LFSys and Barefaced Questions - Super Compact, Monaco and Monza?

[Linus27]

I'm currently using a Barefaced Two10 which I have generally been very happy with in terms of size, weight and performance. However, the vintage flavour of the cab is not suiting what I play these days and I have for a while been looking at changing it for something that is cleaner, tighter and more articulate. I'm currently leaning towards the Barefaced Super Compact which I believe will tick the boxes for my needs but I am also curious about the LFSys Monaco and Monza after positive customer reviews on here. They all seem pretty similar in application from what I have read so far, so I am just looking for feedback from those who have more real world experience in these cabs than me.

 

Is there much differences between the three cabs? 

What is the difference between the LFSys Monaco and Monza over the different speaker sizes?

Any pro's and cons between them all?

 

I am currently using a 500w MarkBass Little Mark IV and play fretless.

 

Many thanks for any input.

Edited yesterday at 15:26 by Linus27

[pete.young]

The LFSys cabs are probably better compared with the Barefaced Big Baby 3. The Super Compact is a single-driver cab, unless you opt for the optional tweeter. LFSys cabs have a crossover and high-mid range driver which the Super Compact lacks, but the Big Baby 3 has.

 

I have a Monza and it goes very loud. Unless you need a large amount of volume, you should probably be looking at an LFSys Goodwood too. 

[cetera]

I have the 600W/8 ohm LFSys Monaco (with 12" speaker, port and tweeter) and it has more than met the requirements of various situations without any complaint or struggle....

 

Small rehearsals 

Large rehearsals with a 9 piece band

Pub gigs

Club/Arts Centre gigs

Theatre gigs

 

It is articulate, clean and punchy.... but handles plenty of low end and has excellent dispersion. Basically it can cleanly reproduce whatever you put into it... and I can also hear it clearly from over the other side of my drummer...!

It's also lightweight and neatly proportioned and one of the best gear purchases I have ever made. Customer service is excellent and personal too as it is within this community.

[stevie]

Hi @Linus27. Thanks for considering LFSys cabs. The main difference between the Monaco and Monza, apart from the obvious things like size and weight (and price), is the sensitivity, which is a direct result of the smaller cabinet size. Tonally, they are very close, but the Monaco will go louder than the Monza when pushed.

 

 

[eude]

20 hours ago, Linus27 said:

I'm currently using a Barefaced Two10 which I have generally been very happy with in terms of size, weight and performance. However, the vintage flavour of the cab is not suiting what I play these days and I have for a while been looking at changing it for something that is cleaner, tighter and more articulate. I'm currently leaning towards the Barefaced Super Compact which I believe will tick the boxes for my needs but I am also curious about the LFSys Monaco and Monza after positive customer reviews on here. They all seem pretty similar in application from what I have read so far, so I am just looking for feedback from those who have more real world experience in these cabs than me.

 

Is there much differences between the three cabs? 

What is the difference between the LFSys Monaco and Monza over the different speaker sizes?

Any pro's and cons between them all?

 

I am currently using a 500w MarkBass Little Mark IV and play fretless.

 

Many thanks for any input.

I replaced two BF One10s with a single LFSys Monza, for similar reasons.

It's been a while since the change and I'm still absolutely delighted every time I plug in, regardless of what volume I'm at!

The build quality on the LFSys cabs is far superior in my opinion too, so you'll be getting something built to last.

If you regularly go LOUD with your Two10, I would look at the Monaco, as the 12" speaker will give you more, but for me, so far, the 1x10 Monza is way louder than what I was getting with my two One10s.

 

As noted above, you're not comparing apples with apples if you're considering a Super Compact vs an LFSys cab. The crossover and additional mid/high driver of the LFSys, will really bring out more of the nuances from fretless playing.

As far as the difference between the LFSys and a BF BigBaby, more like apples and apples, the BigBaby seems to be truly FRFR, and the LFSys is too, yet somehow, it's subtly more suited to bass guitar, it's still a bass cab, not a PA speaker.

 

So in summary, I'd go for an LFSys cab

 

Cheers,

Ewan

[Linus27]

Thank you @cetera @stevie and @eude for the super helpful replies. From what you say, the Monza will probably be my best bet as I really don't need a lot of volume and I do like portability. My band is a singer playing acoustic, drummer with brushes and myself on fretless so not loud. For some of the smaller gigs, I even use my Warwick Gnome 300 through an 8ohms TC Electronic 208 which gives me a tone closer to what I'm after, it's just the occasional larger gigs I'd take the MB LM and BF Two10.

 

What's more important to me is clarity, depth, richness and I guess fullness. My tone and playing is very much in the vein of Pino or John Giblin rather than a loud rock bassist or a funky bassist. If anything, closer to Jazz so articulate but certainly not nasal sounding like Jaco. Warm, rich, punchy and clean.

 

Sounds like a Monza is on the cards in the new year. Despite Monaco being my favourite F1 race, I proposed to my wife on the grid at the 2006 Monza F1 race so I guess it make sense to go for the Monza 😄

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[tubbybloke68]

5 hours ago, Linus27 said:

Thank you @cetera @stevie and @eude for the super helpful replies. From what you say, the Monza will probably be my best bet as I really don't need a lot of volume and I do like portability. My band is a singer playing acoustic, drummer with brushes and myself on fretless so not loud. For some of the smaller gigs, I even use my Warwick Gnome 300 through an 8ohms TC Electronic 208 which gives me a tone closer to what I'm after, it's just the occasional larger gigs I'd take the MB LM and BF Two10.

 

What's more important to me is clarity, depth, richness and I guess fullness. My tone and playing is very much in the vein of Pino or John Giblin rather than a loud rock bassist or a funky bassist. If anything, closer to Jazz so articulate but certainly not nasal sounding like Jaco. Warm, rich, punchy and clean.

 

Sounds like a Monza is on the cards in the new year. Despite Monaco being my favourite F1 race, I proposed to my wife on the grid at the 2006 Monza F1 race so I guess it make sense to go for the Monza 😄

 

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I have two Monzas but often use just one, they are extremely capable units and every time I’m lugging out after a rehearsal/gig I’m pretty sure I made the right choice over the Monaco…. though it doesn’t stop me wanting one! I have versatility now when needed. I doubt very much you’ll be disappointed . Go for it! X