It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:43 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: PS512 Active Subwoofer
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 11:58 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:24 am
Posts: 434
Has anyone tried out the new Fender PS512 Active Subwoofer? It sounds like what I wish they'd offered when I bought my Passports.

Not having physical access to hear it, the best I can do is compare specs with the Gemini GVX-Sub15P that I bought waiting for the PS512 all these years. I know enough to recognize that specs are not pure and real and that something can look worse in specs and sound better. That's why I'm writing to ask.

The Gemini is two inches wider, an inch taller and an inch less deep, weighs 9 pounds more, claims a wider EQ range (40-250Hz vs. 38-200Hz), claims more power (400watts RMS, 1600watts peak vs. 250watts RMS, 500watts peak), and has a larger speaker (15" vs. 12").

That said, I have to work at EQ to get good solid bass out of it without an ugly, music destroying rumble, and I have to pick a sacrificial zone in the room to point the back vent at where no hearing creature would want to stand.

I'm typically killing most sound above 100-150Hz to avoid the nasty rumble, so that spec doesn't realistically favor the Gemini, and a front vent suggests that the sound coming out the vent is good (unlike the Gemini's rear vent). So, what's the Fender sound like?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: PS512 Active Subwoofer
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 6:12 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
I'm sure you've read this, but for the benefit of others:

"The Fender® PS-512 is a full-bodied powered subwoofer that pairs perfectly with Fender Passport systems that include the “sub out” feature. To dramatically increase your system’s bass frequency output and maximize the power sent to the mid- and high-frequency drivers, simply connect the PS-512 to your Passport system’s 1/4” “sub out” output. Making this connection engages a high-pass filtering circuit that dedicates more power to mid and high frequencies. The result is dramatically increased overall volume and greater definition between low and mid/high frequencies."

If I had a Fender Passport Venue, I would most definitely go with the PS-512 as they are made for each other. Also the front shelf port is a sonically superior design. Ideally the only thing that comes out of a port is air, and not sound. The design of the port tunes the cabinet to the woofer so they are in acoustic harmony with each other.

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: PS512 Active Subwoofer
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:06 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:06 pm
Posts: 46
Location: Just north of Calgary Alberta
Went to a place cause I'm thinking off getting rid of my passport 500 and going for the Venue cause it's a 100 watts more . The guy there told me I wouldn't be gaining much and get a powered sub woofer and will perk my 500 up big time .Any thoughts on if this is true ? If I do I'd like to go with a fender one so every thing matches .


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: PS512 Active Subwoofer
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 7:57 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:24 am
Posts: 434
You would get more than 100 watts more sound out of a Passport Pro 500 with a subwoofer, assuming the subwoofer is at least 100 watts. According to the owner's manual for Fender's sub, it's 250 watts RMS, probably exactly what you need to boost the P500.

Basically, high frequencies don't require a lot of power, but low frequencies do. When you plug anything into the 1/4" "Sub out" port on the Passport 500 Pro, it stops trying to play low frequencies, assuming that the sub will do that, and it reassigns that wattage to playing midrange frequencies and high frequencies louder.

Basically, you plug in a 250 watt sub to a Passport 500 pro, and you have a 750 watt system.

I have not heard the PS-512 subwoofer. I'm assuming that since it was designed to work with the Passports, it should be ideal for that task. It certainly looks well designed from the specs and the pictures.

I'm sure I'd rather have it than the 400 watt subwoofer I have now, but my wife is not going to let me spend the money to replace a component I already have that already works. I definitely would have bought the Fender sub YEARS ago, but it wasn't available years ago.

I'm sure it would work well with the two Expos I have now. But that's theoretical. I regret that Fender took so long to come out with them.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: PS512 Active Subwoofer
Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:59 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:06 pm
Posts: 46
Location: Just north of Calgary Alberta
Glad I checked here 1st ,looks like he was right .That's what I'll do then, but defiantly gonna go for the Fender 512 so it's all matched .


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: PS512 Active Subwoofer
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2015 9:35 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:06 pm
Posts: 46
Location: Just north of Calgary Alberta
Well I bought the 512 . If every one is downsizing for smaller and not so heavy buying this will defeat the purpose cause it weights 56 pounds and its big . Doesn't bother me but it will to some out there . I haven't played live with it yet but just practicing in my garage there is a real difference in sound .Just not sure how I'm gonna set the sound up when I go on stage with it balance wise . I got it for $560 bucks and I'll pay for it with a 3 hour matinee gig I got next week .So now I have to trust some one to set up the sound when I hit the stage for the 1st time ,but i'll keep you posted .


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: