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First Impression: Bergantino NXT

CaptainWally

CaptainWally

"You wrote a bad song, Petey"
Oct 21, 2000
3,094
1,797
Sandy Eggo, CA
#1
Checked them out @ Bass San Diego (great shop).

My impressions:
  • The 12s have smaller footprint. That was surprising. The 2x10 is closer in size to the 12.
  • I have the 210 HDN + 112 HDN. The NXT sounds similar, but it has more low end. It's still tight low end like the HDN..just more.
  • The biggest difference is the tweeter. It's way more aggressive than the HDN, but it sounds really good without being harsh.
  • Is the NXT cooler overall than the HDN? Eh, maybe? Is it worth spending the time and $ to swap out my HDN stack for an NXT.....nah.
Overall, nice job, as always, Bergie. Evolutionary win!
 
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#5
msb said:
I have the same HDN stack and am quite thankful to hear another owner doesn't find enough of a difference to replace 'em .
Click to expand...

I would choose the NXTs if I did not already own HDNs. Probably quite expensive and time consuming to swap out...the HDNs are just too good to justify doing that...for me.

Man...I loves me some Bergie cabs.
 
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#6
CaptainWally said:
Checked them out @ Bass San Diego (great shop).

My impressions:
  • The 12s have smaller footprint. That was surprising. The 2x10 is closer in size to the 12.
Click to expand...
Huh? The NXT 212 is still the exact same size as the previous CN and HDN series 212 cabs (31”H x 18-1/2”W x 15”D). And the NXT 210 is also the same size as its CN, HDN, and Reference (even the HG 310) predecessors (22-3/4”H x 18-1/2”W x 12-1/2”D).
 
#7
Thanks for the Post Wally. I am really happy with my HDN 1x12 stack, yet when I added the REF210 on top of an HDN112, I felt the quality of the highs was dramatically better with the REF210 tweeter versus what sounded like a more mid scooped tone from the HDN. The REF210 is indeed a lot heavier but the punch and sweetness (to me) made it worthwhile.

I was hoping the NXT series would bridge the gap between the HDN and the REF ..coming closer to the tone quality and performance of the REF. But there isn't usually a free lunch.
 
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#8
I played thru both the 210 and 112 NXT's at NAMM, and although that isn't the best environment to evaluate cabs, I thought they both sounded great. I'm kind of on the fence about neo vs. ceramic drivers, but maybe just because the bulk of my experience is with cabs with ceramic drivers I tend to lean that way. Very subjectively and based on my limited experience with the NXT's, my initial impression was that they respond more like ceramics, at least more so than any neo cabs I've ever played through.

I agree with the OP that the tweeter sounded more aggressive, but for me there are times when that's desirable. It seemed very controllable, though - I had the attenuator backed off to about "2" and it sounded right. The 112 has an impressive amount of low end for a small enclosure, and the 210 has a very musical midrange quality and a nice round low end. I plan to get down to Bass SD and give them a more serious workout. FYI my current most used cab is an NV212T, but I'd like to also have something a little smaller and lighter that can cut it on louder gigs.
 
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#9
Thanks for the update Wally, I've been wondering about these and havent heard much direct comparisons to existing berg lines yet, so this is helpful. I'm not in a huge rush to replace my CN210's but am always curious what Jim is cooking up. :)
 
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#10
KaseOfBass said:
Huh? The NXT 212 is still the exact same size as the previous CN and HDN series 212 cabs (31”H x 18-1/2”W x 15”D). And the NXT 210 is also the same size as its CN, HDN, and Reference (even the HG 310) predecessors (22-3/4”H x 18-1/2”W x 12-1/2”D).
Click to expand...

Sloppy communication on my part. The 112 is smaller, less deep. So when you put a 210 on an NXT112, the two cabs' w×d are more similar than if you put a 2x10 on an HDN112.
 
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#11
GRoberts said:
Thanks for the Post Wally. I am really happy with my HDN 1x12 stack, yet when I added the REF210 on top of an HDN112, I felt the quality of the highs was dramatically better with the REF210 tweeter versus what sounded like a more mid scooped tone from the HDN. The REF210 is indeed a lot heavier but the punch and sweetness (to me) made it worthwhile.

I was hoping the NXT series would bridge the gap between the HDN and the REF ..coming closer to the tone quality and performance of the REF. But there isn't usually a free lunch.
Click to expand...

Well, IMHO, the key difference was that you moved to a 210 on top, as opposed to moving to a REF. Both the HDN210 and REF210 have more mid punch than the 12. The difference between the HDN112 stack vs. the HDN112 + HDN210 is super noticeable.

While I have no doubt that there is a difference between the HDN210 and REF210, I actually am guessing the biggest discernible difference is the tweeter.

I actually think you might be able to come really close to your existing stack by replacing your REF210 with an NXT210.

Less weight, but definitely not free...and probably not worth pursuing.
 
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#12
CaptainWally said:
Well, IMHO, the key difference was that you moved to a 210 on top, as opposed to moving to a REF. Both the HDN210 and REF210 have more mid punch than the 12. The difference between the HDN112 stack vs. the HDN112 + HDN210 is super noticeable.

While I have no doubt that there is a difference between the HDN210 and REF210, I actually am guessing the biggest discernible difference is the tweeter.

I actually think you might be able to come really close to your existing stack by replacing your REF210 with an NXT210.

Less weight, but definitely not free...and probably not worth pursuing.
Click to expand...

Your points are all well taken. I do agree the REF210 sounds better. Most likely it is the more expensive, sweeter sounding tweeter. The Ceramic speakers do have a different punch versus Neo, but maybe that is a smaller factor? The question is mostly rhetorical.

I covet lighter weight cabinets as long as they deliver. So I compared the HDN210 to a REF210 side by side and I felt they were quite different. So .....If the NXT210 comes close to the sound of the REF210, while offering a substantial weight savings, that might be worth considering to me. But sonically I am very happy and with carts, I don't actually lift or carry the heavier REF210 very far.
 
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#14
GRoberts said:
Your points are all well taken. I do agree the REF210 sounds better. Most likely it is the more expensive, sweeter sounding tweeter. The Ceramic speakers do have a different punch versus Neo, but maybe that is a smaller factor? The question is mostly rhetorical.

I covet lighter weight cabinets as long as they deliver. So I compared the HDN210 to a REF210 side by side and I felt they were quite different. So .....If the NXT210 comes close to the sound of the REF210, while offering a substantial weight savings, that might be worth considering to me. But sonically I am very happy and with carts, I don't actually lift or carry the heavier REF210 very far.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's the real comparison. If you A/B'd the stack w/ REF and HDN 210s, and you felt the REF210 was appreciably better sounding...then case closed tonally.

I can't be of any help on NXT vs. REF....at least at the moment.
 
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#16
The 212 NXT is simply amazing. The best one cab solution I have ever played. Small enough for coffee shops, loud enough for stage. At low volumes it is completely articulate and warm, delivering the sound of the amp directly, but somehow simultaneously cutting thought all the other instruments. Just an absolute pleasure to play.

Full disclosure I bought it site unseen, and have never had the opportunity to play through Bergantino gear. But I can say if you are at all hesitant jump in.
 
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#19
CaptainWally said:
I did not, although they were right there. The REF is a non-starter for me due to weight, so my only mild interest was in comparing to my HDN stack.

I think the tweeter is the same as the REF. Not sure though.
Click to expand...
Ordinarily I not of the camp that says- Neo speakers don't sound good. I think they do, except the REF, despite it's hefty weight, sounds better to me.
 
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