CN212 -vs- DB112 stack

[g4string]

These two cab setups prob have more similarities than differences. Aside from the obvious physical differences (pair vs one 212, size, weight)....what are the differences/similarities these two cab setups share/don't share. A new CN212 is about $1170.....a new pair of DB112's (one w/ tweet, one w/o tweet) is about $1080 if you snag a 15% off MF sale. So price wise, very similar. Trying to figure out which road to do down....haven't quite decided. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

JG

 

[Dave W]

Aside from the obvious physical differences (pair vs one 212, size, weight)

This stuff would make the biggest difference for me. I strongly prefer carrying one cab vs. two, and the CN is pretty light. It's size it nice too, not too big and not too small.

 

[zacmac]

I am interested in hearing as well. I bought a CN212 a few weeks ago and are likely going to spring for a TH500 but I really want a more vintage warmth in the end and the DB112 may be the answer. The CN-212 is super articulate and hi-fi with my Hartke HA3500.

I will say though that I can one hand the CN212 with my amp in the other which is a big positive

 

[KJung]

I am interested in hearing as well. I bought a CN212 a few weeks ago and are likely going to spring for a TH500 but I really want a more vintage warmth in the end and the DB112 may be the answer. The CN-212 is super articulate and hi-fi with my Hartke HA3500.

I will say though that I can one hand the CN212 with my amp in the other which is a big positive

If you spring for a TH500, that will give you all the warmth and vintage vibe you would most likely want with your CN212,

 

[KJung]

D112's are GREAT... one of my favorite 112's. Quite similar to the CN212 IMO and IME (owned a pair back in the day). CN212 is a bit more even and clear, but both have that warm mid punch, and a relatively paper cone sounding top end.

They are heavy, and have a bit of an usual footprint (very deep front to back, rear porting, and low top to bottom).

Sound GREAT with the TH500, just like the CN212. If you really don't care about weight, they would most likely make you happy. They are quite heavy.

 

[zacmac]

I was hoping that you would chime in. Thanks for the response. I have been on the fence and I need to just pull the trigger on the TH500.

Would you say that the Berg is more neutral and susceptible to different tones with different amps compared to the DB112 pair?

By the way I am playing a 69' Pbass with dunlop nickel mediums for classic rock and country

 

[KJung]

I was hoping that you would chime in. Thanks for the response. I have been on the fence and I need to just pull the trigger on the TH500.

Would you say that the Berg is more neutral and susceptible to different tones with different amps compared to the DB112 pair?

By the way I am playing a 69' Pbass with dunlop nickel mediums for classic rock and country

I find the voicing quite similar. The DB112 x 2 is probably a little 'warmer and punchier', but nothing that the TH500 EQ couldn't deal with. There is a bit more presence in the upper midrange with the CN212, but the TH500 does not emphasize that frequency area, so it 'old schools' it up really nicely.

That being said, I dig those DB112's also. Not doggin' em, and one of the reasons I love my CN212 so much is that it is a lighter weight solution that has a relatively similar tone to my ears. Better footprint for small stages also. IMO though. I wouldn't want to schlep two DB112's, but I would have no trouble playing through them, especially with a P. I actually fell in love with the TH500 in a store playing a Pino Custom Shop P with flats, through a DB112

I would try the TH500 with the CN212 as a first step. I would be surprised if that wouldn't get you where you want to go with a P with flats. If you want a sealed, one way vibe, no two way ported cab is going to get you exactly there though.

 

[hennessybass]

I have owned and gigged the CN212, and before that the DB212.

Both great cabs. Sound great, look great, and are just top-notch in every way. The CN wins hands down in terms of weight, portability, etc... Especially compared to the DB212 which had kind of lame casters. Even if you go 2x112 on the Aggie cabs, think about the fact that one of the DB112s is going to weigh about the same as the CN212!!

I know port location makes no difference in terms of sound, but I also really prefer the front ported CN. When things are tight on a stage, a half a foot closer to the wall can be big. Just one less thing to worry about for me.

The two cabs are in the same family sound wise, but do have differences. To me, the big difference is kind of where the mids are centered. The CN is kind of more focused on the low-mid-mids,, and the DB cab has a little more in the upper-mid-mids. The CN sounds a little more beefy, but the DB kind of cuts more.

CN is a very smooth cab. The top end is very sweet and just rolls off so nice. The DB cab has a little more bight to it. It will tend to growl more than the CN and it's round sound. The attack on the CN seem softer to me, where the DB seemed to have a little more edge to the attack. Like playing with fingers vs a pick - kind of.

Both are very nice and you can't go wrong either way. I love the DB cab, but did not like the schlep... so I decided to trade up for a CN. On my first gig with the CN I thought "oh no, I made a huge mistake", but after a while, the cab broke in, and I love it now.

I've owned a few cabs along the way, and for an all purpose gigging cab, the CN is the winner in my book.

 

[hennessybass]

If you want a sealed, one way vibe, no two way ported cab is going to get you exactly there though.

When I first started playing my CN, I thought that it was a little bit like a sealed cab. Or somewhere in-between a ported and sealed cab.

Nice tight, controlled low end with lots of punch and a sweet top end with a nice roll off (note that I often play with OUT the tweet).

I think the DB has a little more low end extension, while the CN has more punch.

 

[KJung]

+1 to the above. The DB's definitely have more of a mid mid sort of push than the CN212, which is a bit more even, and definitely pumps out bigger low end punch. And, per the above, Jim's crossover is just a thing of beauty.... zero harshness or 'metalic' sound in the top end of that cab.

 

[KJung]

When I first started playing my CN, I thought that it was a little bit like a sealed cab. Or somewhere in-between a ported and sealed cab.

Nice tight, controlled low end with lots of punch and a sweet top end with a nice roll off (note that I often play with OUT the tweet).

I think the DB has a little more low end extension, while the CN has more punch.

+1 in that the CN will old school up wonderfully with the right head. Just like the AE410, the upper midrange/lower treble response is really nice. +1