Aguilar GS112 vs Berg HT112

noahw1 · #1 03-29-2011, 10:33 AM

I've been looking to downsize from my 2 Avatar Neo 210 cabs as I find them to be inefficient and a bit boomy. I'm looking to go the modular route and eventually get 2 12" cabs. Right now there are a couple of cabs I'm interested in and am wondering if someone might be able to help me with what the differences are. I've done some research on here already but am still a little stuck.

I'm trying to figure out pluses and minuses about the Aguilar GS112 and Bergantino HT112. From what I can tell the Aggie is known to be a bit scooped but has nice deep lows. The Berg seems to be a bit more hi-fi and smooth across the sound spectrum with a great tweeter.

How about loudness? Might one be considered louder than the other?
I've already done numerous searches on here regarding 12" cabs but am looking for a direct comparison between these two.
Thanks.

Alper Yilmaz · #2 03-29-2011, 10:48 AM

I have used both of those cabinets and I still own an HT112.

GS112 was my small cabinet choice based on a Bass Player review back in the day, until it got stolen from my car. I remember it was much more power hungry than the stated efficiency rate of 103dB, which Aguilar corrected later on. It was mid-scooped significantly giving a comfortable sound to the player on the stage, but it sounded a bit muddy and too bass heavy from a distance.

After the GS112 was stolen, I replaced it with a Bergantino HT112 and since then Bergantino's are my go-to cabs for all situations. HT112 is a bit more mid-heavy in comparison to GS112 (yet, it is far more less mid-present than the current AE series). To me it sounded more efficient than the GS112, but I have not had a chance to compare them side by side (but I used the same head on both for quite a few years).

I would agree with you regarding the smoothness across a wide range of frequencies and the quality of the tweeter.

GS112 is a great cab in itself, but after I switched to the Bergie, I never looked back...

Best,

Alper

Quote:

Originally Posted by noahw1

I've been looking to downsize from my 2 Avatar Neo 210 cabs as I find them to be inefficient and a bit boomy. I'm looking to go the modular route and eventually get 2 12" cabs. Right now there are a couple of cabs I'm interested in and am wondering if someone might be able to help me with what the differences are. I've done some research on here already but am still a little stuck.

I'm trying to figure out pluses and minuses about the Aguilar GS112 and Bergantino HT112. From what I can tell the Aggie is known to be a bit scooped but has nice deep lows. The Berg seems to be a bit more hi-fi and smooth across the sound spectrum with a great tweeter.

How about loudness? Might one be considered louder than the other?
I've already done numerous searches on here regarding 12" cabs but am looking for a direct comparison between these two.
Thanks.

noahw1 · #3 03-29-2011, 11:44 AM

Thanks

Tim1 · #4 03-29-2011, 12:05 PM

I believe the HT112ER has been discontinued, so if you want one new you had better get in quick.

svtb15 · #5 03-29-2011, 12:31 PM

HT112ER may be the best sounding 112 cab that i have heard.. I had GS112s.. I prefer the Berg Muuuuuuch more.. It had a cleaner punchier mid.. and a silkier sounding tweeter...A much smoother and even sounding cabinet IMO

MarTONEbass · #6 03-29-2011, 04:56 PM

IME the HT112 (non ER) is seriously lacking in the low end especially if you play 5's. I've owned the stack twice, and twice it went.

dmrogers · #7 03-29-2011, 06:05 PM

I currently own 2 GS112's and a Berg HT112 (non er).

From reading your post, it sounds like you have done your homework and have a good understanding of the cabs in question.

I will say up front, that I really like the Aguilar cabs. They are super tough, handles all the power I care to throw at them and sound great. My main bass is a MIA Jazz with a TFB750A. I don't worry about the Aggies, they are quality. They are a great bang for the buck. No way would I get rid of them.

However:

I have GOT to have an additional HT112 for my other rig! I love the Berg! I can run my TFB550B EQ almost flat and get a great tone. I favor a good deal of mid presence and the Berg delivers. But not in an annoying way and it doesn't sound thin.
It is just a great cab. I will eventually get another one, but am not in a hurry since I have a good main rig. IME the Berg offers great low end without muddiness.

With the Aguilar's I do have to use more EQ to get the sound I want, but a lot of that could be personal preference. The tweeters in the GS112's work well for me, but I don't use a lot of tweeter in either cab.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with either cab. They both are great products from great companies. Considering your head, bass and playing style, either cab would be fine.

You would do well to try them out if you get the chance.

Good luck!

AMJBASS · #8 03-30-2011, 09:04 AM

I have a love/hate relationship with my GS112's. They are IMO the fattest sounding single 12's on the market, but they also have a bit of scoop to them. The thing that bugs me is that they throw the sound in such a way that you need to turn up to hear your self on stage and you end up killing people at the back of the room. Overall though, they are nice cabs. The Bergantino HT112 is the best sounding and most balanced 1x12" I have had the pleasure of playing through.

svtb15 · #9 03-30-2011, 10:46 AM

I agree the GS cabs are the fattest sounding.. I would have kept mine if they had a better speaking mid voice.. because i loved the GS112.. Its the best sounding 115 cab....! but the mid focus was lacking... and i replaced them with the DB112s which does not come close IMO... i really hate the DB112s.... Some folks have replaced the 12 in the GS with something to get better mid response..

c-ba55 · #10 03-30-2011, 11:19 AM

I had the GS112s for a long time. Had the 212 before that until I moved into a second floor place. The only reason I didn't buy Bergantino originally was cost. However many years later, I finally got myself the Bergantinos. And in the meantime, he had produced the ER version, so I have something even better than I remembered! The sound of the Aguilars is pretty nice, and it is a great piece of engineering - but it is a 15 year old piece of engineering. The scoop is there, and besides the sound that is also taking away a lot of perceived loudness. It was always a bit of a struggle to be heard with those. The sound of the Bergantinos is kind of the same but just more solid, with the gaps filled in. Not a sterile sound, more of a sweet sound. As everyone comments, the transition from the woofer to tweeter is about as good as it gets.
Of course now there are also the DBs from Aguilar which remove the scoop, and their new SLs which I don't know much about how they sound but are way lighter. And Bergantino has his lightweight AE line which I personally am not keen on but many others are.

chadds · #11 03-31-2011, 06:01 AM

No comparison.
To me.
Ag has it's own sound, that buttery warm tone.
It's not a blank canvas for your playing. I found the mids so scooped I was hurting my hand trying to get it to speak.
The Berg is made from higher quality materials. Touch that jack plate on the Ag and you'll see. As has been said the transition from woofer to tweeter is seamless on the Berg.

Sufenta · #12 03-31-2011, 07:33 AM

All the GS 1x12s negative comments are spot on with my experience. Switched to the HT/ER stack a couple of years ago. Way, way......(way) better.

Pandabass · #13 03-31-2011, 04:55 PM

Let me say first that I haven't played the Bergs. I play through a pair of GS112's with an Eden WT800. The GS112's are both lovely and good. While there's definitely a mid scoop they are warm and round. You don't have to turn 'em up so much to have a full sound.

Richard G · #14 04-02-2011, 08:51 PM

I AM ENJOYING THIS THREAD!