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Bergantino NV158? ???
- Thread starter David A. Davis
- Start date
I guess that there must have either been an issue with the cabs or else, Tom refuses to stop playing. Either is possible. I was really looking forward to a more detailed report. Maybe tomorow.
Can i request a trace v-type to add to that list?
Or he got a hernia.
I can do most of those. Actually, all of them except for the Bassman 100. Problem is, not all of my gear is in the same location. Still, I already have some of those set up in my basement and ready to go for tomorrow. Got a nice set of comparison cabs ready to go, as well.
Tom, very interested in how it compares to a Baer ML112.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,939
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Sorry for the delay, but I'm flying solo (parent-wise), as my wife is off in Grand Cayman with her parents for a week. It's the quid pro quo for me going to NAMM...
I had a great day spending time playing through a bunch of cabs and amps with Steve. The net result of this day is that I am hopelessly in love with the NV115 and pining for a pair of them...
The good news is, Jim is definitely going to build them!
What's that? You want more details than that? So be it...
Steve brought both iterations of the NV115. One used the original Eminence 15" driver, and the other uses a modified Eminence 15" driver that is more efficient. Both use the new 6" driver that varies slightly from the one found in the NV215 and IP153. This particular driver is also a closed-back design from Eminence (so no need for a separate chamber), but it extends a couple kHz higher than the NV215 6" driver.
The cab with the original Eminence 15 was definitely more "vintage" sounding than the new design, and not as loud, overall, or as big, down low. I can see where some folks would prefer it, but I think that most folks would agree that the new Eminence driver is the way to go. The "old Eminence" cab has a bit more "low-mid to middle mid" presence, and is perhaps a tad more "punchy" sounding.
The "new Eminence" cab has a bit more going on the upper lows to lower mids, and is decidedly bigger sounding down low. It seems a bit more "refined" in the upper mids, as well. Some of this may be attributable to the fact that the old Eminence cab had an attenuator on the mid driver, and the new Eminence cab did not. Again, Jim's final plan is to skip the attenuator. The new Eminence cab is still very focused and punchy, just not as "punchy in a boxy kind of way" as the old Eminence cab (and note, I am NOT saying that the old Eminence cab sounds "boxy," just that the new Eminence cab is a bit more smooth through the mids, while still being what you would call focused and punchy).
Comparing the two new NV115 cabs to the NV215 was a real eye opener. I am in love with the NV215, and it sounded glorious today. But compared to the newer cabs - particularly the one with the new driver - I have to say, I preferred the slightly more extended, and more "open" high end, the superior balance and even presence through the mids, and the slightly tighter and more focused lows of the NV115. The NV215 did have a slightly more full sound, and there were some overdriven tones where the slightly reduced top end was perhaps helpful, but overall, there wasn't much the NV215 brought to the table that you couldn't get out of the NV115 (or two - more on that in a second). The same could not be said for trying to coax all of the NV115's virtues out of the NV215.
Using both of the NV115's was like swinging a wrecking ball! Two of the new Eminence equipped NV115's would definitely eclipse the total output and low end "heft" of the NV215, despite the added volume of the NV215. Amazing! I would have never thought that a sealed cab that was so relatively compact could have the low end depth and output that the NV115 puts out.
Gotta put one more kid to bed. More to come...
I had a great day spending time playing through a bunch of cabs and amps with Steve. The net result of this day is that I am hopelessly in love with the NV115 and pining for a pair of them...
The good news is, Jim is definitely going to build them!
What's that? You want more details than that? So be it...
Steve brought both iterations of the NV115. One used the original Eminence 15" driver, and the other uses a modified Eminence 15" driver that is more efficient. Both use the new 6" driver that varies slightly from the one found in the NV215 and IP153. This particular driver is also a closed-back design from Eminence (so no need for a separate chamber), but it extends a couple kHz higher than the NV215 6" driver.
The cab with the original Eminence 15 was definitely more "vintage" sounding than the new design, and not as loud, overall, or as big, down low. I can see where some folks would prefer it, but I think that most folks would agree that the new Eminence driver is the way to go. The "old Eminence" cab has a bit more "low-mid to middle mid" presence, and is perhaps a tad more "punchy" sounding.
