Genz Benz/Avatar advice

[Eden66]

I bought a Genz Benz GBE750 last week and I am now looking for cabs.What do you guys think of Avatar Neo B212 and Neo B210 ..4 ohms each.In 2 ohms the GBE gives 750 watts,that'll be 375 watts in each cabs and they are both rated at 500 watts.What can I expect tonewise?I think I could get loud enough for large venues(400-500 people with P.A. support),correct me if I'm wrong.

And since I have no way to try Avatar cabs,what's the closest tone that I can compare them to..ex:Eden,Amp,Genz,Berg'Epif,GK,Swr.....I played them all.


Thanks in advance

 

[mccartneyman]

I bought a Genz Benz GBE750 last week and I am now looking for cabs.What do you guys think of Avatar Neo B212 and Neo B210 ..4 ohms each.In 2 ohms the GBE gives 750 watts,that'll be 375 watts in each cabs and they are both rated at 500 watts.What can I expect tonewise?I think I could get loud enough for large venues(400-500 people with P.A. support),correct me if I'm wrong.

And since I have no way to try Avatar cabs,what's the closest tone that I can compare them to..ex:Eden,Amp,Genz,Berg'Epif,GK,Swr.....I played them all.


Thanks in advance

I'm not familiar with the Avatar cabs, but set flat, the Genz-Benz will give you whatever you put into it and allow you to color it as you see fit. Even with a 12" speaker, the 750 is capable of giving you plenty of low end, and the signal shaping pushbutttons will give you instant changes. I like to use the parametric EQ to compliment the bass -- rolled all the way down to around 150 Hz and boosted slightly, it gives you real punch. I'm using my Shuttle 6.0 head into two 112 cabs, getting 600 watts. It kicks butt.

 

[woody357]

Why are you going with Avatar, you can get a GK neo or something else at around the same price. I can understand if they give you the sound you want, but from the OP it doesn't sound like you know what to expect from Avatar.

 

[blmeier7]

What type of sound are you looking for? What kind of music are you going to be playing?

I have owned the Avatar B212 and B210. If you want an inexpensive cabinet that's made well and puts out sound, then Avatar would work. When I A/B'd the B212 and the Genz Benz Uber 212 side by side there was a HUGE difference. I always thought the B212 sounded okay, but once I did a side by side comparison the Uber 212 was much louder, more defined, fuller and fatter sounding than the B212. I sold the Avatar the next day. I was never a fan of the B210 as it had a mid honky sound that I could never completely dial out. I replaced the B210 with a Carvin 10.2 neo and it sounds much better IMO.

 

[Eden66]

Why are you going with Avatar, you can get a GK neo or something else at around the same price. I can understand if they give you the sound you want, but from the OP it doesn't sound like you know what to expect from Avatar.

I was thinking Avatar because of the low price for brand new cabs and all the good reviews I saw here and on Harmony Central.

 

[Eden66]

What type of sound are you looking for? What kind of music are you going to be playing?

I have owned the Avatar B212 and B210. If you want an inexpensive cabinet that's made well and puts out sound, then Avatar would work. When I A/B'd the B212 and the Genz Benz Uber 212 side by side there was a HUGE difference. I always thought the B212 sounded okay, but once I did a side by side comparison the Uber 212 was much louder, more defined, fuller and fatter sounding than the B212. I sold the Avatar the next day. I was never a fan of the B210 as it had a mid honky sound that I could never completely dial out. I replaced the B210 with a Carvin 10.2 neo and it sounds much better IMO.

I'm playin mostly rock,little jazz.I'm looking for a Genz Benz kinda sound but here in Montreal never see some used so I would have to buy new ones at almost twice the price of the Avatar.

There's a Aguilar GS410 used up for sale close to Montreal at a good price,then I would just have to buy the Aguilar GS 212 brand new,maybe a better idea,what do you think.?

 

[blmeier7]

I do like the Aguilar cabs. While I haven't owned the 410 or 212, I did have a GS112 and a DB112 and they were both nice. If you can pick up a GS410 used for a good price I would go for it since Aguilar seems to hold their value pretty well.

If I was in the market for a good 410 that wasn't too expensive I would look at the Carvin BRX 10.4. I have been really impressed with the 10.2, and have heard great things on TB about the 10.4 as well. They are a step above the Avatars in both construction and tone, IMO.

 

[woody357]

I was thinking Avatar because of the low price for brand new cabs and all the good reviews I saw here and on Harmony Central.

