The Komet
Airbrake
Users Manual
The Komet
Airbrake
is a resistive load power attenuator, which connects between an
amplifier’s speaker output jack and a speaker cabinet. It allows the user to "turn up" the
amplifier’s volume, utilizing the amplifier’s harmonically rich output stage distortion, while
reducing the signal sent to the speakers. This lowers the amplifier’s overall sound pressure
level and is useful when high volume is not required.
All power attenuators by design reduce the interaction between an amplifier’s output stage
and the speakers, which is a critical part of the sound and feel of a tube amp. An attenuator
can change the human ear’s perception of the frequency spectrum by reducing the sound
pressure level. Accordingly, there is no power attenuator that does not change the overall
sound of an amplifier.
The Komet
Airbrake
sounds very natural and "transparent" at reasonable levels of
attenuation. It allows the user to bring the level of a 50 / 60 Watt Komet
amplifier down
to that of a "cranked" 20 to 25 - watt amplifier, all the while retaining its distinct voice and
dynamics. It is therefore best suited to match Komet
amplifiers to a smaller room, or in a
quieter playing setting.
Features of the Komet
Airbrake
:
- operates on
8
or
16
speaker loads only.
- designed for a maximum power handling capability of
100
Watts.
- five graduated attenuation settings via a six position rotary switch.
-
3dB
drop in first step of attenuation, approx.
1.7 dB
each step after.
- the first
(12 o’clock)
position of the six position rotary switch is a true bypass
setting (under no attenuation).
- one input, two parallel output jacks.
- line level signal out control.
Copyright 1999-2017, Komet
Amplification. Group, L.L.C. May not be reproduced in any form without express written consent from Komet
Amplification.
