vote: NV610 or PH410

derridiandrift · #1 09-23-2011, 02:32 PM

Each has its merits. Consider those merits when used in a classic rock/modern rock setting with a big tube amp.

Discuss...

JGR · #2 09-23-2011, 02:48 PM

NV610. I own it, and have owned the PH610. I found the Mesa to be boomy and hard to control, and it didn't have great mids like the Berg. It was heavy, but built extremely well. It's one of my least favorite cabs. I ran it with SVT CLs, DB728s, and SS power. The Berg on the other hand sounds great with everything.

chaosMK · #3 09-23-2011, 02:53 PM

I love the PH 4x10, probably my favorite cab of all time. I've A/B'd it with all kinds of TB-raved gear and nothing has come close to it for me.

boomy/hard to control = huge, deep low end / boldly aggressive

I haven't tried or A/B'd with the NV610 but really wanted to like the HS410. I liked the overall voicing of it, but found it a little too reserved and not quite as loud as the PH. The Berg stuff is super nice, but it might just come down to how aggressive you want your sound to be... you'd probably be happier with the NV in this case.

JGR · #4 09-23-2011, 03:11 PM

Certainly different strokes; I can see some loving this cab with the right SS head, but it would be one of my last choices with tubes. I would think the Berg could more aggressive with it's thick mids/low mids, but it may just be a matter of semantics and how you define aggressive. To me, big lows, shy mids, and tweeter clank = lost in the mix.

Kwin Smith · #5 09-23-2011, 03:41 PM

Does the NV610 come with either 8 ohm or 4 ohm options? If not, I would go with the PH410 in 8 ohm, so I could add something else later.

I am a bit of a Mesa fanboy, though.

JGR · #6 09-23-2011, 06:25 PM

No, they are 4 ohm only - six 24 ohm drivers in parallel.

Kwin Smith · #7 09-23-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGR

No, they are 4 ohm only - six 24 ohm drivers in parallel.

If it were me, then I would pass on the NV 6x10 unless the tone was absolutely stellar. I've never played through one, though, so I can't comment to that. I like to have more options with cabinets, later on down the road.

OP: you really need to find a way to A/B those cabs with your head, then make your decision.

sunbeast · #8 09-23-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwin Smith

Does the NV610 come with either 8 ohm or 4 ohm options? If not, I would go with the PH410 in 8 ohm, so I could add something else later.

I am a bit of a Mesa fanboy, though.

It looks like he plays an SVT, which:
-a. doesn't offer an 8 ohm speaker tap (unless they changed that on the VRs), and
-b. does have a 2 ohm speaker tap

So ideally he would have one or two 4 ohm cabinets to use.

As far as my opinion- I own and LOVE an NV610, and have used it with both a vintage SVT and SVT-CL, as well as a Mesa 400+ and Mesa D-180. If you like the Ampeg 810 listed in your profile, I think the NV610 is a no-brainer. Though I haven't used the Mesa 410 myself, A ported cab like the Mesa is likely to be a much bigger hassle tonewise with a tube amp in my experience, where the NV610 has always sounded good to me no matter where or what I am playing. Also a 6x10 will give you noticeably more headroom than the 4x10 and be easier to lug around (I rarely have to pick up the 610, just roll it around and tip it into the back of my truck, whereas a shorter cabinet has to be picked up)...

Peg_legs · #9 09-24-2011, 06:56 AM

Currently own the PH610 and love it with solid state amps, but since you are going tube, no question Bergantino NV610. Unless I can hear the head with the cab together, I will always choose a sealed cab for tube amps

derridiandrift · #10 09-24-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

It looks like he plays an SVT, which:
-a. doesn't offer an 8 ohm speaker tap (unless they changed that on the VRs), and
-b. does have a 2 ohm speaker tap

So ideally he would have one or two 4 ohm cabinets to use.

Yes I'm using an SVT which only has a 2 and 4 ohm taps. My second amp is a V4BH and it has 4 and 8 ohm taps. There's no expansion necessary; I have the 810 and love it. Old P-bass ---->SVT---->810 that's the sound in my head. 90% of the time I'm playing fingerstyle, 10% with a pick.