The price is not that low, check some of the brand name stuff, you will see they cost around the same. When they first came out yes the price was low, but when you add everything up you really don't save much, what $20-40. That's like saying you would rather get a MIM JAzz, because it is $100 less than a MIA. No hate here, I just don't get it.

 

[Anthbass]

I'm playin mostly rock,little jazz.I'm looking for a Genz Benz kinda sound but here in Montreal never see some used so I would have to buy new ones at almost twice the price of the Avatar.

There's a Aguilar GS410 used up for sale close to Montreal at a good price,then I would just have to buy the Aguilar GS 212 brand new,maybe a better idea,what do you think.?

The GS410/GBE 750 combo has a great sound, in my experience. Honestly, unless you regularly play very loud shows with no PA support, I can't see you needing much more than one GS410. I suggest taking your Genz and test driving the used Aguilar with it; if you likes, then buy, mon ami.

 

[JVbass]

I was thinking Avatar because of the low price for brand new cabs and all the good reviews I saw here and on Harmony Central.

I went with 2 Avatar SB112 neo's. What impressed me about Avatar was the numerous positive reviews. I also like the fact that you have choices for customization - speakers, tolex, grills, etc. Price wasn't a factor in my decision.
I run the Avatars through a Markbass Little Mark III. All the positive reviews were correct. These cabs will project and will give you the natural sound of your bass. I am truly satisfied with my purchase.

 

[ChrisB2]

The price is not that low, check some of the brand name stuff, you will see they cost around the same ... That's like saying you would rather get a MIM JAzz, because it is $100 less than a MIA. No hate here, I just don't get it.

Your analogy is odd, since earlier you suggest GK as an alternative to Avatar.

Avatar bass cabs use top of the line Eminence drivers, made in USA. GK uses "GK" (??) drivers made in ... Good Ole' Chinee. So, really, it's like saying you'd rather get a MIA Jazz because it is $100 less than a MIM... Yes, I'll take that deal, with an Avatar B410 to play it through, thankyewverymuch.

No hate.

 

[woody357]

Your analogy is odd, since earlier you suggest GK as an alternative to Avatar.

Avatar bass cabs use top of the line Eminence drivers, made in USA. GK uses "GK" (??) drivers made in ... Good Ole' Chinee. So, really, it's like saying you'd rather get a MIA Jazz because it is $100 less than a MIM... Yes, I'll take that deal, with an Avatar B410 to play it through, thankyewverymuch.

No hate.

You may have a point, and by no means am I knocking Avatar, but I have yet to go to a concert and see their stuff as back line for any major act. I guess the big boys have not learned what you know yet. I used GK as a example, there are other brand name stuff in the same price range

 

[Bill Staudt]

You may have a point, and by no means am I knocking Avatar, but I have yet to go to a concert and see their stuff as back line for any major act.

The lack of an AR dept. is one big reason Avatar is so cost affective.

Oh, and
http://avatarspeakers.com/artists.htm

 

[JVbass]

You may have a point, and by no means am I knocking Avatar, but I have yet to go to a concert and see their stuff as back line for any major act. I guess the big boys have not learned what you know yet. I used GK as a example, there are other brand name stuff in the same price range

I don't think this is a valid argument. There are plenty of great brands out there that are not back line for major acts.

 

[woody357]

I don't think this is a valid argument. There are plenty of great brands out there that are not back line for major acts.

I agree there are plenty that are not seen, but no one has yet to show me who uses Avatar, again I am no knocking their stuff. I don't see how you are saving so much money as people keep saying, yes you will not pay Mesa prices, but you are paying other brand name prices, and I haven't seen anything spec. about their stuff to make me want to play the same price. I have used their older Neo stuff. I was in the market and I kept hearing all this good stuff about them so I went and got my cuz and used his 2x12, and 2x10 set up, but I could not get the big bottom with it. They had a nice tone that didn't color my tone, but I just could not get what I wanted. Loud as all heck. So tell me why I would want to spend the same money on their stuff over the tried and proven stuff at the same price.

 

[JVbass]

I agree there are plenty that are not seen, but no one has yet to show me who uses Avatar, again I am no knocking their stuff. I don't see how you are saving so much money as people keep saying, yes you will not pay Mesa prices, but you are paying other brand name prices, and I haven't seen anything spec. about their stuff to make me want to play the same price. I have used their older Neo stuff. I was in the market and I kept hearing all this good stuff about them so I went and got my cuz and used his 2x12, and 2x10 set up, but I could not get the big bottom with it. They had a nice tone that didn't color my tone, but I just could not get what I wanted. Loud as all heck. So tell me why I would want to spend the same money on their stuff over the tried and proven stuff at the same price.

