My TC112AF (circa 2015 build) is my smaller room/smaller stage cab. I would think it would pair up nicely with any of Duke’s 112’s. The TC is super clear and detailed but takes saturation and OD just fine.
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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
If you are electric only and like the voicing of the Hathor 1203, I would get a second one or a C112. The thunder child is more of a frfr cab.
I was fortunate enough to get two of the Hathor 1203 cabs years ago. Bought them new from Duke.
To this day, I haven't played a better pair of cabs! They are amazing.
Pairing two 1203 cabs are just unbeatable in my opinion. But I have always loved a pair of single 12s. To me, I just get a better tone much easier with two cabs.
Sometimes you can get lucky pairing different cabs. I just bought a Mesa Boogie Subway 15. I paired it with an Aguilar GS112NT and it sounded great. A lot better than either cab separately. I could gig with that combination. The Mesa cab that I have seems to be uncolored, at least that is my initial impression.
It can be. I run mine with the switches that roll off the horn at 3.5 kHz and add a bump at 1.8 kHz. Sounds like a bass cab.
Thanks y’all! I’ve been eyeing that Changeling in the classifieds, but see it’s already moving so that makes that choice for me. Also, I haven’t had any complaints about dispersion or with my Hathor, so ultimately it may make sense to keep my eyes open for a matched 2nd.
I just wish they had some, ANY kind of brand labeling because there could be one in a shop somewhere marked “Other Brand” at a steal…but I’ll never know heh
I just wish they had some, ANY kind of brand labeling because there could be one in a shop somewhere marked “Other Brand” at a steal…but I’ll never know heh
I was in my music room playing through different cabinets, including a pair of Hathor 1203s. Actually, it was no contest, these 1203 cabs sound amazing!
I have three different makes of single speaker cabs: five 112 cabs and one 115 cab. They all sound different, and I can make them work, but the Hathor 1203 just fits me perfectly.
I started thinking, since the AudioKinesis cabs haven't been built in a while, what is out there that is the most similar to the AudioKInesis Hathor 1203? I think the three inch cone has a lot to do with it. Would it also be that I am partial to a 12?
Now, no way am I fixing to go on a buying binge to "test" cabs. The 1203 pair are perfect and I can make the other ones work.
But there must be something out there similar to the Hathor cabs.
What about it? What do you think?
I have three different makes of single speaker cabs: five 112 cabs and one 115 cab. They all sound different, and I can make them work, but the Hathor 1203 just fits me perfectly.
I started thinking, since the AudioKinesis cabs haven't been built in a while, what is out there that is the most similar to the AudioKInesis Hathor 1203? I think the three inch cone has a lot to do with it. Would it also be that I am partial to a 12?
Now, no way am I fixing to go on a buying binge to "test" cabs. The 1203 pair are perfect and I can make the other ones work.
But there must be something out there similar to the Hathor cabs.
What about it? What do you think?
I am not aware of anything that's very similar to the Hathor. I know there are other brands that use the Eminence Kappalite type woofers. Last I knew, Duke was using a custom Kappalite variant. The 3 inch speaker is special, they're one of the best mid to high frequency speakers I am aware of with decent sensitivity. I like the 3 inchers for HiFi use too. They're made by Faital Pro. The biggest secret sauce is Duke's design chops. He brings his experience from designing audiophile level HiFi speakers, which I've heard, to the bass world.
And, a major ingredient of the secret sauce is the crossover, which marries the components to their effective and glorious whole. Sorry copycats, there is not just one design that fits all, as the mad scientist's designs are constantly evolving for many reasons, including design goals, component availability, and compatibility, even within the same cabinet model. Think hand-built, one-off : )
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I believe he only used a custom woofer for the 4ohm version.
I agree, the magic in these cabs are the crossover designs.
The closest thing is probably a Barefaced cab at this point. There are alot of small cab manufacturers that exited during COVID
I agree, the magic in these cabs are the crossover designs.
The closest thing is probably a Barefaced cab at this point. There are alot of small cab manufacturers that exited during COVID
Was a long-time user of AK cabinets, going back to early adoption of the TC112. Migrated to 115s', particularly one with two 3" mids. Ultimately shifted to Greenboy fearless F112 and 115, which to my mind reflect the same values and goals of Duke's bass cabinets -- including portability! -- but with even more oomph/throw-weight/projection/coverage of a room. Verrry needy for power, but the only thing I've played through that I liked more than the AK line (to be clear, there's much that I've not played through - have wondered what a good Accugroove could bring to the table).
Same. I considered Accugrove too, but went with the AK because of the size and weight
- Apr 3, 2003
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Their designs are quite different, but I would suggest that Bergantino cabs, perhaps specifically the Ref II 112, are somewhat in line with the Hathor 1203. Again, I will readily admit that the overall approach and design are quite different, but what I get from both is that they are both very balanced from top to bottom, both have that mix of fullness and clarity that I really like, and - even though they are relatively "flat" and fairly "full-range" - both of them sound like "bass cabinets." This is true in general of many of Duke's and Jim's designs.
Some other cabs which might be in this category are the EA NL112 (unfortunately, EA closed up shop, so they aren't making any more of these) and the Glockenklang Space Deluxe or Space Art. Trickfish TF112 and L112 are also in this same general wheelhouse, IME/IMHO.
Thanks Tom.
I couldn't have worded it better, but that is exactly what I look for in a cab. The 1203 certainly hits that mark!
I thought about Bergantino the other day after making my post/question. It was a great cab. I can't remember the model but it was a 112 with a hf horn. As you stated, very clear and balanced. Wonderful cab. Unfortunately, I sold it to my dad (at a great price) because he kept begging for me to sell it to him. I had the 1203s so I let him take it home. In a sad series of events, my sister sold all of my dad's gear without consulting family members first, so I lost out.
I recently purchased a Mesa Boogie Subway 115 cab and have it stacked with a GS112NT. It works, sounds pretty good, but in all honesty, I'm still trying to get used to the BD800 head and 115 cab. They are very different from my Monique 700 and 1203 stack. The pair works much better than either cab alone, in my opinion.
Depending on my gigging situation, I might have to look into investing in a pair of the Bergantino 112s!
Interesting. I might look into a Ref II. I could sell my NXT 210.... The wheel keeps on turning....
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
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I can't fully remember, because it was a long time ago and I got it from a TBer, but mine looked a lot like the NXT 112. It was a great cab. I should have never let it go!
- Apr 3, 2003
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I believe they are the same, but they sound/work very differently. The Genzler array uses four of the mini drivers in a sealed - and very much acoustic dampened - line array, whereas the Hathor uses one in an open baffle arrangement. To my ears, the Hathor conveys more high frequency information, despite having 1/4 of the drivers. I do also very much like the Genzler Line Array cabs, though. You can see the Audiokinesis configuration in this Changeling review from our dear buddy Chef (RIP). You can see a bit of the Genzler Line Array in this Cab Lab Technical review of the BA12-3, but I did not include the shot which shows the acoustic dampening material packed in behind the 3" drivers.
