LFSYs Monaco - how good?

[Freddi375]

https://www.lfsys.co.uk/bassguitarproducts

 

Hey guys 

 

Before I pull the trigger on one of these, just want to hear some gig experiences and understand just how good this cab actually is.

 

I've already spoken to Stevie who seems like a real gent, but it's still a lot of money for something i knew nothing about only a few days ago.

 

This needs to be the very last cab purchase I make otherwise the missus will divorce me 😆.

 

I've tried most cabs, mainly 212s (Barefaced, Vanderkley, Bergantino, EBS).

 

The measurements of this cab mean it will fit in the boot of my MX5 which is a big plus, however I do not want to compromise on sound. 

 

I have a 5 string bass so must be able to handle the low B, and must be loud enough without any speaker distort/farting out.

 

How does it compare to barefaced 112s and other high end 112s?

 

Anyone played one on an outdoor gig?

 

I'll stop blabbing on, but you get the gist.

 

Thank you!!

Freddie

Edited 12 hours ago by Freddi375

[pete.young]

I have a  Monza, which is the 10" version, it copes perfectly well with my 5 string basses and so did the Goodwood pre-production cab that I had on trial for a short while, so I'm sure the bigger driver in the Monaco will be absolutely fine.

 

it replaced an EBS2x12, which wasn't being worked particularly hard, but the Monza copes with a relatively loud blues band. Not tried it outdoors yet.

[Lozz196]

There are a good few threads on here about them, all very positive.

[Chienmortbb]

 I had a Monaco and swapped it for a ......Monza. It's hard to compare many makes but compared to Barefaced, you have a number of BF ranges to compare to. Some are coloured, some not, some are full range but IMHO none sound as good as the LFSys cabs.  

 

While both Barefaced and @stevie have now a few years making and designing bass cabinets, the important thing is that @stevie has spent decades designing crossovers. He tunes that cabs both by measurement and by ear, then gets the designs road tested before release. 

 

AS for high end 112s, Vanderkley seem to have disappeared, and I have covered Barefaced above.

 

You do not say where you are based but try one if you can. Your ears and bass will love you. 

[Freddi375]

8 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

 I had a Monaco and swapped it for a ......Monza. It's hard to compare many makes but compared to Barefaced, you have a number of BF ranges to compare to. Some are coloured, some not, some are full range but IMHO none sound as good as the LFSys cabs.  

 

While both Barefaced and @stevie have now a few years making and designing bass cabinets, the important thing is that @stevie has spent decades designing crossovers. He tunes that cabs both by measurement and by ear, then gets the designs road tested before release. 

 

AS for high end 112s, Vanderkley seem to have disappeared, and I have covered Barefaced above.

 

You do not say where you are based but try one if you can. Your ears and bass will love you. 

Thanks mate, I'm down in Sunny Swindon 🌞 😆

 

Would really love to try one.

Edited 12 hours ago by Freddi375

[Mudpup]

I have a Monaco. Used it for the first time in anger at an outdoor festival last Sunday and I've done a few rehearsals with it. Bloody brilliant. Dispersion is fabulous and the cab didn't break a sweat with a 5 string Spector. The build quality feels better than my Barefaced BB2 cabs I used for 10 years - they never failed on me but the cabinets always felt a bit fragile.

 

I've used various Bergs as well and sold them all after a couple of gigs - they didn't have enough booty for what I was looking for at the time. 

 

The thing I haven't seen anyone mention so far is that the Monaco is really good at lower volumes too. The BB2 was always a bit full on for home use - it just sounded huge all the time which isn't necessarily great for in the living room. 

 

Wholeheartedly recommended 

Edited 12 hours ago by Mudpup

[Freddi375]

Thanks buddy.

[Mudpup]

34 minutes ago, Freddi375 said:

Thanks buddy.

