Types Of Weber Attenuator
Just like other attenuators such as the digital attenuator and the ultimate attenuator, the Weber attenuator reduces signal amplitude and power without distorting its waveform. This type of attenuator uses rheostats in order to control the attenuation and to distribute the power to the speaker motor or other load and the speaker. There are two types of Weber attenuator: the resistive or resistor-based model and the speaker motor model.
The resistive model uses power resistors to create a purely resistive load on the amplifier. Resistor-based attenuators are designed to offer a less natural sounding tone when significantly attenuated. Meanwhile, the speaker motor-based model uses an actual speaker motor to create a reactive load on the amplifier. As compared to the resistor-based model, the speaker motor-based model provides a more interactive, natural sound when used. The speaker motor-based Weber power attenuator also affect the tone lesser than the resistor-based models.
The resistive model includes the Low Power Load Dump, High Power Load Dump, Headphone Tap and Mega Dump. The Low Power Load Dump Model is smoother and not as interactive as compared to the speaker motor-based Mobility Analog System Simulator (MASS). The attenuation is also continuously adjustable from zero to over -50 db. The 200 watt High Power Load Dump Model utilizes a combination of power resistors and capacitors. It features 11 steps of output control on a rotary switch. Meanwhile, the Mega Dump unit features an adjustable line out, system bypass, range switch and 0, 3, and 6 db treble boosts. Lastly, the Headphone Tap model is a 50 watt dummy load featuring a headphone output jack.
The speaker motor-based model includes the MASS, MicroMASS, MiniMass, MASS 150, Stereo MASS, Power Tap and MASS Lite. The MASS model uses an actual speaker motor so that the load will yield a realistic interaction between the attenuator and the amplifier's output circuit. The MASS unit also features a line out connection with front panel controls for mids, bass, volume and treble. These control panels are useful for consumers who are interested in running simple direct out signals and for consumers who plan to use the wet-dry approach. In the MiniMASS model, the attenuation is continuously adjustable from zero to over -50 db. Meanwhile, the MicroMASS unit features two power level controls. The first control is used for the bass-mid frequencies and the other control is used for the upper mids-treble frequencies. The MASS 150 features MASS bypass, extra output jack, line out and range switch. On the other hand, the Stereo MASS has no line out but with treble compensation built in. Just like the MicroMASS model, the MASS Lite unit also features two power level controls for bass-mid frequencies and upper mids-treble frequencies. Lastly, the Power Tap model features range switch, treble compensation, and -20db fixed line out sample.
A review of the product says that the Weber attenuator is mostly hand-built in order to ensure the highest quality. Some of the accessories of this kind of attenuator are the 59 Bassman Attenuator Harness, 1 feet RCA phone plug to ¼ phone plug, 1 feet RCA phone jack to ¼ phone plug, 2 feet phone plug to phone plug cable and 2 feet phone plug to phone jack cable. The company manufactures different kinds of Weber attenuator for different applications.
