How does the GK neo 410 compare to the best 4x10s?

[davideuck]

I know, some threads are there with some comparisons but them are only between the neo 410 and the 212...

I want to know how do you want compare the neo 410 against the best 4x10 in the market. I myself think the best are the Bergantino AE 410 (but never tried it), the Epi UL 410 (I had the s1 some times ago), and the GB Uber 410 that I've now.
I'm interested in the tonal differencies and if one of those has an edge in volume. Is the GK able to be loud like the others?
Do you think it's mid scooped respect the others?

[THORRR]

Personally I prefer the Avatar B410 Neo.

I have 2 of them and rarely have to use the second one.
They have TONS of volume and TONS of tone and you
can buy them direct from the manufacturer at a huge savings.

I've had mine for a year and a half and wouldn't trade them for anything else on the market today.

Check the specs at Avatar Speakers

[davideuck]

I‘ve the uber right now, I love it, really punchie and powerfull, only curious how the gk is against the best 4x10 I‘ve listed. Anyway I‘m in Italy so would be a little difficult to buy an avatar...

[stflbn]

As with others... Avatar prices have jumped. IMHO they're not the "huge savings" that they used to be. If anything they're falling a bit behind because they seem set on using the same cabinet for all their offerings, rather than cabinets designed to be optimal for what they're putting into it. Earlier that used to be forgivable due to the price difference, but it's getting tough for me to get beyond. IMHO, and just from my personal outlook.

[Muttleybass]

The Berg and the Epi 410s are very hifi. Super clean and tight. Expensive, but you get what you pay for. I was really close to going with an Epi UL 310, but it was almost too clean for what I do.

The GK Neo is in line with the SWR and Eden, but might be a bit grittier and brighter. The Mesa, to my ears, was clean, but a bit middy (sounded like it had a cold).

Every cab has it's own personality, so it's difficult to explain. I went with the GK Neo because it was IMO the best for the money (China), and gives me the gnarly, punchy tone I'm looking for and weighs less than 50 pounds.

[SteveHeissner]

I second the opinion of THORRR. I have two Avatar 410 NEO's and two GK 212 NEO's, so I can't compare apples to apples. Both are great cabinets but I prefer the Avatar NEOs over the GK's.

[trjazzluva05]

Originally Posted by stflbn

As with others... Avatar prices have jumped. IMHO they're not the "huge savings" that they used to be. If anything they're falling a bit behind because they seem set on using the same cabinet for all their offerings, rather than cabinets designed to be optimal for what they're putting into it. Earlier that used to be forgivable due to the price difference, but it's getting tough for me to get beyond. IMHO, and just from my personal outlook.

I have to agree. With other bass companies really becoming innovative in design and how it correlates with sound quality, Avatar is becoming somewhat an "ancient" cab in my book.
They're basically neo speakers, with a cheap tweeter in a box. I've played a 4x10 and a 2x12 Avatar and they're nothing to write home about, IMO. Basically they're aim is to give bassists who can't afford a boutique cab like an Aguilar, Epifani or Bergantino cab, a decent speaker for the price. But these days, you can pick up a quality cab used like if you look. I own a GK Neo 4x10 and it sounds great, up to par with many other companies. It's a flat sounding cab to my ears, and it sits in a band mix really well. Here's a video of my playing a Neo 4x10 at a gig...

Tim Reed bass solo at the Metro - YouTube

[davideuck]

Originally Posted by trjazzluva05

I have to agree. With other bass companies really becoming innovative in design and how it correlates with sound quality, Avatar is becoming somewhat an "ancient" cab in my book.
They're basically neo speakers, with a cheap tweeter in a box. I've played a 4x10 and a 2x12 Avatar and they're nothing to write home about, IMO. Basically they're aim is to give bassists who can't afford a boutique cab like an Aguilar, Epifani or Bergantino cab, a decent speaker for the price. But these days, you can pick up a quality cab used like if you look. I own a GK Neo 4x10 and it sounds great, up to par with many other companies. It's a flat sounding cab to my ears, and it sits in a band mix really well. Here's a video of my playing a Neo 4x10 at a gig...

Tim Reed bass solo at the Metro - YouTube

Wich head did you use in that set?
Have you tried one of the other 4x10s?
What I want to know is if the neo can get loud like the epi or the uber and if it‘s really flat sounding how you say or if it‘s mid scooped becouse some guys have described it like that.
For reference the epi sounded flat to me while the uber is much mid present with a mellow upper response, a little warmer than the epi.
I‘m sure the neo is much like the epi but I think I‘ll dislike a cab with less mids... how strong are the low mid on the neo?

[trjazzluva05]

The Neo 410's low-mids are pretty good. i was using a GK MB2-500 head with an Aguilar Tone Hammer pre bypassing the MB's preamp. I'm not sure how mid scooped it is compared to the Epifani or Berg cabs. If it helps you, i have to scoop my mids some when using the cab. When i had a Aguilar GS 212 cab, i had to boost the mids a bit.

[davideuck]

Originally Posted by trjazzluva05

The Neo 410's low-mids are pretty good. i was using a GK MB2-500 head with an Aguilar Tone Hammer pre bypassing the MB's preamp. I'm not sure how mid scooped it is compared to the Epifani or Berg cabs. If it helps you, i have to scoop my mids some when using the cab. When i had a Aguilar GS 212 cab, i had to boost the mids a bit.

This is a good point.
And from the video I can hear a good tweeter, the highs seem to be “airy“ and open, it reminds to me the swr tone and this is good imo.
I hope someone can share other experiences, no one had the opportunity to a/b the neo with the uber or the epi?

