Tom Bowlus’
CAB
LAB
The silver, T-5052 anodized aluminum alloy grille is held on by eight screws for the “c” models, and only four screws for the “w” models. On the wedges, the grille is bent in a slight curve, so with the additional pressure, those four screws seem to be more than adequate to prevent any rattles. The cabs are covered in tolex, with no corners. There are four rubber feet on the bottom of the enclosure, and these feet are slightly smaller than those used on the BassDock cabs. Both the Bassliner and BassDock cabs employ a single rubber-like strap handle located on the top of the enclosure. Though they look extremely similar, the handles on the Bassliner cabs feel slightly softer than those on the BD10 and BD12.
The two 12” cabs both employ 8-ohm Eminence Kappalite 3012LF neodymium drivers. These drivers feature a cast aluminum basket, a 3” copper voice coil, and an 11 oz. neodymium magnet. The 12” drivers are held in place by eight bolts secured into threaded inserts (my preferred method). The leads are secured to the driver via screw-down posts. Eminence does not make a 10” driver in the Kappalite line, but they do make the excellent Deltalite II 2510, and each of the 2×10 enclosures use a pair of the 4-ohm versions of these drivers, for a combined 8-ohm load. The 2510’s feature a 2.5” voice coil and a 7 oz. neodymium magnet. The 10” drivers have holes for eight screws/bolts, but are secured with only four bolts (set into threaded inserts). Though I prefer to see eight bolts, I have found four bolts to be definitely adequate in similar high-end enclosures.
All of the Quilter Labs bass enclosures feature the Eminence BGH25-8 high frequency driver. The BGH25-8 is rated for 25 watts, and features a die cast ABS horn with 60 degree dispersion. It is specifically optimized for bass guitar applications, and sports a 1” voice coil and a 10 oz. ferrite magnet. This driver is secured using four wood screws, and the leads are attached via Faston connectors.
The panels and the front baffle are made from lightweight 5/8” 7-ply plywood, and all cabs definitely feel sturdy. Both of the wedge, or “w,” models are sealed enclosures, and both of the “bottom,” or “c,” cabs feature triangular ports in the front baffle. The internal wiring is medium gauge, and reasonably neat. There is no acoustic batting or other sound-absorbing material inside the enclosures. The back panel features a single ¼” speaker jack. I do wish that they had added a second jack, to facilitate “daisy chaining” multiple cabs, and I am a bit surprised that they did not opt for Speakon™ connections, which have become nearly ubiquitous, especially in cabs with a 450-watt power rating.
[Pat Quilter note: “The open-frame ¼-inch jacks and internal wiring are easily capable of handling the full audio current at 400-500W 8 ohms, and the bulky Speakon cables won’t fit in our compact docking compartment.”]
Fig. 1 Quilter Bassliner 1x12c Impedance Curve
Fig. 2 Quilter Bassliner 1x12w Impedance Curve
Fig. 3 Quilter Bassliner 2x10c Impedance Curve
Fig. 4 Quilter Bassliner 2x10w Impedance Curve
Fig. 5 Quilter Bassliner 1x12c slant On and off-axis(15, 30, 45) frequency responses
Fig. 6 Quilter Bassliner 1x12w straight On and off-axis(15, 30, 45) frequency responses
Fig. 7 Quilter Bassliner 2x10c slant On and off-axis(15, 30, 45) frequency responses
Fig. 8 Quilter Bassliner 2x10w straight On and off-axis(15, 30, 45) frequency responses
Quilter Labs
Bassliner 1x12c
ENCLOSURE
| Configuration: | 1x12 |
| Listed Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| Rated Power Handling: | 450 watts |
| Inputs/Outputs: | One ¼” jack |
| Dimensions: | 24” W x 15.5” H x 13.5” D |
| Weight: | 33.6 lbs |
| Ports: | Triangular ports in front baffle |
| Covering: | Tolex |
| Baffle Board: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Cabinet: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Grille: | T-5052 anodized aluminum alloy |
| Handles: | One (top-mounted strap handle) |
| Feet: | Four, rubber (on bottom) |
| Casters: | N/A |
| Corners: | None |
| Driver Mounting: | Eight bolts into threaded inserts |
DRIVERS/CROSSOVER
| Woofers: | Eminence® Kappalite™ 3012LF |
| Cone Material: | Treated paper |
| Voice Coil: | 3.0" diameter (copper), Kapton former |
| Magnets: | 11 oz. Neodymium |
| Mid/High Driver: | Eminence® BGH25-8 |
| Mid/High Driver Adjustment: | N/A |
| Protection: | N/A |
| Speaker Connections: | Compression posts (woofer); Faston (high) |
| Crossover: | 1st-order, 6 dB/octave, centered at 800Hz |
[Pat Quilter note: “For all six cabs: the tweeter doesn’t really kick in till you reach 3-4kHz but due to the gradual slope, the crossover point is admittedly vague. I consider it to be at 2.5kHz. The intent was to avoid ‘over-tweeting’ – it adds air and snap without sounding harsh.”]
