offerings. Hoping more vids will be posted of them in live band context, that helps me get a better idea of their tone. Of course, I know, I won't know without trying one firsthand.

And like you Gab I gotta move out some old gear. I've already sold off a couple cabs and a bass to get some extra loot and jump on this new, super-lightweight wagon of small, thumping cabs. Got my eye first on the Xsonics 212/215/+5CF's, GB NeoX NX-2, Berg CN212 and the GlassTones Lil G. Alot of nice gear to choose from. Pls keep us posted on how this cab works out for you. Peace, e.
 
#307
Hey ErieD -
My crossover mid driver problems with the Avatar go a ways back. I had the whole crossever replaced, at my expence no less, and still have problems with the new one blowing fuses all the time. I have had now one new crossover and three fuses go so far. To me it just means it does not work for my purposes but may be great for others. I also had issues with it not being loud enough for me, not that I need extreme levels but I want my louder settings to be clean and with remaining headroom (both amp and cab). I have only the Streamliner 600 and so had to push the head more with the TB153 - the extra speaker in the Xsonics should help eleviate this. I very much prefer the sound so far. For the last year or two I have either had the Avatar or my 810 ampeg and really wanted something in between those two volume and performance wise. Xsonics is also like 13lbs lighter than the Avatar and an easier shape to manipulate as well. Very cool cab really.
 
#310
I hate to just post a fan boy report on my Xsonics 212CF but I used it again at practice with my band and just love the way it sounds . We play the same volume at practice as at gigs so I can tell this cab is a keeper .

I like the mids of the Kappalite 3012HO a bunch . I had a cab with a 3015 Kappalite in a full range 115 cab and loved the lows and punch but the mids were too nasal for me . It cut with my band but I just didn't bond with the mids . This Xsonics cab is much smoother to me but still cuts . Also the low end is better than I thought at first , it does do the B string without getting loose and doesn't drop off in volume much .

With my fEarful 15/6/1 I used to run my Crown XLS 1500 bridged to get enough volume in my band without my amp clipping . With this cab I can run on just one side of my amp and get plenty of volume without any red lights coming on at peaks , that's about 500 watts and it seems more than enough . I've got a Dr Bass 1260 12" three way cab I've had for my small cab for years and it's the same size top to bottom and front to back as the Xsonics , it stacks vertically just right . If I ever did need more than the 212CF I could stack them and have the other channel of my Crown to power it though I dought I'll ever need more than what this Xsonics cab puts out , it really kicks .

So I guess my point is I like this cab a lot . It gets louder than my fEarful did with less power and in a smaller and lighter format . I think the goal of these cabs was just that too , to see how small and light a package a good loud gigging cab with great tone could be . It does that for me .
 
#311
Cool to hear. I think your comments on the mids in the 3015 might be why i really like the mid driver in the 2155, it really smoothes out the mid response I think. Though in a mix it still sounded really good, I mostly noticed it playing alone in the house. However, the mid also gives a bit more "power" feeling or maybe better clarity to me. The form factor is great, especially since I can stick it just behind the seat in my compact truck (king cab though), but still, it is a 2 x15!

Blues Bass 2 said:
I hate to just post a fan boy report on my Xsonics 212CF but I used it again at practice with my band and just love the way it sounds . We play the same volume at practice as at gigs so I can tell this cab is a keeper .

I like the mids of the Kappalite 3012HO a bunch . I had a cab with a 3015 Kappalite in a full range 115 cab and loved the lows and punch but the mids were too nasal for me . It cut with my band but I just didn't bond with the mids . This Xsonics cab is much smoother to me but still cuts . Also the low end is better than I thought at first , it does do the B string without getting loose and doesn't drop off in volume much .

With my fEarful 15/6/1 I used to run my Crown XLS 1500 bridged to get enough volume in my band without my amp clipping . With this cab I can run on just one side of my amp and get plenty of volume without any red lights coming on at peaks , that's about 500 watts and it seems more than enough . I've got a Dr Bass 1260 12" three way cab I've had for my small cab for years and it's the same size top to bottom and front to back as the Xsonics , it stacks vertically just right . If I ever did need more than the 212CF I could stack them and have the other channel of my Crown to power it though I dought I'll ever need more than what this Xsonics cab puts out , it really kicks .

