Anybody pull the trigger or get a chance to play one of these new Genz Focus 410's yet? Kind of interested in going back to a ceramic 410 and the weight of these makes me even more intrigued.
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Genz Benz Focus FCS-410T
- Thread starter rmars
- Start date
- Mar 8, 2011
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
I played one at the Genz factory a month or so ago...they are light...Heck, I thought it sounded really good 
Thanks for your reply!I played one at the Genz factory a month or so ago...they are light...Heck, I thought it sounded really good
How'd you compare it to an Uber 410?
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
I have an Uber 410 and an Uber 212...pretty stellar cabs. Not sure how helpful I can be, but I'll try.
I told Jeff Genzler in advance that I wanted to try a Streamliner 900 (I own a ShuttleMax 12.0). For electric bass that Streamliner was pretty dang great. At first I plugged a passive jazz into the Streamliner 900 into two Uber 1288 UberQuads. I was curious about the 1288's for upright and they are very good, for sure.
Next, I wanted to try a Shuttlemax 12.2 to see how different they were from my 12.0. They are a little different, but not different enough for me to dump my 12.0. It's still a great amp. We plugged the 12.2 into a Focus 410 on top of a Focus 15...sounded like a Genz to me I personally liked the 410 more than the 15 in that case.
Then we Plugged into a couple of those new lower priced combos (Contours?). They also sounded like Genz to me, which is a very good thing. I preferred the 115 combo over the 210 in this case...nothing scientific...just went with my ears. I thought they sounded great and I'm shocked Genz would be able to get that sound from such a budget priced rig.
The last thing I did was plug my upright to A/B a ShuttleMax 9.2 against my 12.0 into my Uber 410 cab. I was a bit bummed to find I liked the 9.2 just a little more, but that may be that the 9.2 was better suited to a single 4 Ohm cab than the 12.0
If I had it to do all over again, I would've just gotten a 9.2 and an Uber 810 for the big gigs, and a 1288 for upright. Uber 15's are pretty rad too.
The single must have piece I walked away wanting was the Streamliner 900...beautiful sounding amplifier. If I weren't an endorser, I'd seriously consider the new lower priced stuff...sounded great to me.
That help at all?
I told Jeff Genzler in advance that I wanted to try a Streamliner 900 (I own a ShuttleMax 12.0). For electric bass that Streamliner was pretty dang great. At first I plugged a passive jazz into the Streamliner 900 into two Uber 1288 UberQuads. I was curious about the 1288's for upright and they are very good, for sure.
Next, I wanted to try a Shuttlemax 12.2 to see how different they were from my 12.0. They are a little different, but not different enough for me to dump my 12.0. It's still a great amp. We plugged the 12.2 into a Focus 410 on top of a Focus 15...sounded like a Genz to me
I personally liked the 410 more than the 15 in that case.Then we Plugged into a couple of those new lower priced combos (Contours?). They also sounded like Genz to me, which is a very good thing. I preferred the 115 combo over the 210 in this case...nothing scientific...just went with my ears. I thought they sounded great and I'm shocked Genz would be able to get that sound from such a budget priced rig.
The last thing I did was plug my upright to A/B a ShuttleMax 9.2 against my 12.0 into my Uber 410 cab. I was a bit bummed to find I liked the 9.2 just a little more, but that may be that the 9.2 was better suited to a single 4 Ohm cab than the 12.0
If I had it to do all over again, I would've just gotten a 9.2 and an Uber 810 for the big gigs, and a 1288 for upright. Uber 15's are pretty rad too.
The single must have piece I walked away wanting was the Streamliner 900...beautiful sounding amplifier. If I weren't an endorser, I'd seriously consider the new lower priced stuff...sounded great to me.
That help at all?
Yes and no... Yes on the cabs but now you got me thinking about a new amp!
Seriously though, thanks for taking the time to give me your opinion.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
The Streamliner isn't a good amp... it's a life-changing amp.
What I'm gonna be very curious about is the Focus 410 versus the 410T-XB3 I bought only four months ago. The Focus is listed at around 65 pounds, while the 410T-XB3 is 79. Seventy-nine isn't bad for ceramic and the XB3 has removable casters, though I'm finding the top handles not ideal for loading the cab in and out of my car backseat (my only option for transport). I prefer side handles, like the Focus has.
From what I've read, the Focus 410 will sound a bit airier than the XB3. A Genz-Benz engineer here on TB described the Focus' sound as a hybrid between neo and ceramic. I adore the XB3's classic tone... remains to be seen for me how close the Focus comes. If it comes close, I can feel a major G.A.S. attack coming on.
I have played through most of the Focus line and most of the rest with a few A/B's left to test out. I like the Focus 410's quite a bit. The Genz Benz Signature was apparent in all the cabs. I have favored the 12's as I usually do and the 410. The sound if the drivers IMO have an attack characteristic, the overall roundness, a nice and "crispy" snap, while holding a nice tight lowend 
I need to play the 410 by itself with a drummer to give a better review, but with the 210 Contour and the Focus 115 (instant booty) it was perfect. I had the rig stacked, and with the 210 being a diagonal configuration the projection was fantastic. I never had a problem hearing my tone. I just picked up the Contour 210 Extension cab and will try that out next. then the 410 Focus, then the Neox212 next to the Uber212... got to know the line like I know my bass
I need to play the 410 by itself with a drummer to give a better review, but with the 210 Contour and the Focus 115 (instant booty) it was perfect. I had the rig stacked, and with the 210 being a diagonal configuration the projection was fantastic. I never had a problem hearing my tone. I just picked up the Contour 210 Extension cab and will try that out next. then the 410 Focus, then the Neox212 next to the Uber212... got to know the line like I know my bass 
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
I made a thread with the info on the Focus cabs
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/new-genz-benz-focus-cabs-new-lightweight-855390/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/new-genz-benz-focus-cabs-new-lightweight-855390/
Thanks... Still wondering where they're made. The question has been asked in a few different threads and, to my knowledge, no answer.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
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- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
When I was at the factory recently, I saw a bunch of raw boxes...I assumed they were made right there in Scottsdale as well
If these cabs are US-made at this price point, on top of all the other goodness about them, I'm just picking my jaw up off the floor.
Don't have time to search for it at the moment but I believe someone in another thread posted that Genz was going to Faital (Italian made) drivers exclusively.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,058
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Sorry guys, I missed this question.
The Focus cabinets are designed, engineered and inspected here in the states, manufactured in China by a vendor that we have a 25 year relationship with. They manufacture both the drivers and the cabinetry in an ISO 9001 level facility to our performance and quality control specifications.
ISO 9001. I was doing soldering for a company in Orlando that made harnesses for warplanes. They were so happy when they got their ISO. I was just making sure the solder had no pits and junk.
Now back to the cabs!!! I am interested in hearing these.
Now back to the cabs!!! I am interested in hearing these.
Thanks doooode!
How's AZ treating you?
Let us know what you think of the 410... asap . my GAS stinks too much
M
Hey Mo,
AZ has been an easy transition its very much like SoCal just at half speed and 1/3 the population. I have already found a gigging band to play in playing bass for Grant Fergusen a really pro melodic guitar player. I will get to the 410 ASAP.
Your GAS is stinky...especially in a hot wood shop.
