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Aguilar DB or GS cabs?
- Thread starter sicsa
- Start date
Quite different.
To the guys who like the GS112's, the DB's sound overly mid voiced. To the guys who like the DB112's, the GS's sound scooped in the mids.
They each use the same drivers and tweeter, but the boxes are way different. The DB's are heavier, look WAY cool with the various old school tolex options, and are tuned to a similar low end but with a more forceful mid-mid response. When I emailed the guys at Aguilar, they attributed some of this to the heavier, stiffer wood used in the DB's, along with the tuning. I love the DB112's, but they are heftly little beasts, and a bit of a hassle to carry, given the handle placement.
Another difference is the DB's are rear ported, and the GS's are front ported.
For me, personally, since I really like a tweeter as part of my sound, the tweeter in the GS112 sounds a bit harsh and 'disconnected' to me (i.e., that big dip in the mids just kind of leaves that tweeter sitting there all by its lonesome). IMO there. Many who dig the GS112's turn that tweeter way down anyway, and dig the big low end of that cab.
For the money, you might consider the Bergantino AE112's... much lighter, quite even, with a bit of brightness up top in the upper mids.. great cab. The spray on material is a bit fragile, so like with the tolex and cloth grill covering of the DB's, you would need to invest in padded covers.
IMO!
To the guys who like the GS112's, the DB's sound overly mid voiced. To the guys who like the DB112's, the GS's sound scooped in the mids.
They each use the same drivers and tweeter, but the boxes are way different. The DB's are heavier, look WAY cool with the various old school tolex options, and are tuned to a similar low end but with a more forceful mid-mid response. When I emailed the guys at Aguilar, they attributed some of this to the heavier, stiffer wood used in the DB's, along with the tuning. I love the DB112's, but they are heftly little beasts, and a bit of a hassle to carry, given the handle placement.
Another difference is the DB's are rear ported, and the GS's are front ported.
For me, personally, since I really like a tweeter as part of my sound, the tweeter in the GS112 sounds a bit harsh and 'disconnected' to me (i.e., that big dip in the mids just kind of leaves that tweeter sitting there all by its lonesome). IMO there. Many who dig the GS112's turn that tweeter way down anyway, and dig the big low end of that cab.
For the money, you might consider the Bergantino AE112's... much lighter, quite even, with a bit of brightness up top in the upper mids.. great cab. The spray on material is a bit fragile, so like with the tolex and cloth grill covering of the DB's, you would need to invest in padded covers.
IMO!
PS There is NOTHING (IMO
) that sounds better with an AG500 than a Bergantino HS210... warm, articulate, fat, smooth up top. It won't do quite the wump of 2 x 112, but it sounds darn good. Of course, two of them would fill an auditorium.
) that sounds better with an AG500 than a Bergantino HS210... warm, articulate, fat, smooth up top. It won't do quite the wump of 2 x 112, but it sounds darn good. Of course, two of them would fill an auditorium.
I am using two DB112s right now with my Markbass F1. I would agree completely with Ken's review.
I don't find them particularly hard to lug around, but then again, I have never had the benefit of some of the really light stuff that is out there now. I don't worry over it too much because I enjoy the way they sound so much. The are very full and don't have any of the "scooped" nature of some of the modern cabinets. I think they the handle the stage well in that you can get a nice presence in the mix without pushing them over the top. Two of them combined with the F1 get plenty loud for any situation I would ever be in. They handle louder volumes very well. In fact, they may actually sound better at louder volumes (within tolerance) than when babied.
I have also found that you can do OK in a rehearsal/smaller venue setting with only one. That is, as long as the players are reasonable people.
They have a lot of character. They are by no means flat or "reference." It's more like an Eden cab where the cabinet has a very signature voice.
The old-school side handle is a bit awkward, so I added an extra set of feet to mine on the opposite side so that I can set them down without hassles and stack them vertically. It made them more user friendly to me.
The tweeters do hiss a bit more than some other cabinets that I have owned. But it is manageable.
I don't find them particularly hard to lug around, but then again, I have never had the benefit of some of the really light stuff that is out there now. I don't worry over it too much because I enjoy the way they sound so much. The are very full and don't have any of the "scooped" nature of some of the modern cabinets. I think they the handle the stage well in that you can get a nice presence in the mix without pushing them over the top. Two of them combined with the F1 get plenty loud for any situation I would ever be in. They handle louder volumes very well. In fact, they may actually sound better at louder volumes (within tolerance) than when babied.
I have also found that you can do OK in a rehearsal/smaller venue setting with only one. That is, as long as the players are reasonable people.
They have a lot of character. They are by no means flat or "reference." It's more like an Eden cab where the cabinet has a very signature voice.
The old-school side handle is a bit awkward, so I added an extra set of feet to mine on the opposite side so that I can set them down without hassles and stack them vertically. It made them more user friendly to me.
The tweeters do hiss a bit more than some other cabinets that I have owned. But it is manageable.
