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EA NL-112

I am really loving my pair of NL-112's.

Hey Tom- tell us about the NL-112s you own and why you love them? What stands out about them to you?

EA cabs are not getting much notice these days, whereas in the mid-late 2000's, TB'ers were raving about the CXLs and the Wizzys. EA cabs have solid design principles that don't change, and there are no other transmission line bass cabs out there, AFAIK.

I picked up a used Wizzy M-Line in 2007 and still have it. They are described as being uncolored in response due to the absence of internal reflections. I've been using the M-Line in evaluating several recently purchased Tech21 DI pedals, and am very pleased with the sound. It's warm, natural, punchy, and I do think that I can hear the uncolored nature of the low end. It can get very loud and deep with some added low bass EQ rolled in.

Given my experience with the M-Line, I would definitely consider picking up one or two NL-112s in addition. The Wizzy is rated for 200 watts, but the NL-112 for 500 watts, and would have more top end with the tweeter array. I can see how having both would be a great thing.

I hope that EA is able to get these back into production sometime soon this year. I'll keep in touch with JD and will report back here.
 
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Hey Tom- tell us about the NL-112s you own and why you love them? What stands out about them to you?

EA cabs are not getting much notice these days, whereas in the mid-late 2000's, TB'ers were raving about the CXLs and the Wizzys. EA cabs have solid design principles that don't change, and there are no other transmission line bass cabs out there, AFAIK.

I picked up a used Wizzy M-Line in 2007 and still have it. They are described as being uncolored in response due to the absence of internal reflections. I've been using the M-Line in evaluating several recently purchased Tech21 DI pedals, and am very pleased with the sound. It's warm, natural, punchy, and I do think that I can hear the uncolored nature of the low end. It can get very loud and deep with some added low bass EQ rolled in.

Given my experience with the M-Line, I would definitely consider picking up one or two NL-112s in addition. The Wizzy is rated for 200 watts, but the NL-112 for 500 watts, and would have more top end with the tweeter array. I can see how having both would be a great thing.

I hope that EA is able to get these back into production sometime soon this year. I'll keep in touch with JD and will report back here.

I need to dig out my VL-208's and compare them, side by side, but these NL-112's are really working well for me. They are very much of the "blank slate to write upon" category, and they take EQ very well, so you can cover a huge range of tones, but they don't color things, themselves. They are also capable of moving a lot more air than you would expect from their size and weight.
 
I still have and gig with my CXL-112 (regular, not "light"). I'm going to guess that these are a bit less "taught" in the bottom end and give just a slightly more wooly bottom.

Are they sourcing from Eminence for their drivers, still?

To me, they sound more balanced from top to bottom than what I recall of the CXL-112 (though I have not had a CXL-112 for some time and I have not been able to A/B them).
 
These NL-112's are really working well for me. They are very much of the "blank slate to write upon" category, and they take EQ very well, so you can cover a huge range of tones, but they don't color things, themselves. They are also capable of moving a lot more air than you would expect from their size and weight.

Tom - I was thinking about asking you if you'd part with one, but they sound like keepers for you!

Do you hear that they have "uncolored" output in the range of the fundamentals of the bass? That's one of the benefits that EA claims for the TL design cabinets. I believe that's what you are talking about when you say they are a "blank slate to write upon".

A lot of modern basic ported cabs do have issues with internal reflections and a number of frequencies that are produced louder than others in the fundamentals range, 40 Hz to 320 Hz for 21 fret 4-string instruments. Several of the cabs I currently own have that problem, to the point that I started using compression to even out the response as best as I could. That's obviously not the ultimate solution, but it helps.

I checked Bass Gear Mag to see if you'd reviewed the EA NL-112s at some point, but I can't find that you've reviewed any EA gear, unless I didn't do the website search correctly. I searched on both "NL-112" and "Euphonic". I would suppose you are only reviewing newly released gear, for the most part.

Thanks for your thoughts on the NL-112, Tom! I'm giving getting one some thought, for sure.
 