MEASUREMENTS
| Average Sensitivity (200Hz-900Hz): | 100.92 dBSPL (1 watt @ 1 meter) |
GENERAL
| Company: | Quilter Labs www.quilterlabs.com |
| County of origin: | USA |
| Year of Origin: | 2018 |
| Warranty: | 3-year limited |
| List Price: | $1,200.00 |
| Street Price: | $899.00 |
| Test Unit Options: | None |
| Accessories: | Slip cover, integrated amp dock, ¼” speaker cable (all included) |
| Price as Tested: | $899.00 |
| Available colors: | Black/Silver |
| Available Options: | Available as a “top” (wedge) or as a “bottom” cab |
| Acquired from: | Quilter Labs |
| Dates: | December 2018 to December 2019 |
| Locales: | Ohio |
| Test Gear (in-hand review): | Genzler BA12-3, Mesa/Boogie Subway 2x10, Trace Elliot ELF 1x10, Genzler MG-800, Mesa/Boogie D-800, Phil Jones Bass BP-800, Alpher Instruments P/J, Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, Skjold Zia 5, Vigier Excess 5, F Bass 40th Anniversary Bass |
TEST RESULTS
1-5 (unacceptable to impeccable)
In-hand
| Features: | 3.5 |
| Tonal Flexibility: | 3.5 |
| Ease of Use: | 4 |
| Aesthetics: | 4.5 |
| Tone: | 4.5 |
| Value: | 3.5 |
In-hand Score 3.92average
On-bench Score 4.21average
On-bench
| Portability: | 4 |
| Road Worthiness: | 4.5 |
| Components: | 5 |
| Hardware: | 4 |
| Cabinet Construction: | 4 |
| Wiring: | 4 |
| Cover/Finish: | 4 |
Quilter Labs
Bassliner 1x12w
ENCLOSURE
| Configuration: | 1x12 |
| Listed Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| Rated Power Handling: | 450 watts |
| Inputs/Outputs: | One ¼” jack |
| Dimensions: | 24” W x 13.5” H x 13.5” D |
| Weight: | 29.8 lbs |
| Ports: | Sealed |
| Covering: | Tolex |
| Baffle Board: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Cabinet: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Grille: | T-5052 anodized aluminum alloy |
| Handles: | One (top-mounted strap handle) |
| Feet: | Four, rubber (on bottom) |
| Casters: | N/A |
| Corners: | None |
| Driver Mounting: | Eight bolts into threaded inserts |
DRIVERS/CROSSOVER
| Woofers: | Eminence® Kappalite™ 3012LF |
| Cone Material: | Treated paper |
| Voice Coil: | 3.0" diameter (copper), Kapton former |
| Magnets: | 11 oz. Neodymium |
| Mid/High Driver: | Eminence® BGH25-8 |
| Mid/High Driver Adjustment: | N/A |
| Protection: | N/A |
| Speaker Connections: | Compression posts (woofer); Faston (high) |
| Crossover: | 1st-order, 6 dB/octave, centered at 800Hz |
MEASUREMENTS
| Average Sensitivity (200Hz-900Hz): | 100.31 dBSPL (1 watt @ 1 meter) |
GENERAL
| Company: | Quilter Labs www.quilterlabs.com |
| County of origin: | USA |
| Year of Origin: | 2018 |
| Warranty: | 3-year limited |
| List Price: | $1,200.00 |
| Street Price: | $899.00 |
| Test Unit Options: | None |
| Accessories: | Slip cover, integrated amp dock, ¼” speaker cable (all included) |
| Price as Tested: | $899.00 |
