Bergantino Cab Users Opinion Needed

[LilRay]

As I sit on TB, I'm GASsing (or dreaming) of a Berg Setup. Those of you with lots of Berg experience, How would a mod rig of 2 HT112 cabs compare tonally to the NV412 box?

Those little boogers sound great but I wonder if the 412 is similar or a different animal entirely?

Before you guys say it, I live 100 miles from the nearest Berg dealer and I'd just like to hear personal opinions on the differences.

I've posed the question to my favorite Berg dealer but I thought posting it here might garner an interesting discussion as well.

So Let it Roll



God Bless, Ray

[Steve]

Originally Posted by LilRay

Those little boogers sound great but I wonder if the 412 is similar or a different animal entirely?

With twice as many drivers and no horns I can't image how it could possibly sound similar.

[trainwrecker]

I use two AE 112's through a GENZ-BENZ Shuttle MAX 6.0 and the sound is HUGE! Also worth mentioning is the fact that the whole rig weighs in at 55lbs! I only have to turn up about half way, and only a little over that for an outside gig..... and to me it sounds much better than the HT-112 I used to use through my SVT4-PRO (which doesn't get much use these days )

[MDFreeze]

NV412, voiced for more of a vintage tone (no horns). HT112 can get a very modern tone, with the option of adjusting the tweeter if you want some "vintage" vibe. I have the IP112er and HT112ER set-up, it is extremely versatile, reliable and portable. The AE112's sound great too, and are lighter, but I personally prefer the HT112's tone and don't mind the extra weight since it's in a manageable package.

[LilRay]

Originally Posted by Steve

With twice as many drivers and no horns I can't image how it could possibly sound similar.

It's "possible" that it could possibly sound similar from porting etc. This is in essence why I posed the question. Do they sound similar, with the 412 sounding like 4 112 cabs(bigger) or are they ported differently and sound dissimilar? One can turn the tweeters "off" in the 112's etc.

I assume they would sound different, but how so?

God Bless, Ray

[Alexander]

I've owned both an HT112\EX112 stack and now an NV412. I would say that they sound pretty similar to my ears (in general). They both have that sweet Berg tone and both use the same driver, I think.

The NV412, being bigger obviously sounds bigger, too. The tweeter on the HT112 is very sweet and the high end is perhaps the biggest difference between the two setups. I understand the newer HT ER series also go deeper than the original HT112\EX112 I had, so would likely sound more like a modern, ported box than the original did (even though it was ported, frankly to me it didn't sound like it).

The tube amp\sealed cab vibe is really it for me right now. But, I wouldn't lose sleep playing through a tubey sounding hybrid and HTER stack...

[LilRay]

Originally Posted by MDFreeze

NV412, voiced for more of a vintage tone (no horns). HT112 can get a very modern tone, with the option of adjusting the tweeter if you want some "vintage" vibe. I have the IP112er and HT112ER set-up, it is extremely versatile, reliable and portable. The AE112's sound great too, and are lighter, but I personally prefer the HT112's tone and don't mind the extra weight since it's in a manageable package.

Freeze, You've got a heckuva rig . Do the tweets add that much high end, that you'd miss 'em if they weren't there?

BTW What part of D/FW are you from? I grew up in Arlington and I used to rehearse at Universal off Commonwealth.

God Bless, Ray

[Steve]

Originally Posted by LilRay

It's "possible" that it could possibly sound similar from porting etc. This is in essence why I posed the question. Do they sound similar, with the 412 sounding like 4 112 cabs(bigger) or are they ported differently and sound dissimilar? One can turn the tweeters "off" in the 112's etc.

I assume they would sound different, but how so?

God Bless, Ray

I can't answer the "how so" question because I've never heard the NV412 but from my experience with Berg stuff which is not insignificant, Jim is not afraid to make a cab that sounds different from the last one he made. They're all unique flavors of "really good".

