What is the magic of fEARful?

[DukeLeJeune]

You have to render the whole package of design compromises well to get great results in cab design. It is not a question of what element is most important but rather what are the weak links in the design.

Very well said.

SOMETHING will inevitably be the "weak link" in a design, the component that reaches overload first, but part of competent design is making sure that component doesn't limit the performance of the system significantly below what the rest of the system is capable of. For example, Greenboy paid attention to getting the port cross-sectional area high enough that there are no significant losses at high SPLs.

Also, Greenboy takes full advantage of the capabilities of the woofers he uses, rather than skimping on box size for whatever reason.

Can a fEARful 12/6/1 sounds better/equal using a digital crossover, like the one in a Crown XLS1500 amp?

While the passive network in a high-end bass cab is properly called a "crossover", it usually includes dedicated response-shaping circuitry. I'm not familiar with the filters in the Crown amp, but unless it can emulate that response-shaping circuitry, the answer is "no".

Otherwise, yes there are theoretical advanages to an active system, but Greenboy didn't skimp on inductor gauge or capacitor quality.

 

[DonaldR]

Ah, good to know!!!! Thanks

 

[Dominic D]

Avatar just throws any speaker into the same size boxes with no care. Check the dimensions on their website and you see they have maybe 2 different box sizes across their whole line of bass cabs.

 

[Passinwind]

Ah, good to know!!!! Thanks

Greenboy actually resisted doing passive crossover designs for quite a while, and he was a strong advocate for DSP active solutions in the pre-fEARful days and even well into the early stages of the fEARful designs. But keeping things simple and standardizing crossover design eventually won out, not too surprisingly.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

...As for Avatar, their whole business plan is how cheaply can they made a somewhat decent cab. I think they have their cabs made overseas, and then add decent drivers and call it a day.

I don't really disagree with your entire post, but the last part isn't true. @daveAvatar can confirm, but according to his website:

"Since 1992 Avatar® Speakers has been known for building and selling great sounding, high value, guitar and bass guitar speaker cabinets. All of our cabinets are made to order in our own shop and are loaded with the best speakers in the world from manufacturers such as Celestion, Eminence and Hellatone. All cabs are made from 3/4 inch 13 ply birch plywood on all sides for strength and durability."

Avatar Speakers – Factory Direct Speakers For Musicians Since 1992

They will also custom-build for you, the price and lead time of course, are commensurate with your specs. I can tell it first-hand, their service is friendly, knowledgeable, and prompt.

No knock on fEARful cabs... they're fantastic.

 

[shoot-r]

Avatar just throws any speaker into the same size boxes with no care. Check the dimensions on their website and you see they have maybe 2 different box sizes across their whole line of bass cabs.

Actually, Eminence designed and spec'ed the Avatar cabinets to be used with their drivers.

As to using "maybe 2 different box sizes", this is a common pratice for commerical bass cabinet manufacturers.

Check into my personal favorite commerical manufacturer, Bergantino, you'll find the same box for the NV610, NV412, NV215....same for all their 212 cabinets, all their 210's are the same box, same with the 410's, no matter which series.

Ampeg 410 or 212 same box, 810 or their now discontinued 215, same box, ect., ect.

 

[McG]

As for Avatar, their whole business plan is how cheaply can they made a somewhat decent cab. I think they have their cabs made overseas, and then add decent drivers and call it a day.

Just to respectfully set the record straight (and as @EdwardofHuncote noted above) Avatar builds all their cabinets in their long-time family owned shop in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. They use quality materials and production methods (I own two and believe me, they are solid). One of the main reasons Avatar has a lower price point is they only sell direct to consumers, no sales commissions or retail store markup to increase the cost. They are "budget cabinets" only because of the lower price, not quality.

If I had the budget (or tools and skills to build my own) certainly I would go fEARful. But unfortunately I'm a poor retired weekend warrior guy who doesn't make much money gigging. An Avatar 210 neo with Line-X coating costs less than half a F210 fEARful but still sounds great. I'm constantly get compliments from sound techs and audience members.

That said, if I hit the lotto my closest Greenboy builder is immediately getting a call. No doubt they are among the highest quality bass cabinets available.

