Epi UL2-112/GK Neo112-ll final concerns

[fig]

First off, just wanna thank all of you for taking the time to post your valuable knowledge and experience in this forum. It's been my main reference in looking for new cabinets this past week.

I'm down to ordering either two EPIFANI UL2-112 cabinets or two GK NEO112-ll cabinets. They'll be powered by a Peavey Tour 700 head (700W > 4ohms, 500W > 8ohms). Using a 5 string bass.

Music types will be old country (guitar, bass, steel guitar, drums, low to moderate volumes) and southern rock/blues (moderate to moderate/loud volumes, power trio with guitar guests). Usually VFW, American Legion, and up to 100 people indoor/outdoor gigs. The southern rock/blues gigs are the priority.

From my impressions so far, the GK's mids voicings are suitable for rock gigs. Conversely, the Epifani's lesser mids voicing may not allow it to punch through in rock gigs. Also, I get the impression that the Epifani cabs will handle the low B better than the GK, which is important to me.

When researching, the consensus seems the GK's handle the low end really well, but that was mostly from 4 string players, with only an occasional mention from 5 stringers. This is opposed to the Epifani's getting frequent definitive mentions of handling the low B really well.
So, one concern is: How well do the GK NEO112-ll cabs handle the low B string?

The second concern is with the Epifani cabs used in the southern rock/blues gigs. The reviews I've seen are mixed, tending towards not being suitable for rock-ish gigs. Some have said the mids can be dialed in to cut through, but it's problematic.
Are the Epifani's totally out of the picture for use in the southern rock/blues genres?

Third and final concern is with the cab (or cabinets) being used off the floor or stage. Most of my gigs will have the cabs off the ground (amp stands, X-stands, bar stools, etc). Personally, I prefer the cabs off the ground, but generally my stages are small, I'm 6 foot 2, and hate giving my feet all the bass goodness. Through your experiences, do either the Epi or GK's suffer drastically when used off the ground (as in, "Man, this cab totally looses it when it's off the ground!")? Probably not, but needed to ask.

Any thoughts on these three concerns would be appreciated.

[rpsands]

I seriously doubt there is much difference between the cabinets in displacement limited output at ~60hz. That's the only frequency you need to worry about for the low B really.

It might sound like one is beefier due to different voicings but I doubt there's much difference in real output.

[kevcooke]

I've only ever gigged Epifani speakers once. The only speakers can ever topped them, for me, were Accugroove but speaking from someone who is playing a lot of folk/country-esque kind of stuff at the moment the Epifani's would naturally suit better... never been much of a GK fan though.

[Nedmundo]

I love the G-K Neo112 for rock gigs, and I've played a couple using my Jazz V. I don't play below low C, but IME the cab has dealt fine with the B string at gig volume. My G-K 700RB-II head, with its 5+ string voicing filter, might help with this.

[fig]

Thanks for the replies so far.

@kevcooke - Yes, I agree the Epifani's would be outstanding for my country gigs. I looked at Accugroove's Tri112L and it would be a preference for me, from what I've gathered. Price put it out of competition, as one is expensive and I'd prefer 2 of 'em. There is one very slightly used Tri112L right now on eBay for $850.

@Nedmundo - Thanks for letting me know about the voicing filter on the GK 700RB-ll amp and 5 string response. Unfortunately, I don't have a voicing filter on my amp, so I'm still stuck at wondering how the GK cab(s) would work 'naturally', without special add-in voicing help.

@rpsands - Good to know info. Thanks.

[kevcooke]

Originally Posted by fig

Thanks for the replies so far.

@kevcooke - Yes, I agree the Epifani's would be outstanding for my country gigs. I looked at Accugroove's Tri112L and it would be a preference for me, from what I've gathered. Price put it out of competition, as one is expensive and I'd prefer 2 of 'em. There is one very slightly used Tri112L right now on eBay for $850.

Hi,

Well, yes the Accugroove's may cost more but it's taken me long enough to realise that settling for second best is far more expensive in the long run if what you really want is something else (and if you have weak willpower to settle, like I do).

If only we were in the same country I would fully encourage you to come give my pair of Tri110 cabs a go and convince you to save the extra