"Definitive" portable bass cabinet??

[rockandroller]

Is there any consensus about who makes the BEST  PORTABLE bass guitar cabinet?? One that's worthy of an Alembic!
 
Requirements are SMALLEST POSSIBLE SIZE with decent power handling of at least 200WRMS (I'd just get multiple cabs if i needed more volume) and wide response, especially solid bottom at least for a low E. (Low B might asking too much for a compact cabinet!)
 
The new Boogie combo with the down-firing passive radiator looks promising, but I have no way to try one out. Are the mystic incantations of Theil-Small sufficient to create what I am after??
 
Any suggestions (or links to web-sites) would be appreciated. Thanks!

[valvil]

Is there even any consensus about sound?
 
That said, a lot of folks here seem to like the Acme  cabs, and from what I've read it seems like the Acme Low B-1 may be the thing you're looking for.  I'm intrigued enough that I may try one out myself.  Great tight sound in a small package is what most of us would like.  And reasonable price too.
http://www.acmebass.com/index.html

[mattheus]

Hi there,
 a few weeks ago I struggled with the same problem. I wanted a small combo, with a 'big' sound. I've tried several, and finally got myself an Ashdown combo. It sounds pretty cool, reasonable power, and also a connection for an extra cabinet. Otherwise a SWR combo is also great, but that costs a lot more.  
Asdown website: http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk
 
Good luck with your search,
 
Mattheus

[dean_m]

Hey Guys,
 
I did a feature on the Ampeg Porta-Bass stuff a couple of months ago on my website.  Here's the URL if you want to check it out:
http://www.monotunesmusic.com/portabass.html
 
I've got a couple of them that I'm really enjoying.
 
Peace,
Dino

[eschreyer2]

Gotta go with the Acme low-b cabs, hands down. Just make sure you have enough power. I have two Acme low B-2 cabs, 50lbs each, and they fit in the back seat of my car.
Earl

[dela217]

I personally have not tried the Acme.  Want to though.  But I own a Bag End 2x10 box (the deep one) that is incredible.  I have used it with massive power, and low power.  Great sound just the same.  I ordered mine custom in black too.  I think the default is red. Yuk.

[mikedm]

Okay, for you Acme users, are any of you using the w versions? For instance, a Low B-2w is the sub woofer version - minus the mid and high - of the Low B-2.
 
Dino - are you using the Ampeg cabs or the combos? Saw your site, wanna trade jobs for about a month?
 
adios,
Mike

[bassman10096]

I've been looking at the Bag End 2x10 ELF or whatever it is called now with considerable curiosity. Is that the 2x10 you have?  
 
I too, am looking for a way to get way more portable AND preserve or even improve bottom end.  
 
10 subbass drivers sound like an impossible dream to me, but I want to believe.  I am a dinosaur from the generation that believed 15 JBLs were the only way to get clean, deep bass.  
 
I only recently started playing again and the first thing I did was to build several single 15 enclosures. One of them actually puts out monumental, clean bottom end (out of an old CTS 150 W speaker), but that's because the cabinet design is detuned (see London Power's website if you are not familiar). Detuned cabs are arguably the most economical and efficient way to go -- BUT -- In order to work, detuned cabs have to be MASSIVE (like 2X the size of a regular cab).  
 
As much as I'm in awe of the low end my creations produce, they are a big pain to handle. What I'd really like is to be able to donate the 15 cabs to the bassman with my son's band (and be a real hero) and find a vastly more compact rig for myself (...a smart hero).  
 
I'm also interested in how much juice it would really take to power a pair of 2x10 Acme's. I get the idea from Acme's site that if you have to ask, you don't have enough power. I'm playing a Hartke 3500 (Mono 350W thru 4 ohm, 240 thru . Is that way too low (anyone know?). I'm open to more power if I need to, but the Hartke has good features and I like to tube preamp all in the same package.  
 
Bill  

[dnburgess]

If size is your primary criteria, look closely at the Acme Low B-1. It weighs only 31 lbs and has the same frequency response as the bigger Acme speakers: -3dB at 41Hz and 22kHz, -6dB @ 30.87. Thats better than many hifi speakers. Those figures are anechoic - so with a bit of floor or wall loading your looking at flat to low E and down only slightly at low B. I am not aware of a smaller speaker that sounds as good.
 
I was amazed the first time I played the B-1 that the bottom end was so much better than my 15 cab at half the weight.
 
