Pre-Washurn Eden Metro or Pre-Fender SWR Redhead?

[Kraig Gregory]

Need some help deciding between a Pre Washburn Eden Metro and a Pre-Fender SWR Redhead 240W combo amp. The eden will cost and extra $200 but which one sounds the best, has the most features and is the most reliable? The weigh about the same and have about the same wattage.

Any thoughts might help me break the tie!

[Tim Bishop]

Need some help deciding between a Pre Washburn Eden Metro and a Pre-Fender SWR Redhead 240W combo amp. The eden will cost and extra $200 but which one sounds the best, has the most features and is the most reliable? The weigh about the same and have about the same wattage.

Any thoughts might help me break the tie!
Just FYI. Don't get hung up on the "Pre Washburn" thing. The JV with USMC did not change the Eden culture and where and how Eden amps are crafted.

Currently, now that David is gone, not sure where these amps will be built going forward, however, grab one while you can before they end up in China :mad:.

At any rate. My vote is for the Eden Metro ;). Check it out:

http://www.eden-electronics.com/products/combos/indiv/dc210xlt.asp

You can drive this amp down to a 2-ohm load and get, what I would consider, a conservative 750W. Really nice to be able to add 4 8-ohm cabs (because you can) and have all the coverage you'll most likely ever need for most any situation. Eden cabs are among the most efficient cabinets out there. Also, the Eden DI is probably THE BEST DI in the business.

$200. more? Like a Smith: A great price to pay to get what you're paying for and then some. ;)

[Kraig Gregory]

thanks Tim. Very helpful. Anyone else have any thoughts or experiences.

Kraig

[Mendell Beckford]

thanks Tim. Very helpful. Anyone else have any thoughts or experiences.

Kraig
I've owned both the Sm500 and Eden550.The SWR crapped out twice, ON STAGE,MID SET!!!!!.Had to wait until it cooled(about 10 mins).Not fun.
Eden on the other hand,pushed verrrrry hard,'till all the bells,whistles and lights are flashing.Still going strong

[Tim Bishop]

I've owned both the Sm500 and Eden550.The SWR crapped out twice, ON STAGE,MID SET!!!!!.Had to wait until it cooled(about 10 mins).Not fun.
Eden on the other hand,pushed verrrrry hard,'till all the bells,whistles and lights are flashing.Still going strongI know I couldn't be more pleased with any and all the Eden gear I have and continue to use for over 10 years now. I've never had an issue with anything Eden; from '98 forward.

SWR makes a quality amp. Or at least they use too. I think it's fair to say that there's alway's a risk of something going wrong with electronics; I don't care who the maker is. Eden gives a 2 year warranty on their amps and cabs. I've pushed Eden cabs off Eden heads from 2 to 8 ohms without incident.

I've played through alot of gear over the years and in my book, a Smith bass run through Eden bass amplification is a match that's hard to beat.

[Mendell Beckford]

Mr Tim, I have a question for you. What happens if you pair a 4ohm and an 8ohm speaker together driven by the Eden 550? Is considered an unbalanced load?

[Tim Bishop]

Mr Tim, I have a question for you. What happens if you pair a 4ohm and an 8ohm speaker together driven by the Eden 550?....Not a problem. The WT-550 can handle a 2 ohm load. A 4 ohm cabinet + an 8 ohm cabinet, in parallel, will create a 2.667 load. So, you are good to go!

BTW - You could actually add one more 8 ohm cabinet to the above scenario; if you need it. That would put you at the 2 ohm load mark, which the WT-550 can handle.

Enjoy!

[Ken Smith]

I have one of the earlier Red Heads from 1988 but has since been updated by SWR before the Fender deal, I think. I prefer the warmer sound of the SWR.

Both are good Amps but the SWR sounds more natural to me.

[Mendell Beckford]

[QUOTE=Tim Bishop;16463]Not a problem. The WT-550 can handle a 2 ohm load. A 4 ohm cabinet + an 8 ohm cabinet, in parallel, will create a 2.667 load. So, you are good to go!

BTW - You could actually add one more 8 ohm cabinet to the above scenario; if you need it. That would put you at the 2 ohm load mark, which the WT-550 can handle.

Enjoy![/

thank you sir. I feel more @ ease now

[Tim Bishop]

Not a problem. The WT-550 can handle a 2 ohm load. A 4 ohm cabinet + an 8 ohm cabinet, in parallel, will create a 2.667 load. So, you are good to go!

BTW - You could actually add one more 8 ohm cabinet to the above scenario; if you need it. That would put you at the 2 ohm load mark, which the WT-550 can handle.

Enjoy!

thank you sir. I feel more @ ease nowAnd, you're also gonna feel more bass now! :D

[Oren Hudson]

Just remember that your 4 ohm cab will be receiving twice as much power as the 8 ohm. Sometimes the differences are subtle to the ear, sometimes not. Just something to keep in mind. :)

[Tim Bishop]

Just remember that your 4 ohm cab will be receiving twice as much power as the 8 ohm, and, technically will be twice as loud. Sometimes the differences are subtle to the ear, sometimes not. Just something to keep in mind. :)Twice as loud? No. Only about a +3db difference (4 ohm cab vs. 8 ohm cab). Good luck trying to hear that difference. He'll notice way more coverage with the added 8 ohm cabinet vs. the 4 ohm cabinet as a single.

[Mendell Beckford]

"Alls" i know is that i'm gonna have me some fun!!!!!!!!

[Tim Bishop]

"Alls" i know is that i'm gonna have me some fun!!!!!!!!Yes! I have no doubt. :D

[Oren Hudson]

Twice as loud? No. Only about a +3db difference (4 ohm cab vs. 8 ohm cab). Good luck trying to hear that difference. He'll notice way more coverage with the added 8 ohm cabinet vs. the 4 ohm cabinet as a single.

Correction - I was wrong. Twice as loud would not be the case. Too long of a day replacing the intake water valve on our dishwasher - a frustrating job for a non-plumber. I guess that's what made my brain the least but less functioning. My other comments stand. :)

[Mendell Beckford]

Mr Bishop, all I can say is that I've been in the dark and now I see the light! Last night's gig was AWESOME with the new 4ohm driver!!! Can you say GEEKED!!!! Shoulda done this a long time ago.

[Tim Bishop]

:DMr Bishop, all I can say is that I've been in the dark and now I see the light! Last night's gig was AWESOME with the new 4ohm driver!!! Can you say GEEKED!!!! Shoulda done this a long time ago.Lol! Not surprised. Now just think what you'd have with that add'l 8-ohm cab :eek:!

[Tim Bishop]

Need some help deciding between a Pre Washburn Eden Metro and a Pre-Fender SWR Redhead 240W combo amp. The eden will cost and extra $200 but which one sounds the best, has the most features and is the most reliable? The weigh about the same and have about the same wattage.

Any thoughts might help me break the tie!Well Kraig, it's been almost a year. Have you broken the tie?

[Tim Bishop]

Eden will be discontinuing the WT-405. This may be one of the best Eden heads ever. Get one while you can! I bought 3 recently. Nothing like the Smith/Eden combination in the mix! :)