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Tom - I was thinking about asking you if you'd part with one, but they sound like keepers for you!

Do you hear that they have "uncolored" output in the range of the fundamentals of the bass? That's one of the benefits that EA claims for the TL design cabinets. I believe that's what you are talking about when you say they are a "blank slate to write upon".

A lot of modern basic ported cabs do have issues with internal reflections and a number of frequencies that are produced louder than others in the fundamentals range, 40 Hz to 320 Hz for 21 fret 4-string instruments. Several of the cabs I currently own have that problem, to the point that I started using compression to even out the response as best as I could. That's obviously not the ultimate solution, but it helps.

I checked Bass Gear Mag to see if you'd reviewed the EA NL-112s at some point, but I can't find that you've reviewed any EA gear, unless I didn't do the website search correctly. I searched on both "NL-112" and "Euphonic". I would suppose you are only reviewing newly released gear, for the most part.

Thanks for your thoughts on the NL-112, Tom! I'm giving getting one some thought, for sure.

I am working on a "Long Term Test Drive" review of the NL-112 and iAMP Classic (which I also just love). I have been an EA user for many years, and we did have some EA reviews in the early BGM issues (which have not migrated to the newer site just yet). I think I also reviewed some EA gear back in my days writing for Guitar World's Bass Guitar magazine.

On the whole, I am a definite believer in the transmission line design - at least as implemented by John Dong and crew. The VL-208 has been my gold standard for tone for a long time. All of the VL cabs are great, really. Personally, I never really took to the CXL-112, but I know other players who just loved them. The NM-410 and NL-210 are also just fantastic cabs, IMHO/IME, with great balance and clarity from top to bottom. The NL-112 follows in the footsteps of these great cabs. At first blush, the stack of NL-112's does sound notably "smaller" than a stack of NL-210's, but that is in part because these cabs are much smaller than the NL-210. However, when you start to crank up the volume, the NL-112's don't seem to ever say "uncle." They just keep giving you more of what you feed them. Obviously, all things must be done within reason, but I have hit them hard with the 1,200w iAMP Classic, and they just smile and take it. :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :thumbsup:
 
Resurrecting this thread again!

I am wondering if anyone who has substantial experience with both the Wizzy M-Line and NL-112 can provide a little bit more in depth of a comparison between the two cabs for BG purposes. My current rig for everything these days is a Doubler II into a Wizzy 12 M-Line, and while I love the tone, one issue I'm having right now is that it is a little quiet for the wedding/event band work primarily find myself I doing on BG nowadays.

I am on the fence about picking up a second Wizzy or possibly getting an NL-112 (or two). Having previously owned a Genzler BA rig I know that not all 12s are created equal (that BA 12-3 was loud!). Aside from the tonal differences, is the NL-112 significantly louder than the Wizzy, or are they about the same? Anything else worth noting about these cabs that hasn't already been said in this thread?
 
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Resurrecting this thread again!

I am wondering if anyone who has substantial experience with both the Wizzy M-Line and NL-112 can provide a little bit more in depth of a comparison between the two cabs for BG purposes. My current rig for everything these days is a Doubler II into a Wizzy 12 M-Line, and while I love the tone, one issue I'm having right now is that it is a little quiet for the wedding/event band work primarily find myself I doing on BG nowadays.

I am on the fence about picking up a second Wizzy or possibly getting an NL-112 (or two). Having previously owned a Genzler BA rig I know that not all 12s are created equal (that BA 12-3 was loud!). Aside from the tonal differences, is the NL-112 significantly louder than the Wizzy, or are they about the same? Anything else worth noting about these cabs that hasn't already been said in this thread?

I have not compared them volume-wise, but I can say that the NL-112 can handle a good bit more power, so ultimately, it can be pushed harder without distress. Tonally, the M-Line Wizzy is more (intentionally) colored - though less so than the original Wizzy - and the NL-112 is much more balanced and less colored. I no longer own any M-Line Wizzy's, unfortunately, so I can't do a direct A/B.
 
