Studio-Grade Performance in a Touring-Ready Chassis
The Bi500 Di Mark III shares its design DNA with the flagship Bi1000 Di Mark III, scaled to meet the needs of the bassist whose primary stages are clubs, theaters, studios, and medium-format venues. Designed and built in California, the Mark III generation features the same Dynamic Power Supply architecture, the same refined limiter circuit, and the same dual XLR direct output configuration that has made the Bi Series a touring standard for over a decade.
For the working bassist who values flagship-grade engineering in a smaller, lighter chassis, the Bi500 Di Mark III delivers 500 watts of clean, articulate output at 4 ohms — and 250 watts at 8 ohms — through a control layout and connector configuration identical to its larger sibling. The result is a head that travels effortlessly while delivering the unmistakable Form Factor tone that defines the line.
What it does
At its core, the Bi500 Di Mark III is engineered around the same principles as the Bi1000 Di Mark III: a Class-D output stage paired with the Dynamic Power Supply, a four-band tone stack with sweepable midrange, a refined musical limiter, and dual balanced XLR direct outputs. The chassis weighs 4.1 pounds and operates seamlessly on universal 100–240 VAC for international stages.
“The Bi500 Di Mark III isn't a smaller version of the Bi1000 — it's a complete head, designed from the same engineering principles, scaled for the wattage requirement. Every player has a different sense of how much power they need on stage. For many of them, 500 watts is the right answer. The Mark III gives those players the same DI architecture, the same Dynamic Power Supply, the same tone stack, the same limiter — the same Bi Series engineering — at the wattage they actually use.” — Mike Lera, Head of Engineering & Design
Build & components
- Powder-coated aluminum chassis
- Universal Power Supply, auto-switching 100–240 VAC, 50–60 Hz
- 2 × NL4 Speakon™ speaker outputs
- 1 × Powercon™ power input
- 6 × Neutrik ¼″ connectors
- 2 × balanced XLR direct outputs (pre-EQ and post-EQ)
- Front-panel controls and tone stack identical to the Bi1000 Di Mark III
In use
For studio sessions, club dates, theater pits, and medium-format stages, the Bi500 Di Mark III represents the right balance of power, portability, and engineering for the working bassist. At 4.1 pounds, the head fits comfortably in a gig bag — and at 500 watts RMS into a 4-ohm cabinet, it delivers the headroom needed for nearly every venue most professional bassists encounter on a regular schedule.
Why working bassists choose the Bi500 Di Mark III
- 500W RMS at 4Ω, 250W at 8Ω — sufficient power for most working stages
- 4.1 lbs — fits naturally in a gig bag
- Same dual XLR DI architecture as the Bi1000 Di Mark III flagship
- Universal voltage operation for fly dates and international tours
- Refined limiter and sweepable midrange — the full Bi Series tone stack
- Designed and built in California
- Made in USA