Ashdown Mag 300 Evo 2 4x10 combo low ouput problem?

[Ruiner]

Hello,

I recently bought the Evo 2 version of this combo as a back up to the original non Evo 2 version of the same combo I've been using regularly for the last few years, but after taking it to practice, I've noticed it's giving a noticably quieter output than the original version.

I've contacted Ashdown who've told me that:

"There is no difference in power output from the two amps...
The amps are different so will behave different in the way of driving ets, but ultimately will deliver the same output.."

But, the Evo 2 version needs to be pretty much maxed out volume wise to merely match the original combo at around 6. The tone of the Evo 2 sounds fine and isn't muffled or distorted in any way, but seems to be lacking balls.

I've checked and all the speakers seem to be working so i'm at a loss really.

Is this a problem anyone else has encountered? Does anyone have a way I could measure the output exactly so I definately know it's a problem and not just the Evo 2 being a lot less powerful?

Any help greatly appreciated as I've just bought this amp and would like to go and chase up the seller if it is faulty before it's too late.

Edited October 27, 2010 by Ruiner

[lowhand_mike]

the main difference between the 2 would be the compressor, just checking that that isnt dropping the sound too much, i assume you have tried switching everything on and off controls wise?

[geoffbyrne]

Have you tried comparing with the compressor off and *both* amps at 11? ( )

Sometimes (quite often actually) the pots are not linear and an amp will be effectively full on at approx 6 or 7.


G.

[Ruiner]

I've tried it with various different settings.

I dont use inbuilt compression so i've been comparing it with the compression switched off and all other settings identical to the non evo 2 version.

With both amps at 11, the old version is *too* loud, louder than i can ever imagine using, the evo 2 is just loud enough to be heard in a band situation

I've tried switching the EQ out as i know that can affect the output level (even though both EQ's are set identical) just incase the EQ sections differ on both versions in how they affect the overall output level.

I love my original combo, which is why i bought the Evo 2 as a backup, but i'm really disappointed with it as it stands.

[lowhand_mike]

could be a dirty connection on the output channel? as in i mean the amp may well be doing its job but a bad connection is only letting so much through
yeah i had the original mag 300 and its silly loud, have you tried plugging the evo1 into the speakers of the evo 2 and vice versa? reason i ask is this would negate the speakers from the loop or point to them, you should be able to do this as if i remember correctly it is a standard jack on the back of the amp.

[Doctor J]

The ohm rating of the speakers in each is the same?

[Ruiner]

[quote name='lowhand_mike' post='1002412' date='Oct 27 2010, 01:33 PM']have you tried plugging the evo1 into the speakers of the evo 2 and vice versa?[/quote]

Good idea, hadn't thought to try that. Will give it a go when I get home from work.

[Ruiner]

[quote name='Doctor J' post='1002428' date='Oct 27 2010, 01:43 PM']The ohm rating of the speakers in each is the same?[/quote]

Pretty sure they are.

both amps say:

300 Watts RMS
500 Watts Peak
Speaker output minimum load 4 Ohms

As you can probably tell my knowledge on this kind of stuff is pretty light.

Appreciate all the help so far though.

[lowhand_mike]

The ohm ratings should be the same can't see any reason why they wouldn't as they would have probes matching the cabs.
Interested to know what happens when you connect these 2 up

[lowhand_mike]

You could also try plugging into the second jack socket to check between the 2 and plug both cabs into the evo2 so you push it to run at full watts at 4ohm

[Ruiner]

After much messing around (damn you and your short speaker lead evo 1) I can confirm that the evo 1 through the evo 2's speakers is just as loud as through it's own speakers and so the problem obviously lies with the evo 2 amp.

After messing around some more I'm starting to think maybe the original evo has slightly more bass.

I've also noticed that with the compression on, regardles of the setting, there is a noticable overall boost in volume. While i dont know very much about compression, I'm wondering if the built in compressor has some kind of 'make up gain' applied to it automatically and to counter this, the design of the evo 2 amp is quieter as a result. Which obviously sucks if you want a lot of voulme but dont wan't to use the built in compression. Seems a bit crazy to me but i guess it's possible.