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I have an M-Line, but not an NL-112, so can't compare either, but I do know I love the sound of the M-Line! Mine is mid-2000's in 4 ohm. Had thought about selling it and getting 2 of the new cosmetics M's in 8 ohms. There are still M-Lines in stock in a few places, I think Gollihur still has some (just no NL-112s.) Hopefully EA will build up some more NL's when supply chains get moving again.
 
Resurrecting this thread again!

I am wondering if anyone who has substantial experience with both the Wizzy M-Line and NL-112 can provide a little bit more in depth of a comparison between the two cabs for BG purposes. My current rig for everything these days is a Doubler II into a Wizzy 12 M-Line, and while I love the tone, one issue I'm having right now is that it is a little quiet for the wedding/event band work primarily find myself I doing on BG nowadays.

I am on the fence about picking up a second Wizzy or possibly getting an NL-112 (or two). Having previously owned a Genzler BA rig I know that not all 12s are created equal (that BA 12-3 was loud!). Aside from the tonal differences, is the NL-112 significantly louder than the Wizzy, or are they about the same? Anything else worth noting about these cabs that hasn't already been said in this thread?

BLUFF (bottom line up front): If you like the sound of the M-Line get a matching cab. The M-Line comes in 4 or 8 ohms, so hopefully you have the 8 ohm version.

If you want a different type of sound, consider the NL (IMHO try before you buy).


I don't have recent experience with either cab. But as @tombowlus indicated it really comes down to whether you want a voiced cab (M-Line) or a more neutral cab (NL).

I will quibble with Tom's points about volume though, as power handling is only part of the max SPL equation. The Wizzy M-line is rated for 200W and max SPL of 126dB at 1m. It's true that the NL112 is rated for more than double the power at 500W, but the max SPL only goes up by 1dB to 127dB.

Sensitivity is the other factor you need to consider to understand why it works this way. EA does not appear to post Sensitivity ratings for these cabs, but it's not hard to estimate them using this webpage: Watts to dBm conversion calculator (rapidtables.com)

You can't use dBm directly, but you can use the calculator to determine the decibel change that occurs when you vary the power level. For example 1W is 30dB and 200W is ~53dBm. Subtract the difference and drop the "m" and you get the dB change that occurs when you change to power from 1W to 200W.

The result of increasing power from 1W to 200W is a 23dB change. Subtract the dB change from Max SPL and you get the 1W sensitivity rating. So for the M-Line we get the following Sensitivity rating. 126-23=103dB 1W/1m

The result of increasing the power from 1W to 500 is a 27dB change. So for the NL we get the following Sensitivity rating: 127-27=100dB 1W/1m

So the M-line is 3dB more efficient than the NL.

Keep in mind you need to double the power to get a 3dB change. So if you work through these concepts, you will realize that the NL112 will require 400W to play as loud as the M-Line plays with 200W. In other words the NL112 needs 400W to make 126dB, while the M-Line only needs 200W.

My advice is to choose the cab that sounds best to you and order two matching cabs in 8 ohms. Here's why: Two cabs placed close together couple acoustically. The coupling increases how efficiently the cabs translate motion into sound.


The results are a bit confusing:

Essentially two cabs together will sound 6dB louder than the SPL produce by one of the cabs.


Assume you have an amp that makes 200W at 8 ohms and 400W at 4 ohms and we are using the M-Line. You when you use one cab at 200W it makes a Max SPL of 126dB. When you add the second cab, the amps power doubles to 400W. The available power is then split in two, so each cab gets half. So both cabs are receiving 200W. Therefore you have two M-Lines that each get 200W and make 126dB. For the frequency range in which driver spacing is within about 1/4 wavelength you get near perfect acoustic coupling, which produces an additional 6dB. So the max SPL of two M-Lines sharing 400W is 126+6=132dB.

