112 Decision Time: Bergantino, Epifani, GK

[NOLA Bass]

I would think that the HT112ER's (not the older HT112's) would serve you quite well, or perhaps the Mesa/Boogie PH112 (a bit more round/warm, not as clear/refined as the Bergs). And again, for much less dough, much less weight, but darned close to the same performance, the GK Neo112-II is worth checking out.

Tom,

I was hoping you'd chime in! Once you have kjung, tombowlus and vic in your thread, you know you'll have all the info you could ever want!!!!

Bare with me, but what exactly is the difference between the regular and ER Bergs?

I've seen you praising those GK cabs. I guess you'd say they don't really have that "traditional" neo sound?

 

[KJung]

Tom,

I was hoping you'd chime in! Once you have kjung, tombowlus and vic in your thread, you know you'll have all the info you could ever want!!!!

Bare with me, but what exactly is the difference between the regular and ER Bergs?

I've seen you praising those GK cabs. I guess you'd say they don't really have that "traditional" neo sound?

The 'ER' replaced the smaller HT112 and EX112. It is a slighly larger version with a bit more low end extension (some didn't like the very mid present voicing with somewhat attenuated low end of the original HT112, so Jim expanded the size a bit and tuned it a bit lower... bigger low end, less 'in your face' mids from what I understand.... hence the 'Extended Range' name.

 

[tombowlus]

The 'ER' replaced the smaller HT112 and EX112. It is a slighly larger version with a bit more low end extension (some didn't like the very mid present voicing with somewhat attenuated low end of the original HT112, so Jim expanded the size a bit and tuned it a bit lower... bigger low end, less 'in your face' mids from what I understand.... hence the 'Extended Range' name.

Yup. It's a very different animal, IME/IMHO. Much bigger/deeper on the low end, less midrange focus/punch/texture, similar smooth top end. It will definitely push more air, and just sounds "bigger" while the older HT112 sounds more "focused." I hate being redundant in my descriptions, but those two words do tend to distill the differences between these two models.

Tom.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Thanks for clarifying the differences, it sounds like if I go Berg than the ER would be what I was looking for. They certainly seem like a good option. My only worry was if they are as power hungry as my old Bergs were.

I am a little hesitant on the Epifani, even though I viewed it as the surest thing. If they did indeed alter the voicing, then that concerns me. The other odd thing is that when using my PS410 I never had that curved grill "popped" in. Yet, I find that curved grill on the PS210 and PS115 it happens at practically every load in and load out. Is it the smaller box? Did they switch the guage of metal? I don't know, but every gig I'm grabbing a screwdriver to pop it back "out".

The one thing stopping me on the Bergantino is the glowing reviews for the GK. I don't want to be dissapointed but they are intriguing and seem like a super value!

 

[KJung]

Thanks for clarifying the differences, it sounds like if I go Berg than the ER would be what I was looking for. They certainly seem like a good option. My only worry was if they are as power hungry as my old Bergs were.

I am a little hesitant on the Epifani, even though I viewed it as the surest thing. If they did indeed alter the voicing, then that concerns me. The other odd thing is that when using my PS410 I never had that curved grill "popped" in. Yet, I find that curved grill on the PS210 and PS115 it happens at practically every load in and load out. Is it the smaller box? Did they switch the guage of metal? I don't know, but every gig I'm grabbing a screwdriver to pop it back "out".

The one thing stopping me on the Bergantino is the glowing reviews for the GK. I don't want to be dissapointed but they are intriguing and seem like a super value!

I'd like to hear the new GK neo's also. Never was impressed with their cab offerings through the years, but it seems like the new Neo line is getting some nice reviews.

I guess one option is to order from Musician's Friend. A 112 should ship for free, and if you don't dig it, you are only out the return shipping.

 

[T. Alan Smith]

I still say, for your tone goals, at least give the Aggie 1x12's a try(GS & DB).

