Joined the club this past week ... using a single B212 under a PV Max 700. Will be ordering a second one to run larger rooms and outdoor shows unmic'd. I played a 2 set pick-up gig last night with a single guitarist, drummer, and singer, and with a high end Fender tube pre and tube power amp running into the PA for comparison. My observations:
1. From previous trials, I know I can dial in anything thru the Avatar 212 that I can dial on an Eden 410XL cab. Lower notes stayed clear and hi-fi while popped notes stayed sweet and musical. The Avatar equalled the Eden (which is a GREAT cab) in every way using a pair of US made PV SS bass heads, and the Avatar surpasses the 410XL in power handling. I really like 12" speakers for bass.
2. The tweeter has a little hiss, depending on where you set it and depending on amp EQ. I run mine at 9:00 and it's fine. Even at 12:00 you don't really notice it.
3. On the floor, with 475 watts running thru it, the Avatar will flap your pants legs and rattle the building, but it never sounded boomy or mushy. It stayed very clear all the way up the volume scale to stoopid loud. Very crisp and punchy.
4. On top of another cab the Avatar hits you in the chest like a hammer but never gets harsh. Again, it stayed musical all the way up to 7/5 on the Max. She stayed clear and articulate with just a hint of grind on it all the way to ear bleed levels.
5. In a mix with LOUD ASSED musicians the Avatar (unmic'd) was on the floor across from a mic'd Peavey VK 100 stack, and sat perfectly in the mix. It cut right thru after goosing the mids a hair, but stayed very sweet and musical. Never harsh. And this thing thumped massively. I ran the head up till the DDT was kicking in then rolled back my volume pot on the bass and adjusted for each song. The low notes just vibrated the floor but it never boomed or mushed. The band could always tell what notes I hit. Running wide open with the head at 7/5 with active pad off and mids pushed it drown out everything else on stage. I rolled the volume up to do my "Snoopy song" routine and it was earth shakingly loud. But again, never harsh. Always sweet and 'hi-fi'. The popped noted just sang and cut right thru.
6. It is a heavy cab, but not Peavey TVX heavy, and it can be managed by one person. I will trade weight for that 1500 watt handling and the tone any day.
I like the 2x12 cab so much I'm ordering a second one in three weeks or so. A pair of these with 700 watts thru them out to cover anything I will ever do on bass.