The acoustic coupling only happens at the lowest frequencies. So running two cabs tends to make the lows fuller and thicker.

Many amps do not double power when the impedance drops from 8 to 4 ohms. With solid state amps the power typically goes up, but only by 60% or so. Consider if the amp is rated for 200W at 8 ohms and 320W at 4 ohms.

Now each cab shares 320W. 320/2=160W. Now we need to your our online calculator again to find the dB change that occurs when power varies from 1-160W. The calculator says this results in a 22dB change. Add this to the sensitivity rating. 103+22=125dB. So one cab will make 125dB with 160W. If you add a matching making the same SPL you 125+6=131dB.

So in this scenario one cab makes 126dB with 200W, and two cabs sharing 360W make 131dB.

There is one more scenario to consider. Tube amps use a transformer to match their output impedance to the impedance of the loud. So as long as the amp sees the expected impedance, it will make max power. For example if your 200W tube amp has 4 ohm and 8 ohm output taps, it will make 200W at both 4 ohms and 8 ohms.

When power is held constant, you only get +3dB from acoustic coupling. The issue is when you add the second cab, available power is split evenly between them, so each cab will only get 100W. When you cut the power in half you get a -3dB change. In other words, if one cab makes 126dB with 200W, two cabs sharing 200W will each make 123dB.

You can confirm this with the calculator if you like. The dB change from 1-100W is 20. Add to the sensitivity rating: 103+20=123.

Now since you are running two cabs, add in the +6dB from acoustic coupling: 123+6=129dB.

So in this scenario, one cab makes 126dB with 200W, and two cabs sharing 200W make 129dB. As you see, when power is held constant, you get +3dB from acoustic coupling when you add the second cab.
 
BLUFF (bottom line up front): If you like the sound of the M-Line get a matching cab. The M-Line comes in 4 or 8 ohms, so hopefully you have the 8 ohm version.

If you want a different type of sound, consider the NL (IMHO try before you buy).


I don't have recent experience with either cab. But as @tombowlus indicated it really comes down to whether you want a voiced cab (M-Line) or a more neutral cab (NL).

I will quibble with Tom's points about volume though, as power handling is only part of the max SPL equation. The Wizzy M-line is rated for 200W and max SPL of 126dB at 1m. It's true that the NL112 is rated for more than double the power at 500W, but the max SPL only goes up by 1dB to 127dB.

Sensitivity is the other factor you need to consider to understand why it works this way. EA does not appear to post Sensitivity ratings for these cabs, but it's not hard to estimate them using this webpage: Watts to dBm conversion calculator (rapidtables.com)

You can't use dBm directly, but you can use the calculator to determine the decibel change that occurs when you vary the power level. For example 1W is 30dB and 200W is ~53dBm. Subtract the difference and drop the "m" and you get the dB change that occurs when you change to power from 1W to 200W.

The result of increasing power from 1W to 200W is a 23dB change. Subtract the dB change from Max SPL and you get the 1W sensitivity rating. So for the M-Line we get the following Sensitivity rating. 126-23=103dB 1W/1m

The result of increasing the power from 1W to 500 is a 27dB change. So for the NL we get the following Sensitivity rating: 127-27=100dB 1W/1m

So the M-line is 3dB more efficient than the NL.

Keep in mind you need to double the power to get a 3dB change. So if you work through these concepts, you will realize that the NL112 will require 400W to play as loud as the M-Line plays with 200W. In other words the NL112 needs 400W to make 126dB, while the M-Line only needs 200W.

My advice is to choose the cab that sounds best to you and order two matching cabs in 8 ohms. Here's why: Two cabs placed close together couple acoustically. The coupling increases how efficiently the cabs translate motion into sound.


The results are a bit confusing:

Essentially two cabs together will sound 6dB louder than the SPL produce by one of the cabs.