| Available colors: | Black/Silver |
| Available Options: | Available as a “top” (wedge) or as a “bottom” cab |
| Acquired from: | Quilter Labs |
| Dates: | December 2018 to December 2019 |
| Locales: | Ohio |
| Test Gear (in-hand review): | Genzler BA12-3, Mesa/Boogie Subway 2x10, Trace Elliot ELF 1x10, Genzler MG-800, Mesa/Boogie D-800, Phil Jones Bass BP-800, Alpher Instruments P/J, Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, Skjold Zia 5, Vigier Excess 5, F Bass 40th Anniversary Bass |
TEST RESULTS
1-5 (unacceptable to impeccable)
In-hand
| Features: | 3.5 |
| Tonal Flexibility: | 3.5 |
| Ease of Use: | 4 |
| Aesthetics: | 4.5 |
| Tone: | 4.5 |
| Value: | 3.5 |
In-hand Score 3.92average
On-bench Score 4.21average
On-bench
| Portability: | 4 |
| Road Worthiness: | 4.5 |
| Components: | 5 |
| Hardware: | 4 |
| Cabinet Construction: | 4 |
| Wiring: | 4 |
| Cover/Finish: | 4 |
Quilter Labs
Bassliner 2x10c
ENCLOSURE
| Configuration: | 2x10 |
| Listed Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| Rated Power Handling: | 450 watts |
| Inputs/Outputs: | One ¼” jack |
| Dimensions: | 24” W x 15.5” H x 13.5” D |
| Weight: | 32.5 lbs |
| Ports: | Triangular ports in front baffle |
| Covering: | Tolex |
| Baffle Board: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Cabinet: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Grille: | T-5052 anodized aluminum alloy |
| Handles: | One (top-mounted strap handle) |
| Feet: | Four, rubber (on bottom) |
| Casters: | N/A |
| Corners: | None |
| Driver Mounting: | Four bolts into threaded inserts |
DRIVERS/CROSSOVER
| Woofers: | Eminence® Deltalite® II 2510 |
| Cone Material: | Paper |
| Voice Coil: | 2.5" diameter (copper), polyimide former |
| Magnets: | 7 oz. Neodymium |
| Mid/High Driver: | Eminence® BGH25-8 |
| Mid/High Driver Adjustment: | N/A |
| Protection: | N/A |
| Speaker Connections: | Compression posts (woofer); Faston (high) |
| Crossover: | 1st-order, 6 dB/octave, centered at 800Hz |
MEASUREMENTS
| Average Sensitivity (200Hz-900Hz): | 103.86 dBSPL (1 watt @ 1 meter) |
GENERAL
| Company: | Quilter Labs www.quilterlabs.com |
| County of origin: | USA |
| Year of Origin: | 2018 |
| Warranty: | 3-year limited |
| List Price: | $1,249.00 |
| Street Price: | $949.00 |
| Test Unit Options: | None |
| Accessories: | Slip cover, integrated amp dock, ¼” speaker cable (all included) |
| Price as Tested: | $949.00 |
| Available colors: | Black/Silver |
| Available Options: | Available as a “top” (wedge) or as a “bottom” cab |
| Acquired from: | Quilter Labs |
| Dates: | December 2018 to December 2019 |
| Locales: | Ohio |
| Test Gear (in-hand review): | Genzler BA12-3, Mesa/Boogie Subway 2x10, Trace Elliot ELF 1x10, Genzler MG-800, Mesa/Boogie D-800, Phil Jones Bass BP-800, Alpher Instruments P/J, Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, Skjold Zia 5, Vigier Excess 5, F Bass 40th Anniversary Bass |
