Acme Low B-212

#3
Thanks. I have checked the manual but I'm looking for some real world experience.

As in will it move some serious air?

I'm using a TC Electronics BG 250 with a 15 and a horn and whike I can get enough volume from it I just don't feel it in the air. I'm sure you know what I mean.
My two points of reference would be the almighty SVT cabinet and the Cerwin Vega Earthquake.

According to the specs this cabinet wants 1200-2000 watts to be efficient.
So how does it compare to those big boys?

I'm about to pull the trigger on it and just wanted to know if I can expect the sort of impact I'm looking for, to just be in a wash of lows all around.
 
#6
Talked to Andy. Very cool guy. He's building the B-212 for me now. It will be ready in a couple weeks.

Picking up the amp today. I'll be using a Crown...bridged 2400 watts. (Andy approved).

Using my trusty Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe for the preamp. I have used it in the studio and with crappy amps as well. It makes every amp sound great.

I will post a review on this beast when it all comes together
 
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#9
Got everything hooked up at rehearsal and the sound was pure heaven for about ten minutes then nothing. The amp still indicates input levels but no sound from the cab.
Has anyone ever seen a new speakon cable fail after a short period of use?
The cable I bought was from Amazon and was 10 bucks (stupid me).
I bought a Monster cable and had it overnight-ed so I can swap it out when I go to rehearsal space tomorrow.
I am praying the cable is the issue otherwise I'll pull the amp and have it exchanged for a new one.

I will post the results of my findings and a more complete review once this issue is resolved.

All I can say, for now, is it is like nothing I've ever heard.

And yes I'm going to flip the cab so the ports are on the bottom.
 

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#10
Got back to the rehearsal space yesterday to work things out and, sure enough, The speakon cable I used last week had been fried somehow after ten minutes.
Replaced it with a Monster and now all is well.
Also got some bungee chords and strapped down stuff as well so it wouldn't move around the room. Even the rack with weight in it would start moving around so that's taken care of.
As far as the sound I'm not sure how to describe it other than to say I've never heard this sort of depth and clarity before and I have used big rigs.
It's exactly what I was looking for, to just be totally enveloped.
When I played it last week (before the cable fried), one note and everyone was smiling. Everyone played better too.
It was disappointing that it only lasted ten minutes but it's corrected now. I'm a happy camper.
 
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#13
Playing through an Acme the first time is a revelation! One low B through my first, Series I, was enough to buy a second. Then I bought another pair, Series II.

both sets sound the same but although I’m using the Series II pair mostly, there is just something about the fist pair that i love. They need some TLC as as some of the strapping has come off after years of use.
 
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#15
Charlie Quatro said:
It's 61 pounds. About the size of a typical 4x10. Not bad at all compared to an svt or earthquake and pretty much does the same thing.
Click to expand...

I think it goes a lot deeper than a traditional sealed 8x10. Seems like I read that those start to roll off at 60 hz.
 
#16
Charlie Quatro said:
It's 61 pounds. About the size of a typical 4x10. Not bad at all compared to an svt or earthquake and pretty much does the same thing.
Click to expand...

So you went with plywood? The composite is an interesting option, but I'm not sure it's worth $300 to save 10 pounds. On the other hand, I'm looking at a pair of B-1's because I'm not sure I can even handle the weight of a B-2.

Most cab makers don't talk about the +/-db points vs overall frequency response so I'm not sure how to interpret the Acme ratings. Besides the 212, all the other cabs are -3db at 41hz but go down to 31hz with -6db. Only the 212 goes all the way down with no rolloff. Not sure how much the difference matters. The smaller cabs would be plenty loud for me.

Any further impressions now that you have used it longer?

Have you A/B compared it to any other Acme cabs?

This could be the ultimate revenge on noisy neighbors - 2000 watts of earthquake level output!
 
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#17
BassmanPaul said:
Playing through an Acme the first time is a revelation! One low B through my first, Series I, was enough to buy a second. Then I bought another pair, Series II.

both sets sound the same but although I’m using the Series II pair mostly, there is just something about the fist pair that i love. They need some TLC as as some of the strapping has cone off after years of use.
Click to expand...

Series II what? Are they 1x10, 2x10, 1x12, 2x12?

GASSSSSS.
 
#19
BassmanPaul said:
Wuss!! All four of my Acmes are B2. That post was a quick one before leaving for bypass surgery so I was a wee bit rushed! :(
Click to expand...

That hurt coming from a fellow grumpy old man! ;)

Believe me I am tempted for the B-2 or even the B-212!drool

Are you seriously headed for bypass surgery? Best wishes if you are!
 
#20
I've been using the B-212 for a couple months now twice a week and a couple live shows. I'm running a Tech 21 VT bass deluxe pre and a Crown XLS bridged @ 1550 watts.
The pre has 2 presets so one is set for big round fluffy pillow sound and the second one is set for a very clear tone (for slap).
The B-212 is a monster and I don't think I'm pushing it hard at all. There's enough left that the volume could be made painful if I wanted to do that. But that would just piss people off so I leave it at a relatively comfortable level (relative to my comfort).
 
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