Genzler Magellan 800+

Genzler Magellan 800+ bass head: power in your pocket

This is the Magellan 800+ from Genzler. It’s a class-D head that weighs 2.84 kilos, so it basically fits in the pocket of your gig bag. However, it still gives you 400 watts at 8 ohm and the full 800 watts at 4 ohm.

Moreover, the Genzler Magellan 800+ goes all the way down to a 2.67 ohm load. In other words, you can run several cabinets without worrying. Also, the chassis is aircraft-grade aluminum, and the whole thing is analog. There’s no modelling and no menus, just your bass and your hands.

What the plus does

The plus is more than a new name. First, Genzler reworked the input stage for more dynamics. In addition, they fitted new op-amps that lower the noise floor and raise the headroom.

As a result, the Magellan 800+ feels quieter, punchier and more responsive than the original 800. Therefore you can dig in harder before it starts to complain. Still, it’s the same road-proven platform, just refined where it counts.

The EQ on the Genzler Magellan 800+

First of all, you get a 4-band active EQ. Bass and treble sit at the ends, and both mids are sweepable. Which means that you can find the exact honk, growl or scoop your bass and the room ask for.

For me personally, that’s a lot more useful than a fixed three-band EQ. Consequently, this amp sits in almost any mix without a fight.

The High Pass Filter, explained

The knob that really changes how you set up is the High Pass Filter. Basically, you sweep it from 25 to 120 Hz, and it rolls off everything below that point. Furthermore, the curve is multi-slope and frequency-dependent, so it stays musical instead of just chopping off the bottom.

So why do you want that? Basically, a lot of the energy down there is subsonic rumble and boom you can’t really hear. Nevertheless, it eats your headroom and turns the low end to mush. However, the filter takes that away, while the notes you actually play stay full.

For example, set it around 30 to 40 Hz, and your cabs breathe easier and hit harder. Likewise, in a boomy room or under a low B, push it up toward 60 to 80 Hz, and the whole rig tightens up.

My advice to you guys is to take your time and find what sounds good in your room.

Dual Contour and Drive

The Dual Contour circuit gives you two voicing curves you can adjust separately. For instance, think of a modern scoop and a vintage bump. In addition, it’s footswitchable, so you can jump between your core tone and the contoured sound in the middle of a song.

Besides that, a footswitchable Drive sits next to it. It adds tube-like harmonics and compression, from a little thickening of the note to real grit. Also, it all happens in the analog domain, not in a digital emulation.

Connections on the Magellan 800+ bass head

On the back, you get two SpeakON outputs, a pre/post XLR direct out, an effects loop, a tuner out and a headphone out. Also, the universal power supply runs anywhere in the world. With the optional dual footswitch, Drive and Dual Contour go under your feet.

Why we dig the Genzler Magellan 800+

In short, it’s a tour-ready preamp with power for days, in a box you barely notice carrying. Then pair it with a Magellan ULV cabinet, and you have a complete, ultra-light rig. So, what’s not to like?