[THORRR]

I play with my tweeter completely off,
and power my Avatar B410 Neos with a
Markbass LMIII 800w head.

With 800 watts pumping these 1000w
cabs, my sound certainly IS something to write home about!

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by stflbn

If anything they're falling a bit behind because they seem set on using the same cabinet for all their offerings, rather than cabinets designed to be optimal for what they're putting into it.

Using the same cabinet is a "common" pratice for comerical manufacturers.

Case in point, check out Berg.
Same external cabinet for their different 210 and 410 models, same external cabinet for the NV412 and NV 610.
Internally Berg uses a different speaker compliment and porting...same as Avatar does!

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by trjazzluva05

They're basically neo speakers, with a cheap tweeter in a box. I've played a 4x10 and a 2x12 Avatar and they're nothing to write home about, IMO. Basically they're aim is to give bassists who can't afford a boutique cab like an Aguilar, Epifani or Bergantino cab, a decent speaker for the price.

Tim Reed bass solo at the Metro - YouTube

Avatar uses Eminence's top of the line 2510, cast framed, neo speaker with a custom x-max in their 10" loaded cabinets...the same speakers that are used in high-dollar brand-name cabinets as Aguilar, Epifani, Bergantino, ect.
The "cheap" Avatar tweeter/horn is from Foster.
Foster horns are used in Aguilar, Ampeg, Eden, Fender, SWR, ect., ect, ect.
Berg and Epi use a different and "MUCH" more expensive horn than what is used in Avatars.
Cosmetics aside, the difference's are...what the speaker's x-max was set at, the crossover that was used, and the cabinets tuning.
(Emphasis on the cabinet tuning...)


Apologies to the OP for stealin' his thread...

[Eric Moesle]

Just to correct misinformation, my Aguilar cabs didn't come with the cheap Foster horns as alleged. They use premium P-Audio tweets and a MUCH better crossover than the Avatars.

Avatars are great cabs for the money, but they sound nowhere near as clear and tight as a premium cab. If you think so, you haven't spent enough time with a high-end cab to learn the difference.

[blmeier7]

Originally Posted by Eric Moesle

Avatars are great cabs for the money, but they sound nowhere near as clear and tight as a premium cab. If you think so, you haven't spent enough time with a high-end cab to learn the difference.

+1

Yeah, I'm really not sure why there are so many comments of the Avatar being right up there with other top-end cabs. If you've A/B'ed the Avatar next to a top-end cab and still think there is not a big difference then consider yourself lucky that you saved a few hundred $ and go with the Avatar.

I was somewhat satisfied with my Avatar B212 until I A/B'ed it next to an Uber 212. I put the Avatar up for sale the next day.

I'm wondering how many people that are pushing Avatar cabs so hard have actually A/B'ed one side by side to a higher end cab.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by Eric Moesle

Just to correct misinformation, my Aguilar cabs didn't come with the cheap Foster horns as alleged. They use premium P-Audio tweets and a MUCH better crossover than the Avatars.

Fostex 025H27 horn and driver HO25N27A0000.
((("SAME AS"))) the P-Audio PHT410, HT410.
Also for the Ampeg, Avatar, Carvin, Eden, Fender, SWR, Peavey, Roland, ect.
Fostex and Foster are the same company.

The different x-overs in Avatars was pointed out in my eariler post.

[davideuck]

Back on topic...

So, no one had a chance to A/B the neo 410 to an high end 4x10??

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by blmeier7

+1

Yeah, I'm really not sure why there are so many comments of the Avatar being right up there with other top-end cabs. If you've A/B'ed the Avatar next to a top-end cab and still think there is not a big difference then consider yourself lucky that you saved a few hundred $ and go with the Avatar.

I was somewhat satisfied with my Avatar B212 until I A/B'ed it next to an Uber 212. I put the Avatar up for sale the next day.

I'm wondering how many people that are pushing Avatar cabs so hard have actually A/B'ed one side by side to a higher end cab.

I can't speak for Avatar's 212 or 410 cabinets, (never heard either), but I can for their 210 cabinets.
When I was putting together my two, 210, vertical 410, I was able to locate and audition 14 different models of 210 cabinets.
My top two picks where...
#1...Berg's AE210.
#2...Avatar's 210 Neo.
The Berg's had a sweeter/smoother high end over the Avatar.
"To my ears" the lows, the projection, dispersion ect. was equal between the two. (As it should since both cabs use Eminence 2510 drivers!)
Playing the Avatar at home it's horn had a hiss where the Berg's did not. But, with the loud, 6 pcs., country/rock group I work with the Avatar's hiss was not noticed and the Berg's superior highs were not noticed.
At the time I was auditioning 210 cabinets the Berg was $850.00 plus tax per cab...the Avatar was $319.00 plus shipping.
I didn't hear $531.00 better/difference.

I replaced high-dollar, hard to transport Eden cabinets with these two Avatar cabinets and haven't regretted it for a second...

My guess in what you liked better about the G.B. 212 cabinet over the Avatar 212 cabinet had more to do with the G.B.'s cabinet size and tuning.
Maybe some one here at T.B. will chime in and say for sure but I'd bet G.B. uses Eminence's drivers with a custom x-max and Foster horns as does almost all commerical bass cabinet manufacturers.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by davideuck

Back on topic...

You are absolutely correct sir.
Sorry for my rant on your thread...

[Eric Moesle]

I really don't believe for a minute that Bergantino uses 2510's.

All of his speakers are custom-spec. Just because they are neo 10's doesn't mean they are 2510's.....