Assume you have an amp that makes 200W at 8 ohms and 400W at 4 ohms and we are using the M-Line. You when you use one cab at 200W it makes a Max SPL of 126dB. When you add the second cab, the amps power doubles to 400W. The available power is then split in two, so each cab gets half. So both cabs are receiving 200W. Therefore you have two M-Lines that each get 200W and make 126dB. For the frequency range in which driver spacing is within about 1/4 wavelength you get near perfect acoustic coupling, which produces an additional 6dB. So the max SPL of two M-Lines sharing 400W is 126+6=132dB.

The acoustic coupling only happens at the lowest frequencies. So running two cabs tends to make the lows fuller and thicker.

Many amps do not double power when the impedance drops from 8 to 4 ohms. With solid state amps the power typically goes up, but only by 60% or so. Consider if the amp is rated for 200W at 8 ohms and 320W at 4 ohms.

Now each cab shares 320W. 320/2=160W. Now we need to your our online calculator again to find the dB change that occurs when power varies from 1-160W. The calculator says this results in a 22dB change. Add this to the sensitivity rating. 103+22=125dB. So one cab will make 125dB with 160W. If you add a matching making the same SPL you 125+6=131dB.

So in this scenario one cab makes 126dB with 200W, and two cabs sharing 360W make 131dB.

There is one more scenario to consider. Tube amps use a transformer to match their output impedance to the impedance of the loud. So as long as the amp sees the expected impedance, it will make max power. For example if your 200W tube amp has 4 ohm and 8 ohm output taps, it will make 200W at both 4 ohms and 8 ohms.

When power is held constant, you only get +3dB from acoustic coupling. The issue is when you add the second cab, available power is split evenly between them, so each cab will only get 100W. When you cut the power in half you get a -3dB change. In other words, if one cab makes 126dB with 200W, two cabs sharing 200W will each make 123dB.

You can confirm this with the calculator if you like. The dB change from 1-100W is 20. Add to the sensitivity rating: 103+20=123.

Now since you are running two cabs, add in the +6dB from acoustic coupling: 123+6=129dB.

So in this scenario, one cab makes 126dB with 200W, and two cabs sharing 200W make 129dB. As you see, when power is held constant, you get +3dB from acoustic coupling when you add the second cab.

+1 and well said. I totally agree with what you are saying. I didn't recall the sensitivity of each enclosure, but my experience with the NL-112's definitely demonstrated that they can take a lot more juice than many other 1x12's I have tried (including the different forms of Wizzy's), and so they have a bit more output than you might otherwise expect. They also take even relatively dramatic EQ quite well, without complaint. But once again, your calculations seem legit and I definitely agree with your comments on sensitivity.
 
+1 and well said. I totally agree with what you are saying. I didn't recall the sensitivity of each enclosure, but my experience with the NL-112's definitely demonstrated that they can take a lot more juice than many other 1x12's I have tried (including the different forms of Wizzy's), and so they have a bit more output than you might otherwise expect. They also take even relatively dramatic EQ quite well, without complaint. But once again, your calculations seem legit and I definitely agree with your comments on sensitivity.

:thumbsup:

Here is another piece of the puzzle: Provided Max SPL figures are often a calculated rather than measured. As drivers approach their limits they tend to compress, so calculated Max SPL tends to be a bit optimistic. It's entirely possible the Wizzy will compress more, and skew the real world results. But if one Wizzy is almost loud enough, I would think two will get the job done, providing the amp will make 400W.

My guess is a pair of either cabs would be loud enough for all but the loudest situations, so it probably comes down to which cab has the tone the OP prefers.

I am almost certain I would prefer the NL112...but the OP may prefer the Wizzy.
 
Resurrecting this thread again!

I am wondering if anyone who has substantial experience with both the Wizzy M-Line and NL-112 can provide a little bit more in depth of a comparison between the two cabs for BG purposes. My current rig for everything these days is a Doubler II into a Wizzy 12 M-Line, and while I love the tone, one issue I'm having right now is that it is a little quiet for the wedding/event band work primarily find myself I doing on BG nowadays.

