Ashdown MAG300H

rh15951 · 06-21-2005, 05:13 PM

Manufacturer: Ashdown, http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk
Model: MAG300 Bass Head
Bought: New in UK, April 2005
From: http://www.spectresound.co.uk
Price: £243.80

Specifications:

Inputs
High (passive) input: 1/4" jack, 3.9MOhms.
Low (active) input: 1/4" jack, 10kOhms.
Effects return: 1/4" jack, 22kOhms.

Outputs
Tuner/line out: 1/4" jack, 22kOhms.
Effects send: 1/4" jack, 22kOhms.
DI output: XLR connector, 600Ohms balanced.
Speaker outputs: 2 x 1/4" jack, 4Ohm minimum total impedance.
Amp: 300 watts RMS @ 4 ohms, 500W peak.

Frequency response: -3dB @ 17Hz and 30kHz.
Signal to noise: Better than 80dB (EQ flat).
Distortion: Less than 0.5% THD.

Sound 4/5
5 band EQ providing +/-15dB cut/boost at 100Hz (bass), 220Hz (lo-mid), 660Hz (mid), 1.6kHz (hi-mid)

& 7kHz (treble). Although there are not as many controls as other amps, the EQ would certainly do its job well enough for most musicians especially with the accompanying 'Deep' and 'Bright' buttons, adding +8dB @ 50Hz and +10dB @ 10kHz respectively.

One other feature on this amp is the Sub-harmonic generator. This can be switched on and off and the level controlled. At low levels this creates a fuller sound however, one problem I have encountered is when running a substantial level of sub-harmonics (>65%) can cause a little too much bass and loss of clarity to the sound.

Build Quality 5/5
The quality of this amp is excellent considering the price. In my opinion you get from this head what you would expect from a far more expensive amp. Yes, there are similar and cheaper options available. However none of them have such a good reputation for quality and workmanship. Just in case you do find a fault, there is a 2 year warranty. I have had this amp from new since April and although it is only a short period of time, there have been no problems.

Other Features
Duel fans operating at half the speed, rather than one fan running at double the speed and volume.
Speed controlled fans - Increasing speed with increasing power output.
Thermal trip for output protection.
Input and output volume controls.
Ability to switch the EQ on and off.

Overall 4/5
Excellent amp for the money. Where I bought it from was the cheapest place (in the UK) I could find on the net.

Pictures

New Born · 06-22-2005, 07:13 AM

Good review, I have this head too. Good value for money, and I like the way the amount of controls is minimised - it doesn't over complicate things.

The MAG 4x10 cab isn't bad either...

red_zeppelin · 06-22-2005, 07:41 AM

great review man. i heard that this was great value for money.

moghes69 · 06-22-2005, 03:42 PM

i'm going to the music store to test one out tomorrow...if i like it hopefully i'm gonna get one

~peace~

ridethelightning · 06-22-2005, 07:31 PM

would you play it against a marshall tube halfstack and loud metal drummer?

New Born · 06-23-2005, 06:39 AM

^Yes.

rh15951 · 06-23-2005, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ridethelightning

would you play it against a marshall tube halfstack and loud metal drummer?

I've played it against a Line6 Spider 212 and loud drummer with no volume issues.

commerford_the_great · 06-24-2005, 02:22 PM

it'll do fine, got the same head with the 2X10 combo, and a 1X15 does well in a 4-piece metal band, no issues at all, great head 4 the price

bullet138 · 09-26-2005, 06:30 AM

i have the mag 300 combo, it is ****in loud and the coolest thing is the gauge!!!!
its defenitelty worth the money i paid, which was about £350 - only one downside is its weight and trying get it up slippery tight stairs!!!!

kev_trb1006 · 09-27-2005, 04:12 PM

Ashdown...thats where its at

JamesXKillXyou · 10-01-2005, 08:19 AM

now, what did the original thread starter run through? 4x10? or what? Cause im looking at new heads I wanted the kustom 1200. But If i can get the money Id go with this.

rh15951 · 10-01-2005, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesXKillXyou

now, what did the original thread starter run through? 4x10? or what? Cause im looking at new heads I wanted the kustom 1200. But If i can get the money Id go with this.

Ran thru a 2x10"

rh15951 · 11-16-2005, 09:18 AM

Time to find out how good Ashdown customer services are...

Wintermute · 11-16-2005, 10:26 AM

Why, what's gone wrong?

rh15951 · 11-16-2005, 10:36 AM

No power to the unit even after changing fuses. Still under warranty though.

moghes69 · 11-18-2005, 01:14 PM

maybe there's a short in the power cable. try replacing that... i have the same head running through an avatar 2x12 and i couldn't be happier

rh15951 · 11-19-2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moghes69

maybe there's a short in the power cable. try replacing that... i have the same head running through an avatar 2x12 and i couldn't be happier

I have tried a different cable/numerous fuses/wall sockets etc

Yes it is a fantastic amp, this is somewhat annoying though.

DaveTNG · 12-29-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rh15951

I have tried a different cable/numerous fuses/wall sockets etc

Yes it is a fantastic amp, this is somewhat annoying though.

Did you get that fixed? What was it in the end?

I got the 1x15 combo version today. Very versatile and nice tone. Haven't had chance to test it in a band situation yet but i'm sure it will be fine. I'll take pics soon.

the dirty gra · 12-30-2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rh15951

Time to find out how good Ashdown customer services are...

