Avatar SB-112 or Hartke Hydrive HX112?

JTE · #1 11-23-2010, 10:38 AM

I've got an Avatar SB112 now. I'm looking to get another 1x12 cabinet and the Hartke HX112 looks appealing to me. The Hartke is $349 w/"free" shipping, the Avatar is $324 in carpet, and $364 in Tolex, shipping included.

The only other specs that really means anything to me (because power handling, frequency response, and efficiency is pretty much marketing hooey without telling me how they sound) is size and weight. The Hartke seems a little more compact, and is spec'd at less than 31 pounds versus the 39 of the Avatar. Those lead me to the Hartke.

However, another Avatar will stack neatly so the speakers are aligned, and I already know what the Avatar sounds like (and I know what I like and don't like already with it).

So, if anyone has any constructive thoughts on these two (or something else in the same price range), I'd be interested in hearing what you got to say.

Thanks!

John

And I · #2 11-23-2010, 10:53 AM

having only read what other people have to say about it i can't really call this a "recommendation"... but the GK neo 112-II is what i will be buying in a couple of weeks. 30 pounds, and not large.

JTE · #3 11-23-2010, 06:01 PM

Any one else with experience using any of these three cabs?

Jihn

greenboy · #4 11-23-2010, 06:03 PM

Hartke HX112, if the other Hydrives I have heard are any indication.

WJGreer · #5 12-09-2010, 07:03 AM

You already own the Av, so you know that it's a little big and heavy for a 112. Avatar uses the same cabinets for all their small enclosures to cut costs. That said, if you like the tone, why not match a pair?

I feel like if it were me and I owned one cabinet of each type, I would eventually decide which one I liked more and replace the other with a second of that type. So, for me, mixing would be an interim solution at best.