My first post in this thread stated that I chose Avatar not for the price factor. As far as tone is concerned, there are so many more factors than just the cabs - the bass, the amp, gauge of string, etc. Plus, tone is so opinionated - if it wasn't, we wouldn't have so many different companies out there. No one cab is going to be perfect for everyone.

 

[Madcity Fats]

I own the Avatar 212 Neo and it's a fantastic cabinet. Is it the best sounding out there? Probably not. Does Mr. Bass Bigshot Of The Moment play through one? No.

Like the previous poster, price wasn't my primary motivator when I bought the Avatar. I was looking for a good sounding cab that wouldn't weigh a ton and I wanted 4 ohms without having to run two cabs. Although I bought the cab without first auditioning it, it more than met my expectations.

I also like the fact they're built in the US (both the cabs and the speakers). The cabinet construction is second to none in my experience. When I called to order mine, Dave (the owner) answered the phone himself. We chatted for awhile about which tolex color was coolest while I made up my mind on that option (I went with red). That's a level of service that really means something to me in this day and age where lousy customer service seems to be the norm.

And as far as cost goes ... well, anyone who thinks you can get a "name brand" of the same quality for only a few bucks more, I'd like to know where you do your gear shopping. Last I checked, the Avatar including shipping will cost you less than half of what the comparable Genz cab costs before you factor in shipping. Seriously, what am I missing here?

My only advice is that you might want to reconsider running your amp into a 2 ohm load. I know it can handle it and that you'll technically be getting the most out of your amp that way, but many heads will only run at 4 or 8 ohms. So if you find yourself shopping for a new head one day but want to keep your cabs, your options may be limited. YMMV, of course, but I run a Markbass LMIII (500 watts) into a single 4 ohm 212 and get all the output I need with headroom to spare. I would think running the GBE750 into a 210 + 212 at 4 ohms you'd be all set unless you're playing some huge venues. Just a thought.

 

[woody357]

I own the Avatar 212 Neo and it's a fantastic cabinet. Is it the best sounding out there? Probably not. Does Mr. Bass Bigshot Of The Moment play through one? No.

Like the previous poster, price wasn't my primary motivator when I bought the Avatar. I was looking for a good sounding cab that wouldn't weigh a ton and I wanted 4 ohms without having to run two cabs. Although I bought the cab without first auditioning it, it more than met my expectations.

I also like the fact they're built in the US (both the cabs and the speakers). The cabinet construction is second to none in my experience. When I called to order mine, Dave (the owner) answered the phone himself. We chatted for awhile about which tolex color was coolest while I made up my mind on that option (I went with red). That's a level of service that really means something to me in this day and age where lousy customer service seems to be the norm.

And as far as cost goes ... well, anyone who thinks you can get a "name brand" of the same quality for only a few bucks more, I'd like to know where you do your gear shopping. Last I checked, the Avatar including shipping will cost you less than half of what the comparable Genz cab costs before you factor in shipping. Seriously, what am I missing here?

.

I agree it is nice to be able to talk to someone when you need help with their product, even nicer to talk to the owner of the Co. I take it from your post that you equate Avatar to GB, now that says a lot, and yes if you are looking to buy a GB you will save a lot on the Avatar, but there are other brands that are very good that don't cost as much as GB. I have always liked GB stuff, but Avatar, that's bit much.

 

[Madcity Fats]

I agree it is nice to be able to talk to someone when you need help with their product, even nicer to talk to the owner of the Co. I take it from your post that you equate Avatar to GB, now that says a lot, and yes if you are looking to buy a GB you will save a lot on the Avatar, but there are other brands that are very good that don't cost as much as GB.

Actually my reply is based on my misreading your earlier post. You suggested GK and for some reason I read it as GB. Apologies for the confusion.

I've actually never played through a Genz cab, so I can't offer a comparison. I can say that I like the sound I get from my Avatar 212 more than I liked any of the numerous SWR cabs I've owned. But none of those was a 2x12 config, so it's sort of an apples to oranges comparison.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

The price is not that low, check some of the brand name stuff, you will see they cost around the same. When they first came out yes the price was low, but when you add everything up you really don't save much, what $20-40. That's like saying you would rather get a MIM JAzz, because it is $100 less than a MIA. No hate here, I just don't get it.

Avatar B212 is 437$ shipped.

GK Neo is 569$ shipped (musiciansfriend ... let me know if it's cheaper elsewhere)

That's a significant difference for someone on a budget.