I am on the fence about picking up a second Wizzy or possibly getting an NL-112 (or two). Having previously owned a Genzler BA rig I know that not all 12s are created equal (that BA 12-3 was loud!). Aside from the tonal differences, is the NL-112 significantly louder than the Wizzy, or are they about the same? Anything else worth noting about these cabs that hasn't already been said in this thread?

I run an MLine with a wizzy10 through a Mk 1 Doubler which is pretty loud. It hangs with Marshall 100, Cube 60 and drummer just fine at 100 person volume indoors.will The Doubler is good to run at 2 ohms so you could put two MLines together.
 
This thread really was so good to see. There has not been much appreciation of EA cabs on Talkbass in years. Not only is EA still in business, but they are still producing fundamentally well-designed cabinets, that work especially well in the modern age in which most bassists do not need huge stage volume, but exceptional tone, efficiency, and depth.
 
Thank you for the responses everyone! @Wasnex, the differences in sensitivity between the two cabs and the issue you described (the NL-112 needing more watts to be as loud as the M-Line) was something I thought might be the case and I really appreciate the explanation on that.

It looks like I will need to wait for NL-112s to go back into production then schedule a time to demo one in person, maybe even A-B it against my M-Line.
 
And reviving this thread again. A very helpfull thread, that is. Thanks for all the in depth technical explanation.

I now have the chance to get a NL-112 8 ohm, probably the last one in stock here in Europe. As for my age and budget it is time to find something smaller and portable, and to stick to for a longer time. I know I want a 12" (again).

I think I like an uncoloured 'hifi' sound like EA is said to have. But actually I'm not sure I really know what that's like.

I have played over both Aguilar and Vanderkley 12" cabs, and would not call them too transparent (and they are too heavy for me now). How would the EA NL-112 compare? And to the other 'hifi' cabs like Trickfish, Barefaced, Eich...

Also I would use it with a Trickfish Minnow preamp and a GSS Baby Sumo power amp (300w at 8ohm). I mainly play a '76 Aria Pro II precision, a Spector NS4CR and a '69 Jedson LP (shortscale with flats, so compare it to a Hofner), all 4-string. Very different basses wilth their very own sounds. I play, disco, funk, fusion, rock (not too heavy), pop. Would the EA help the character of the basses I use or should I be looking for an amp with a more coloured sound?

Lots of questions maybe, but I don't think I will come across another EA and I want to make a well prepared choice. I actually wanted to ask if the EA NL-112 is good for bass-guitar since I read it was made with double bass in mind, but after reading this thread I think that question is answered.
 
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I use my NL-112's with electric bass quite a lot, and they are some of my absolute favorite cabs, especially for their size. They are definitely voiced to be more accurate and less colored, and they will sound more like a Trickfish or Barefaced (which are also excellent options, IME/IMHO) than Aguilar. I do not have any experience with Vanderkley, so I can't comment there.
 
@Martelino, glad that you have a chance at that last one. It's regretful that EA went out of business, but their cabs will be around for a long time to come.

Mark Gollihur received the last EA inventory in the US, and the cabs are all gone now as of February. Due to parts shortages last year, the NL-112s were not available at retail for some months before EA closed up at the end of the year.

I expect that the EA cabs will start going for a premium on the used market. Most any quality bass gear is, nowadays.
 
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@Martelino, glad that you have a chance at that last one. It's regretful that EA went out of business, but their cabs will be around for a long time to come.

Mark Gollihur received the last EA inventory in the US, and the cabs are all gone now as of February. Due to parts shortages last year, the NL-112s were not available at retail for some months before EA closed up at the end of the year.

I expect that the EA cabs will start going for a premium on the used market. Most any quality bass gear is, nowadays.
Yes it's really a shame when such a respected brand goes out of business. It also creates another dilemma: will a single AE NL-112 have enough body for pub gigs and onstage with a PA? It may be difficult to find another one if needed, or would a combination with different cab or speaker size also work?
 
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