Oh and if you ever change your MX5 in for a Boxster I can confirm it will fit in the frunk with a bit of room to spare.....🙂

[BassAdder60]

I too had a Monaco and it was a great single cab gig rig 

 

Highly recommend 

[eude]

I have a Monza, the little 1x10" brother of the Monaco, but I can only begin to imagine how incredible the bigger cab would be!

I replaced two Barefaced One10s with a single 1x10 Monza, and the cab is louder and goes way lower in a much more controlled way at 8 ohms, than the other two 1x10 cabs combined, at 4 ohms!

The cabs are hifi, but without sounding harsh, you get out what you put in, but better without adding colour.

The Monza handles low B like an absolute champ, and I'd be more than happy to gig with the single 1x10, having previously had no issues gigging with a 1x12, so the 1x12 Monaco will be even better.

As also noted above, build quality is fantastic on the LFSys cabs too. Some BF cabs can feel a little fragile, have issues with peeling tolex or chipping finishes, but no such worries with these guys.

 

I also highly recommend these cabs.

 

Eude

 

[Sean]

I've been looking at LFSys lately as there's one thing on the website that really resonated with me and I need to understand more. 

 

It says on the About LFSys page, and I quote, "The lightweight amps were great but the cabs proved a disappointment. First, my (highly regarded) compact cab regularly ran out of steam when I needed to play really loud and second, more importantly, I struggled to hear what I was playing when I was standing close to the cab. Which was more often than not."

 

This is my biggest issue gigging. I've been using one of my (no tweeter) TWO10s vertically on an 18" high platform (alu workbench) and a Gramma isolation pad so I can hear it but the guys in the band are wondering why I'm so loud on stage when we're setting up and soudchecking. When I come down to an acceptable stage volume, I can't hear my rig very well, I just hear the room (but obviously on a lag). I'm between 3-8 feet in front of it depending on venue and where I stand. 

 

Now, the "really loud" isn't an issue for me, the venues are pubs/clubs/marquees and I never need the second TWO10, in fact the folding aluminum workbench has replaced the second TWO10 as that was being used as a shelf in some cases. 

 

Is a Monaco going to meet my need to hear myself better on stage and if so, how does it do that and why doesn't the TWO10 do it? Also would it still need to go a platform? The guys in that band are "a bit wary" of me having the cab raised as they've never really seen that before.

 

 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Sean

[ossyrocks]

1 hour ago, Sean said:

I've been looking at LFSys lately as there's one thing on the website that really resonated with me and I need to understand more. 

 

It says on the About LFSys page, and I quote, "The lightweight amps were great but the cabs proved a disappointment. First, my (highly regarded) compact cab regularly ran out of steam when I needed to play really loud and second, more importantly, I struggled to hear what I was playing when I was standing close to the cab. Which was more often than not."

 

This is my biggest issue gigging. I've been using one of my (no tweeter) TWO10s vertically on an 18" high platform (alu workbench) and a Gramma isolation pad so I can hear it but the guys in the band are wondering why I'm so loud on stage when we're setting up and soudchecking. When I come down to an acceptable stage volume, I can't hear my rig very well, I just hear the room (but obviously on a lag). I'm between 3-8 feet in front of it depending on venue and where I stand. 

 

Now, the "really loud" isn't an issue for me, the venues are pubs/clubs/marquees and I never need the second TWO10, in fact the folding aluminum workbench has replaced the second TWO10 as that was being used as a shelf in some cases. 

 

Is a Monaco going to meet my need to hear myself better on stage and if so, how does it do that and why doesn't the TWO10 do it? Also would it still need to go a platform? The guys in that band are "a bit wary" of me having the cab raised as they've never really seen that before.

 

 

 

 

I don't understand why this is happening for you, as it's not my experience with the 10" BF cabs. Plus the fact that your bandmates "are wondering why you're so loud". What's the rest of your rig, and what kind of sound are you aiming for? 