I'm going to give it another whirl at practice this week and see what happens. Hopefully when my neighbours go out, i can try the evo 2 driving both sets of speakers together

I'm starting to think it's less of a fault and more a difference in design. I can't help thinking if it was a fault with dirty connectors or something else, the sound quality would be noticable worse, and it isn't. it sounds great, just quieter.

[lowhand_mike]

[quote name='Ruiner' post='1004729' date='Oct 29 2010, 08:30 AM']After much messing around (damn you and your short speaker lead evo 1) I can confirm that the evo 1 through the evo 2's speakers is just as loud as through it's own speakers and so the problem obviously lies with the evo 2 amp.

After messing around some more I'm starting to think maybe the original evo has slightly more bass.

I've also noticed that with the compression on, regardles of the setting, there is a noticable overall boost in volume. While i dont know very much about compression, I'm wondering if the built in compressor has some kind of 'make up gain' applied to it automatically and to counter this, the design of the evo 2 amp is quieter as a result. Which obviously sucks if you want a lot of voulme but dont wan't to use the built in compression. Seems a bit crazy to me but i guess it's possible.

I'm going to give it another whirl at practice this week and see what happens. Hopefully when my neighbours go out, i can try the evo 2 driving both sets of speakers together

I'm starting to think it's less of a fault and more a difference in design. I can't help thinking if it was a fault with dirty connectors or something else, the sound quality would be noticable worse, and it isn't. it sounds great, just quieter.


[/quote]

interesting
note on the compressor though not having tried out an evo2 i'll base this on a comp pedal. when i turn on my com pedal (depending on setting but with the built in one its just amount you can adjust) it would indeed become louder, this i think is due to the compressor equaling out the volume of the varying frequencies, so quieter sounds become louder and very loud are reigned in.

i assume the evo2 through the evo1's speakers sounded just as quiet as before?
i will hopefully be picking up an evo2 head and 410 cab tomorrow so i can give you an idea if i have the same kind of thing (if i can remember what my evo1 210 combo was like volume wise)

do they get to about the same max volume? just at a different rate? (is one more linear than the other?)

[lowhand_mike]

Picked up the evo2 this morning, what I did notice was that the active input seems to have more cut on it than before so that does sound quieter, just plug into the passive and control it with the gain but otherwise it is very loud so something is not right on your head by the sounds of it.

[Ruiner]

[quote name='lowhand_mike' post='1006258' date='Oct 30 2010, 01:24 PM']Picked up the evo2 this morning, what I did notice was that the active input seems to have more cut on it than before so that does sound quieter, just plug into the passive and control it with the gain but otherwise it is very loud so something is not right on your head by the sounds of it.[/quote]

Yeah i only use the passive anyway.

bummer, looks like I'll have to get it looked at.

Incidently, remembering that my original MAG 300 was repaired about 12 months ago, I opened it up, and it seems the large white circular thing that occupies the right side of the head (power amp?) Was replaced (with one labelled ABM300) after it stopped working. The guy who repaired it mentioned this at the time but I didn't think anything of it.

This shouldn't make it louder should it? considering they're both 300's?

Thanks for all the advice by the way. i really appreciate it.

[lowhand_mike]

[quote name='Ruiner' post='1006502' date='Oct 30 2010, 05:54 PM']Yeah i only use the passive anyway.

bummer, looks like I'll have to get it looked at.

Incidently, remembering that my original MAG 300 was repaired about 12 months ago, I opened it up, and it seems the large white circular thing that occupies the right side of the head (power amp?) Was replaced (with one labelled ABM300) after it stopped working. The guy who repaired it mentioned this at the time but I didn't think anything of it.

This shouldn't make it louder should it? considering they're both 300's?

Thanks for all the advice by the way. i really appreciate it.

[/quote]
it shouldnt but then anything is possible, and thats the transformer i beleive (no not optimus)
may6be give it to the guy that fixed your other one or get it to ashdown

[concord1]

I have the Ashdown Mag 210, have had it a year and struggle to be heard during practice, couple it to a 1 x 15 cab for gigs. Its OK through PA and tone is OK. I've been disapointed with it though. Waiting for my Hartke LH500 and 4.5 Xl 4x10 cab to arrive. wILL BE GLAD TO SEE BACK OF aSHDOWN.