The "new Eminence" cab has a bit more going on the upper lows to lower mids, and is decidedly bigger sounding down low. It seems a bit more "refined" in the upper mids, as well. Some of this may be attributable to the fact that the old Eminence cab had an attenuator on the mid driver, and the new Eminence cab did not. Again, Jim's final plan is to skip the attenuator. The new Eminence cab is still very focused and punchy, just not as "punchy in a boxy kind of way" as the old Eminence cab (and note, I am NOT saying that the old Eminence cab sounds "boxy," just that the new Eminence cab is a bit more smooth through the mids, while still being what you would call focused and punchy).
Comparing the two new NV115 cabs to the NV215 was a real eye opener. I am in love with the NV215, and it sounded glorious today. But compared to the newer cabs - particularly the one with the new driver - I have to say, I preferred the slightly more extended, and more "open" high end, the superior balance and even presence through the mids, and the slightly tighter and more focused lows of the NV115. The NV215 did have a slightly more full sound, and there were some overdriven tones where the slightly reduced top end was perhaps helpful, but overall, there wasn't much the NV215 brought to the table that you couldn't get out of the NV115 (or two - more on that in a second). The same could not be said for trying to coax all of the NV115's virtues out of the NV215.
Using both of the NV115's was like swinging a wrecking ball! Two of the new Eminence equipped NV115's would definitely eclipse the total output and low end "heft" of the NV215, despite the added volume of the NV215. Amazing! I would have never thought that a sealed cab that was so relatively compact could have the low end depth and output that the NV115 puts out.
Gotta put one more kid to bed. More to come...
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,939
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Unfortunately, we were so busy comparing this and that, Steve and I did not have time to do any videos. In fact, I didn't think about pics until right at the end as Steve was loading out. But here is a pic of the new Eminence NV115 (which is the official spec NV115) next to the NV215:
As you can see, the depth of the cabs is about the same.
As you can see, the depth of the cabs is about the same.
wow my 15/6 cab search is over. now to test my patience. i have a 100t to plat thru it but want to get a ss or hybrid to go with it. looking forward to ur amp reviews with the nv115. Thanks for your time tom. im sure it was ur pleasure
Hey all... Yes it was a great hang today.. Checked out some killer gear and I'm really loving the NV-115's..
They sound great with the ShuttleMax 9.2 and Streamliner 900... That NV-215 is a grand cab, but 2 of the NV-115 was also monsterous...
They sound great with the ShuttleMax 9.2 and Streamliner 900... That NV-215 is a grand cab, but 2 of the NV-115 was also monsterous...
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,939
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
One of the comparisons I was really looking forward to was the NV115 versus the one-off 15/6 Jim built. This is a classic case of ported versus sealed enclosure, but it also highlights a 6" B&C driver in the 15/6 that goes a lot higher than the Eminence 6" driver in the NV115.
As expected, the 15/6 is definitely bigger down low and louder, overall. The increased high frequency extension is also readily apparent. If you had an amp which could use a little help in the low frequencies or in overall volume, this cab would be a godsend. Steve didn't care for the more extended highs, though I think I slightly preferred the extended reach up high. This is definitely a personal preference issue, versus one being better than the other.
By comparison, the NV115 (unless otherwise specified, I'll be referring to the cab with the newer Eminence 15" driver) was more tight and controlled in the lows, and more focused and articulate through the mids. This is not to say that the 15/6 isn't tight or articulate. It is - for a ported cab. But this showdown really highlights what a sealed cab can bring to the table. With only one "point source" for the lows (versus two in a vented/ported enclosure - the driver itself and the vent/port), there is no overlap or cancellation going on. Walking around the room, and moving up and down the neck, the lows and mids stay consistent, solid and articulate with the NV115. With the 15/6, you those two sources for low end output certainly combined to create more inconsistencies (both peaks and valleys) in the lows to low mids.
The NV115 absolutely presented a more even, balanced, articulate tone from top to bottom than any other cab we compared it to. This also involved the transition from the 15" to the 6" driver. This is always a strength of Jim's, and the 15/6 does quite well in this regard. But the NV115 shows it up in this regard. It really sounds and responds like a single-driver cab.
So, that's two of my "Bergantino Idols" (the NV215 and the one-off 15/6) knocked off their perch by the NV115. Wow!
I have mixed feelings as to whether or not I should have brought the HD212 home for this comparison.
