Mesa Boogie SUBWAY-WD-800 Subway WD-800 Bass Amplifier

Tracing its lineage back to the D-180, the MESA Boogie SUBWAY® WD-800™ is the next step in the MESA Bass Amp Bloodline. A tone dripping powerhouse that’s both compact and lightweight, packaged to go the distance with features, packaging and control over the entire bass spectrum makes it an iconic step forward in bass amplification. Plus, the SUBWAY WD-800 is about the easiest amp on the planet to get great sound from - it really is a “plug and play” amp. This Head combines the warm, soulful sounding magic of the WalkAbout tube preamp section with the musical Class D Output Power used in our Subway Line (D-800™ and D-800+™), to create the ultimate lightweight hybrid.

The inspiring round, fat WalkAbout Tone produced is joined by comprehensive rotary shelving Tone controls and a semi-parametric EQ, giving you total shaping authority in the preamp. The WD-800 also features the Subway D800 Plus’s highly effective HIGH PASS FILTER and a new POWER AMP DAMPING control, which allow tuning of the sub-low frequencies and power response options respectively. The POWER DAMPING choices enable you to tailor the tracking and feel of the power amp. The LOW setting produces a looser, more relaxed and blooming character reminiscent of Tube power. HIGH tightens the low end, adding punch and accuracy in tracking, while MEDIUM provides a blend of these opposite ends of the power response spectrum.

The WD-800 can perform as a stand-alone Head or be mounted in 2 Spaces within standard 19” Racks by attaching the optional Rack Ears (not included). Whether you’re looking for a lightweight new main rig to replace your heavy linear amp with a bigger, wider sound and more complex harmonic content than the lightweight options you’ve tried, or just a compact, portable head for everyday gigging and recording that will fill the room with luscious Tone, the WD-800 covers bases with power and versatility to spare. Not exactly a WalkAbout or a Subway, but rather everything great about both combined in a super-responsive compact, lightweight, big-power platform, just as you ordered!

Specifications

• Output Power Rating:
  • 200 Watts RMS @ 16 ohms, 10% THD (includes preamp O/D THD) [note 1]
  • 400 Watts RMS @ 8 ohms, 10% THD (includes preamp O/D THD) [note 1]
  • 800 Watts RMS @ 4 ohms, 10% THD (includes preamp O/D THD) [note 1]
  • 800 Watts RMS @ 2 ohms, 10% THD (includes preamp O/D THD) [note 1, 4]
  • Signal to Noise Ratio: -65dB (20-15kHz, unweighted, controls at 12:00 positions)
• Available Gain: 40dB (eq controls flat, passive mode, gain/master at 12:00)
• Input Pad & Maximum Input Level: -10dB (active), >6.35 V(RMS) with input gain at 9:00, eq flat
• High Pass Filter: 2 pole fixed, 2 pole variable, 24dB/octave, 25Hz – 125Hz
• Equalization:
  • Bass: +14dB/-14dB @ 40Hz, shelving [note 2]
  • Passive Mid: -15dB @ 250 Hz, dip only
  • Treble: +11dB/-14dB @ 4kHz, shelving [note 2]
  • Parametric Mid Bands: +12dB/-14dB, peak/dip @ selected band centers
• Instrument Input Impedance/Sensitivity: >1 Meg ohm, -10dBu (gain & master at 12:00)
• Aux Input Impedance/Sensitivity: 10 K ohm, +4dBu [note 5]
• Effects Return Impedance/Sensitivity: 20 K ohm, +4dBu [note 5]
• Effects Send Impedance/Sensitivity:
• DI Output Impedance/Sensitivity:
• Power Amp Damping: ~1000 at 8 ohms (high), ~50 at 8 ohms (medium), ~25 at 8 ohms (low) [note 6]
• Preamp Tube Complement: one, optimized for 12AT7 or 12AU7 (12AX7 can be used with some loss of dynamics)
• Power Requirements: 100-120/220-240 VAC, 50/60Hz, 250W, auto-ranging power supply
• Size: 12.00” (305mm) wide x 10.15” (258mm) deep x 3.45” (88mm) high [note 3]
• Weight: approx. 7 lbs (3.18 kg)

Notes

• [note 1]: area under the curve, factoring preamp harmonics management, >25% duty cycle
• [note 2]: measured approx. 1 octave from knee
• [note 3]: chassis only, not including feet and controls
• [note 4]: impedance selector switch set to 2 ohm position
• [note 5]: nominal levels, there’s typically a min. of 12dB of addtl. gain for signals below, and 12 dB of headroom above nominal levels
• [note 6]: < 1kHz