Ander87 Posted October 23 Share Posted October 23 Hey gang, This has been asked before but I'd say inconclusive just yet. I am joining a new band sponsored by Blackstar - I don't feel too precious about them nor against, but worth pointing out I can get 40% discount on them - I was thinking on a Unity 500 combo. At the same time, I get all my tones and stuff with the Darkglass ADAM (and awfully proud of the presets I've worked on for the band's set) and want to keep using those without extra colouring. Hence, I was thinking of getting one of these Headrush MK2 12" or a similar budget (£350) powered speaker that will do bass justice... I've heard mixed reviews about the Headrush too in terms of stage dispersion and punch (ie. those 2500w are not same as 250w from an actual bass amp). Aaaalso at the same time, buying a traditional amp makes a redundancy on preamp/distortion/compressor/other bits that I do not need as I have them on the ADAM already... For that budget of £350 and considering that's about what the Unity 2x10 500w combo would cost me, is there any other powered speaker option I should consider? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 23 Share Posted October 23 1 minute ago, Ander87 said: Hey gang, This has been asked before but I'd say inconclusive just yet. I am joining a new band sponsored by Blackstar - I don't feel too precious about them nor against, but worth pointing out I can get 40% discount on them - I was thinking on a Unity 500 combo. At the same time, I get all my tones and stuff with the Darkglass ADAM (and awfully proud of the presets I've worked on for the band's set) and want to keep using those without extra colouring. Hence, I was thinking of getting one of these Headrush MK2 12" or a similar budget (£350) powered speaker that will do bass justice... I've heard mixed reviews about the Headrush too in terms of stage dispersion and punch (ie. those 2500w are not same as 250w from an actual bass amp). Aaaalso at the same time, buying a traditional amp makes a redundancy on preamp/distortion/compressor/other bits that I do not need as I have them on the ADAM already... For that budget of £350 and considering that's about what the Unity 2x10 500w combo would cost me, is there any other powered speaker option I should consider? Thanks! Blackstar do a 250ACT (powered 15" speaker) which is an active extension for the U500 combo (I have both). I'm not 100% sure but I guess you could have a couple of those and use them with your pedalboard as a pre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted October 23 Share Posted October 23 The Headrush is nasty for bass. It's only entry level for guitar. A used Yamaha DXR10 would be a much better choice. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ander87 Posted October 23 Author Share Posted October 23 27 minutes ago, ped said: Blackstar do a 250ACT (powered 15" speaker) which is an active extension for the U500 combo (I have both). I'm not 100% sure but I guess you could have a couple of those and use them with your pedalboard as a pre? Oh this is interesting! I don't know how I missed that but that could well work - I've never tried 15" so I hope it's clear enough? Maybe that's another topic. The modularity of it also helps, and can get one, see how it goes, add another one if need be. Also makes it very easy for sharing backline if I have to with other bands (this band often headlines). On a side note how are you finding the U500? I just don't think it can replace the ADAM although I may stand corrected in which case I'd only need the U500 combo...! 30 minutes ago, fretmeister said: The Headrush is nasty for bass. It's only entry level for guitar. A used Yamaha DXR10 would be a much better choice. Ah, noted with thanks! I hear that sentiment across however I think it may be unrealistic of me to want a top end powered speaker for under £400... However will keep eyes open! Ander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 23 Share Posted October 23 1 hour ago, Ander87 said: Oh this is interesting! I don't know how I missed that but that could well work - I've never tried 15" so I hope it's clear enough? Maybe that's another topic. The modularity of it also helps, and can get one, see how it goes, add another one if need be. Also makes it very easy for sharing backline if I have to with other bands (this band often headlines). On a side note how are you finding the U500? I just don't think it can replace the ADAM although I may stand corrected in which case I'd only need the U500 combo...! Hi mate, The 15 pairs really well with the 2x10 but I haven't tried it on its own. I believe it's a pretty good speaker (Eminence Opus or something). The u500 is great, I really like it - it's not that light but OK to carry like a big box rather than with the top handle (which is OK for manoeuvring it about to an extent). I have tried the various voicing and response curves but found that for my tastes they all sound a bit too much - however on the linear/flat setting it sounds very natural. Perhaps it's very slightly boxy sounding but I have yet to play with the sweepable mids to dial in what I want - it's always been great in a mix on the night. The DI is great too, it's pre or post EQ with the option for emulation (like a fixed IR). I have just bought an Eich 112pro though because my Blackstar stack is either too big for some venues or slightly redundant at bigger ones with decent PA. You're welcome to try it if you like Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted October 23 Share Posted October 23 A Unity 500 for £350? Bargain! Does it have an Effects Loop? Get the Unity & plug the Darkglass into the FX Return, bypassing any "colouring" that the amp's preamp may bring, though there may be some colouring from the power amp & speakers. Have been having a similar discussion for quite a few years now, but due to not being able to stretch to one of the "top notch" FRFR / PA Powered cabs, I've been using my Ashdown MAG 300 combo with a succession of Multi-FX/Modellers (currently a Line6 POD Go). Works for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted October 23 Share Posted October 23 Technically if you want to keep the Darkglass sound without extra colouring you need an FRFR speaker. I'm not surprised the Headrush doesn't do it for bass: the same rules apply to PA speakers used for bass as apply to bass speakers as a whole. Most people aren't going to find a single 10" speaker 'enough' for every eventuality and you need a good quality 12 or something bigger ideally. For bass quality means a long voice coil to give you good excursion without distorting, high power handling and good control over cone movement at low frequencies. This means the bass driver will be correspondingly expensive and you won't get that in a speaker the price of the Headrush, though they are good value to be fair. At your price range you need to go for something like a used Yamaha, RCF or QSC 12" speaker to get that quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ander87 Posted October 