TEST RESULTS
1-5 (unacceptable to impeccable)
In-hand
| Features: | 3.5 |
| Tonal Flexibility: | 3.5 |
| Ease of Use: | 4 |
| Aesthetics: | 4.5 |
| Tone: | 4.5 |
| Value: | 3.5 |
In-hand Score 3.92average
On-bench Score 4.21average
On-bench
| Portability: | 4 |
| Road Worthiness: | 4.5 |
| Components: | 5 |
| Hardware: | 4 |
| Cabinet Construction: | 4 |
| Wiring: | 4 |
| Cover/Finish: | 4 |
Quilter Labs
Bassliner 2x10w
ENCLOSURE
| Configuration: | 2x10 |
| Listed Impedance: | 8 Ohms |
| Rated Power Handling: | 450 watts |
| Inputs/Outputs: | One ¼” jack |
| Dimensions: | 24” W x 13.5” H x 13.5” D |
| Weight: | 30.0 lbs |
| Ports: | Sealed |
| Covering: | Tolex |
| Baffle Board: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Cabinet: | 5/8” 7-ply plywood |
| Grille: | T-5052 anodized aluminum alloy |
| Handles: | One (top-mounted strap handle) |
| Feet: | Four, rubber (on bottom) |
| Casters: | N/A |
| Corners: | None |
| Driver Mounting: | Four bolts into threaded inserts |
DRIVERS/CROSSOVER
| Woofers: | Eminence® Deltalite® II 2510 |
| Cone Material: | Paper |
| Voice Coil: | 2.5" diameter (copper), polyimide former |
| Magnets: | 7 oz. Neodymium |
| Mid/High Driver: | Eminence® BGH25-8 |
| Mid/High Driver Adjustment: | N/A |
| Protection: | N/A |
| Speaker Connections: | Compression posts (woofer); Faston (high) |
| Crossover: | 1st-order, 6 dB/octave, centered at 800Hz |
MEASUREMENTS
| Average Sensitivity (200Hz-900Hz): | 102.89 dBSPL (1 watt @ 1 meter) |
GENERAL
| Company: | Quilter Labs www.quilterlabs.com |
| County of origin: | USA |
| Year of Origin: | 2018 |
| Warranty: | 3-year limited |
| List Price: | $1,249.00 |
| Street Price: | $949.00 |
| Test Unit Options: | None |
| Accessories: | Slip cover, integrated amp dock, ¼” speaker cable (all included) |
| Price as Tested: | $949.00 |
| Available colors: | Black/Silver |
| Available Options: | Available as a “top” (wedge) or as a “bottom” cab |
| Acquired from: | Quilter Labs |
| Dates: | December 2018 to December 2019 |
| Locales: | Ohio |
| Test Gear (in-hand review): | Genzler BA12-3, Mesa/Boogie Subway 2x10, Trace Elliot ELF 1x10, Genzler MG-800, Mesa/Boogie D-800, Phil Jones Bass BP-800, Alpher Instruments P/J, Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, Skjold Zia 5, Vigier Excess 5, F Bass 40th Anniversary Bass |
TEST RESULTS
1-5 (unacceptable to impeccable)
In-hand
| Features: | 3.5 |
| Tonal Flexibility: | 3.5 |
| Ease of Use: | 4 |
| Aesthetics: | 4.5 |
| Tone: | 4.5 |
| Value: | 3.5 |
In-hand Score 3.92average
On-bench Score 4.21average
On-bench
| Portability: | 4 |
| Road Worthiness: | 4.5 |
| Components: | 5 |
| Hardware: | 4 |
| Cabinet Construction: | 4 |
| Wiring: | 4 |
| Cover/Finish: | 4 |