This is really a question for TomBowlus I imagin who, seems to own at least two of everything ever made. I expect he'll be along shortly.

But yeah, if you're the kind of guy that slaps or likes to drive their tone up into the sparkle, the tweet's will make a big difference. If you're playing reggae with flats and a EB-O bass, probably not.

[babebambi]

Originally Posted by LilRay

It's "possible" that it could possibly sound similar from porting etc. This is in essence why I posed the question. Do they sound similar, with the 412 sounding like 4 112 cabs(bigger) or are they ported differently and sound dissimilar? One can turn the tweeters "off" in the 112's etc.

I assume they would sound different, but how so?

God Bless, Ray

The NV is a sealed cab, and it has the typical sealed cab vibe.

The HT otoh is ported, and also sound as such.

Very few would call them similar in tone.

[MDFreeze]

I would definitely miss the tweeters because they add to that high end sizzle when thumping or where there is need to somewhat get some attack through the live mix. I think they are very useful, and more versatile for various situations. BTW, the tweeter level is variable.

Yes my rig amazes me every time I use it. I used to have 8x10 mesa road ready stuff, and then 4x10's, kept downsizing, but this little rig is just as loud and puts out a cleaner sound at higher volumes than anything I've used before. When people borrow my rig, they're astounded and become Bergantino fans.

I live in Waxahachie.

[Fuzzbass]

The HT112ER is a modern cab in that it is ported and has a tweeter. The NV series, including the NV412, are vintage style in that they are sealed (no port) and have no tweeter.

So, as mentioned by others, they will sound very different from each other, all else being equal. I've never tried the NV412, but don't for a second think it's a dull cabinet: my NV610 (rated for the same 4.5kHz top end) gets plenty of high end, usable up to 6kHz when boosting treble via EQ. But as noted it won't give the uber-sizzle up above 6kHz that's often preferred by slappers (and sometimes by pick/fingerstyle players).

FWIW I use my NV610 for slap funk, from vintage slap to Red Hot Chili Peppers, and it has plenty of sparkle for me. My #1 bass is a Sadowsky, and I boost treble with both the active EQ on the bass and the Presence control on my SansAmp RBI preamp when using the NV610.

[LilRay]

I'm learning quite a bit guys. Thanks for replying.

My cabs I have now are almost 15 years old and are ported with tweets but I keep the tweeters below 50% (90% of the time).

I've got an Ampeg combo that's sealed that sounds great to me.

I like em warm but clear and not brittle in the highs. I think any Berg would work but it's like Steve said, picking the "flavor" of really good that's tough.



God Bless, Ray

[tombowlus]

Yes, I have two HT112ERs and an NV412. To my ears, they sound fairly different. As noted above, you have the "sealed versus ported" thing going on, as well as the "tweeter/driver versus full-range driver" thing going on, in addition to the "two drivers versus four drivers" thing going on.

I think you have a pretty good understanding of the differences from all of the posts, above, but I'll just summarize my observations by saying that the NV412 is more warm and punchy, and the 2xHT112ER is more smooth (but still forceful), balanced, and refined. Yes, the NV412 is going to be a bit louder, but those HT112ERs are no slouches, and actually feel more powerful in the deepest notes.

Hope this helps, Tom.

[LilRay]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Yes, I have two HT112ERs and an NV412. To my ears, they sound fairly different. As noted above, you have the "sealed versus ported" thing going on, as well as the "tweeter/driver versus full-range driver" thing going on, in addition to the "two drivers versus four drivers" thing going on.

I think you have a pretty good understanding of the differences from all of the posts, above, but I'll just summarize my observations by saying that the NV412 is more warm and punchy, and the 2xHT112ER is more smooth (but still forceful), balanced, and refined. Yes, the NV412 is going to be a bit louder, but those HT112ERs are no slouches, and actually feel more powerful in the deepest notes.

Hope this helps, Tom.

Thanks Tom. Looks like I'll go MOD!

God Bless, Ray