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Markbass LMII and LMK amps... are they meant to sound different ?


loweringthetone
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I recently bought an LMK from Old Horse Murphy as a 2 channel replacement for my LMII. I thought the LMK was just a 2 channel LMII and would sound exactly the same, but now Im not so sure...

I did a direct comparison. At the same settings (12 o'clock everything, using only channel 1 on the LMK) and using the same high quality leads etc.

- the LMK was noticeably louder (needed less volume), was more punchy and seemmed to have more 'balls' than the LMII. It also ran hotter - the amp was noticeably warm.
- the LMK made an Aguilar GS112 (tweeter version) sparkle, whereas the LMII didnt fire up the GS in the same way - it just gave lots of bass.
- the LMII gave a beautifully pure and smooth P bass sound with my rosewood f/b '75 precision and also seemed to more accurately map in a hifi way the sounds of other basses. This included input from another amp - a GK150MBE which gives a very distinctive colour.
- these trends were apparent though a GS112 and also when the same amps were used with a very different sounding cab - a 210 Markbass Std with Neos.
- a Ricky 4001 with stainless strings, was just too zingy through the LMK/210 combination and needed tons of EQ to get it under control, but surprisingly was more smooth and controllable using the LMII/210.

To me, these rather subjective tests all point to the LMII having less top end than the LMK, and I know some members of the forum have suggested the LMII might suffer roll off of top end. However I cant explain the enhanced loudness or ballsiness of the LMK.

The LMII is dated 01- 2007 and I bought from new,.
The LMK is dated 10-2007 and also appears to be in very good nick. I noticed that the input jack was a bit crackly (dirt ?) but othewise it seems fine.

Are these amps just different ?? Any experiences or explanations you could share would be much appreciated

Thanks & best wishes

Colin

Edited by loweringthetone
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According to the manual the LMK has its high freq set at 5khz and the LMII at 10khz.
Maybe that would account for the difference in tone through the tweeter.
i think with 10khz being quite high maybe its not as effective.

EDIT: Actually the manual is quite confusing so i might have got that wrong.

Edited by dave_bass5
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