Phil Jones - Compact 2 - C2 Bass Cabinet Review

Phil Jones recently debuted their smallest and most portable lightweight cabinet yet, the C2. The Phil Jones Bass C2 redefines Bass Cabinet size with a vengeance and a mission. It is a 200 Watt shoebox size cabinet containing the smallest speaker ever produced by PJB. It houses 2 of the most advanced loudspeaker units in the world; “Chrome-Dome” technology, exclusively developed by PJB and designed from the ground up as a bass instrument transducer. Amazingly, each speaker is only 5 inches yet are engineered to handle the full spectrum and sometimes punishing dynamic range of a bass guitar.
At 0.87 cubic feet of space, weight is not an issue so each driver has a large and powerful strontium ferrite magnet. This magnetic material is the most stable available, immersing the incredible electromagnetic force that can be generated by PJB high-temperature voice coils. The voice-coil is the heart of a loudspeaker that takes the full power from an amplifier and converts this into acoustic energy. The voice-coil in the C2 is a result of PJB’s dedication to loudspeaker research for almost 2 decades.
The difference in PJB’s approach is precision electro-acoustic engineering to enable the musician to fully express themselves without hindrance from an inferior sound product.
The C2 is dynamic, powerful, clear and has lightning fast transient ability. It follows your individual technique without latency, allowing you the freedom to express yourself as if your bass was an acoustic instrument. It can be used as a stand alone cabinet or in combination with other PJB 8 ohm cabinets or with combos including PJB C4, C8, C27, BG-400 Suitcase Compact, and others.
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[@thewaltzinggorilla8533]

Sorry man, but I got the feeling you were demoing the bass, not the box. How about using a P bass and push the cab to extremes? Can it reggae? Add an octave down (POG, Sub n Up, whatever). Can it pump it out? How about an EBO mud-bucker?

[@aaronyow-wakingtera]

So fresh and so clean. Nice work man. I've been looking into PJB for a hot minute, and as a metal bassist, they seem to deliver exactly what I'm looking for. Without breaking your back or the bank. Lol

[@lsallen7947]

Seems to be a generally nice demo, you covered all the necessary info (except stating that the cabinet is 8 ohms, which it is)... two concerns though: (1) I think I heard that the sound was a combination of DI from the head and miking of the cabinets. So I still don't know how the cabinets sound; (2) there are two cabinets, for a total of four speakers moving air. So I don't know how one cabinet sounds.

[@liamburke1436]

coincidentally also the best demo of a sandberg california VM I've seen :)

[@fozterfossworth8276]

I have one of these cabs that I have been running with a D-400 head and C4 cab. I contacted PJB with a technical question, informed them of what I used and they wrote back stating the C2 is not suitable for that application. As all of the information available states the C2 cab is compatible with all other PJB cabs this has me concerned, at this point I'm awaiting reply. Must admit that, apart from my question, the gear is great, so well made and gives wonderful clarity. A great product.

[@g.s.3074]

5” are the smallest speakers ever made by Phil Jones? Ever hear of the Double Four? And let’s not forget the 2.5” speakers in the unreleased Quantum 4 and 8 designs. Homework needed here.

[@tjarcher62]

That’s actually the D-400 bass head, not Bp-400…. but in your defense, the the BP-400 is basically the same 😀. Great demo of the C2’s… nice chops CB man.

[@BarnabyWild13]

Cools. Nice playing

[@johnfoss5490]

Can’t really judge the sound of the cab if the DI is in the mix.

[@Nobody-xg2un]

Please plug in a super distortion or an extreme metal peddle and put the volume on max for us slam metal guys.

[@aaronyow-wakingtera]

As of now I'm on a Genz Benz Shuttle max 9.2 coupled with a GK neo 4x10 cab. I've toured all over with, and it's great, but sometimes smaller is the way to go. I wonder if PJB is the way to go? Esp using in ears , so on stage monitor mixes aren't really an issue.

[@barackmycat9448]

Good stuff. So many cool bass rigs these days. Right now I have an Ampeg 800 PF head with a Carvin 1-15 with horn in 2nd position. I am looking for a small cab to set on top. Any suggestions for a short scale bass playing classic rock and whatever?

[@thewaltzinggorilla8533]

Short scale bass? Epiphone Allen Woody bass. Not for slap but it LOVES fingers and picks. My not-so-humble-opinion.

[@barackmycat9448]

@@thewaltzinggorilla8533 Sorry, I meant which speaker cab. I had an Allen W.. It was ok but the thick body dug into my wrist. I have a G+L and I`m sticking with this one.

[@jordy851]

What would you think of combining a C2 with a 112 cab amped with a markbass LM 250?

[@leonardolosacco8537]

may i know if it is really 200W power impedance 8 ohms ? and if yes, then it is also likely good to use with a delicate drummer, for rehearsal with a band? of course music of a style not too loud .... thanks

[@christinenoellevargas2086]

Will this work with my TC Electronic BH250 head amp?

[@davidcudlip6587]

Was wondering the same thing. I would think it would.

[@bobstranzenbach4700]

Isn’t it distorting?

[@fuzzyfarrell5485]

Terrible licks for comparison just play next time.....ugh

[@badmonks]

not the uh, um, uh best demo um uh of new cabs. um, um, uh...maybe next uh time.

[@jhgust]

Poor choice of material and technique to demo what the speakers sound like.

[@MrEaglebear]

Since most amps are more than 200W, I'm wondering what happens to these refined speakers if I'm using just one cabinet and accidentally gives it a little too much? I'm also interested in how it works with double bass as a standalone speaker - no house system - as with a small band.

[@tonsilcrafted]

phil's 5" speaker cab is perfect for acoustic instrument with piezo pickup or a mic.

[@MrEaglebear]

@@tonsilcrafted Thanks - and for the first question?

[@sfmag1]

Thanks for the thorough review. The Double Four model uses two 4 inch speakers, the smallest PJB speakers. The speakons also take standard 1/4 inch connectors. I use this cab outdoors playing Jazz/Pop with a gk MB200 and it sounds great! Ask Phil to send me a bp400 also please.😁