GK Neo 212-II or GK 212MBE

[b1a1s7s]

I can't find much difference between the two. The MBE weighs 20 lbs less and is $150 cheaper. Other than that the Neo is 8 ohms and the MBE is 4 ohms. I'm set on one of the two because I'm tired of lugging around my 130 lb combo and, I don't want to buy anything else for awhile. Any suggestions as to which one to choose?

[garagebassman]

I have 212Neo I (60lbs) a bit taller and narrower than the II version, and just recently got the 212MBE (8 ohm version).

MBE has a more defined mid-presence, and has a bit "smaller" sound.

but amps made a difference IME. 700rb/212neo has ton of low end vs mb500/212neo had much brighter sound ( each with flat eq).

for rock sound at gig and portability, the 500/MBE's presence does it better for me, but i'm hanging on to the 700 and 212neo anyway

[jschall84]

Originally Posted by garagebassman

I have 212Neo I (60lbs) a bit taller and narrower than the II version, and just recently got the 212MBE (8 ohm version).

MBE has a more defined mid-presence, and has a bit "smaller" sound.

but amps made a difference IME. 700rb/212neo has ton of low end vs mb500/212neo had much brighter sound ( each with flat eq).

for rock sound at gig and portability, the 500/MBE's presence does it better for me, but i'm hanging on to the 700 and 212neo anyway

Did you happen to try the 700rb with the 212mbe? i am thinking of getting the 212mbe to replace my massively heavy 410sbx+

[garagebassman]

Originally Posted by jschall84

Did you happen to try the 700rb with the 212mbe? i am thinking of getting the 212mbe to replace my massively heavy 410sbx+

Yes.
I had a 410sbx for a short time, but didn't have enough mid punch for me with an older 400 rb....ciould be very different with a 700.
the tone is still smaller and more mid present with the 700/212mbe...loses a bit of low end extension.
After hauling around the 500 and mbe to a few gigs, it is so much easier to carry back donwstairs when I get home late !
btw...i am still learning the controls with that setup in the live settings, but so far so good

[Wadge]

I'm interested also

[audiomitch]

This is a little apples and oranges, but I had a couple of 115MBEs and now I have a US made Neo 115 (original). I know you're asking about the 212 versions, but here's my impressions comparing the two product lines.

The US Neo is heavier, but much better constructed. I ended up returning the MBEs because both had something rattling around inside of them.

The US Neo's horn is several orders of magnitude better that the MBE.

I found the US Neo tone to be more complex and "3-D" compared to the relatively flat sound of the MBE.

At volume, the MBEs would get kind of a nasty midrange boominess, it may be because they aren't lined inside. The Neo doesn't get boomy, but it will start sounding kind of compressed when pushed too far. I've heard that complaint about neodymium speakers in general, so it may not be a GK thing.

My $.02

[brndn123]

I was in a similar boat a few months back. I run a 1001. Went in store with my 1001 and tried the 212-II and an Avatar 212. You can probably guess which one I ended up with.