Low B Series II Systems from Acme Sound Owner’s Guide Low B-1 Low B-2 Low B-4 Rev 10/02 Acme Sound Ltd USA Owners Notes Low B-2 and Low B-4 Systems 1
Table of Contents Introducing the “Series II” Models . . . . . . 2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . . . . . 4 IMPORTANT TO READ BEFORE YOUR FIRST USE! . . 4 Guidelines for Use Impedance and Amplification Placement: Low B-2 . Placement: Low B-4 . Placement: Low B-1 . Cables . . . Stands . . . Equalization . . Biamping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 Care and Maintenance Lint . .
Owner's Notes Acme Low B Systems Series II Acme Sound Ltd USA Rev July 28, 1999 Introducing the Series II Models Since the introduction of the original Acme Low B-2 in December 1993, and the Low B-4 in September 1994, the speakers have remained unchanged until now, with the exception of a rust-proof powder coating on the front grilles. The original period of development of these two models was long and painstaking, and I believed at the time of their introduction that nothing could be done to improve them.
original system through passive equalization. Extensive passive EQ is difficult, because it has a way of making the impedance drop too low for most amplifiers to handle. The job was devilishly difficult, but in the end was quite successful.) What are the other changes which distinguish the Low B Series II from the original? Several things.
Acme Low B Systems for Bass Guitar: Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of what I believe is a unique product in a crowded field. The Acme Low B systems were introduced because I felt the existing products in their class were inadequate in performance and rather expensive. And as a free-lance drummer educated in physics, I've had a unique opportunity to be exposed to a wide variety of bass guitar equipment, and to understand the causes of the coloration and distortion present in most.
The first is that the ability of the systems to reproduce the lowest notes doesn’t reach it’s full capability until the surrounds have been loosened up by being used. The second, and perhaps more important consequence, is that when driven to their maximum excursion, the woofers are much easier to damage when they are new, than after they’ve been broken in. It is more likely that the cones will be overstressed the when the speakers are brand new, than at any time after they’ve been used.
recommended that you use at least 300 watts for comfortable operation. In some situations, with certain players, power requirements can be surprising. You have doubtless already been warned. Cut these numbers in half for the Low B-1 1x10” model. We rate the Acme Low B-4 at 700 watts RMS continuous. It has been used with success with 200-1000 watt amps.
on their sides, with the midranges and tweeters oriented on a common vertical axis. Acoustically, this orientation offers a better “line source” than stacking the two boxes upright or side-by-side. Experiment. Placement: Low B-1 At first glance, the Low B-1 looks a little strange. As was mentioned above, the speaker uses a Fendertype strap handle. The port is apparently located on the top, next to the handle. Unusual. In fact, however, the port and the handle are located on the side of the speaker.
anything. Or send your speaker back to us, to insure that the job will be done right. Either the Low B-2 or B-1 systems are available with receptacles installed for use with common “Ultimate” style tripod stands. The charge for this option is $30 per cabinet. Equalization Thiele-Small modeling predicts a -6dB point of 31 Hz, below which response rolls off rapidly.
Covers Vinyl covers for the Low B systems are now available. We’ve contracted with a leading manufacturer of same, Tuki, to make them for us, and you can buy them directly from Acme. Standard covers are $50 for the B-2, and $54 for the B-4. Padded covers are $75 for the B-2 and $81 for the B-4. Flight Cases I am at a loss to make a recommendation. Most of the companies I have talked to who manufacture flight cases charge about as much for them as we charge for the speakers themselves.
In average rooms, flattest response will be found in about the -2 dB position, but most people like it all the way up. Its effect can be subtle for bass guitar, but some round-wound players insist the tweeter makes all the difference in the world. Again, experiment. Interestingly, the extended high end of our midrange driver made it possible to add an excellent tweeter at a low enough cost to make the Low B an outstanding full-range system, comparable in performance to studio monitors.
noticeable before. Or, your pickups might exhibit a “peakiness” that hadn’t been noticeable when used with a peakier speaker. Distortion Distortion, when introduced by any part of a sound system, will be heard from the speaker. If, for example, an amplifier has a weak tube, the effects of that weakness will be heard as distortion from the speaker. Sometimes, then, to say “the speaker is distorting,” can present a false picture.
Before you jump to this conclusion, listen to a wide-range program source through your speaker, such as a CD. With this source, the output from the tweeter will be much more obvious than with some bass guitars, particularly older, passive models. The very high crossover point makes it nearly impossible to damage this tweeter. It is very unlikely that you will destroy it no matter what you do. If you suspect damage, please perform the test described above before making up your mind.
So, the obvious difference between the Acme Low B and similar looking systems is the midrange speaker, instead of the ubiquitous horn tweeter. This is just, however, one characteristic of a fundamentally different approach to the one, two, or four-by-ten inch bass speaker. This speaker was designed "from the ground up" around a different type of woofer. It’s designed first to do the things the others don't do, and that's the important difference.
Warranty Acme Sound Ltd warrants this speaker to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two years from date of purchase. This warranty includes cost of any covered repairs and shipping one way. Warranty not to cover repairs necessary as a result of abuse. Warranty voided by any attempt to modify, improve, or reverse engineer the speaker.
