Operation: Speaker Cabinet Field Test,March 27, 2010

Mission: Listening Test for DNS-210 and DNS-410

Test Basses: Spector NS-6P Custom (The Voice), Lakland Basses, Fender Standard Jazz, Rickenbacker 4003

File date: March 31, 2010, by: Jeff Carlson and Lane on Bass

Videos:

032710/A - Interview with David about hardware
032710/B - Interview with David about ports
032710/C - Listening Test, Part 1: Playing
032710/D - Two Minutes of Tone Nirvana (Lane on Bass)
032710/E - Listening Test, Part 2: Comments

Welcome back to our third SEAL Team report. This test served two purposes:

Video Report #032710/A
David discusses hardware for the DNS speaker line

Video Report #032710/B
David discusses ports and technology

Again we installed the drivers into the new cabinet immediately before testing. This is important to note for two reasons: first, the drivers had no break-in, and second, the drivers had no break-in.

It's s serious torture test to slap brand new drivers with as much power as we did. You can do serious damage to a driver by doing this, and I wanted to see what would happen if someone was crazy enough to try it... crazy like me! (smile) In addition, as a speaker goes through its break-in period, the bass response improves. As David says on one of the videos, you get "another two or three notes" at the bottom.

Keeping with the form, let's get to Jeff's opinion first. Then, when Mark chimes in, I'll put his next.

Here's Jeff's report for the day:

Saturday was my third encounter with DNA cabinets, this time including the big daddy DNS-410. I think DNS stands for "David's Not Shy" about putting great bass tone out to the back wall of every venue, regardless of the size of cabinet. What strikes me is how consistent and strong the cabinets are. They are different designs from the past, with the new technology being described in the interviews. And yet there is still a common signature aspect to David's tuning work. Think similar but different in a pushing-the-envelope way, that I hope you will all get to hear very soon. The range of DNA cabinets does sound like a family, so I'm pretty sure they will play well together, for those of us used to having modular rigs.

I'm also starting to think about what cabinet(s) I would buy. That's a tough one. Being a weekend warrior, I have a budget and also don't need a device that will shock the Army and Navy forces based near our home, or cause venues to ban us. Since the potency of DNA (pun intended) cabinets is very very high, I'm rethinking the long-held assumption that I need two 1x12's, two 210's, or a 410 to cover our gigs. I am very anxious to test one DNS112 or one DNS210 in a live setting, since our tests suggest that one cabinet can go a l-o-n-g way. Remember, we were bridging a powerful amp [1100W RMS, 2200W Peak - ed.] into the 210 and could not cause break up. The DNS-112 could also handle substantial power while retaining full composure. I want two of each cabinet, but now I can truly ask the question, do I need them for every gig? The opportunity to downsize my vehicle has now come into view as well.

OK, everyone really wants one or two DNS-410s, right? Yup. They kill. That would rock. So would having David's new amplifiers to do them justice. To be honest, my band will have to get to work on booking larger stages to warrant using the big daddy 410. You guys can jump ahead of me in line for that cabinet. I'll be pushing to get the single and dual driver cabinets into production ASAP. I need a DNS-112 or DNS-210 now!!
And I know some people who will be very happy with the tone, output, and light weight of the compact 112 and 110 models.

Testing the DNS-410 was a blast, even if we couldn't push it to full power that day. But it also proved how much capability David has packed into the sibling cabinets. I definitely want to spend more time with the family.

=jc=
03/31/10

Video Report #032710/C
Listening to five different basses

You know, I've known David for almost twenty years. I've always been impressed with his designs, as well as his deep knowledge of how to design drivers and cabinets and tune them to the Nth degree. And I thought I was prepared, having already heard the DNS-210, for the DNS-410 UberCab.

I can now say that I wasn't prepared for this. That thing is dangerous and I want two of them! And an amp to match. I will then proceed to part the Vermilion River at its widest point with sheer sonic assault.

What blew me away - and you can watch me say this - is the fact that David has combined the ability to hit like a wrecking ball with nuance and elegance that you wouldn't expect to be coupled with that sort of sheer brute muscle. That's like combining a WWII battleship with a sleek sailboat.

Peter Davyduck, a Canadian friend I've known for about five years, said that even on his little computer speakers he could get a really good sense of the character of the cabs, and could easily discern each bass's personality. (Thanks, bro!) I've got to agree. Listening back now, I could shut my eyes and tell you each bass as it came up.

What you can't hear on these videos is the subtleties the way we heard them... the way the harmonic overtones settled in quickly and lightly... how the tweeter was never overdriven, staying sweet and elegant no matter what we pounded it with... how the bottom end smacked you in the chest and closed your ears in a heartbeat and a half - even in a small room in which it was impossible for the low waves to fully develop.

After pounding on the cabinet six ways from Sunday, I took a couple of minutes to just jam it up. I really just wanted to play and listen for fun, if you know what I mean. It was heaven on 12! To quote Will Smith in Independence Day, "I have GOT to get me one of these!" The result is captured in the video below.

Video Report #032710/D
Two Minutes of Tone Nirvana

The next step, which is already underway, is for David to hand-build several crossovers so I can take the cabinets on the road. Until new, we've used one of David's Dr. Frankenstein boxes to handle crossover duties. This is the box he uses to refine the crossover parameters, because he can make instant changes for us to hear. Once he knows exactly which components he needs, he builds units he can fit onto a backplate for installation in the speaker cabinet.

Once David has completed that work, I'll take some cabinets down to Nashville to let others beat on. More news on that as it develops, so keep an eye on the Latest News page for updates.

For now, I'll leave you with the last video, this one includes some of the comments that best represent our thoughts without giving away any still-Top Secret details.

Video Report #031310/E
Comments During the Listening Tests