...and I'm a Berg owner/lover.

 

[plangentmusic]

I always liked the Hartke for their super clarity, though they're a little flat sounding.

The I played the Bergantino and it is the richest, lushest sound with the tightest bottom I've ever heard.


So I compromised -- I use 2 small cabinets -- a 2 10" Hartke and a 112 Berg with a tweeter. THAT COMBO KILLS!

And 2 smaller cabs are easier to transport and for small gigs I use just one cab.

 

[KJung]

I still say, for your tone goals, at least give the Aggie 1x12's a try(GS & DB).

...and I'm a Berg owner/lover.

I love those DB112's, but what a pain in the arse to haul around (heavy and cumbersome footprint/size/handles, etc.). Those are probably my favorite 112's.... same driver and tweeter as the GS's, but a differently tuned box, heavier wood, etc... more mid punch and smoother tone to my ear.

Not a fan of the GS's much though, IMO there... very wide, very big down low, but just not what I look for in the mids, nor in the transition of the driver's upper mid/lower treble response to the tweeter... lots of boom, lot's of click, not a lot of punch to my ear. Kind of like the Epi112UL without the warmth to my ear... modern, big, wide, a bit scooped. Lot's of guys dig 'em though.

 

[andertone]

I have the best of both worlds

A Bergie HT112 for clubs and smaller gigs,
add an Epi T112 to get a 4 ohm load for outdoors.

Have never run out of steam, sounds great
(Eden WT-400 or Shuttle 6.0)

Also have an old Epi T212, will never sell it,
great one cabinet outdoor or stage solution

 

[NOLA Bass]

I also liked the DB112, but did find it hard to move for a small box. I did not care fo the GS series as much.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I think I may call Bass Northwest as they stock both Berg and GK. I'd like to talk to a dealer that has both. Most have one or the other it seems.

 

[Bassflute]

Hello,

Never heard the GK's, so can't comment there.

One word of warning. It is my understanding from posts on TB that Epi changed the voicing/drivers of the wonderful PS112's. From reviews, they now sound much more like the UL's, so that probably is not for you. Leave it to Epi to mess up one of the best sounding 112's out there.

Never heard the HT112ER's, but those would be less mid present and deeper voiced than the AE112's from many reviews. Just depends what you want. I love the AE's.. tigher and more mid present than the UL112's.

I have the new AE212 on order... same drivers as the AE112... less expensive versus two AE112's, same footprint, possibly more booty.. don't know yet.

All good stuff. I love the Aguilar DB112's also... mid punchy like the AE112's, but less aggressive... more mid mids than the upper mid grind of the AE's.

The ER's have tons of mid presence AND go really, really deep. They have the same kind of clarity that the original HT's had with the advantage of prodigious booty. A distant second for me would be the Mesa 112 neos, really quite good, but not in the same league AT ALL as the Berg HT112ER's. The GK's are nice, but kind of scratchy on the top end, as are all the Epi's I have heard - they've got that clicky tweeter thing going on that makes people HATE tweeters. The Bergs have a seemless transition to a wonderful top end that extends up as far as your bass will go; the best in the business. And the ER's have this intoxicating low-mid punch that just DEFINES the bass for me...nothing like it.

And then there's the IP's...don't get me started.

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[T. Alan Smith]

I love those DB112's, but what a pain in the arse to haul around (heavy and cumbersome footprint/size/handles, etc.). Those are probably my favorite 112's.... same driver and tweeter as the GS's, but a differently tuned box, heavier wood, etc... more mid punch and smoother tone to my ear.

Not a fan of the GS's much though, IMO there... very wide, very big down low, but just not what I look for in the mids, nor in the transition of the driver's upper mid/lower treble response to the tweeter... lots of boom, lot's of click, not a lot of punch to my ear. Kind of like the Epi112UL without the warmth to my ear... modern, big, wide, a bit scooped. Lot's of guys dig 'em though.

