L.R. Baggs Anthem Vs Element Vs HiFi

[Peter Z]

It looks like evolution created more different ears than fingerprints!
Love that, what a colorful world!

[Stringmaster]

Thanks Aaron for doing the work! I'm wondering if the HiFi was designed to be paired with the Voiceprint DI?

[Chriscom]

Originally Posted by Peter Z

It looks like evolution created more different ears than fingerprints!
Love that, what a colorful world!

I sometimes wonder if what I hear is anything like what others do.

[AeroUSA]

Originally Posted by Stringmaster

Thanks Aaron for doing the work! I'm wondering if the HiFi was designed to be paired with the Voiceprint DI?

I don’t think it was designed to be as such but I’m sure experimentation will be encouraged!

[JackB1]

The HiFi sounds muffled, like there's a blanket over the speaker.
I was surprised how decent the Element sounded, but overall, the Anthem was clearly the best.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Chriscom

Great work Aaron. I liked the Anthem best, the Element more than I thought I would, and the Hi-Fi least of all. Sounded muddy or clouded to me.

Agreed on the observation that EQ plays a huge role (obviously) and in practice will be set differently on different guitars and with different pickups, but comparing like to like is at least a baseline and anything else is the endless rabbit hole we all chase around here!

^^^^ exactly how I felt. Not sure why Martin doesn't choose the Element instead of the horrible Sonitone as the default pickup for most of their guitars.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by JackB1

The HiFi sounds muffled, like there's a blanket over the speaker.
I was surprised how decent the Element sounded, but overall, the Anthem was clearly the best.

My suspicion is that you need to turn the tone wheel up a little more from detent to get the highs back in. I thought the mis, lows, and gain were good in the HiFi.

[Peter Z]

Those who have a DAW and are interested in how an EQ would improve the sound, can import the file and play around with what stock EQ is available.

As we learned in this thread we hear things differently and would EQ differently.

Therefore I think Aaron did well with not applying EQ in his comparison.

[AeroUSA]

Originally Posted by Peter Z

Those who have a DAW and are interested in how an EQ would improve the sound, can import the file and play around with what stock EQ is available.

As we learned in this thread we hear things differently and would EQ differently.

Therefore I think Aaron did well with not applying EQ in his comparison.

Thanks Peter that is indeed the reason. At my gigs I have been running the tone at 100% but it sounds great there on both guitars.

[Chriscom]

So it's not just me

[martingitdave]

Lol. Well I’m HiFi, Anthem, element. I find the Anthem a bit quacky in lows. I didn’t hear as much of that with the HiFi. That said the HiFi should have a lower feedback threshold than a UST.

[Petty1818]

I think I am going to let others try this pickup first and report back before I take the plunge. I just don't have a solid sense of what this pickup will really sound like. In some demos it sounds nice and warm, but in others it's bright and thin.

I am excited about a potential Anthem style system with the HiFi. When I first heard this mentioned, I had figured it would be the Element and HiFi. The IMix was recently discontinued to so it made sense. However, I have heard more about the tru-mic and HiFi. Since the tru-mic is very good about various placements, this could be a winning combination.

[kurth]

muchimo gracias Aaron...that's the kind of test that sticks. I'm sure it was alot of work but that's the way. I'm saving up for a....neumann km184 jaja, or maybe just a warm jr. The mic is just so much more superior. thanks for that reference point to keep us on our toes....or fingers. Otherwise I think the Anthem is best and the element was the worst. You really cut thru the hype with that.

[Aahzz]

I liked the Anthem best, then the Element, and I thought the HiFi sounded muddy and awful. I'd like to hear the Anthem with the piezo blended in, rather than mic only. Still, great comparison and I appreciate the effort you put into it.

[buzzardwhiskey]

I think the HiFi has a very stage ready sound. A better controlled quack and a rolled-off treble is my recipe for a useful acoustic in a band.