Don't really care about the configuration/brand/voodoo/hype. Would prefer a single cab. Might go with a pair of 210 cabs. Not sure. I just want that sound, any weight up to about 100 pounds. Must be 4 ohms. These two cabs have come up in some other discussions so I thought I'd just put up a simple comparison of the two in the hopes that it doesn't turn into an endless list of suggestions.

We're cursed with too much amazing gear to choose from. But I love it or I wouldn't be talking about it all the time

derridiandrift · #11 09-24-2011, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

Also a 6x10 will give you noticeably more headroom than the 4x10 and be easier to lug around (I rarely have to pick up the 610, just roll it around and tip it into the back of my truck, whereas a shorter cabinet has to be picked up)...

You make some great points. No question about all of that. I move my 810 by myself. I always had to get to load my Eden 410s that I used to have.

The only time I struggle with my 810 is on the rare occasion that I have to move it across a full flight of stairs. Then it turns into a colossal PITA. 410 cabs are generally a PITA to move when you're alone, but no more difficult to move across a flight of stairs than my amp. Whatever "small" cab I settle on, I will not be happy with it if it doesn't sound like the sound in my head. And I would probably never have to move it alone.

klejst · #12 09-24-2011, 09:53 AM

Being a fan of Mesa I want to say to get the PH4x10, however choosing between the two you specifically listed I would say go for the Berg 6x10. I have heard and seen nothing but great things and a lot of praise on here for that cabinet. I currently use a Mesa PH6x10 cabinet, you could also look into one of them. Great sounding and soild cab. I personally find my 6x10 a lot easier to move around than the 4x10's I have used in the past. But 6x10's a obviously a bigger size and perhaps more weight. In the end it is your call man, typical response I know, but if you can try 'em out.

sunbeast · #13 09-24-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derridiandrift

You make some great points. No question about all of that. I move my 810 by myself. I always had to get to load my Eden 410s that I used to have.

The only time I struggle with my 810 is on the rare occasion that I have to move it across a full flight of stairs. Then it turns into a colossal PITA. 410 cabs are generally a PITA to move when you're alone, but no more difficult to move across a flight of stairs than my amp. Whatever "small" cab I settle on, I will not be happy with it if it doesn't sound like the sound in my head. And I would probably never have to move it alone.

For what its worth, I have found my NV610 much easier to navigate stairs with than my old Ampeg 810 as well- lighter and shorter to the point that it can be picked up fairly easily when necessary, but still tall enough that it can be lowered/angled down most stairways without the need to pick it up. If the Mesa cab is as heavy as their other offering, I wouldn't be surprised if it weighed nearly as much as the Berg. (I have had to lug around several Mesa 15s, guitar 412s, and larger Powerhouse cabs over the years, and Mesa certainly does not concern itself with using lightweight materials!).

Obviously the only way you will know if the tone works for you is to try it out. Being that the NV610 was designed specifically as an "update/upgrade" to the cab design you are used to, it seems like the obvious choice to me (I have seen very people on Talkbass used to the Ampeg 810 that didn't like the NV610 as much or more after spending some time with it)...

Unrepresented · #14 09-24-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

For what its worth, I have found my NV610 much easier to navigate stairs with than my old Ampeg 810 as well- lighter and shorter to the point that it can be picked up fairly easily when necessary, but still tall enough that it can be lowered/angled down most stairways without the need to pick it up. If the Mesa cab is as heavy as their other offering, I wouldn't be surprised if it weighed nearly as much as the Berg. (I have had to lug around several Mesa 15s, guitar 412s, and larger Powerhouse cabs over the years, and Mesa certainly does not concern itself with using lightweight materials!).

Obviously the only way you will know if the tone works for you is to try it out. Being that the NV610 was designed specifically as an "update/upgrade" to the cab design you are used to, it seems like the obvious choice to me (I have seen very people on Talkbass used to the Ampeg 810 that didn't like the NV610 as much or more after spending some time with it)...

I agree with the portability of the NV610. It's easier for me to transport than a standard half sized cab with the exception of the slightly larger footprint required in my trunk.

I'm happy with my NV610. I have not compared it to any of the Mesa cabs, but it works well with both my SVT-II head and with my GK 700RB-II. It allows both voices to be distinct while still keeping some consistency of its own.