So I guess my point is I like this cab a lot . It gets louder than my fEarful did with less power and in a smaller and lighter format . I think the goal of these cabs was just that too , to see how small and light a package a good loud gigging cab with great tone could be . It does that for me .
Click to expand...
 
#312
Gab124 said:
Okay, time for a few more thoughts.
For the record I am very cautious when it comes to this stuff as I don't have the money to keep changing things around; if I decide I will keep this I will have to sell off several items that I really, really do like to help pay for it.
First thing I noticed was that it is pretty even throughout the range. My only experience with a three way is the AvatarTB153, and that cab has an overly pronounced tweeter to my ear, I always turn it way down or off. Xsonics I can turn it up pretty far and, though it is noticeable, it does not "jump" out at me nearly as much. The mid is very smooth. When I blow the mid fuse on the Avatar it is terribly boxy and bad right off. Xsonics really does sound good with it on or off, though I prefer on due to a bit smoother and slightly more punchy or powerful in the upper mids.
On my Laklands I usually have my mid range set ~250 or so and has worked with all my cabs with a slight boost. Xsonics needs it flat or just cut there so far, which could be the cross fire is bumping in that range though I don't have the technical background or ear others do to difine this. No big deal at all, just something I noticed and sounds great. It is just about getting to know a new cab.
One thing I did find interesting. On my Streamliner, with about 4-5 different cabs now, I never kick the gain up too far into distortion/breakup. Just don't like the sound at all. With this cabinet I cranked it up way farther than I ever had before and still really like the way it comes across. That I can't explain but find it kinda cool. I have always been a very clean tone nut but understand the usefulness of a bit of overdrive in a mix but have never found a way to do it that works for my ears.
All in all so far so good. My tonal preference is old school meets modern. I use TI flats on an active bass. I don't want to be flubby in the low end and I do not slap. My upper runs I don't want to bite so much as be powerful and musical with singing qualities. The low end I want to punch and have definition with depth. I play classic rock, to alt county and Americana type stuff. So far this cab seems to mix with that idea. I do think it is laughing at my 600 watt Steamliner though, as if a little kid down the street came over to play. :p
Click to expand...


Hey Gab,

Yeah the faital mid is worlds smoother than what is used in the avatar. How would you compare the lows between the two cabs?
 
#313
CL400Peavey said:
Hey Gab,

Yeah the faital mid is worlds smoother than what is used in the avatar. How would you compare the lows between the two cabs?[/QUO]

To my ear the avatar goes lower, but tends to eat up a lot of power doing it. It is a fatter/wider down low as well. The Xsonics seems a tad less deep but with much more punch and definition. To be clear, I have never had a problem with the lows in the 810 either, and many say that it was designed to be more low mid range, so I think that is where I like my tone anyway, though the 2155cf does go lower for sure. I don't want a lot of uncontrollable lows scooting around the room causing problems in the mix. Many bar bands I go see seem to really like this but there is no definition and just sounds like poo to me. Just my 0.02 on that. :D
Wish I could describe cab and amp tone more like Kjung and others..
gab
Click to expand...
 
#314
@ Gab & BluesB-2. Y'all using your Xsonics cab with or without any PA support for bass? The one band I would use my new cab in will unfortunately be without PA support. Sorta loud classic rock/Stax music group in med-size clubs. I'd use either my GB Streamliner 900 or Shuttle 9.2 head.

And I just traded a TBer my LMII for his GK MB500, so that may come into play as well. And sounds like it can handle my Crown CoreDrive XLS1500 w/Alembic F-1X pre, so that too may be a player. Just depends on which one will sound best with a Xson cab.

Still not sure if I'd go 212 or 215?? And after my first experience with a mid driver in this TB153; don't know if I'd want a mid in the 215. Though I'm reading how everyone is liking the mid in their Xsonics 215/5CF. So still researching. Thanks to all for the replies so far.
 
#315
I have used both of my boxes without pa support . The 215cf will handle almost any venue without support. I am the sound guy in my band and at will mute me in the pa to blow just the cabinet. It retains real world low end when pushed hard and one side of my Shuttle Max12.0 pushes it quite fine.
The 212cf is a little canon but playing rock type stuff without pa support to me makes the 215cf winner. I would not hesitate to use the 212cf in a jazz/fusion context without support.
 