They're cool man. When I first ordered my mag300h and 410 cab, I got it from Anderton's in Guildford. I had registered it and had been playing it for about a month before I got a phone call from Ashdown. Basically, the cab Anderton's had supplied me was 8ohms (or 4, I'll have to double check) but if I wanted to add another cab, I couldn't if I was using the one I had. They arranged for a courier to come out to me and exchange it for the one that allowed me to have more than one cab. If they hadn't contacted me, I wouldn't ever have realised.

A couple of months ago with the head, there was no output sound. There was a signal coming in as the VU was moving, but nothing coming out. Ashdown got it repaired and back to me within 2 weeks, and the service was excellent.

Great amp for the price, good company to deal with.

Want one of their compressor pedals now

Phalanx · 12-30-2005, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rh15951

Ran thru a 2x10"

hehe, my setup then when my replacement cab arrives

06-21-2005, 05:13 PM	#1
rh15951 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: England Posts: 7,248	Ashdown MAG300H Manufacturer: Ashdown, http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk Model: MAG300 Bass Head Bought: New in UK, April 2005 From: http://www.spectresound.co.uk Price: £243.80 Specifications: Inputs High (passive) input: 1/4" jack, 3.9MOhms. Low (active) input: 1/4" jack, 10kOhms. Effects return: 1/4" jack, 22kOhms. Outputs Tuner/line out: 1/4" jack, 22kOhms. Effects send: 1/4" jack, 22kOhms. DI output: XLR connector, 600Ohms balanced. Speaker outputs: 2 x 1/4" jack, 4Ohm minimum total impedance. Amp: 300 watts RMS @ 4 ohms, 500W peak. Frequency response: -3dB @ 17Hz and 30kHz. Signal to noise: Better than 80dB (EQ flat). Distortion: Less than 0.5% THD. Sound 4/5 5 band EQ providing +/-15dB cut/boost at 100Hz (bass), 220Hz (lo-mid), 660Hz (mid), 1.6kHz (hi-mid) & 7kHz (treble). Although there are not as many controls as other amps, the EQ would certainly do its job well enough for most musicians especially with the accompanying 'Deep' and 'Bright' buttons, adding +8dB @ 50Hz and +10dB @ 10kHz respectively. One other feature on this amp is the Sub-harmonic generator. This can be switched on and off and the level controlled. At low levels this creates a fuller sound however, one problem I have encountered is when running a substantial level of sub-harmonics (>65%) can cause a little too much bass and loss of clarity to the sound. Build Quality 5/5 The quality of this amp is excellent considering the price. In my opinion you get from this head what you would expect from a far more expensive amp. Yes, there are similar and cheaper options available. However none of them have such a good reputation for quality and workmanship. Just in case you do find a fault, there is a 2 year warranty. I have had this amp from new since April and although it is only a short period of time, there have been no problems. Other Features Duel fans operating at half the speed, rather than one fan running at double the speed and volume. Speed controlled fans - Increasing speed with increasing power output. Thermal trip for output protection. Input and output volume controls. Ability to switch the EQ on and off. Overall 4/5 Excellent amp for the money. Where I bought it from was the cheapest place (in the UK) I could find on the net. Pictures Last edited by rh15951; 06-22-2005 at 03:54 PM.

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06-22-2005, 07:13 AM	#2
New Born Read FA#66 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 368	Good review, I have this head too. Good value for money, and I like the way the amount of controls is minimised - it doesn't over complicate things. The MAG 4x10 cab isn't bad either...

06-22-2005, 07:41 AM	#3
red_zeppelin El Presidente Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Guildford, Uk Posts: 581	great review man. i heard that this was great value for money.

06-22-2005, 03:42 PM	#4
moghes69 finally... 3 gav points Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: montville new jersey Posts: 1,640	i'm going to the music store to test one out tomorrow...if i like it hopefully i'm gonna get one ~peace~

06-22-2005, 07:31 PM	#5
ridethelightning MX Tinsel Team - Water! Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,164	would you play it against a marshall tube halfstack and loud metal drummer?

06-23-2005, 06:39 AM	#6
New Born Read FA#66 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 368	^Yes.

06-24-2005, 02:22 PM	#8
commerford_the_great where's the beef? Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: brighton/l'ton area, west sussex, UK Posts: 59	it'll do fine, got the same head with the 2X10 combo, and a 1X15 does well in a 4-piece metal band, no issues at all, great head 4 the price

09-26-2005, 06:30 AM	#9
bullet138 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Basingstoke UK Posts: 4	i have the mag 300 combo, it is ****in loud and the coolest thing is the gauge!!!! its defenitelty worth the money i paid, which was about £350 - only one downside is its weight and trying get it up slippery tight stairs!!!!

09-27-2005, 04:12 PM	#10
kev_trb1006 MX Yamaha &amp; Ashdown Fan Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,310	Ashdown...thats where its at

10-01-2005, 08:19 AM	#11
JamesXKillXyou Battle Spawned Lullabies Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 1,466	now, what did the original thread starter run through? 4x10? or what? Cause im looking at new heads I wanted the kustom 1200. But If i can get the money Id go with this.

11-16-2005, 09:18 AM	#13
rh15951 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: England Posts: 7,248	Time to find out how good Ashdown customer services are...

11-16-2005, 10:26 AM	#14
Wintermute There Can Be Only One Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lancaster, UK - Coldest place in the Universe Posts: 13,885	Why, what's gone wrong?

11-16-2005, 10:36 AM	#15
rh15951 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: England Posts: 7,248	No power to the unit even after changing fuses. Still under warranty though.

11-18-2005, 01:14 PM	#16
moghes69 finally... 3 gav points Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: montville new jersey Posts: 1,640	maybe there's a short in the power cable. try replacing that... i have the same head running through an avatar 2x12 and i couldn't be happier