Operation:
Speaker Cabinet Field Test,March 13, 2010
Mission:
Listening Test for DNS-112N, DNS-112N/Micro, DNS-115N, DNS-110, DNS-210
Test
Basses: Spector NS-6P Custom (The Voice), Lakland Basses
File
date: March 16, 2010, by: Jeff Carlson and Lane on Bass
Videos:
031310/A
- Interview with David about crossovers and tweeters 031310/B - Listening Test,
Part 1 031310/C
- Interview with David about ports and speakers
Welcome
back to our second SEAL Team report. This test served two purposes:
Check
crossover adjustments for DNS-112N, DNS 112N/Micro and DNS-115N
First
listening test for DNS-110 and DNS-210
Now,
that's not quite the way it was supposed to be, in two different ways. First,
we thought we were done with crossover tweaks, but David took the data from our
first test and made some very minor, yet important adjustments to the crossover
designs. Watch the interview for more on that. The bottom line is that the crossovers
are dialed in very well, and we're pretty much set for the first three cabs. All
that's left here is to transfer the crossover specs to an installed back plate,
and put the grill on when it arrives.
Second,
we got to listen to the DNS-110 and DNS-210 cabinets, but not the 410. Again,
watch the interview. I do want to point out that we are still within our planned
schedule on development, moving into production. If the grills show up as scheduled,
I should be taking the entire line of prototypes out very soon to have several
more SEAL Team members perform testing.
Before
we get to the test itself... I got there before Jeff did, which gave me time to
go over several details with the boss. I taped more interview footage that I will
edit down in the coming days. I also have a lot of footage shot during the test
itself, but it's going to take a while to get through all of that and figure out
which parts I can use. There's still a lot of stuff we can't talk about yet. Here's
a short clip about crossovers and tweeters:
Video
Report #031310/A David discusses crossovers and
tweeters
UPDATE:
On Wednesday, March 24, I added Video Report #031310/C - a second interview with
David. This time David discusses ports and speaker technology. (See below.)
Now,
let's talk about the test, and our opinions.
Here's
Jeff's report for the day:
In
my first report, I described how strong and clear David's new designs were, even
when using a P-bass with a set of well-worn DR Black Beauties. As a weekend warrior
and support player, I wanted my first test of these cabinets to use workingman's
tools, in counterpoint to Lane's hyper-custom bass. I also left most of the high
notes to him, as well, because while he lives in the pocket 95% of the time, he
does switch roles occasionally, whereas I never leave home.
For the second round, Lane and I revisited the cabinets from the first test.
The DNS-110 and DNS-210 were also ready for us. David provided us with several
alternative port tunings and crossovers to extract the most tonal range. We kept
going back and forth until we found the perfect combination of choices for each
cabinet.
I brought along my Lakland 55-02 5-string with Chi-Sonic pickups. This bass
allowed me to test in active or hum-cancelling mode as well as flat EQ vs boost
or cut settings. The Lakland has a very well-produced tone that transferred well
to the DNA cabinets. I tried hitting each box with full power from the amp (440
watts mono and 880 watts bridged) and could not get the drivers to break up, even
with B string grooves or high register, hard-attack riffs.
I
used my Dark Star P-bass to test dB levels from the 210 box while thumping out
a heavy "Hold On I'm Coming" groove and saw 125+ dB without the amp
even cranked. From this, we think 410 testing WILL require hearing protection.
Loud with tone. Is that cool or what?
One
other contribution I made was through lapses in technique, prompting David to
smooth out the crossover response curve. We don't need to hear all the string
noise, do we?
The
depth and tone of these single-driver cabinets is stunning. And loud! The videos
don't do the power and sound justice, but you may notice that we are two very
happy campers - except that we have to wait for production to start, just like
you. The prototypes rock(!) as intended, and are absolutely superior to anything
that would result from a random collection of off-the-shelf parts. From what David
was saying, the new designs are much more effective at harnessing the electrical
limits as well as the mechanical limits of cabinet performance. I truly cannot
wait to try these cabinets in a live setting with a grooving drummer.
Since
that first test, I've played several gigs and rehearsals using some of David's
older cabinets, and I'm convinced the new DNA cabinets are a huge step forward
in terms of power, voicing, and portability. Having played through many brands
over many decades qualifies me to say that DNA gear will be much better acoustically
and technically - not more of the same. I can also draw on several years experience
evaluating David's other cabinet designs in A/B tests such as these. My only bias
is that I've been a fan of David's work since his early career and that I've received
more work and more compliments on my tone as a result.
These
sessions have reminded me that David really knows how to make bass guitars sound
both musical and muscular in the mix. Lane and I were there with a range of basses
and playing styles, to inject the unexpected human element. David makes it easy,
though, since with his ear and experience he always seems to be 99% on the money
before our input. If we were a Formula 1 race team, David is the engineer we would
want choosing gearbox ratios, tire compounds, and electronic controls for every
track. The car would already be set up to win before the drivers arrived. I am
so ready to buckle in and use the power!
=jc= 3/17/10
Video
Report #031310/B Comments during testing
As
for my own thoughts, let me put it this way: If we were amazed last time, it was
twice as nice this time around.
As
I said above, the crossover tweaks were definite improvements. David has given
the DNS-112N, DNS-112N/Micro and DNS-115N each their own unit optimized for that
cabinet. The circuits for the two 12" cabs actually are very similar with
the base design getting a couple of mods for the second cab. Sort of the same
but different, if you know what I mean. The curve is different for each, no
matter how you look at it.
Then
it was time for the 10" cabs. Before we could play them, however, we had
to help David install the speakers, which had arrived the night before, and the
tweeters.
The
single 10" cab sounds very full for its size. I never expected to hear a
single ten put out this kind of tight, focused bottom end. I also never thought
I'd be able to hit it with as much wattage as we did, but it held up to everything,
even a low B at high volume.
Next
up was the DNS-210. Wow. Just, wow. We did something you should never do,
but since this was meant to be a serious test, we did it anyway. We slammed this
poor cabinet with much more power than the cabinet is rated to handle. The rating
is a seriously hefty 700W RMS, and we slapped it with 1100W! We're talking 2200W
peaks into a 210!!
The
extra power didn't seem to bother the speakers at all, but it did bother my ears.
In fact, I was able to achieve true earsplitting volume that had me wincing on
some notes and chords. Low notes had serious thump going on.
So
we're another significant step toward our goal. We've heard all but one of the
cabinets, and if the 410 is truly double the pleasure and double the volume of
the 210, I'm going to be a very happy boy!
Video
Report #031310/C David discusses ports and speaker technology