My general thoughts are that there are folks who will prefer a ported/vented cab sound, and there are folks who will prefer a sealed cab sound. Among the ported/vented (non-powered) cabs I have tried, the HD212 is currently my top dawg. Among the ranks of sealed cabs, the NV115 certainly seems like it's destined for my top spot - but I won't make that call until I've had one for a while and gigged with it.
Compared to the AudioKinesis Hathor, the NV115 clearly has a lot more going on down low, and it's definitely bigger and louder sounding. The Hathor does a great, great job at transmitting an overdriven tone. In fact, I think it's in a class of its own in this regard, and it manages to present the texture of your grit across a broad frequency range like nothing I've heard before. But when you switch back and forth with the NV115, the Hathor definitely sounds like it's lacking in the low end. The rear-ported Hathor does a good job of sounding like a sealed cab in the lows, it's just a bit more truncated in the lows than I'd prefer.
Moving on the Baer ML-112, the Baer impresses with its high end clarity and with its strong and deep low-end. It's definitely a cab with more peaks and valleys (intentionally so), and the NV115 really points this out in an A/B comparison. Like the 15/6 comparison, the differences between ported and sealed designs were quite apparent. The ML-112 in its horizontal orientation sounded more like the NV115, but once again, the NV115 was more even and solid throughout its range.
As expected, the 15/6 is definitely bigger down low and louder, overall. The increased high frequency extension is also readily apparent. If you had an amp which could use a little help in the low frequencies or in overall volume, this cab would be a godsend. Steve didn't care for the more extended highs, though I think I slightly preferred the extended reach up high. This is definitely a personal preference issue, versus one being better than the other.
By comparison, the NV115 (unless otherwise specified, I'll be referring to the cab with the newer Eminence 15" driver) was more tight and controlled in the lows, and more focused and articulate through the mids. This is not to say that the 15/6 isn't tight or articulate. It is - for a ported cab. But this showdown really highlights what a sealed cab can bring to the table. With only one "point source" for the lows (versus two in a vented/ported enclosure - the driver itself and the vent/port), there is no overlap or cancellation going on. Walking around the room, and moving up and down the neck, the lows and mids stay consistent, solid and articulate with the NV115. With the 15/6, you those two sources for low end output certainly combined to create more inconsistencies (both peaks and valleys) in the lows to low mids.
The NV115 absolutely presented a more even, balanced, articulate tone from top to bottom than any other cab we compared it to. This also involved the transition from the 15" to the 6" driver. This is always a strength of Jim's, and the 15/6 does quite well in this regard. But the NV115 shows it up in this regard. It really sounds and responds like a single-driver cab.
So, that's two of my "Bergantino Idols" (the NV215 and the one-off 15/6) knocked off their perch by the NV115. Wow!
I have mixed feelings as to whether or not I should have brought the HD212 home for this comparison.
My general thoughts are that there are folks who will prefer a ported/vented cab sound, and there are folks who will prefer a sealed cab sound. Among the ported/vented (non-powered) cabs I have tried, the HD212 is currently my top dawg. Among the ranks of sealed cabs, the NV115 certainly seems like it's destined for my top spot - but I won't make that call until I've had one for a while and gigged with it.Compared to the AudioKinesis Hathor, the NV115 clearly has a lot more going on down low, and it's definitely bigger and louder sounding. The Hathor does a great, great job at transmitting an overdriven tone. In fact, I think it's in a class of its own in this regard, and it manages to present the texture of your grit across a broad frequency range like nothing I've heard before. But when you switch back and forth with the NV115, the Hathor definitely sounds like it's lacking in the low end. The rear-ported Hathor does a good job of sounding like a sealed cab in the lows, it's just a bit more truncated in the lows than I'd prefer.
Moving on the Baer ML-112, the Baer impresses with its high end clarity and with its strong and deep low-end. It's definitely a cab with more peaks and valleys (intentionally so), and the NV115 really points this out in an A/B comparison. Like the 15/6 comparison, the differences between ported and sealed designs were quite apparent. The ML-112 in its horizontal orientation sounded more like the NV115, but once again, the NV115 was more even and solid throughout its range.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,939
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Because we were swapping through so many amps and cabs, we stuck with the two basses Steve brought along - his alder/maple Sadowsky JJ 5-string and his ash(?)/rosewood Mbass JJ 5-string.
