Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Anyone using Barefaced compact 15 with a big valve head(200watt)?


Subthumper
 Share

Recommended Posts

As the title suggests really, it's what I'm using and was wondering if anyone's got the amp to push the driver to its limits? I know it's rated at 450 watts but it's frequency and sheer grunt and im wondering if the amp is pushing the cone too far. Anyone else had a similar experience?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used a BF compact (1x15) with a matamp GT200 for quite a while - but I wasn't impressed, it just didn't do the amp justice. Moved on to a matamp 2x12 and haven't looked back.

I've heard good things about the 2x15s though.

But there's definitely something about the one-handed lift at the end of a big night - it's a lifesaver.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Never got close to 200W of valves, just my 50-watt Selmer. The output valves were cooking but the speaker wasn't even breaking sweat.

EDIT: I thought the Compact and Midget were both rated at 600W?

Edited by JapanAxe
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1425930451' post='2712464']
Never got close to 200W of valves, just my 50-watt Selmer. The output valves were cooking but the speaker wasn't even breaking sweat.

EDIT: I thought the Compact and Midget were both rated at 600W?
[/quote]
The thermal rating is 450W RMS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='1970' timestamp='1425928453' post='2712430']And yes I did feel that the cone was being pushed too much - it was flappy and woofy at higher volumes.[/quote]

It wasn't the speaker not being able to handle the amp, it was the amp not having enough oomph to get the speaker loud enough. A 200W valve amp is only a 200W amp however you dress it up - it you want loud without lots of distortion then you need big cabs and plenty of cone area. A single 15" won't be enough unless you're happy with a very overdriven sound or not being so loud.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a fantastic cab and I'm totally impressed with it. I'm just trying to determine if I'm pushing it too far or if I have an amp or valve problem. I have access to a 1kw 8x10 so I'm going to see how far I can push the amp before meltdown.
Looking like two cabs will be the answer...how awful.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've heard and played through Noisyjon's 2 Compact rig. It sounded huge and loud with no issues.

There are too many unknown variable to comment on the OP, but 212 cabs will usually outperform a 115 and 215's will usually outperform a 212.

Always try to compare apples and apples.

Edited by chris_b
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll just chime in and add to the above really. My 2x12 Barefaced works great with a valve amp up to a point - then it starts to distort (the amp, not the cab) if you go any louder.

When I used the amp with a 1x15 it would reach this point far sooner, but it was less noticable. Some cabs don't have such definition, so the distortion isn't as obvious.
I guess that's why the classic Ampeg fridge is so popular with valve amps, lots of cone area and not so much of the hi-fi definition to give the game away.

I also believe valve bass amps seem to work better with sealed (rather than ported) cabs - although thats only my experience and certainly not based on any scientific fact at all! So I won't be offended if someone explains why it's the complete opposite :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used my Buster 200 with a Gen 2 Compact and it was ok for a few gigs but the Buster needs lots of speaker area to be loud. Most of the time I would run the Master flat out.
Even my Walkabout would struggle with the Compact with or without FOH and we were not a loud band.
2 Compacts would be fine and can be bought for a good price secondhand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='funky8884' timestamp='1426362088' post='2717393']
I used my Buster 200 with a Gen 2 Compact and it was ok for a few gigs but the Buster needs lots of speaker area to be loud. Most of the time I would run the Master flat out.
Even my Walkabout would struggle with the Compact with or without FOH and we were not a loud band.
2 Compacts would be fine and can be bought for a good price secondhand.
[/quote]

This is odd thinking, IMO.. Speaker is supposed to be able to be pushed very hard/loud, yet some amps struggle to do that
so you have to buy two cabs to do the job that one should be able to do..???

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...