BASSBOSS creates a variety of different tops that differ in size and application. This article explains the philosophy behind each product to help you narrow down your choices and find a speaker that is right for you.
Factors to Consider:
- Portability (i.e. what size vehicle and team you have) - Larger tops like the Krakatoa and AT312's are big and heavy, making them difficult for single operators working out of a smaller vehicle. However they can also cover a large space relative to the volume you have. Smaller tops like the SV9 are light and easy to move, but they cannot product the SPL as larger tops.
- Expandability - Tops like the MFLA, DV12, and AT212 can be arrayed in groups to provide additional SPL and coverage when needed. Other tops, like the Krakatoa and AT312, will exhibit comb filtering when attempting to colocate several of them together.
- What SPL and coverage you need - Tops like the AT212 prioritize SPL (sound pressure level), while the DV12 sacrifices some SPL for deep output
- What coverage pattern works for you - The DV12 and Sublim8 both feature a 120 degree horn that is perfect for wide rooms. The CCM12 and DiaMon, on the other hand, have a tighter 80 degree conical pattern, which is well suited for monitor duty.
At a Glance - BASSBOSS Tops:
| Product | Cabinet Type | Coverage (H x V) | Dimensions | Weight | dBSPL (Continuous) | dBSPL (Peak) |
| AT212 | 2x 12" 2-Way, Vented Cabinet | 80 x 60 (Rotatable) | 47.75" x 14.3" x 17.75" | 99lbs | 136 | 142 |
| AT312 | 3x 12" 3-Way Coaxial Cabinet | 80 x 80 (Conical) | 48" x 16" x 20" | 126lbs | 133 | 139 |
| CCM12 | 2-Way 12" Coaxial Cabinet | 80 x 80 (Conical) | 14" x 14" x 11" | 30lbs | 123 | 126 |
| DiaMon | 2-Way 12" Coaxial Cabinet | 80 x 80 (Conical) | 14" x 14" x 13.5" | 30lbs | 123 | 126 |
| DV12 | 2-Way, single 12" Vented Cabinet | 120 x 20 | 24.63" x 14.5" x 19.1" | 63lbs | 128 | 134 |
| Krakatoa | Quintuple 18" Triaxial Loudspeaker System | 60 x 40 | 48" x 48" x 36" | 470lbs | 142 | 145 |
| MFLA | Dual 12" | 120 x 10 | 24.63" x 14.5" x 19.1" | 104lbs | 143 | 146 |
| Sublim8 | 3-Way Column Loudspeaker System | 120 x 20 | 106" x 19.75" x 24" | 177lbs | 130 | 133 |
| SV9 | Single 9" Vented Cabinet | 90 x 60 (Conical) | 18" x 10" (7" rear) x 15" | 27.5lbs | 118 | 121 |
AT212:
The AT212 is part of our "Attuned Top" series, and has been described as a production workhorse box. If your priority is SPL and clarity, the AT212 has you covered - it can keep up with many of our double driver subwoofers, achieving incredible volume without sounding harsh or shrill. Equally suited for live or prerecorded music, the AT212 can also array horizontally for even more coverage and SPL. It features 2x 12" wooers and an incredibly capable 3" compression driver mounted on a rotatable 60 x 80 degree horn.
If you:
- Are a production company that needs a flexible loudspeaker that provides more clarity and output than several smaller boxes together
- Typically ground stack your system
- Need the most output per watt (meaning you may work with generators)
- Want the expandability the AT212 can provide, with the ability to array and fly both horizontally and vertically
- Work out of a van or truck
The AT212 may be right for you.
AT312:
The AT312 is also part of our "Attuned Top" series, and has been used in large studios, nightclubs, and fixed installations with excellent results. Heavier and slightly larger than the AT212, the coaxial design of the AT312 helps it behave like a studio monitor, providing excellent clarity and accuracy across the spectrum. It was designed to be a low-profile, high-output DJ monitor on top of our SSP218 that provides the SPL needed by headliners without blocking sightlines, but also is at home in fixed installations where it delivers pristine sound. The AT312 features 3x 12" woofers, the top of which is a coaxial with a 3" compression driver, delivering incredible consistency and quality across the spectrum.
If you:
- Desire studio-quality sound at high volumes
- Do not need to array your tops
- Typically ground stack your system
- Are installing a system for a studio, nightclub, or house of worship and want to use fewer boxes to get the most coverage and SPL
- Work out of a van or box truck with at 1-2 helpers
The AT312 may be right for you.
Krakatoa:
Don't let its size fool you, the Krakatoa is basically a massive studio monitor, delivering pristine sound at a massive scale. With that said, the Krakatoa is our largest and heaviest top, meaning it is designed for production teams and fixed installs such as nightclubs and churches that need quality sound over a large area. Entire festivals have been covered with the massive HF output of just two Krakatoas, and even we haven't found out just how loud it gets. The Krakatoa features five 18" drivers, four around the outside similar to the Kraken, and one in the middle in a triaxial configuration with one of the loudest mid-high drivers ever created. The Krakatoa is incredibly consistent and pristine; if you have the ability to move it and demand uncompromising performance and quality, look no further than the Krakatoa.
