Heavy Item Ships Free Today!

View Photo#486612

The Barbetta SONA 31C Keyboard Combo Amplifier delivers 225W continuous RMS power from 2 - 8" woofers and a 5" horn tweeter - and it weighs only 35 lbs. Like all Barbetta amps, the SONA 31C keeps it together on the low end, has bell-like clarity on the highest notes, and the middle notes sound absolutely fantastic. It features a modified Linkwitz-Reilly active line-level crossover specially tailored for the SONA 31C. Ported reflex cab with proportional damping is made of polyurethane bonded wood. The power section is a fully discrete, bipolar, class AB design with a slew rate of 70 volts per microsecond. Active level control. 3-band EQ. Barbetta built 5 input channels including an XLR mic input into the SONA 31C combo amp.

Barbetta SONA 31C Keyboard Combo Amplifier Features:

  • 225W RMS power, 450W peak
  • Fully discrete, bipolar, class AB power section design
  • Slew rate: 70 volts per microsecond
  • 2 - 8" woofers and 5" horn tweeter
  • Woofer magnet 40 oz.
  • 2", 2-layer on Kapton former voice coil
  • Low frequency response: 3dB down at 41Hz
  • High frequency response 3dB down at 22kHz
  • Crossover point: 2780Hz
  • Crossover type: active, line level, modified Linkwitz-Reilly specially tailored to this model
  • Crossover filter: 18dB per octave
  • Polyurethane-bonded wood cabinet
  • Damping factor (woofer): 5000 at 1kHz and full power
  • Damping factor (tweeter): 3500 at 10kHz and full power
  • Protection: dynamic current limiting and over-temperature shut-down
  • Low level signal bandwidth: 200kHz
  • System hum and noise (all inputs at minimum): -95dB below full output
  • 17-1/4"H x 15-1/4"W x 12-1/4"D
  • 35 lbs.

A small but powerful amp with the kind of tone you've dreamed of all your keyboard-playing nights. Order today.

Barbetta SONA 31C Keyboard Combo Amplifier

Write A Review

Average of 5 User Ratings

Overall

Overall: 5.40

Quality

Quality: 6.40

Features

Features: 6.80

Value

Value: 4.60

Customer Reviews

Overall

Overall: 4

Quality

Quality: 5

Features

Features: 5

Value

Value: 4

Overpriced
Posted by Friendly Phil from Washington D.C. on Mar 19, 2008
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: active solo & duet club musician
Reviewer's Play Style: jazz
Not a bad practice amp I guess, but not much good for anything else. The mic input shorted out in about a month. All of the control knobs are really cheap feeling plastic. Finally, the distortion levels are really high even at low volume using any of my keyboards. If you're gigging buy something else.

Overall

Overall: 3

Quality

Quality: 4

Features

Features: 4

Value

Value: 3

Bogus specs = cheap sound
Posted by Geo from here, there and everywhere. on Mar 18, 2008
Experience w/product: I have used it
Reviewer's Background: pro player
Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz mostly
In an effort to impress the gullible, Barbetta hypes power-ratings. If this thing produces 225 rms, it would have to be into two ohms. When you think about it, <-95dB signal-to-noise ratio, (with all controls at minimum mind you!) is nothing to brag about. And that "5-inch" tweeter? ...maybe the plastic horn is 5 inches. It sounds like a cheap piezo driving it. That makes sense... Two small 8-ohm speakers, plus a piezo wired in parallel would make less-than a 4-ohm load, so they could advertise 200+ watts with a cheap amp. In reality, this amp is probably closer to 50 weak-transistor watts before clipping.

Granted, the cabinet is lightweight. It should be. It certainly isn't weighed down by quality components or materials.

In my experience, all Barbetta products are junk. This was no exception.

Overall

Overall: 8

Quality

Quality: 10

Features

Features: 9

Value

Value: 6

Versatile Lightweight Amp
Posted by Six-Oh from Kansas City, MO on Nov 15, 2006
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Musician / Sound Tech
Reviewer's Play Style: Contemporary Christian
If there is such a thing as a keyboard player's boutique amp, this is it. I have owned the SONA 31C for about 2 years now and appreciate this amp on several levels. First, its versatility; I have used it for keyboards, acoustic guitar, a small grab 'n run P.A., and as a dedicated P.A. side file monitor.