23 Author Share Posted October 23 6 hours ago, ped said: Hi mate, The 15 pairs really well with the 2x10 but I haven't tried it on its own. I believe it's a pretty good speaker (Eminence Opus or something). The u500 is great, I really like it - it's not that light but OK to carry like a big box rather than with the top handle (which is OK for manoeuvring it about to an extent). I have tried the various voicing and response curves but found that for my tastes they all sound a bit too much - however on the linear/flat setting it sounds very natural. Perhaps it's very slightly boxy sounding but I have yet to play with the sweepable mids to dial in what I want - it's always been great in a mix on the night. The DI is great too, it's pre or post EQ with the option for emulation (like a fixed IR). I have just bought an Eich 112pro though because my Blackstar stack is either too big for some venues or slightly redundant at bigger ones with decent PA. You're welcome to try it if you like Cheers Oh thanks for this! I actually read up your thread/review when you got it when I first started learning the band's songs 😝 Interestingly, I popped an email to Blackstar (we're same postcode, NN3 represent!) and they said they'd love to show me around and let me play some stuff. I am always biased by stage presence and with that chunky 40%, the U500 combo and 1x15 cab would be £600 tops ish, over my initial budget but so tempting. I do think in hindsight my ambitions for a powered speaker are out of budget it seems! I kinda want to take advantage of the endorsement and will study the 250ACT with my darkglass stuff or effects loop on the combo. Both with/without extension cabinet considered 😀 I'll report back sometime next week on this, but literally the below seems such a solid summary... 5 hours ago, Skybone said: A Unity 500 for £350? Bargain! Does it have an Effects Loop? Get the Unity & plug the Darkglass into the FX Return, bypassing any "colouring" that the amp's preamp may bring, though there may be some colouring from the power amp & speakers. Have been having a similar discussion for quite a few years now, but due to not being able to stretch to one of the "top notch" FRFR / PA Powered cabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted October 24 Share Posted October 24 If your band are sponsored by Blackstar it would almost seem rude not to at least try their stuff. If you can get a tone you like out of it and it's a knock down price then why wouldn't you want to keep them happy. Any advice I gave about an FRFR solution was only about making it work, not recommending you go that route. I wondered when I was typing my answer why you wouldn't at least try the Blackstar gear. Why do you want an extension cab btw are you certain the Unity 500 won't be loud enough or is this about the look? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ander87 Posted October 25 Author Share Posted October 25 12 hours ago, Phil Starr said: If your band are sponsored by Blackstar it would almost seem rude not to at least try their stuff. If you can get a tone you like out of it and it's a knock down price then why wouldn't you want to keep them happy. Any advice I gave about an FRFR solution was only about making it work, not recommending you go that route. I wondered when I was typing my answer why you wouldn't at least try the Blackstar gear. Why do you want an extension cab btw are you certain the Unity 500 won't be loud enough or is this about the look? Totally my approach - I guess my initial reaction was 'I don't want to lose my luscious Darkglass ADAM tones, or spend too much dough on amps (since I don't have any right now, ramping up from bedroom player phase)'. Luckily, there's solutions for both - either 'just' get the powered 250ACT speaker to use with the Darkglass, or get a full whack amp (500w combo, or Unity Elite 700 + 2x10 cab). And yeah, I do not think I'd need the 2nd cab now, so purely for visuals and that reassurance that I can cover anything, but once I cool down, admittedly zero need for the extension cab yet. I'm looking forward to Monday, meeting Blackstar HQ! They replied super quick and offered to show me around and let me try some stuff; I've also learnt from one of their videos that they actually based the distortion channel on the Darkglass B7K, which sounded very familiar! We shall see... Ander. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 18 minutes ago, Ander87 said: Totally my approach - I guess my initial reaction was 'I don't want to lose my luscious Darkglass ADAM tones, or spend too much dough on amps (since I don't have any right now, ramping up from bedroom player phase)'. Luckily, there's solutions for both - either 'just' get the powered 250ACT speaker to use with the Darkglass, or get a full whack amp (500w combo, or Unity Elite 700 + 2x10 cab). And yeah, I do not think I'd need the 2nd cab now, so purely for visuals and that reassurance that I can cover anything, but once I cool down, admittedly zero need for the extension cab yet. I'm looking forward to Monday, meeting Blackstar HQ! They replied super quick and offered to show me around and let me try some stuff; I've also learnt from one of their videos that they actually based the distortion channel on the Darkglass B7K, which sounded very familiar! We shall see... Ander. Glad to hear they actually exist because they don’t answer their emails! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ander87 Posted October 25 Author Share Posted October 25 2 minutes ago, ped said: Glad to hear they actually exist because they don’t answer their emails! that's so odd! they replied to me in 2hrs, and then within 20 mins after I replied! I was pleasantly surprised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 1 minute ago, Ander87 said: that's so odd! they replied to me in 2hrs, and then within 20 mins after I replied! I was pleasantly surprised I’ll try not to take it personally! 😂 never mind I’m sorted now anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassApprentice Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Well just think of it as having an "in" for now, or as long as @Ander87 is a sponsored artist 😂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 He’s my Artist Relations guy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happypants Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 I wonder if there’s a BC discount on the horizon … 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ander87 Posted October 25 Author Share Posted October 25 35 minutes ago, Happypants said: I wonder if there’s a BC discount on the horizon … 😉 “Soon as I thought I was in, they pulled me back out…” 😂 first foray into all of this really, teenage dreams! Making me feel like I can play, if only they knew… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted October 25 Share Posted October 25 Don't GK make powered speakers for their MB range? Would one of those work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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