Omni 12 sub

[Rug]

I recently built the Omni 12 210 sub. We've got a Soundcraft Gigrac 1000 powered mixer, Peavey PR15 mains and PR12 monitors. Signal runs from the PM to the sub to the mains. We're only running kick drum through it so far but will probably run instruments, too, in certain situations. I've used it twice now so thought I'd offer up my early opinion.

Set it up at our practice room the first time in front of us, next to the PM and mains. Sounded ok but not spectacular. After a few songs we took a break and I moved it over to a corner. That helped a lot. We were able to get a thump that we could hear and feel. Pretty nice.

Second time out I went down a bit early and removed the dampening material from the area around the horn mouth in an attempt to get a bit more sound out of it. Not sure if that was it or if the speakers are starting to loosen up but we got a nice thump from the start. The sub was sitting in a corner near me and I went over and leaned against it while we were playing and it felt like getting kicked in the pants when my drummer would hit his kick drum. At one point he looked over at me, pointed at the sub and gave a big ol' grin. I think it's a hit. It also sounded really good when running music through the system off an ipod during our break.

We're a 3 piece band playing moderately loud country grunge rock music. We're not looking for hip-hop style bass thump to dominate the room but wanted something that could be heard and felt while we're playing the typical small bar gigs and this sub delivers on all counts. In fact, it's been inspiring us to play a bit louder and more aggressively than we have in the past since it's so much fun to feel the music. I think once the honeymoon period wears off a bit we'll be able to get a great full sound at moderate volumes but for now we're having a blast cranking it up.

Bottom line--it's a great sounding little sub for typical bar gigs where we're not trying to make anyone's ears bleed.

Next up--wedgehorn monitors and then DR200 mains.

[Tim A]

I've been able to get mine to behave properly out in the open, but it definitely requires a little increase on the kick channel volume or EQ. Wall loaded it works without any boost. Never had to corner load yet, it'd probably have to be cut back some.

Glad it's working out. The little guy has limitations, no doubt. But for the intended purpose it's the best I've used in such a small, light package. The is the first sub I've ever had that can be one-hand carried up the back porch steps and into the music room without a hernia!

[BrentEvans]

I'm curious about something. How would this compare to a sub I've used, a custom ported cab with 15" celestion driver? Those things weighed about 60 pounds with plate amp onboard and they're tiny, but sound OK for what I do (which admittedly doesn't have much bass other than a finger picked bass guitar).

I know I'm going to be shocked and awed when I get my hands on these cabs anyway, but I'm interested in the comparison.


Thanks!

[WB]

I know I'm going to be shocked and awed when I get my hands on these cabs

I think so too.

What's special about this design is the slot loading and flared port. Big improvement over a typical direct radiator.