Amperian VSOP
Summary:
Good low end presence, combined with detailed and woody mids/upper mids. The high end is chimey but smooth.
In depth:
Perhaps the best way to describe the tone of the VSOP is by using some well known speakers as references. The VSOP's design and approach is pretty unique and rather clever, which I'll get into in a moment.
So to get started... let's use Celestions as references since I think they may be the most familiar: Let's start with the famous G12M Greenback - this speaker had a 75Hz cone (same as the Celestion Blue, which will be touched on later), which helps give it that really glorious mid and upper mid character, right where the electric guitar shines. This also means the top end has a very pronounced chime to it, but in some situations and amp pairings, that high end focus can get a little brittle sounding.
Then enter the 55Hz cone - Jimi Hendrix may have been the one to popularize the G12H with its 55Hz cone for guitar use (note: the popular G12H "Anniversary" edition, which uses a 75HZ cone, is NOT the same as the original G12H). I think I remember reading that the original G12H was originally designed as a bass guitar amp speaker. When the 55Hz cone is used in a guitar speaker, the lows become stronger and more prominent, but it can also be more "flat" in feel and response (more a character, not a criticism), as in the lows, mids, and highs can sound more balanced with each other. This had two other side effects: the top end was typically smoother sounding, which was good for bright guitars and amps. The other was that it can also sound, well, kind of "flat", especially in the mid range. When comparing it back to back with the G12M Greenback, the G12H's mid range sometimes sounds a little lifeless.
Enter the VSOP. I said that this design is rather clever because it uses the big open sound of the 55Hz cone, but brings back that mid range magic by pairing it with a well voiced Alnico magnet, known to have bright and punchy mids and upper mids. Think Celestion Blue - it is well known for having a very detailed and punchy mid and top end. Where the VSOP differs from the Celestion Blue is in the very present low end. Also, thanks to that 55Hz cone, the top end of the VSOP is much smoother sounding than the Blue, which can sometimes be too brittle or bright in some circuits, especially when the Blue hasn't been broken in for a decade or more.
Some have compared the sound of the VSOP to a vintage (US made) Jenson P12N. I partially agree, in that I think the prominent low end does associate somewhat with more "American" flavors, and I think the P12N is a good basis to compare it to - wherever the P12N would work, the VSOP will also shine. Unlike some more British leaning designs, the VSOP can do that "swampy" sound if you want it to. However, the basket (which does affect tone and response) and cone design all are very British (think Celestion) based or inspired. In fact, even the glue used in the VSOP is made in the UK! However, its unique sound comes down to how well this speaker pairs two complimentary elements (a low resonance cone with a punchy Alnico magnet) and how well this was executed.
If you want something that's not quite British or American sounding, with both the punch and detail of Alnico but with a smoother top end, something that has its own voice, then the VSOP is a great choice.
In both the Quantum Zen and the Pulsar Reverb, the VSOP really brings out that woody upper mid range, while having a big sounding (but not overpowering) low end. This is why I stock the VSOP as standard in the Pulsar and Quantum Zen, and use them in my personal amps.
Coming Soon... the Amperian Revolution 65... my other favorite...
Good low end presence, combined with detailed and woody mids/upper mids. The high end is chimey but smooth.
In depth:
Perhaps the best way to describe the tone of the VSOP is by using some well known speakers as references. The VSOP's design and approach is pretty unique and rather clever, which I'll get into in a moment.
So to get started... let's use Celestions as references since I think they may be the most familiar: Let's start with the famous G12M Greenback - this speaker had a 75Hz cone (same as the Celestion Blue, which will be touched on later), which helps give it that really glorious mid and upper mid character, right where the electric guitar shines. This also means the top end has a very pronounced chime to it, but in some situations and amp pairings, that high end focus can get a little brittle sounding.
Then enter the 55Hz cone - Jimi Hendrix may have been the one to popularize the G12H with its 55Hz cone for guitar use (note: the popular G12H "Anniversary" edition, which uses a 75HZ cone, is NOT the same as the original G12H). I think I remember reading that the original G12H was originally designed as a bass guitar amp speaker. When the 55Hz cone is used in a guitar speaker, the lows become stronger and more prominent, but it can also be more "flat" in feel and response (more a character, not a criticism), as in the lows, mids, and highs can sound more balanced with each other. This had two other side effects: the top end was typically smoother sounding, which was good for bright guitars and amps. The other was that it can also sound, well, kind of "flat", especially in the mid range. When comparing it back to back with the G12M Greenback, the G12H's mid range sometimes sounds a little lifeless.
Enter the VSOP. I said that this design is rather clever because it uses the big open sound of the 55Hz cone, but brings back that mid range magic by pairing it with a well voiced Alnico magnet, known to have bright and punchy mids and upper mids. Think Celestion Blue - it is well known for having a very detailed and punchy mid and top end. Where the VSOP differs from the Celestion Blue is in the very present low end. Also, thanks to that 55Hz cone, the top end of the VSOP is much smoother sounding than the Blue, which can sometimes be too brittle or bright in some circuits, especially when the Blue hasn't been broken in for a decade or more.
Some have compared the sound of the VSOP to a vintage (US made) Jenson P12N. I partially agree, in that I think the prominent low end does associate somewhat with more "American" flavors, and I think the P12N is a good basis to compare it to - wherever the P12N would work, the VSOP will also shine. Unlike some more British leaning designs, the VSOP can do that "swampy" sound if you want it to. However, the basket (which does affect tone and response) and cone design all are very British (think Celestion) based or inspired. In fact, even the glue used in the VSOP is made in the UK! However, its unique sound comes down to how well this speaker pairs two complimentary elements (a low resonance cone with a punchy Alnico magnet) and how well this was executed.
If you want something that's not quite British or American sounding, with both the punch and detail of Alnico but with a smoother top end, something that has its own voice, then the VSOP is a great choice.
In both the Quantum Zen and the Pulsar Reverb, the VSOP really brings out that woody upper mid range, while having a big sounding (but not overpowering) low end. This is why I stock the VSOP as standard in the Pulsar and Quantum Zen, and use them in my personal amps.
Coming Soon... the Amperian Revolution 65... my other favorite...