I am in the process (meaning I have both but am trying to decide what I can get from them) of switching my "big rig" over from a Berg NV610 driven by a TE Hexavalve to 2- 1212BMF's driven by a GB SM12. Also, I have acquired 2 Schroeder 15L's, and have a GB Shuttle 6 for driving any one of the Schroeders for normal gig situations.
Here are some thoughts FWIW.
The Berg cabs are solid, beautifully designed, and sound magnificent. That is a great company with great products. The NV610 has one of the all time great sounds for the bass guitar.
The Schroeders are well made and well designed; but don't feel quite so solid as the Bergs. OTOH, they are unbelievably light for the power and SPL that they can produce. As previously posted, they have somewhat of a lack of low end pillow, and even tend to sound a little honky on their own with some basses; more true with Fender J style instruments, less so with Bartolini equipped instruments. However, in the mix, this sound really works well. The 1212BMF is more even than the compact or 15 L cabs, and does have more low end response, but it still favors an upper mid character. Boosting the 120 Hz area with a parametric seems to help.
Two pretty different flavors of cab, as a generalization; both with their merits. I would say the Berg excels for outstanding craftsmanship and balanced tone. The Schroeder excels for portability, relative sound pressure, and cut in the mix. You would kind of need to work with both in some working situations to decide what is best for you.
All IMO/IME.
Hope that helps.
Bucephylus has given the best evaluation of the sound differences between Bergs and Schroeders.
Adding in my .02 cents.
In my opinion, your decision based on your Am St J Bass, finger style picking and modest size gigs..........is a matter of quality vs quantity. Which do you want?
The Schroders are gonna be louder. The Bergs are gonna be loud enough but better sounding! Discussion over!
As for the extra 100 British Pounds for the Bergs, it's better to over spend than to under spend for just about anything in life, including bass equipment.
I have a NV215 and have also heard several 2-10s and 4-10s Bergs cabs. With all of my heart, I love my NV215 and there's just nothing else that could sound better for me! I also was very, very impressed with Berg's 10 inch cabs and they can really pull off rich bass end with the added more modern bass type sound.
Bergs are such quality! Very balanced sound from lows to highs.
A friend of mine had a Schroder 12 inch cab (don't remember the model) and I was not impressed at all with it's sound. Too much mid range for me!
From reading the Schroder website, the focus on their bass cabs seems to be about volume.
Bergs are about full range, balanced sound with quality being the focus. So, they have an excellent quality sound.
Mr. Bergantino is a very nice fellow and you can talk directly to him. Wonderful customer service! His cabs rank at the top of the bass cab chain.
Quality or quantity? IMHO Let your ears be your guide. Go to youtube and listen to sound clips and videos of the 2 brands of cabs.
You are able to hear the Bergs in person at the store where you live but the Schroeders are like a "blind date" since you can't try them out.
Don't buy without trying!
Good luck and let us know what you bought.
