MusicRadar Verdict
Since the Ultralight amp head and stereo enclosure are inextricably linked together by their specifications and features, we are, in reality, looking at a £1,000-plus high-end system here. As a partnership, the Acoustasonic Ultralight system´s smooth and sophisticated sonic performance is very impressive in both its quality and its sheer loudness, although you could expect more features and greater interconnectivity at this price.
Pros
- +
Compact and light. Nifty amp-head docking system. Palatable treble response. Quality connection socket.
Cons
- -
Tailor-made for the Ultralight head - you may need custom-made cables to use it with anything else.
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
The latest addition to the Acoustasonic fold also heralds Fender's new Ultralight concept, combining a compact but powerful amp head with a matching lightweight speaker enclosure to offer a stylish, portable package.
This slope-front plywood cabinet is smartly dressed in blonde, textured vinyl. There are screw-on chrome corner protectors, a standard plastic strap handle on the right-hand side, and two sets of fairly small rubber feet - one on the base and one on the left-hand side for storing or just plonking down. The black cloth grille is velcro'd on. It isn't exactly military-style construction, but it's nice and light, while the drivers and tweeters' neodymium magnets help to cut the weight down.
The enclosure itself is sealed, damped and non-ported, with separate right/left compartments. Its sole input is a Speakon-compatible four-conductor socket, which offers a very secure, optimum signal transfer connection. An internal passive crossover selectively filters the incoming signal to the woofers and tweeters, keeping the sound cleaner at high volumes.
On top of the speaker are four small black metal countersunk 'saucers' that receive the amp head's feet. Between the back two saucers, Fender has invisibly embedded a strong magnetic strip that secures the amp head, which introduces the patent-pending Ultralight docking system.
"It's staying in my DAW": Disclosure's Guy Lawrence loves Serato's bonkers new multi-effects plugin
“A pro-quality tool for hard-working musicians who like the guitar to do the heavy lifting”: Fender American Ultra II Stratocaster HSS
“He claims to find me completely indigestible, but whenever he walks on stage he sings my lyrics, vocal melodies and song titles - is this hypocrisy or self-deception?”: Morrissey hits out at Johnny Marr