The sonics are outstanding from this bi-amped package - a very clean amp with very respectable linearity across the spectrum. Because I typically mount the amp on a stand, I rarely need to turn it up very loud, except as a P.A. at an outdoor gig and it had plenty of undistorted punch. The female XLR jack eliminates the need for me to bring a mixer just to use one mic. And the male XLR permits me to connect directly to the house when playing an instrument. Because the Line inputs are tip-ring-sleeve, I have also used the amp as a side fill monitor from the mixing console. At 35 lbs., the thing is so lightweight, I can easily pick it up with one hand, and it is the first thing I put on my hand truck (sideways) before stacking other things.

The layout of the jack/knob/switch panel on the back is very clean, with low profile knobs, rocker power switch, and no-nonsense, legible labels. I like the giant green L.E.D. on the front surface that creates no doubt when the unit is powered on. The carpet covering has proved to take the use & abuse. I appreciate the that the power cable is modular and may be removed for transportation.

The only downside is that the price is a little steep, but if you believe in buying the right device the first time and not looking back, this amp is for you.

Overall

Overall: 2

Quality

Quality: 3

Features

Features: 7

Value

Value: 1

Overrated!!!
Posted by Luke from Madison, WI on Jun 30, 2005
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Active musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz
This thing costs WAY too much for what it is.

The HF horn has a very narrow dispersion angle to it. The amp sounds great if you are exactly in front of it, but off to the side the sound is muddy and lacks definition.

The internal amplifier is SERIOUSLY inadequate; it distorts at even moderate volumes (I play jazz piano- we're not talking about some rock band). Last night the thing overheated and totally gave out on me.

Overall

Overall: 10

Quality

Quality: 10

Features

Features: 9

Value

Value: 9

Best lightweight KB amp!
Posted by Anonymous Musician on Sep 13, 2003
Experience w/product: I own it
Reviewer's Background: Working musician
Reviewer's Play Style: Jazz
This is a great product. It has the perfect combination of sound quality and light weight. Perfect for the keyboardist who has more than a couple of gigs a year. You can carry it in one hand, unlike the Roland KC500, etc. And the smaller speakers are better for piano sounds than huge 15" woofers that have a lot of oomph but lack clarity. Don't be fooled, though... this little guy can put out! And the sound quality is fantastic. Highly recommended!

If you would like to write a review, please see our product review guidelines.

Barbetta SONA 31C Keyboard Combo Amplifier

Overall: 5.40Read 5 Reviews

$649.00

MSRP: $949.00 Savings: $300.00(31%)

Finance Now for $65/mo.

Ships to Canada
Availability: Expected 02-10-2010.

Gold Coverage Protection Warranty: (What's this?)

Experience The Musician's Friend Advantage
Shop With Confidence - enjoy the protection of the Musician's Friend Advantage before and after the sale!
We'll Beat Any Price!
We'll beat any verifiable advertised price before or after the sale. Call 866-462-9293 for an unbeatable price quote.
45-Day Lowest Price Guarantee
If you find a lower advertised price within 45 days of your purchase, we'll refund the difference after verification. Some products are excluded.
45-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee & No-Hassle Return Policy
If you are not completely satisfied with any product, return it for a full refund of the product purchase price, full credit, or exchange of your choice – no hassles! Stringed instruments priced at $1999 or more have a special policy.
On-Time Delivery Guarantee
If you don't get your gear on time, shipping is free and you get 20% off your next order. Details »
Help & Support

Questions or comments? Email or call us at 800-391-8762.

This Item Ships Free With Promo Code "BIGG"! You Save $19.99!

 

Newsletter Sign-Up

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Helpful and timely tech tips
  • Exclusive product reviews and interviews
  • Outrageous web-only deals
  • The week in review
Stay Informed
Make Connections
BizRate Customer Certified (GOLD) Site Use Bill Me Later button Use PayPal button