If you:
- Regularly put on festivals and large scale events
- Are doing an install for a large church, theater, or nightclub
- Need a box that can fly and cover a large area with incredible clarity
- Want uncompromising quality and excellent stereo imaging
- Have access to a box truck and a crew to help move it
The Krakatoa may be right for you.
CCM12 and DiaMon:
The CCM12 and DiaMon are both incredibly similar boxes, so they are grouped here as an overview - both boxes share the same driver, amplifier, and acoustic specifications. If you would like more information on the differences between these products, see the article CCM12-MK3 vs DiaMon-MK3. While the CCM12 and DiaMon's small size and coaxial design lends themselves well to monitor duty, don't be fooled - they are also very capable boxes when used as fills, delays, or lightweight mains. The CCM12 and DiaMon both feature a 12" coaxial woofer with a 3" compression driver that provides high SPL and quality in a box that only weighs 30lbs, thanks to the shared magnet structure and small size. These boxes thus outperform many 12" 2-ways that are much larger and heavier. If you:
- Want a flexible box that can function as a monitor, fill, or light main
- Do not plan on arraying or expanding your system
- Desire accurate sound a high gain before feedback
- Are a production company that wants a flexible floor monitor/wedge (CCM12 only)
- Work out of a small vehicle or truck and want a 30lb speaker that is easy to mount on a pole by a single person
- Are constrained by size or weight but need more SPL than the SV9
The CCM12 or DiaMon may be right for you.
DV12:
The DV12 is part of the DV series, which stands for "Dual woofer, Vented," sharing its name and its heritage with the discontinued DV8 (a 2x8" cabinet), despite having only one 12" woofer. The DV12 is our most popular top because it can deliver a large amount of SPL and low frequency without needing subwoofers, thanks to its long-excursion woofer and large 3" compression driver. If you do pair the DV12 with subwoofers, you can use a higher numbered preset, which allows you to get additional SPL by taking off the low frequency burden. The DV12 can also pair up stack in an inverted array, providing a true +6dB increase in output. The DV12 features a wide 120 degree horizontal coverage, perfect for Wedding DJs, Bands, and production teams that work in wide rooms such as hotel ballrooms.
If you:
- Want a box that can get deep without always needing subwoofers
- Desire a wide 120 degree coverage pattern that works well in ballrooms and outdoors
- Want the flexibility of being able to add another pair of boxes when more SPL is needed
- Are interested in a 2-way cabinet that outperforms most 12" 2-ways in quality and volume
- Work out of a sedan or van and want a top that can keep up with many subs
The DV12 may be right for you.
MFLA:
The MFLA stands for "Medium Format Line Array," however the amount of output from the MFLA is anything but "medium." A single MFLA can keep up with several of our largest subwoofers, and a hang of only 7 per side is suitable for some of the largest stages and festivals. The MFLA features 2x 12" cabinets and 2x 3" HF drivers in a small package for the sound it produces. With a smart rigging and flying system and multiple deployment options, the MFLA is flexible and expandable. The MFLA is razor flat in its frequency response thanks to its design and provides directivity benefits the more you bring.
If you:
- Need a flexible line-array solution that provides immense SPL with fewer boxes
- Are a production team or DJ that does large scale events and festivals
- Are doing an installation for a large nightclub or house of worship
- Want the ability to mount a box to a VS21 sideways or on top of a Kraken
- Work out of a box truck with a crew to help set up
The MFLA may be right for you
Sublim8:
Unlike many of the other tops on this list, the Sublim8 is a complete column loudspeaker system that includes a subwoofer. As a top, the Sublim8 features 2x 8" woofers and a large compression driver with a 3" voice coil mounted to a line array waveguide. The closest product to the Sublim8's top section is the DV12, as both share the same HF driver and horn, with both providing a wide 120 degree horizontal coverage pattern. See the KnowledgeBASS article
The Sublim8 vs Other BASSBOSS Products for more details. If you:
- Perform at weddings or churches where sightless and aesthetics are important
- Desire a turnkey solution with maximal output versus footprint
- Often set up solo
- Want an option in white
- Desire wide horizontal coverage over a long distance
- You want an easy option for mounting a lighting fixture, without needing to bring truss totems
The Sublim8 may be the right choice for you!
SV9:
The SV in the name SV9 refers to the fact that it is a "Single woofer, Vented cabinet". The SV9 is our smallest and lightest cabinet, equally at home in a studio and for small events placed under a subwoofer. It was designed for DJs and producers who want a studio monitor they can use at home while also having the ability to go on the road and use it at gigs that don't require a larger system. It features a 9" woofer and 1.5" compression driver. If you:
- Want studio-quality sound in a lightweight package
- Want a flexible speaker that can work equally well as a studio monitor or gigging speaker
- Perform at events under 100-150 people
- Work out of a small vehicle and need a top you can set up by yourself
The SV9 may be right for you.
See Also:
- Which BASSBOSS Sub is right for me?
- CCM12-MK3 vs DiaMon-MK3
- The Sublim8 vs Other BASSBOSS Products