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Bergantino B/Amp at NAMM
- Thread starter Munjibunga
- Start date
Any of the HD 12's, and (I'd assume) by extention the REF112's, would be worth a looking into. No honk, very clear, plenty of lows, punch and take eq well, though require minimal with the right amp. The tweeters in the HD'S are next level $#!* so I can't even imagine what those REF series horns sound like. My Magellan 800 is great but the B/Amp profiles for my HD112 and HD212 sounded particularly fantastic. I still don't have a B/Amp and haven't been playing out enough to justify getting one....but the lust is real. Congrats, amazing amp.
I've posted this before but here's a pic from one night we did a Berg cab shootout with a variety of HD's. I don't think the Magellan was there that night but we did another shootout with that and the B/Amp a few weeks later.
I Wouldn't overlook a REF322 rig (REF112 & REF210) with that profile loaded with the B|amp.
That's definitely on my radar as well. I think my favorite cab I've ever heard was Greg's 322 that was at Gard's house during the Roscoe GTG. So if the 2 Reference cabs can approach that realm, it might be exactly what I'm looking for.
That's exactly what I was thinking. Greg raves about the 322. I haven't heard it, but I trust his taste. Look at some of his video, dudes got fantastic tone. As soon as I can I will have a REF210 to go with my REF112 and B|amp. That would be an interesting comparison. Maybe I'll hook up with Greg the next time I'm in Blacksburg and maybe do an A/B comparison of the HT322 AND the REF322.
IF I'm reading your post correctly...you prefer ported, without boom or mud. REF's...
I currently have a B|Amp, two REF210's, and two REF112's...the REF's stopped my cab GAS. Meaty lows (without boom) and the best Berg tweeter (super smooth/refined) yet, imo... I use the REF's in several combinations, but the B|Amp>REF322 is incredible!
In the past, I've used two (or three) well broken-in HDN112's, which sounded awesome and punchy at home...but there were loud gig occasions when I needed to hpf them quite a bit...the bottom end was too loose/needed some audible tightening up. (ymmv!)
Of course, your new B|Amp has hpf capability, though I don't hpf the REF's nearly as much...and the ceramic woofers provide a little more heft, to my ears.
Obviously, REF's weigh more than the HDN's...so there's that.
I'm also a big fan of the NV412T's more controlled bottom end...the NV212T might also be a contender for you.
Thankfully, Jim's got many great cab options...
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- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
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- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
It's been a couple years since I owned mine, but I remember loving the low end of the NV-115. I recall it as a soft/smooth bottom end, pillowy I think is the term I had in my mind. Which would be great for a lot of what I play (blues and old-school soul/R&B). I'm not sure it would be the best for my Allman Bros/Little Feat stuff, but that gig is invariably NV-610 worthy. So much loud everything in that band.
I would not call the NV115 "pillowy" in the lows. To me, it sounds more like a "tight, gut punch" kinda low end.
IF I'm reading your post correctly...you prefer ported, without boom or mud. REF's...
I currently have a B|Amp and two REF210's and two REF112's, and the REF's stopped my cab GAS. Meaty lows (without boom) and the best Berg tweeter (super smooth/refined) yet, imo... I use the REF's in several combinations, but the B|Amp>REF322 is incredible!
In the past, I've used two (or three) well broken-in HDN112's, which sounded awesome and punchy at home...but there were gig occasions when I needed to hpf them/couldn't hear them well...the bottom end was too loose/needed tightening up. (ymmv)
Of course, your new B|Amp has hpf capability, though I've not needed to hpf the REF's nearly as much...and the ceramic woofers provide a little more heft, to my ears.
Obviously, REF's weigh more than the HDN's...so there's that.
I'm also a big fan of the NV412T controlled bottom end, so the NV212T might be a contender in your case...
Thankfully, Jim's got many great cab options...
I know what you're saying on the HDN112s. You couldn't get between me and my 112 with a prybar, but in loud volume situations, it is not a one cabinet solution. My rule of thumb is: clear round tones at low to medium volume? 112. Aggressive rock and roll at medium volumes? HDN 210. High volume calls? Both. EQ and modify to taste with the B.
I use the HPF with everything; it just takes my power out of where I don't want it and leaves it for where I need it.
Given that I'm an old guy and don't want to hump a lot of weight, it's hard to imagine replacing my current set-up, although if I had a few extra bucks, I would definitely buy a Forte as the ultimate back up. In my prior life I was always taught two is one and one is none!
Dang. Even though Munjibunga, who has over 36,000 posts, uses and recommends the HDN212, I'm really starting to think that maybe the 210/112 (322) route might suite me best. Obviously, this is all based on descriptions from you guys, who have actually tried/use this stuff.
I'm sure I'll be able to find "my" sound with whatever I go with. I just want to have the easiest way to get there!
I'm sure I'll be able to find "my" sound with whatever I go with. I just want to have the easiest way to get there!
It's funny, a new friend from the board and I are currently having that very same discussion. Short version is I just love the flexibility. The ability to mix and match for the gig is delicious.
On break, first gig with Bamp. This thing is just stupid good! 
On break, first gig with Bamp. This thing is just stupid good!
It's ridiculous, isn't it?!
Glad to hear you like it Jerry... Do you have the latest update yet ??On break, first gig with Bamp. This thing is just stupid good!
Yes I do Steve. Jim sent it to me as soon as I registered the amp. I have to say you were right in your description. It really is way less complicated than I imagined. It's a tinkerers dream and at the same time sounds amazing doing nothing. My worry was for naught. I doubt there is a problem room that couldn't easily be corrected with the B. I had very little time to do anything before the gig, though I did set the compressor, CN212 profile, slight overdrive, and frequency centers at home. Turned it on, did a minor tweak and never changed it for the entire 4 hrs. It sounds so good! Crazy good in fact. Everything I was wishing it could do was there. I took a stroll out front to hear the DI. I've been using a Noble that I'm in love with, so the bar was set high. Honestly, the Noble is going up for sale as is my Empress compressor. (another piece I've been loving since the day I got it)
That's a big thing I love about the B/Amp, I just set it once and never have to fiddle or change settings.. I have one channel clean, the second with some overdrive and the third with the blue tooth pedal for distortion which I will use with the octave pedal...
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There's not a thing wrong with a 322 rig. It just won't be the rig Munjibunga uses.
I have an HD-322 rig and I love it... The HDN-212 is a great cab as well, you can't go wrong with either set-up..
Yes...I sometimes use that stack with my Monique tube pre/Crown 2-ch amp, and place the bottom 112 on a separate channel...adjust/balance to taste, with how far away I'm standing. Makes for a 55" stack height and you can certainly feel some air...
B|Amp>REF322 is killer, and I also frequently use a single cab (B|Amp>REF210)...just fantastic, balanced freq clarity, top to bottom. Love just using the cab profiles, and pretty much flat eq settings.
I'm still learning to use the additional B|Amp features (comp/OD/dist 1/2, etc) confidently...and forgo my "comfort zone" pedalboard. I'll admit, that's been difficult for me. Nothing wrong with the new B|Amp features...more an "old dog, new tricks" operator thing...
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