 

The BF 10" cabs really fill the space, and sound good from anywhere on stage in my experience. I have a BF Three10 and a One10, and last night I used my One10 at Matt & Phreds in Manchester. It could be heard very well and clearly all around the stage, and in fact the sound guy asked me to turn down a tad after the first set. The FOH was doing most of the work, but on stage it was great. The amp was a GK Legacy 800 with the top end rolled off a bit, with a P bass with flats.

 

Rob

[Sean]

19 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

 

I don't understand why this is happening for you, as it's not my experience with the 10" BF cabs. Plus the fact that your bandmates "are wondering why you're so loud". What's the rest of your rig, and what kind of sound are you aiming for? 

 

The BF 10" cabs really fill the space, and sound good from anywhere on stage in my experience. I have a BF Three10 and a One10, and last night I used my One10 at Matt & Phreds in Manchester. It could be heard very well and clearly all around the stage, and in fact the sound guy asked me to turn down a tad after the first set. The FOH was doing most of the work, but on stage it was great. The amp was a GK Legacy 800 with the top end rolled off a bit, with a P bass with flats.

 

Rob

 

I tend to have my sound pretty sorted, at least it sounds good to me when I use wireless and go out front during soundcheck. I switch back to a lead for the show. It's a GK Fusion 550 (EQs mostly between 11 to 1 0'Clock). Spector, Nickel Rounds, no dirt, just some compression, and occasional chorus and EQ pedals. The last gig was fine, it was outdoors and I had some distance between me and the cab. Previous gigs have been just dreadful with the same set up. I can hear my rig OK when it's just me doing level checks but when we're playing as a band it seems to get lost on stage when I'm close to the rig.

Edited 8 hours ago by Sean

[chris_b]

You can't hear a Two10, 8 ft in front of it? That's not normal.

 

What music is the band playing? "I tend to have my sound pretty sorted". Have you changed cabs or any other gear recently? Is the band loud? Is the guitarist "stealing" your frequencies?

 

My guess is your band thinks you are "so loud" on stage because the dispersion from BF cabs exceeds most other cabs. They can hear you because the design of the cab makes it happen. Another guess, your problem might be your EQ.

 

I'd try a gig with no pedals and see what happens. I'd also experiment with the position of the cab. Maybe move it forwards on stage, maybe angle it away from the band. 

[stevie]

I can explain why this is happening and why LFSys cabs have been designed specifically to fix this problem. But I'm sure someone else who's not as heavily invested in LFSys will explain.

[Sean]

4 minutes ago, stevie said:

I can explain why this is happening and why LFSys cabs have been designed specifically to fix this problem. But I'm sure someone else who's not as heavily invested in LFSys will explain.

@stevie Happy to PM me? 

[Sean]

32 minutes ago, chris_b said:

You can't hear a Two10, 8 ft in front of it? That's not normal.

 

What music is the band playing? "I tend to have my sound pretty sorted". Have you changed cabs or any other gear recently? Is the band loud? Is the guitarist "stealing" your frequencies?

 

My guess is your band thinks you are "so loud" on stage because the dispersion from BF cabs exceeds most other cabs. They can hear you because the design of the cab makes it happen. Another guess, your problem might be your EQ.

 

I'd try a gig with no pedals and see what happens. I'd also experiment with the position of the cab. Maybe move it forwards on stage, maybe angle it away from the band. 

 

Looking at it, it's probably more like 3-4 feet at the last two indoor venues. Both "PA venues" with house sound guys, foldbacks. The music is standard rock covers. I agree, it doesn't seem normal but that's the reality. I can experiment with the position of the cab but it would have to be done with the band playing. At level check when it's just me hitting single notes for the sound guy, it's all tickety boo.

 

I think it's worth reiterating that when we do soundcheck I'm setting the rig at a level where I can hear it standing on my spot, that's when they say, "too loud" and I roll off. When no one else is playing, that soundcheck volume is definitely too loud. For gigging levels, I can't hear myself properly, or I can't hear my sound, just mud. 

