Gallien Krueger Neo 112 vs neo 210 & 212

willsellout · #1 02-14-2011, 09:19 PM

So I'm having a very difficult time finding a Neo 112 to try out. So today I brought my amp down to a local shop that had the 212 and the 210 neo GK and tried them both out. Here are my thoughts, and please let me know if they differ from what you have discovered with these cabs.

The 212 was louder than the 210 (not surprising), but it was quite a bit softer and less articulate than the 210. The 210 was a lot more present and clear but lacked in the lows a bit. The 212 was a little boomy to my ears and I had a hard time dialing in what I was looking for. I had an easier time with the 210, but it still wasn't what I would call ideal.

So my question is, where does the 112 fall, tone-wise, when comparing it to these two cabs? I've read quite a bit about the 112 but it would be nice to be able to relate your experiences with the 112, to my experiences with these other cabs.

So, what do you guys think?

mam1862 · #2 02-15-2011, 07:45 AM

I USE TWO OF THE NEO 112'S WITH A MB FUSION AMP AND THE SOUND IS GREAT. THE MIDS AND THE HIGHS ARE LOUD ENOUGH AND YET I GET ENOUGH BOTTOM END THAT YOU CAN FEEL. I HAVE WONDERED ABOUT GETTING A NEO 115 AND USING IT WITH ONE OF THE 112'S, BUT I HAVE NOT TRIED THAT OUT YET. ALSO THE PORTABILITY IS GREAT.

tombowlus · #3 02-15-2011, 07:49 AM

Was the Neo212 you were trying an older model, or the newer Series II version? Man, I have a hard time imaging a Neo212-II sounding soft, inarticulate, or boomy.

**DougD** · #4 02-15-2011, 08:23 AM

I have the Neo 210/ 410 and have owned the older version of the 212. They are all great cabs. But I can see what you mean about the 212. Especially if it's the older model. With that cab you need to be away from it to hear it properly. If you are right up under it, it can sound soft and sometimes a little muddy. But it will sound great to the audience. I don't have any experience with the series II version of the 212. But that neo 210 kicks some serious butt

To me it sounds better than the neo 410.

willsellout · #5 02-15-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Was the Neo212 you were trying an older model, or the newer Series II version? Man, I have a hard time imaging a Neo212-II sounding soft, inarticulate, or boomy.

You know, I can't say. There is a good chance that it was the older version though. This is a small shop and most of their stuff doesn't move very quickly. It also could have been the location it was in and my relation to it.

PeterT55 · #6 02-15-2011, 06:30 PM

I have 2 Neo 2/12 II's and they sound fantastic! They are very articulate and loud! No problem getting any tone I want. I use active and passive bass's and a 2001 RB amp and you can have ANY type of sound you like.....I have played some gigs where I use only one cab and occasionally you will not hear your true sound standing right on top of it, but I've aloso played gigs where I have to stand right in front of it and it sounds killer! You will get that with lots of rigs depending on how you have to set up......these things are awesome imho....

BassPlayer3187 · #7 02-15-2011, 08:18 PM

I have a Neo 112II and have used it by itself and with another Neo 112II. This sound is much crisper (IMO) than they Neo 212 that I played through was. I have not played with a Neo 210, however I do have a 410SBX+ and the 112 def has a much more low end response and does not loose any of the highs or mids that I get in the 410. I hope this helps you.

P.S. I love my Neo 112 with both my upright and electric, it sounds great!

ljazz · #8 02-16-2011, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Was the Neo212 you were trying an older model, or the newer Series II version? Man, I have a hard time imaging a Neo212-II sounding soft, inarticulate, or boomy.

I actually think the series 1's are a tad more articulate in the mids than the series 2's..... but it's so close that it would be highly subjective. However, it's the main reason I haven't switched mine out..... well, that and the smaller footprint.

I think the better question would be "was it a neo 212 or one of the new MBE 212 cabs?"

I have not tried the neo210, but I have played the 410, and I was suprised at how boomy that cab was for a 410. It wasn't too tough to dial out though...... of course, I have to keep in mind that I was powering it with the mb500, which I am not a big fan of.

The lowend gets a bit more defined going from the 112 to the 212, but I would not say it gets boomy. In fact, that's what I love about the neo 12 cabs from GK..... no looseness in the booty at all...... very tight lowend.

TheVoiceless · #9 02-16-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Was the Neo212 you were trying an older model, or the newer Series II version? Man, I have a hard time imaging a Neo212-II sounding soft, inarticulate, or boomy.

I just bought a used GKNEO2x12, not sure which series, I will have to look!!

But I have to agree, I was at a metal jam last night with up to 4 guitars, drums and me and I was cutting through nicely. I did for fun crank the bass knob on my GK1001RBII and while I would not call it boomy, it was definitely deep. I choose the 2x12 because in the band situation I could get as low as I wanted while still cutting through the mix. I just don't think 10's handle the lows as well, and sometimes I would say thin. I think it comes down to application, if your going for a tight sound go with 10's, but if you want to rumble the lows I would suggest the 2x12.

Aceonbass · #10 02-16-2011, 11:30 AM

I have a pair of NEO 210's. One is a year old, and the other is new. I really liked the sound of this cab stock, and when I just had the one cab, I played it at jam sessions and such with an older MB2 500. I sold the older MB2 500, bought a pair of new ones and a new NEO 210 cab. This is now my main rig. I split it in half when I want something I can just grab and go with to a jam session. I love the sound of these cabs, especially driven by the little GK amps, but to be honest, I have changed the speakers out for Emminence Delta-Lite's. At 8ohms each, I can get the full 500 watts out of my MB's running at 4ohms. At about 1/2 volume, the air being pushed out of the ports make it feel like I'm standing in front of a fan. Tons of bass, mids, highs from these little cabs makes them perfect for me. No more hauling around the Ampeg SVT410 cab (which got the Paragons from the GK's). I'm loving the portability and sound of these cabs and amps. So long story short, forget 15's & 12's and go with 410's or a pair of 210's.