Avatar Neo 212 or Avatar TB153?

Slackerprince · #1 03-19-2011, 01:36 PM

Pretty much decided to go with an Avatar cab for value/performance ratio. Price is right and performance would be good for me at my playing level.
I'll probably be running it with a new Genz Benz Streamliner 600

My basses are passive MIM P & J. Duncan Quarter Pounders, although may to
to Nordstrand NP4 for the P.
The TB153 seems to be getting a lot of love here and I'm pretty stoked on the midrange driver.

TB153* BASS CABINET

The 212 seems to get decent reviews, and is $50 cheaper, unless I get Tolex, which is what I would prefer, then it would be the same price as the TB153.

B212 Neo

The 212 is 7 pounds lighter and would have 3" more speaker surface area.
I would be getting the 4 Ohm and using it as a stand-alone.
Probably be doing Neo-Soul, Funk, Jam Band, and Blues type stuff.
So, any thoughts or opinions?
Thanks, and hope you're having a good weekend.
Please don't confuse me with other brands (unless you must).

S.

cableguy · #2 03-19-2011, 01:55 PM

I've never played Avatars but I don't think you can go wrong with either. They get a lot of love on TB. I prefer a mid driver to a horn so the 15/6/1 with the horn turned way down would be what I would use. That said I use a 12/6 set up now (fEarful) with another 12 on the way.

mntngrown · #3 03-19-2011, 02:18 PM

I have the 2x12 and an LDS cab with 3015lfs and 6.5mids.
The 15/3 will give you much better lows, for 5 string etc.
If you are happy with punchy mids and ok lows,(4 string), the 2x12 is nice, but I vote 15/3.

dukeisdog · #4 03-19-2011, 02:24 PM

I love my 212, but haven't had a chance to play any of the new 15\6 cabs. You really can't go wrong with either.

If you have pets, don't cheap out on the cab and just get tolex. My rat fur is holding up, and I've moved my cab quite a bit, but fur sticks to it like crazy. I should've went tolex on mine.

dukeorock · #5 03-19-2011, 02:27 PM

No experience with either, but off looks and in theory, I'd take the gamble on the 153

mam1862 · #6 03-19-2011, 02:30 PM

I have played out of 2 GK Neo 112's which I thought was ok. I just sold both of them and got the TB153. All I can say wow! Very impressive sound. Very full. The kind of bass you feel as well as hear. I would recommend over a 212. Just my opinion.

Slackerprince · #7 03-19-2011, 02:34 PM

Thanks, so far.
I'll definitely go for Tolex.
I'm off to work, I'll check back in later.

S

rpsands · #8 03-19-2011, 02:55 PM

Get the 153.

monkeyking · #9 03-19-2011, 03:07 PM

I haven't played a 212 since I borrowed my brother's Peavey Mace about 25 years ago, so not much reference help there. I do have the TB153 however and will recommend it without reservation. I can't think of anything you'd be doing with it that wouldn't sound good. I play 5 string and the lows are controlled, tight, and powerful. The mids are a revelation after years of 410s, and there's more than ample sparkle and snap on the high end. It's all good from me.

thudfromafar · #10 03-19-2011, 03:43 PM

The will both have different tones straight out of the box. Honestly my avatar 12's were really great for a funk sound. It's hard to say.
Someone posted a vid of their TB153 with the streamliner, it sounded really funky too. Check that out and see if you like the tone, it's in the TB153 thread i think.

faulknersj · #11 03-19-2011, 03:50 PM

Mtngrwn nailed it, the 2x12 just can't produce the same level of clean bottom end as the TB-153. You refer to surface area, but a 15 inch cone vibrates back and forth over a significantly greater distance thus producing more big clean bottom. If you want tight and punchy get the 2x12. If you want full range, go with the TB-153.

bwoodman · #12 03-19-2011, 03:53 PM

I'd buy the TB153. From what I've read, that Kappalite 15 kills. I'm about to put together a fEARful 15/6/1, but if I wasn't about to do that, I'd buy the TB153. Size is not even an issue with Avatar because the 212 and 153 are the same size box. Then again, if you get the 153 in 8 ohm version, you could always add a 8ohm 212 to that for a 4 ohm load - that might sound good actually. Yeah, I know, not good to mix drivers, but 410 & 115 have been used for years with good results.

rpsands · #13 03-19-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faulknersj

Mtngrwn nailed it, the 2x12 just can't produce the same level of clean bottom end as the TB-153. You refer to surface area, but a 15 inch cone vibrates back and forth over a significantly greater distance thus producing more big clean bottom. If you want tight and punchy get the 2x12. If you want full range, go with the TB-153.

You're close, the 15 has more Xmax which means more displacement. But not all 15s do, just this one (and some others, but not very many).

The 3015LF also has a lot more sensitivity than one of those Avatar 12s (almost as much as two). So couple the extra sensitivity with about 4x the displacement-limited power handling, and you've got a recipe for a lot more volume overall.

Dr. Eagle · #14 03-19-2011, 04:22 PM

I don't have any Avatar product but have always been partial to 12 and 15 inch speakers over 10's. Having used some 3 way PA speakers I borrowed, I can tell you I'd probably go for the 153, but if i had my way, it would be to have 2 of each. I don't think you can go wrong no matter which you pick, but i have a feeling your mid/highs would be superior with the 153.

impactwrench · #15 03-19-2011, 05:38 PM

I have the 4 ohm TB153. The tweeter is very subtle, and can only be rolled back. It is much more subtle than my B210, that I thought it was not working until I ran some tests. I think that was one of the biggest "errors" pointed out by the experts (which I'm not) about the design, is that the tweeter is too far from the midrange. But if you roll off the tweeter, it shouldnt matter anyway. That and it's heavier than it needs to be. I actually wish mine was rat fur and not tolex, but the cab does slay. I wish Avatar was making a 12/6 (with or without tweeter, I don't care) and I'd probably rather rock 1-2 of those depending on the gig. I just prefer smaller sized cabs for transport.

Jim C · #16 03-19-2011, 08:08 PM

Wonder how much cost would be saved if the did away with the tweeter and associated crossover? Seems like many here demand the 15/6 and don't necessarily need / want the tweeter.

Slackerprince · #17 03-19-2011, 11:08 PM

I'm pretty set on the TB153, I was just seeing if people out there could sell the 2X12.
Thanks for all the input!

S

DavidWayne · #18 05-02-2011, 03:40 PM

Well, all you TB 153 fans sold me, just ordered mine. Gonna run it under a GK 1001RB-II, and I have a GK MBX410 neo. Should be pretty fat. Any opinions welcome.

MuzikMan · #19 05-02-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

Wonder how much cost would be saved if the did away with the tweeter and associated crossover? Seems like many here demand the 15/6 and don't necessarily need / want the tweeter.

Probably about $20 in theory. It would likely be more because the baffles are pre-cut to have the horn. A special-order baffle would be necessary, thereby negating any possible savings.

Slackerprince · #20 05-02-2011, 06:05 PM

Done:

TB strikes again.
$504 shipped and price has already gone up because of Neo issue.
I'm real happy with it.
Good luck to all shoppers.

S