#316
ErnieD said:
Still not sure if I'd go 212 or 215?? And after my first experience with a mid driver in this TB153; don't know if I'd want a mid in the 215. Though I'm reading how everyone is liking the mid in their Xsonics 215/5CF. So still researching. Thanks to all for the replies so far.
Click to expand...


I love my 212CF, but that 2155CF with the custom crossover gives a lot of sound options. :)

And, it seems like it's still a very manageable size and weight. If you get the 212, you may wish you got the 2155. If you get the 2155, you know you'll be all set.

"Too loud" is a lot easier to fix, than "not quite loud enough". ;)
 
#317
Gab124 said:
To my ear the avatar goes lower, but tends to eat up a lot of power doing it. It is a fatter/wider down low as well. The Xsonics seems a tad less deep but with much more punch and definition.
Click to expand...

The fearful/fearless cabinets as well as the Avatar TB153 use an Eminence LF woofer and crossover in the vicinity of 500hz if my calculations are correct. That puts a pretty hefty load (everything above 500hz) to be handled by a 6" speaker. With the Xsonics cabinets we use a very different Eminence driver and crossover our dual woofers at 1.5k. This allows for all the "heavy lifting" being achieved by the 12" or 15" bass speakers and our 5" mid range speaker just adds sparkle and additional clarity - no "heavy lifting" duties for the Xsonics 5". I very much doubt the previously mentioned cabinets DO in fact go lower than the Xsonics, but it very well could sound that way as nothing above 500hz is coming out of their woofers.

2 very different aproaches to dividing the frequencies within very different cabinet designs also.
 
#318
Ernie,
I would definitely take Fretlessboy's comments on this, he has much more real world experience with these cabs so far. I am still on my trial period and getting to know it and have not even gigged it yet. Hearing the 2155cf in band practice though I would have to agree with him that it could carry without PA support with no problem. It takes my Streamliner 600 like a small snack, so I know with more power is may actually be dangerous :D:bassist: The tone is growing on me for sure, it is sooo punchy. i still really prefer the sound of this cab with the mid driver switched in FWIW.





ErnieD said:
@ Gab & BluesB-2. Y'all using your Xsonics cab with or without any PA support for bass? The one band I would use my new cab in will unfortunately be without PA support. Sorta loud classic rock/Stax music group in med-size clubs. I'd use either my GB Streamliner 900 or Shuttle 9.2 head.

And I just traded a TBer my LMII for his GK MB500, so that may come into play as well. And sounds like it can handle my Crown CoreDrive XLS1500 w/Alembic F-1X pre, so that too may be a player. Just depends on which one will sound best with a Xson cab.

Still not sure if I'd go 212 or 215?? And after my first experience with a mid driver in this TB153; don't know if I'd want a mid in the 215. Though I'm reading how everyone is liking the mid in their Xsonics 215/5CF. So still researching. Thanks to all for the replies so far.
Click to expand...
 
#319
Thanks Nick. I will definitely take your word on this. I just barely understand the engineering behind it, but like Fretlessboy I usually just go with my ears. I have the added handicap of not being able to describe what I am hearing very well though. It does go low, plenty low for me, but is still very clear. The mids and highs from the tweet are very smooth to me.





Ncognito said:
The fearful/fearless cabinets as well as the Avatar TB153 use an Eminence LF woofer and crossover in the vicinity of 500hz if my calculations are correct. That puts a pretty hefty load (everything above 500hz) to be handled by a 6" speaker. With the Xsonics cabinets we use a very different Eminence driver and crossover our dual woofers at 1.5k. This allows for all the "heavy lifting" being achieved by the 12" or 15" bass speakers and our 5" mid range speaker just adds sparkle and additional clarity - no "heavy lifting" duties for the Xsonics 5". I very much doubt the previously mentioned cabinets DO in fact go lower than the Xsonics, but it very well could sound that way as nothing above 500hz is coming out of their woofers.

2 very different aproaches to dividing the frequencies within very different cabinet designs also.
Click to expand...
 
#320
Gab124 said:
Thanks Nick. I will definitely take your word on this. I just barely understand the engineering behind it, but like Fretlessboy I usually just go with my ears. I have the added handicap of not being able to describe what I am hearing very well though. It does go low, plenty low for me, but is still very clear. The mids and highs from the tweet are very smooth to me.
Click to expand...

It's ALL good Chris! I'm so very happy you're digging the 2155CF. It's a monster. Please PM me your size so I can send you an Xsonics t-shirt if you'd like!!
 

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