Plus you can order the DB's in some rad coverings.

The GS112 with a Thunderfunk was my favorite pairing for a long time. Not sure now after living with my HT112/LMII for the last few years; everything else seems okay at best.

I also liked the DB112, but did find it hard to move for a small box. I did not care fo the GS series as much.

At least you tried 'em. When I stayed in NOLA for work, I took a day to make a run for The Perfect Bass and got to try a few different 1x12"s(including the DB).
Glad I'm not a betting man. I would have lost on the GS112 ...from the way you described your tone goals in the OP.

 

[B String]

I have the best of both worlds

A Bergie HT112 for clubs and smaller gigs,
add an Epi T112 to get a 4 ohm load for outdoors.

Have never run out of steam, sounds great
(Eden WT-400 or Shuttle 6.0)

Also have an old Epi T212, will never sell it,
great one cabinet outdoor or stage solution

I owned the HT112 UL112, and T112 at the same time. For me, the HT112 and either Epi cab match up never worked well.
Such different sounding boxes. I didn't even like the UL112, T112 match up. But I still love the UL112/UL110 match up a lot.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Wow, struggling to go Berg with the cost of those GK's (+ MF is having a 15% off sale even though I usually try to go with the independants). A pair of GK's is literally the cheaper than a Berg I think.

After all, that leaves more $$ for my upcoming visit to Sadowsky while in NYC next month!

 

[chiplexic]

Wow, struggling to go Berg with the cost of those GK's (+ MF is having a 15% off sale even though I usually try to go with the independants). A pair of GK's is literally the cheaper than a Berg I think.

After all, that leaves more $$ for my upcoming visit to Sadowsky while in NYC next month!

Request an email quote from rmcaudio.com
It just may beat the MF 15% off price and shipping is free.

 

[RHCP250]

I'm also interested in making the switch to 112's. Was considering going with Genx Neox112, but all the descpritions of the Berg HT series is really appealing to me. Anyone have experience with these two? Not trying to thread jack here, but the more info the better I guess!

 

[NOLA Bass]

I'm also interested in making the switch to 112's. Was considering going with Genx Neox112, but all the descpritions of the Berg HT series is really appealing to me. Anyone have experience with these two? Not trying to thread jack here, but the more info the better I guess!

No worries, might as well throw those in. I did a gig a few months back and the band we opened for had the Neox210. Good sounding cab for a small box. I tried it with his Shuttle and my GK MB2500. Sounded good with both. I used my GK b/c I like the sound flat with it a little better. The Shuttle had more tonal range imo but maybe a little longer to dial in what I was looking for. I have always like GK heads b/c I find my tone pretty quickly with them and tned to prefer a simple 4 band eq on the front with not much else!

 

[RHCP250]

No worries, might as well throw those in. I did a gig a few months back and the band we opened for had the Neox210. Good sounding cab for a small box. I tried it with his Shuttle and my GK MB2500. Sounded good with both. I used my GK b/c I like the sound flat with it a little better. The Shuttle had more tonal range imo but maybe a little longer to dial in what I was looking for. I have always like GK heads b/c I find my tone pretty quickly with them and tned to prefer a simple 4 band eq on the front with not much else!

Thanks man. I use a GK head too (700rbii) so this thread is awesome. I haven't seen a comparison between those two cabs yet so this seems as good a place as any.

 

[RHCP250]

Yup. It's a very different animal, IME/IMHO. Much bigger/deeper on the low end, less midrange focus/punch/texture, similar smooth top end. It will definitely push more air, and just sounds "bigger" while the older HT112 sounds more "focused." I hate being redundant in my descriptions, but those two words do tend to distill the differences between these two models.

Tom.

Quick question here, does the "ER" series have a more flat sounding response, or is it leaning on the scooped side? Your description is great, but having not heard the cabs myself, I don't know which is more flat sounding, or which is more "voiced".