I play DB112s and love the guts out of them!
however, they are a bit awkward to carry as they are fairly solid little units, and the handle is on the side
tonewise, they work well with my amps because they are naturally a bit mid scooped, so the extra kick in that range from the cabs helps even my tone out. I used to have an AG500, but it didn't sound as thick and old school as my other amps, so I sold it on.
however, they are a bit awkward to carry as they are fairly solid little units, and the handle is on the side
tonewise, they work well with my amps because they are naturally a bit mid scooped, so the extra kick in that range from the cabs helps even my tone out. I used to have an AG500, but it didn't sound as thick and old school as my other amps, so I sold it on.
With an AG500 I liked DB cabs better, due to picking up the "mids"
With a DB750 I preferred the GS cabs better , due to the massive amount of power and "mids" the 750 produce.
With a DB750 I preferred the GS cabs better , due to the massive amount of power and "mids" the 750 produce.
oh, and if you like the tone of guys like Gary Willis, you'll probably like the extra mid poke that the DB's will give you
I have a pair of DB112s, I like them a lot, if you like midrange, they have it! They have the low end of course, but with a very aggressive chewy/meaty midrange which a lot of newer speakers don't.
I do find them a pain to carry around. I wish they had a handle on each side, I would have to be a LOT stronger to carry one in each hand and walk more than a half block...
I also added feet on the side so I can stack them vertically. That way I can hear them much better. But, I have found they sound much thinner and more "middy", almost nasal set up this way, they sound a lot thicker when set up in the default orientation.
I do find them a pain to carry around. I wish they had a handle on each side, I would have to be a LOT stronger to carry one in each hand and walk more than a half block...
I also added feet on the side so I can stack them vertically. That way I can hear them much better. But, I have found they sound much thinner and more "middy", almost nasal set up this way, they sound a lot thicker when set up in the default orientation.
I agree 100% with this, I use the DB750 with the GS412 and GS410 cabs and couldn't be happier.
I use a pair of DBs also - and built a simple stand that raises them a bit and makes it easier for me to hear myself. Especially helps when using only 1. I agree with other comments, the DBs have a very warm sound and the mids really come through in the mix without having to play extra loud. Great set - but they are a pain to move!
I have a pair of GS112's (one tweeterless) and would agree that they are quite mid-scooped. I haven't had a chance to try the DB's, but it sounds like they would be right up my alley.
Also, I totally agree with KJung's comment about the tweeter on the GS112's. I don't think I've ever had mine past 9 o' clock, and it's still a bit more harsh than I would care for.
However, don't take these comments as me bashing the GS cabs - they really work for some folks. In fact, hearing another player whose tone was just killing with the GS112's was what made me go for them. They just didn't quite work for my own playing.
As with anything, if you have the opportunity, play both before you make your decision.
Also, I totally agree with KJung's comment about the tweeter on the GS112's. I don't think I've ever had mine past 9 o' clock, and it's still a bit more harsh than I would care for.
However, don't take these comments as me bashing the GS cabs - they really work for some folks. In fact, hearing another player whose tone was just killing with the GS112's was what made me go for them. They just didn't quite work for my own playing.
As with anything, if you have the opportunity, play both before you make your decision.
oh, and if you like the tone of guys like Gary Willis, you'll probably like the extra mid poke that the DB's will give you
I do not like it very much dry' middle sound,I like rather Richard Bona warm' sound...
thanks for your help!
I could be wrong ( and I probably am ) but I thought he used the GS series? GS 112 X 2 OR 3oh, and if you like the tone of guys like Gary Willis, you'll probably like the extra mid poke that the DB's will give you
I have a couple of GS112 cabs and although I love them and wouldn't part with them, I agree that they are lacking a little in the mids.
But, you have to consider that I really like a mid heavy sound. I can get the sound I like with a little EQ so it's not a big deal.
A big plus to me with the GS cabs, they are so roadworthy! They are solid and very easy to transport and have been holding up well. Plus they hold their own with a loud band.
I do want to get another berg cab to try with the HT112 that I have as a backup. If one sounds good, then two......
But, you have to consider that I really like a mid heavy sound. I can get the sound I like with a little EQ so it's not a big deal.
A big plus to me with the GS cabs, they are so roadworthy! They are solid and very easy to transport and have been holding up well. Plus they hold their own with a loud band.
I do want to get another berg cab to try with the HT112 that I have as a backup. If one sounds good, then two......
I vote for the GS series. I have been using Eden cabs for 4 years and from what I've read, the DB series sounds mid-rangy similar to Eden cabs. I do not own any DB series cabs. I own Eden 1x12 (two of these), 210XST, and 212XLT cabinets.
I'm trying new sounds lately and moving away from Eden for now. I bought a used 4 ohm Aguilar GS 410 that I'm playing through now with a pre/power combination - sounds awesome I think. Yes it sounds 'mid-scooped' compared Eden --- but I'm thinking 'flat' not 'scooped' - it's all in the ears of the beholder.
Anyway you probably cannot go wrong with either - Aguilar is high quality! Just do some EQing on your bass or amp which ever you decide upon.
Dave
I'm trying new sounds lately and moving away from Eden for now. I bought a used 4 ohm Aguilar GS 410 that I'm playing through now with a pre/power combination - sounds awesome I think. Yes it sounds 'mid-scooped' compared Eden --- but I'm thinking 'flat' not 'scooped' - it's all in the ears of the beholder.
Anyway you probably cannot go wrong with either - Aguilar is high quality! Just do some EQing on your bass or amp which ever you decide upon.
Dave