Edited 7 hours ago by Sean

[ossyrocks]

41 minutes ago, Sean said:

 

Looking at it, it's probably more like 3-4 feet at the last two indoor venues. Both "PA venues" with house sound guys, foldbacks. The music is standard rock covers. I agree, it doesn't seem normal but that's the reality. I can experiment with the position of the cab but it would have to be done with the band playing. At level check when it's just me hitting single notes for the sound guy, it's all tickety boo.

 

I think it's worth reiterating that when we do soundcheck I'm setting the rig at a level where I can hear it standing on my spot, that's when they say, "too loud" and I roll off. When no one else is playing, that soundcheck volume is definitely too loud. For gigging levels, I can't hear myself properly, or I can't hear my sound, just mud. 

It seems to me that if your playing alone in isolation at sound check is deemed too loud by your bandmates, and you have to back it off a bit, then what's happening is that they start playing they are too loud too. I set my level so it's comfortable and full sounding in isolation, not ever loud. Then if I can't be heard in the overall mix then it's up to the rest of the band to turn down until it can be heard and balanced in the mix.

Rob

[chris_b]

1 hour ago, Sean said:

 

Looking at it, it's probably more like 3-4 feet at the last two indoor venues. Both "PA venues" with house sound guys, foldbacks. The music is standard rock covers. I agree, it doesn't seem normal but that's the reality. I can experiment with the position of the cab but it would have to be done with the band playing. At level check when it's just me hitting single notes for the sound guy, it's all tickety boo.

 

I think it's worth reiterating that when we do soundcheck I'm setting the rig at a level where I can hear it standing on my spot, that's when they say, "too loud" and I roll off. When no one else is playing, that soundcheck volume is definitely too loud. For gigging levels, I can't hear myself properly, or I can't hear my sound, just mud. 

 

With BF cabs it's mud in, mud out. I'd be looking at my EQ for that one.

 

I reckon your band thinks you are too loud because they aren't used to the enhanced dispersion well designed cabs provide.

 

When I sound check I'm setting up the bass for me, the stage and the audience. If I'm too loud I'll turn down, if the rest of the band starts up and they drown me out I'll turn up again. I play in a blues rock trio and regularly have to turn up during the first number, when I've worked out if the guitarist is on 11 or 15 tonight.

[Sean]

18 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

With BF cabs it's mud in, mud out. I'd be looking at my EQ for that one.

 

I sounds glorious out front. 

[ossyrocks]

1 hour ago, Sean said:

 

I sounds glorious out front. 

Has your guitarist got a big mid scooped distorted tone with a ton of bottom end in it?

[stevie]

3 hours ago, stevie said:

I can explain why this is happening and why LFSys cabs have been designed specifically to fix this problem. But I'm sure someone else who's not as heavily invested in LFSys will explain.

 

Sure, no problem. PM on its way.

Edited 4 hours ago by stevie

[pete.young]

6 hours ago, stevie said:

I can explain why this is happening and why LFSys cabs have been designed specifically to fix this problem. But I'm sure someone else who's not as heavily invested in LFSys will explain.

 

I have been told that it is due to the orientation of the High-Mid driver.  @stevie if you are going to write an explanation for  @Sean it might be worth putting it on the web site.

 

It made me think I was too loud because I could actually hear everything, instead of the sound blasting past me at knee level, and the band told me to turn it up.

[stevie]

Yes, that's the experience most people have. Odd, isn't it?

 

The orientation of the horn is one aspect. Another is that the compression driver takes over from below 2kHz, which means you get a controlled dispersion throughout the range of bass guitar frequencies - no matter where you're standing. 

 

I've written a short article for @Sean and will probably post it on the website once I get some explanatory diagrams done. I already have some frequency response curves that show what is going on.

Edited 1 hour ago by stevie