Markbass 102P vs EA NL210

porpy · #1 08-03-2007, 08:53 PM

I am looking at possibly buying one of these, as they are a similar price here in Australia.
Does anyone have any opinions on the differences between these two cabs?
I will be using it with an AI Focus

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #2 08-03-2007, 11:35 PM

I've played both with a Focus III, although admittedly not side by side. I liked the NL210 so much better than the Markbass that I hardly know where to start. The EA sounded open and tight, where the Markbass sounded boxy and wooly because of a strange bump in the lower mids. Imagine if Polytone made a 210 cabinet, and that's how the Markbass struck me. It might sound good for BG, but I didn't like it for DB at all. I'd love to own an NL210, but can't really justify it since I like the speakers I have for what I do.

porpy · #3 08-04-2007, 12:40 AM

I certainly like the sound of the NL210 that is posted on the basstasters web site.
The idea is to use a whizzy 10 on quiter gigs and then pair it with the 2x10 box when I have to do stupid loud gigs - stupid loud is really stupidly loud for me so I just ordered a biesele pickup as well.

I think I will order the NL210 and then go into the shop with the Markbass stuff and do a side by side (the NL210 retailer has a 2 week return policy)

tombowlus · #4 08-07-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

I've played both with a Focus III, although admittedly not side by side. I liked the NL210 so much better than the Markbass that I hardly know where to start. The EA sounded open and tight, where the Markbass sounded boxy and wooly because of a strange bump in the lower mids. Imagine if Polytone made a 210 cabinet, and that's how the Markbass struck me. It might sound good for BG, but I didn't like it for DB at all. I'd love to own an NL210, but can't really justify it since I like the speakers I have for what I do.

+1 the 102P is crazy light and very compact, and I like it fairly well on electric bass, but it doesn't really shine on DB. The NL-210 doubles very well, IME/IMHO, and is just a killer enclosure.

Tom.

peterpalmieri · #5 08-07-2007, 01:16 PM

While this is only my observation and opinion....

I went on a fairly extensive search for the perfect cabinet that could double for both DB and BG, cost not being a factor. Hands down the NL210 came out on top. Not only as a doubler but as my 1st choice for a medium sized DB cabinet. This is for it's sound, the size and weight are just a huge bonus.

That all being said the MB 102P which I've only auditioned with BG and not DB was not memorable in any regard. From what I do remember it's small, light and sounds just ok.

The Focus will be a perfect match for that cabinet IMO although I am not fond of the Focus with a BG.....

porpy · #6 08-07-2007, 06:51 PM

I am counting on the focus to give me a flat uncoloured sound.
I always run my electric through my laptop using some of the various amp sims that are available in software. The sound is great through a PA but through my old Hartke amp/peavey quad, there was just too much coloration of the sound going on to be usable.

So I am figuring that amp sim into clean amp will be a good combo