Author Topic: F2b vs f1x (Read 156 times)

dumfuxx · « **on:** February 25, 2005, 08:59:55 PM »

I bought an f2b off of ebay to start building my rack system. Will it compare tonally with an f1x? should I have bought that instead?

Epic 5
f2b
peavy stereo power amp (temporary)
hartke 410xl cab
custom made 4x8 subwoofer cab (JL car audio speakers in custom designed box)

I just discovered that the f2b does not have a crossover and i got worried.

0vid · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2005, 04:04:36 AM »

buy a cheap cross over then....
the FIX crossover is very good and has a wide range. But if you are using rubber surround woofers, you might want to get the cross over as low as the 4X 10 can go, say 75Hz. Too high a crossover point (your car audio subs don't really go abbove 250hz anyway) and the rubber surround speakers have to do more work and may not return as quickly after excursions - this often results in an audible lag. This is particularly crucial if you are looking to play percussive styles, e.g. slap bass, or if you are looking to get a growly sound.

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2005, 04:40:43 AM »

I don't have an F-2B, but I think the answer is that the circuitry is the same and that therefore tonally they are the same.

edwin · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2005, 11:33:30 AM »

They are actually quite different in that the F2B is an all tube signal path and the F1X uses the tube as a buffer for the input and for the FX loop return. The rest of the gain is all solid state. They have a similar tone control setup. I find that the sounds are different, both really good, but different. As far as which one you want to use, well, I say hold out for both and then use the one that works the best for each situation. There is no better.

HTH!
Edwin

haddimudd · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2005, 01:01:23 PM »

On a side note I could mention a person who had played tons of different Alembic gear in his life and he once told me (in his opinion) the F-2b sounds much better. Of course this is a very personal view. Personally, I swapped my F-2b for an F1-x recently because I hardly ever used the two channels and I liked the idea about the DI and the crossover.

The F2b is a great amp. Be proud, not worried.

dnburgess · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2005, 01:19:29 PM »

Edwin, thanks for that - its the clearest statement of the difference in signal paths that I've read - although on rereading the material on the web site it is all there. (And I've been telling customers the signal paths were the same - d'oh.)

david b.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2005, 05:34:27 AM »

Thanks Edwin! Like David, I've been assuming they were the same. And I too went back and reread the web site info. So, I've learned something new today!