Any FR passive cab that would work for powered head for both bass and guitar ?

stickman · Apr 9th 2019

although i'm pretty pre-sold on the upcoming Kemper speaker it sounds like it will be guitar centric so i really need to get a bass cab in any case ... my monitors and sub (Dynaudio LYD5 and Adam Sub8) sound pretty good with bass but just don't have enough real bass amp ooompf and i'm a bit scared of blowing the monitors when i get carried away.

i'm tempted to just get a passive bass cab like a small 2x10 Markbass or sth since i have the powered head but i'm wondering if i can't find a FR speaker for bass which would surely be more versatile and maybe also bridge the gap for guitar until the Kemper speaker comes to market. sound wise i mostly play funky stuff on my Fender Jazzbass but might have a more modern bass incoming at some point. I don't gig, it's just for jammin at home so 2x10 or 1x12 would be best i think.

The only FR cab that is advertised as both Guitar and Bass FR is this one, but it's powered: http://www.tech21nyc.com/produ…erengine/deucedeluxe.html

also wondering how a pure bass FR cab might sound with guitar, something like the DB112: https://www.aguilaramp.com/cab…eries/db-series-cabinets/

any ideas ?

Monkey_Man · Apr 10th 2019

If you're only playing at home, I can't help but wonder if one of the larger-coned Yamaha FRFR models will do the job, stickman.

4enima · Apr 11th 2019

I'm currently playing and recommending the active/powered ElectroVoice ZLX15P for FRFR in conjunction with Bass at gigs. Works also well with guitar.
Other 15" speakers should also do the job. However, I would make sure that they have 15". I tested it a while ago and in combination with Ebass and 10+12" PA speakers lack a little in the low frequencies. I also had the Yamaha DBR15 in comparison, but it didn't stand up to the ZLX15P.

The ZXL15 (without P) should be the unpowered version.

But I think the ZLX15P makes more sense. Weighs only a little more and you have a good DSP+Amplifier with which you can adjust the speaker to the room/situation. For guitar e.g. a LowCutin the DSP, because the speaker delivers quite potent bass.

At home, however, my studio speakers were always sufficient. If you don't exaggerate the volume, there shouldn't be any problems. If in doubt, set a lowcut in the Kemper.

MuddySludge · Apr 11th 2019

I tried combinations of bass cabs in 2x10 and 1x15 with a dull lifeless sound.

The ZLX-12P wasn't enough in the bass range. I found that the ZLX-15P's work best.

Awesome_Elvis · Apr 11th 2019

i used a JBL jrx115 i think it was, worked great!

stickman · Apr 12th 2019

hey thanks for your input everyone, interesting you all recommend PA speakers, hadn't thought of that before but totally makes sense, although in a venue i prefer the sound of the bass cab on stage to the bass coming out of the PA or stage monitors.

... i agree that it's worth taking a 15" .. i tried some of the 2x10 neodym speakers and although they sounded ok they were only marginally better than my monitors .. thing is with the 5" monitors and a 8" sub i'm just not moving enough air for my taste i think.

That aguilar looks sexyer the more i look at it and i'm tempted to order it online to try with the 30 day like it or return policy most places have, i think the PA speakers i can try out at the shop that has a Kemper in demo.

and i should probably stop browsing reverb which is putting silly ideas like this into my head: https://reverb.com/item/132071…lverface-alutrim-dripedge … so beautiful, so cheap and from my birth year as well totally not what i need volume wise and not FR but very tempting just for the esthetics of it

nightlight · Apr 16th 2019

Quote from stickman

and i should probably stop browsing reverb which is putting silly ideas like this into my head: https://reverb.com/item/132071…lverface-alutrim-dripedge … so beautiful, so cheap and from my birth year as well totally not what i need volume wise and not FR but very tempting just for the esthetics of it

That's beautiful! You got to wonder if it would make a better bass rig!

Do make note of the cab it comes with. That is one big mofo. Even if you pair it with your powered Kemper, it'll be pretty cool, I'm pretty damn sure.

Of course, boils down to what the sound in your head is. If you don't like the cab, then it'll be pointless.

I'm sure listening to me is like "Do it", "Don't do it", haha!

stickman · Apr 17th 2019

Quote from nightlight

That's beautiful! You got to wonder if it would make a better bass rig!

contacted the seller yesterday and it's sold

nightlight · Apr 17th 2019

Quote from stickman

contacted the seller yesterday and it's sold

Unlike. You should have jumped on that, man!

Awesome_Elvis · Apr 17th 2019

Just had a weird thought. Has anyone ever experimented with splitting up a frfr in room?

I.e. fr 2x12 cab from 40hz-5khz behind and then place a tweeter/horn/etc. Anywhere else in the room?

4enima · Apr 17th 2019

What's the point of that?

Awesome_Elvis · Apr 17th 2019

it's for science

paults · Apr 17th 2019

Quote from Awesome_Elvis

Just had a weird thought. Has anyone ever experimented with splitting up a frfr in room?

I.e. fr 2x12 cab from 40hz-5khz behind and then place a tweeter/horn/etc. Anywhere else in the room?

It is commonplace in large venue/festval FOH systems.

Depending on how picky your ears are, it would require multiple amplifiers, and an active crossover that includes a delay for time/phase alignment of the physically closer speakers.

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