The amps we used included Steve's three Genz-Benz heads (Shuttle 9.2, ShuttleMAX 9.2, Streamliner 900), Fender Super Bassman 300, Mesa/Boogie Titan V-12, Mesa/Boogie WalkAbout, Aguilar DB750, Kern IP-777 (through the DB750's power amp section), Orange Terror Bass 500, and GK MB Fusion 500.
A few of these amps did seem to prefer the 15/6 (Kern IP-777 and Titan V-12), and - when pushing a heavily overdriven tone - the Super Bassman and Orange seemed to really shine with the NV215. Note, we probably could have achieved equally good results with these amps pushing the NV115, but they seemed to click a little more quickly with the 15/6 and NV215, respectively.
That being said, the overall impression was that with most of the other comparisons, the NV115 (particularly the one with the newer Eminence driver) stole the show. I can see where some folks would prefer either the ML-112 or the Hathor, but IME/IMHO, the day belonged to the NV115. My initial skepticism that it would be too small (for a sealed enclosure) to get very loud or hit very hard down low was pleasantly dismissed.
Jim told me to not be afraid to push the NV115 with some serious power (which several of these amps can really deliver, and which the NV115 soaked up without complaint), but what really impressed me was how well they responded with the relatively modest powered WalkAbout. Even driving one 8-ohm cab, the WalkAbout was able to generate an impressive amount of volume. Two NV115's and a WalkAbout could cover a LOT of gigs, and the tone was glorious!
I would also like to point out that the Terror Bass 500 (set to 8 ohms, and cranking out 500 watts) into one NV115 was also amazing! Crazy volume, big tone, TIGHT lows, man, that was a rig that sounded a lot bigger than it looked!
The amps we used included Steve's three Genz-Benz heads (Shuttle 9.2, ShuttleMAX 9.2, Streamliner 900), Fender Super Bassman 300, Mesa/Boogie Titan V-12, Mesa/Boogie WalkAbout, Aguilar DB750, Kern IP-777 (through the DB750's power amp section), Orange Terror Bass 500, and GK MB Fusion 500.
A few of these amps did seem to prefer the 15/6 (Kern IP-777 and Titan V-12), and - when pushing a heavily overdriven tone - the Super Bassman and Orange seemed to really shine with the NV215. Note, we probably could have achieved equally good results with these amps pushing the NV115, but they seemed to click a little more quickly with the 15/6 and NV215, respectively.
That being said, the overall impression was that with most of the other comparisons, the NV115 (particularly the one with the newer Eminence driver) stole the show. I can see where some folks would prefer either the ML-112 or the Hathor, but IME/IMHO, the day belonged to the NV115. My initial skepticism that it would be too small (for a sealed enclosure) to get very loud or hit very hard down low was pleasantly dismissed.
Jim told me to not be afraid to push the NV115 with some serious power (which several of these amps can really deliver, and which the NV115 soaked up without complaint), but what really impressed me was how well they responded with the relatively modest powered WalkAbout. Even driving one 8-ohm cab, the WalkAbout was able to generate an impressive amount of volume. Two NV115's and a WalkAbout could cover a LOT of gigs, and the tone was glorious!
I would also like to point out that the Terror Bass 500 (set to 8 ohms, and cranking out 500 watts) into one NV115 was also amazing! Crazy volume, big tone, TIGHT lows, man, that was a rig that sounded a lot bigger than it looked!
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,939
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
wow my 15/6 cab search is over. now to test my patience. i have a 100t to plat thru it but want to get a ss or hybrid to go with it. looking forward to ur amp reviews with the nv115. Thanks for your time tom. im sure it was ur pleasure
The Super Bassman sounded great through the NV115. The Vintage channel sounded decidedly "right" with either the NV215 or the NV115, with the tonal differences as mentioned above.
These cabs would go great with a 100T, for sure.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,939
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Do we have a price and does he sell
Direct or just through dealers?
I think it'll be in the $850 range, and Jim sells either direct or through dealers (same price, either way).
- Jun 29, 2006
- 5,148
- 3,214
- Disclosures
- President, CEO, CFO, CIO, Chief Engineer, Technician, Janitor - Reiner Amplification
Crap, I feel my wallet getting lighter... since I just sold my NV215, maybe it's only fitting that a pair of these take its place.
