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How to Choose

What’s right for you from Acoustic Image? As long as you’re looking for high-fidelity, natural sound at realistic sound levels, the clear answer to the this question is ”something”. What, specifically, you should select from our range of amp heads and combos (see comparison chart) is a function of your instrument(s), music, and venues. Here are some issues to consider:

Do you need two channels or one? Two offers many advantages, including the ability to use your amp as a PA system or to combine two pickups, two instruments or voice and an instrument.

Do you want built-in effects? Our two-channel amplifiers offer onboard reverb and other high quality effects.

How much power do you require? The greatest benefit of more wattage is greater dynamic headroom, not the ability to play louder. If in doubt, more power reserve is generally better, particularly since, with AI, it doesn’t involved a tradeoff with greater weight or lower sensitivity. But, keep in mind that electric bass generally requires more power than other instruments.

Do you want a more ”upfront” sound? How much bass response do you need? Our Corus combos trade off some bass extension for a somewhat more forward sonic presentation than Contra or Coda. Typically, Corus appeals to guitarists, violinists, violists, cellists, and horn players. Contra and Coda normally appeal more to bassists and pianists. The Ten2 offers another alternative: a forward firing woofer in addition to a downfiring woofer. But it is far from black and white. All AI combos offer full range hi-fi sound, generous bass extension and the ability to be heard all over the bandstand as well as out front. The difference is one of shading. Of course, if you are looking for truly ”in your face” presentation, the best answer is an AI head with someone else’s speaker enclosure.

Do you need an extension speaker? Adding a Contra or Corus EX to one of our combos does effectively increase amplifier power by reducing speaker impedance. It also doubles the speaker radiating area which can raise volume considerably. It also increases ”coverage” which can be good for the combination of a larger room and higher volume, particularly where the combo is filling PA duty. For guitar and string players in particular, an extension speaker makes an already impressive soundstage that much bigger, creating a truly holographic presentation. The Ten2 offers a bigger sound in a single cabinet and for the ultimate in sound output from us, use a Ten2 and a Ten2 EX. You can also use a Ten2 EX as an extension cab for one of our smaller combos. The combo will stack on top of the Ten2 EX for the ultimate 3x10 system.