BUT - and this is a big but - there are no free lunches in the world of physics - the price paid for low end in a small package is inefficency. The B-1 is 90dB with a maximum continues power rating of 175W. This means the max continuous output is 112dB. Fine for practice, double bass, or low intensity rehearsals & gigs. But don't expect a single B-1 to compete with a wailing Fender Hot Rod combo or Marshall stack.
 
The good thing about the Acme range is the tonal balance is consistent across the range. So you could practice / rehearse with a B-1 and then move to the bigger speakers as the situation requires, without having to completely reconfigure your tone settings.

[bassman10096]

Thanks for the info, that gives me a much clearer perspective. Actually up to a couple of 2x10 cabinets is more like what I'd be looking to use most places (still offers flexibility to use only one, less to lift at a time, easier to pack in the car).  
 
I really want to try the Acmes and will probably just order a 2x10 and play with it. I think they offer a reasonable (2 wk?) period to try them out.  
 
Any thoughts on whether my Hartke 3500 head is enough to power a pair of Acme 2x10s?  
Bill  

[dnburgess]

350W @ 4ohms will most likely sound very nice through a single B2 at rehearsal or a small gig - but will not drive it to massive volume. And it will be easy to drive the amp to clipping. The suitability will depend on the type of band / music your into.
 
Don't think about trying to drive 2 B2s with 350W.
 
Best bet is to take advantage of Acme's 2 week trial period. Very few are returned - it seems that most players are willing to work around the efficiency issue for the sake of the tone.

[bassman10096]

Thanks. Being somewhat non-techy, that was what I wanted to know. I am going to try the speakers as soon as budget will allow. I can use the Hartke's preamp with a separate, stronger power amp for the many cases where bigger volume is necessary. The Hartke would probably sound OK for practice, light rehearsal, etc.  
 
That's still a big net reduction in the speakers I have to carry against a pretty manageable increase in the weight of my rack gear.  
 
Thanks again. That really helps.  
Bill  
 

[dean_m]

Hey Guys,
 
I just wanted to pipe back in here to answer Mike's question.  I still have yet to check out the Acme stuff but I promise I will.  Maybe it's something I should consider for the website??
 
Anyway, Mike, yes I use both the heads and the cabs, and the 2x10 combo.  The PB210 is just a bit underpowered at 250w though.  And you can only power one 4ohm cab with it.  I use a head and cab along with the combo for louder club gigs.  I know it sounds like a lot but the head only weighs 14 lbs and  the cabs are 21lbs each so it's a lot easier carrying a couple light pieces than two real heavy pieces.  I just can't carry my SVT 3-4 nights a week anymore.  Unfortunately, my back won't allow it.  Ampeg is coming out with an 800watt @ 2ohms version of the PB head in January.  Can't wait to see that.
And regarding your second question... NO WAY!!!  I'm having too much fun!!!
 
Peace,
Dino

[dannobasso]

I'll be taking the 4 ohm Acme 210 on the road this week with an 5.3 ohm Epifani 310 with a QSC PLX 1604 (500w a side) F1X run parallel. I let you know how it performed. I like it loud, Hope it will be enough! If there are any folks in the DC area I'll be at The Velvet Lounge on Thursday night and Johnson City TN on Saturday.
Danno

[David Houck]

Here's what I think as of 5 minutes ago.  Bill said he was looking for clean, deep bass; the Acme B-2 has it.  I've had my B-2 for one month.  The low end is wonderful; and the super light weight is just a big bonus.  (Note: none of my basses have a B string.)  However; personally, I can't get the high end sound that I want out of the thing.  At rehearsal a few weeks ago (we rarely rehearse) a took the B-2 and an Eden 210XLT, ran them both full range and was able to dial in a very nice tone between them.  But practicing at home with just the B-2, I've been unable to get a decent overall tone until a little while ago when I biamped with the low end going to the B-2 and the high end going to a Bag End 210 (D10X-D).  The sound really opened up; great low end coming from the Acme with the Bag End providing much more presence in the high end and a much more usable midrange.  With fast scales up and down the neck, mid and high range notes were much more clearly defined.  This is a good combination for someone who doesn't want to carry heavy cabinets; both are relatively light weight, much lighter than the Eden.  The Acme does require a lot of power; and personally, I don't think 350 watts is enough.  But then I'm playing with two guitar players and a hard hitting drummer.  We're playing at a blues club Friday night and I'm taking the Acme and an Eden.  The Eden has a great overall tone and puts out a lot of sound, but doesn't provide the low end of the Acme.  But I think it will be a great combination; and I'm looking forward to finding out Friday night.  The B-2 is probably great by itself for a lot of players; but it doesn't have the overall sound that I'm looking for.