Ashdown Little Giant 350

According to the manufacturer, 350w amplifier transistors in 4oms, about 160 sub 8oms. In reality it is very very far off!
The equalization is not very pertinante either. The connection is complete however. But it is far from Mag or ABM series are very good qualities.

USE

Simple to use as always with Ashdown. No need to book.

SOUNDS

I tested it for over an hour on three different speakers: Ashdown ABM 410 Ashdown Mag 115 MarkBass 2x10 with a fender precision. So in 8 and 4 oms combining.
We find the ashdown grain, but the power is not at all go even pushing thoroughly. A combo Fender Rumble 100 a + fishing! It's very disappointing from a brand that never let me down before. In fact it is a head that can be useful to work in the studio, but do not expect to play with a group if there is a drummer unless it is of very soft music. The equalizer is not great at all. It is far from the versatility of other Ashdown heads.
I have not tested the 1000 version of Little Giant however.
Basically I'm not ready to part with my config Head Mag 300 coupled to a pregnant Mag 210 deep!

NOTICE GLOBAL

Basically if you are looking for a small head for group play, orient yourself the MarkBass. The Little Giant is the big mistake in Ashdown. If you are attached to the brand, the Mag 300 EVO II is far better and cheaper.
ESPECIALLY THE TEST BEFORE BUYING !!!

Amp class D (digital PWM switching power supply)
Power Consumption 350W, 350W RMS announced at 4 ohms power (see the error).
Bandwidth 25-25 000Hz-3dB
4 ohms impedance mini
Semi-parametric equalizer mid-bass, mid, treble + bass shelving
EQ bypass switch
switch "deep" (a kind of powerful low shelving)
switch "shape" (equivalent to "loudness" in HIFI)
switch passive / active
input and output levels
VU meter
DI output with switch pre / post EQ
input line (not affected by the EQ) + line output Jack
2 Speakon outputs HP combos / Jack
input / output loop to effect Jack

UTILIZATION

Full great, it lacks a compressor.
Sufficient manual (English).
It lacks a landmark dividing the equalizer settings to act quickly without error correction tape.
We have seen simple, but it uses only what you want, anything can be bypass.
Using the EQ:-15dB + despite announced I feel a lack of efficacy. In reality it lacks the bandwidth, which is very detrimental to balance the sound when you push the power and we must adapt to the room. Especially when trying to reduce medium-acute, it reveals bumps (unfortunately my HP just a bump in the midrange).

Probably inadequate to rock / metal / punk ... because it is made not to saturate the input! Input level a bit low with a passive bass (as usual).

Note that the fan is only triggered if too hot.
Sometimes parasites such HF (annoying but rarely happen, and certainly depending on the environment).
Good connection to the necessary land. Do not skimp on the section of the extension.
Never go below 4 ohms.

This head rack, supplied with brackets 19 "2U.

SOUNDS

The sound depends on the enclosure used and bassist. But with such a high quality amplification and also many thoughtful settings (albeit bloated), it is difficult to have a sound pot, apart from the already mentioned bp of a semi-parametric EQ "only".

Perfect for my use, I was looking for a very clean sound.
Style: jazz and song accompaniment / pop / blues / jazz / funk a little.
Powerful enough rehearsals to 5 musicians and small scenes (50 people indoors and an enclosure worthy of the head).

The sound quality is extraordinary, probably not suitable for the rock / metal, because it is almost the stereo. The deep bass and clarity across the spectrum is remarkable.

on the other hand I wonder what is the real power. I feel a 150W at best, far from the advertised 350W (4 ohms).

Enclosure used: Eminence Beta 15 ".. 4 ohm load close 140l + 2 bullet tweeter Not very ordinary, but well suited I tested on a 15" Peavey, excellent quality too (as well as 10 speakers sound "too little strong to withstand all serious).

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for more than 2 years.
Other models tested: 3500 Hartke head Ashdown EB 15-220 lite, Ashdown ABM C115 neo, Peavey rumble 100 Hartke 2x12 250W (the old model without HP aluminum which was excellent and not aggressive), Hartke A100 (special metal, saves distortion, yuck ...).

This head is much too expensive for the actual load, it is better to go directly to version 1000.

*** Value / unfavorable power prices. ***

Sound quality absolutely remarkable. Exemplary build quality.
Lightweight and small size (the D is too good).
Bought new at the end of series balance, I do not regret the lack of power.
Note: DI output, FX loop, line out: the sound engineers love it.