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Amplifier suggestions?

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:47 pm
by Bradster
Howdy.

Anyone have any thoughts on small-ish combo amp that would handle the T3 but not endanger the fine china? I was wondering if a bass guitar combo would suffice. Not for stage use mind you, but just home studio environment.

Something like a Behringer Ultrabass BXL900 perhaps? 90W, 12" cone. Or the Kustom DE100-115 100W, 15" cone?


Thanks!

Re: Amplifier suggestions?

Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 10:55 pm
by EMwhite
Bradster wrote:Howdy.

Anyone have any thoughts on small-ish combo amp that would handle the T3 but not endanger the fine china? I was wondering if a bass guitar combo would suffice. Not for stage use mind you, but just home studio environment.

Something like a Behringer Ultrabass BXL900 perhaps? 90W, 12" cone. Or the Kustom DE100-115 100W, 15" cone?


Thanks!
I have an SWR WorkingPro 12 Bass Amp, it's 200W and does shake the walls, so go smaller. Check TalkBass.com or Harmony-Central.com or specifically http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp for reviews and you'll find something within your price/power range that fits the bill.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:49 am
by Brad
I have the same question. I have a small home "studio" (perhaps 12'x12'). A Roland KC 150 provides ample amplification for my keyboards. I'd like something though with some more bass amplification for the T3 I have on order.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:59 am
by EMwhite
Brad wrote:I have the same question. I have a small home "studio" (perhaps 12'x12'). A Roland KC 150 provides ample amplification for my keyboards. I'd like something though with some more bass amplification for the T3 I have on order.
The thing for me is that I was (and still am) happy with my SWR for just about everything but after seeing the "critical sound testing" video and that MarkBass (I think) driver pushing air like crazy, I though it would be best to get a 2nd Bass Amp so that the Taurus could have it's 'own'.

Someday I would like to get a set of good monitors but just don't have the dough right now.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 3:25 pm
by Bradster
Thanks EM.

So a bass guitar amp will work, but not quite give you the cone-pumping that the T3 can produce?

I would think a 15" cone would be better than a 12 for this purpose as the response is usually lower, with of course enough power to move some air without overdoing it.

The frustrating thing is that these bass amps that I'm looking at don't seem to disclose a frequency response. Even on the manufacture's sites.

Another option might be to use a studio monitor subwoofer, with our without a full-range monitor.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 10:39 pm
by EMwhite
Bradster wrote:Thanks EM.

So a bass guitar amp will work, but not quite give you the cone-pumping that the T3 can produce?

I would think a 15" cone would be better than a 12 for this purpose as the response is usually lower, with of course enough power to move some air without overdoing it.

The frustrating thing is that these bass amps that I'm looking at don't seem to disclose a frequency response. Even on the manufacture's sites.

Another option might be to use a studio monitor subwoofer, with our without a full-range monitor.
Actually, a Bass amp is indeed what you need as they are tuned to push a) low frequencies and b) the hi wattage and heavy coil of a 12, 15, or (dare I say) 18") cone. But be sure to get something with a good horn/tweeter and not a piezo if you can help it. (ie. the MarkBass Jeff Berlin 15 moves some serious air but has no tweeter whatsoever).

Most of what the Taurus pumps out is in the mid-low to very-low range but if you are interested in resonant filter sounds and sweeps, etc. that will obviously be closer to the mid-upper register.

Don't get too hung up on buying something that can dip below the 30hz register. I've seen lots written here about a requirement for 20hz here. I have a high end Bass amp in addition to my SWR Combo 12 and believe me, the house shakes (china across the house, pictures on the wall, etc.) way before I would notice that I'm not accurately reproducing something that I should hear at 22 hz. Just my opinion on the subject, I'm not a PhD, however.

Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:33 pm
by Stick_Player
It's NOT the speaker size (i. e., 10, 12, 15, 18, 21 inches) it's ALL about the cabinet design.

Here is a cab that has TWELVE 5 inch speakers. Stands about 2 1/2 feet tall. Weighs about 70 lbs. Can handle 600 watts at 6 ohms. Frequency range from 23Hz - 15KHz. Sensitivity is 101dB/W/M.

At 600 watts that's over 128 dB. Unless they are lying about the specs. It's a bit pricey - $1,395.00. :shock:

Phil Jones

Image

Based SOLELY on the specs, this would make a fine speaker cabinet for the T3.

Having said all that, I am playing the T3 into a Rane MLM 42s line mixer (I also have a Yamaha BB5000 bass guitar, Steinberger NXT Electric Upright and Chapman Stick, bass side, into the other 3 channels). The Rane is routed into the power amp section of a Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II (bi-amp 480 + 50 watts). I have a custom speaker cabinet with one 15", two 10" and one horn. The horn really brings out the high end frequencies of the T3 - especially when the filter is opened up.

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:46 am
by MC
Image

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 2:28 am
by Klopfgeist
I have one of these puppies and the Voyager makes the walls shake and pictures in other rooms fall down. Can't wait to unleash the Taurus on the neighbors!

http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/s ... ct=SBR1018

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:15 pm
by _DemonDan_
MC wrote:{Image of a Barbetta Sona 31}
I have owned a pair of Sona 31 self-powered speakers for a about 13 years.

Nothing else has given me as much power with as much portability.

I'm still surprised at how much bass they can pump out. In fact I usually
keep the Bass EQ knob 1/4 down from the detent.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:59 am
by Voltor07
_DemonDan_ wrote:
MC wrote:{Image of a Barbetta Sona 31}
I have owned a pair of Sona 31 self-powered speakers for a about 13 years.

Nothing else has given me as much power with as much portability.

I'm still surprised at how much bass they can pump out. In fact I usually
keep the Bass EQ knob 1/4 down from the detent.
Hmm...while I'm sure they sound good, the frequency response is sadly lacking in the low end...41 Hz? For me, that's not low enough...but I'm also insane, so... :P

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 2:30 am
by EricK
They defy physics.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:51 am
by MC
Seriously. It's a deceptive package, they sound bigger than they look.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:25 am
by _DemonDan_
Voltor07 wrote:...the frequency response is sadly lacking in the low end.
Actually try one, then comment again.
You'll understand afterwards.

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:22 pm
by Voltor07
_DemonDan_ wrote:
Voltor07 wrote:...the frequency response is sadly lacking in the low end.
Actually try one, then comment again.
You'll understand afterwards.
41Hz is 41Hz...it doesn't matter how BIG it sounds. Bose pulls the same deception. I would like to hear a Taurus III through one...but I won't be buying one anytime soon. Does Sweetwater do rentals?