 

[BurningSkies]

I've been playing mine since 2008 or so...multiple hundreds of shows often at very high volume. I've gone from 500w to 2000w to even more and the same damn cabs are still producing super loud, clear, compelling tone.

 

[Doug Parent]

Is it in the box design (the way it handles the lowest octave), the midrange, the crossover?

Avatar, for instance uses the same speakers yet we're not singing their praises like Greenboy / fEARful.

I'm guessing the magic is largely in the crossover but that is mostly a guess.

Is it in the box design (the way it handles the lowest octave), the midrange, the crossover?

Avatar, for instance uses the same speakers yet we're not singing their praises like Greenboy / fEARful.

I'm guessing the magic is largely in the crossover but that is mostly a guess.

Avatar uses an Eminence Kappalite 3012LF or 3015LF but the other drivers ARE different. Just FYI.

 

[jeff7bass]

Down the road I too am gonna build myself a 15/6/1 for easier portability. I'm still lovin my 12/12/6/1 for the simple reason that this is as close as I can get to hearing what the sound guy will hear and it's more than enough cab, but ive realized it is overkill for most situations...View attachment 2964331

That's the cab I would get, if I was gonna spend that kinda money! Killer.

 

[MDBass]

Is it in the box design (the way it handles the lowest octave), the midrange, the crossover?

Avatar, for instance uses the same speakers yet we're not singing their praises like Greenboy / fEARful.

I'm guessing the magic is largely in the crossover but that is mostly a guess.

All of the above: the same crossover with the same drivers in a totally different box design would sound totally different.

 

[Kukulkan61]

You build them yourself using their plans, or pay an authorized builder to do it.

If you want that performance ready built, look at Barefaced, AudioKineseis, Or Mesa Boogie Subway.

Mesa Subways have the same technology??
If so I’m a Happy Camper but not that I already am!!

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Why does Avatar use 3/4” ply? That’s just silly, and adds extra weight. 1/2” Baltic Birch properly braced is the way to go. Avatar states just Birch ply, but that may contain voids. Baltic Birch ply has been the choice of speaker builders for decades for a reason.

 

[mmbongo]

Mesa Subways have the same technology??
If so I’m a Happy Camper but not that I already am!!

Not 'the same' as the fEarful design, but all of them have their own design goals and are not built to a price point and even use the same LF drivers. Keep in mind the fEarful cabs are a good bit heavier than the others mentioned if that's important.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

fEARfuls are not only designed to sound good, even with high power,
they are also designed to have even sound where ever you stand
and weigh no more than they have to.

If they have a fault, it would be that they are so clean and detailed
that any mistake in your playing WILL be quite evident.

 

[two fingers]

I built two, a 15/6 and a 12/6. They are my main cabs.

You can build your own fEARful by buying and cutting your own wood and buying your own components per the plans. You can also buy a 'flatpack' with everything you need and assemble it yourself.

You can order a fEARful, FEARLESS or DUALLY from an authorized builder.

Here's the main website:
greenboy.us speaker enclosures
In the middle of the page is a section called Related Sites. There is where you will find the link to their forums, and the plans are on the fEARful enclosures button there also.

Even if you do a DIY build, it is a fair bit of coin as the drivers spec'd are all top flight models, ones that most mass produced cab companies do not use as they will not be able to sell their cabs competitively in the marketplace. And all that stuff adds up, corners, handles, jackplates, covering, grilles, x-over compoents, damping material, glue, wood, etc. IOW, don't do it because you want to be cheap and save a buck. Do it to get a superior cab.

I can't find where one can buy a flatpack. Please advise.

 

[Passinwind]

I can't find where one can buy a flatpack. Please advise.

DIY Speaker Kits & Parts | Speaker Hardware

 

[two fingers]

DIY Speaker Kits & Parts | Speaker Hardware

Thanks much.

 

[bassman10096]

Having played Avatars and built/used fearFuls, there’s no legit comparison. Avatar = nice, bread n butter gear, vs fearFul = very high performance, boutique quality cabs.

 

[Passinwind]

Thanks much.

De nada. I'd still recommend signing up on the Greenboy forum and really looking at your various options before ordering though.