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GENZ BENZ Focus Cabs - New and Lightweight

#121
rmars said:
Ed, if you don't mind, I see on your website that you have Uber 410. As far as overall volume is concerned would you say the Uber is inherently louder?

I just got a Shuttlemax 12.2 that I run thru two 4 ohm Avatar Neo B210's and for some of my louder rock gigs I'm having to crank it a bit more than I thought I would (compared to my old Demeter pre, Crown Marco Tech rig). I'm second guessing myself and thinking I should have gone with the 9.2 and maybe sell my Avatars off and go with 1 Uber or maybe even two Focus 410's.
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I have an Uber 212, not the 410, and because it's a 4ohm cab vs. the Focus 410 at 8ohms, it is inherently louder. As far as your situation, I'm not that familiar with Avatar speakers, I know people like them, and they are considered good for the money, but not having used them, I don't know how they perform. With a Max 12.2 I'd probably want to run two larger 4 ohm loads, 2x210 seems a little small for loud rock gigs. You could do two Focus 410s out of one side of the Max, or separate them I guess. I like the idea of having two power amps, but I myself have been very happy with the Max 9.2.
 
#122
edfriedland said:
2x210 seems a little small for loud rock gigs.
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Thanks for reply Ed, I truly appreciate it!

I've gotten by with my B210's for quite a while but it's starting to be like taking a knife to a gun fight! I'm sure your right. While hauling our small PA around I've been trying to get by with the smallest rig possible but it's amazing how loud a guitarist with two Fender Hot Rod Deluxe's run stereo can be!
 
#124
Fretlessboy said:
My dual Uber210's kick a lot of ass. Try them...they will suprise you
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I'm sure that those are awesome cabs! My only hesitation is that a 210, no matter who the builder, is only physically capable of do so much. While I don't doubt that they are a better made cab my Avatars aren't to shabby and use high quality Eminence drivers. The tonal profile may be better but I just don't know if they would be anymore capable in the volume department. At this point I'm really looking to gain a fair amount of extra headroom so I don't I need to push everything so hard and a stack of Focus 410's (or possibly a 2nd Avatar TB153) would probably care of that!
 
#125
After playing the Genz Contour combo i am finally getting a taste of a 210 again... and they use ceramic MAG speakers.. This amp is LIGHT!!
I started a thread here. I have not had the time to really evaluate it yet since ive been gigging and on the road for a few weeks. Home today and doing errands.. But at least its a start..http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/genz-benz-new-contour-500-combo-series-866797/


Fretlessboy said:
My dual Uber210's kick a lot of ass. Try them...they will suprise you
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#127
My new Focus 115 was delivered on Saturday. I played through it for about 2 hours on Saturday and my initial impression is that it is one very very nice cab! I'll post a pic when I get a chance to do a nice photo.

First visual impression is that it has a real nice build quality. Nothing rattling, solid construction, handles are well placed, it looks good, and it is LIGHT! It actually feels pretty close in weight to one of my Aggie GS112s - but a bit taller and wider.

I set it up with my Shuttle 6.0 and typical settings: bass 2:00, mid freq 8:00, mid 2:00, high at 12:00, low boost engaged, master at 10:00, preamp controls both at 12:00.

I started off with my Fender Jazz and after a few minutes of playing, my first impression was that the cab had an all around smooth response. Nice full lows, although not as bass heavy as some other "15" cabs, nice warm mids, smooth top end with a nice amount of "zing". At that point I realized that I had the tweeter turned off! I engaged the tweeter and that added a very nice amount of extra top end.

I also played my Stingray 5 and 74 Rick through using the same settings. Both sounded really good as well. The low B on the MM5 was solid, not really thunderous at the volume I was using, but the low end feel was there. There were a "few" things rattling in the room for sure.

IMO, this cab really hits home the point that a lot of TBers make about not making generalizations of what a cab sounds like based on speaker size alone. The Focus 115 is really solid across the whole range.

These are first impressions so YMMV.
 
#133
I'm interested in either a Shuttle 12 or the Focus 12, which brought me to this thread. But the topic of feet height and handle clearance prompted me to post this pix.

When I got my Shuttle 6.0 it didn't sit correctly on my Shuttle 210. I also didn't like the idea of a bag so I built a small rack for the 6.0 and used 1/2" tall feet on the bottom. The guys at Genz Benz were nice enough to sell me some corners so it matches quite nicely with the cabinet and it sits perfectly over the handle.

genzheadbottom.jpg


genzhead.jpg
 
#134
blmeier7 said:
Just ordered a Focus 115. If I like it I'll most likely order a second one to run a 2x15 setup with my MB Fusion. Been browsing for a while to pick up a quality 15" cab that is relatively inexpensive and lightweight...this may be it.
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I think you're really going to like it blmeier7. My initial reaction was that it is a really nice cab and the more I play it the more I like it. Very warm mids - and a nice balanced tone overall IMO.
I'm planning to order another and do a 2-15 setup with my Shuttle 6.0, but I ran it with my GK MB200 and it sounds great with the GK head IMO.
 
#135
johnpbass said:
I think you're really going to like it blmeier7. My initial reaction was that it is a really nice cab and the more I play it the more I like it. Very warm mids - and a nice balanced tone overall IMO.
I'm planning to order another and do a 2-15 setup with my Shuttle 6.0, but I ran it with my GK MB200 and it sounds great with the GK head IMO.
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Last week at practice I ran the Focus 115 with the GK MB200 and it sounded really nice. And I agree with you on the mids, they fit well in the mix.

For the price, weight, and tone of the Focus 115 I'm surprised that I'm not hearing more about them on TB.
 
#139
blmeier7 said:
Last week at practice I ran the Focus 115 with the GK MB200 and it sounded really nice. And I agree with you on the mids, they fit well in the mix.

For the price, weight, and tone of the Focus 115 I'm surprised that I'm not hearing more about them on TB.
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I'm even more surprised that the updated Shuttle 6.2/112 combo hasn't generated more buzz. That update takes both the Shuttle 6.2 and that amazing little, lightweight 112 to an entirely new place... much fatter, much punchier, louder, more full, etc. I guess not a cheap date, but man, that is a KILLER update to that combo IMO.
 
#140
After using a 4x10 or 6x10 and larger head for outdoor gigs, I decided to give my new setup a spin. My mesa walkabout with my 2 GB 112 Focus cabs. It was great and one of the sound guys who was a bass player had to move it a bit and freaked out as to how light the cabs were and was asking me all sorts of questions and listening. It worked out great and was a breeze to move.
 

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