OK, I pulled the trigger today on 210 and a 115. Am very psyched. The cabs should arrive early to mid next week.
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Genz Benz Focus FCS-410T
- Thread starter rmars
- Start date
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
They come Monday! (For some reason, UPS *never* arrives at my house till early evening.) Will give a review.
The 210 arrived yesterday. The 115 lagged behind in shipment for some reason and will be here tomorrow (Wednesday). I played through the 210 with my Streamliner 900 yesterday but will wait for the 115 to post a review of the full stack.
Both cabs are now in my house. Sad for me, I am buried by my day job and may not get to a proper run-through and review until Saturday. I also plan to gig with the 115 Saturday night. (I normally wouldn't go 115 only, but some special weird circumstances at that venue.)
The only things I can say from a quick test just now are: 1. Wow. Very promising. I can't wait to really put the rig through its paces. 2. I can't do that in my usual home practice space. Room can't handle it! (See repoman's earlier post.) Also, the cabs are really light.
Hopefully on Saturday or sooner, I can do an A/B between the new cabs and my 410T-XB3 (which is for sale, if you live in my neck of the woods): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f127/...6-months-old-like-new-n-carolina-area-863664/
The only things I can say from a quick test just now are: 1. Wow. Very promising. I can't wait to really put the rig through its paces. 2. I can't do that in my usual home practice space. Room can't handle it! (See repoman's earlier post.) Also, the cabs are really light.
Hopefully on Saturday or sooner, I can do an A/B between the new cabs and my 410T-XB3 (which is for sale, if you live in my neck of the woods): http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f127/...6-months-old-like-new-n-carolina-area-863664/
I'm still a couple of days away from a proper run-through, but I've played through it enough already to know what I've got here: Exactly what I was looking for. Just as others have described in a few different threads, the sonic feel is something between the "airy-ness" of neodymium and the darker, more traditional shades associated with ceramic. Crisp at the high end, deep thump. I find the sound extremely appealing.
I should say part of my happiness is from the 210/115 configuration, which I haven't used in four or five years and which I've come to believe is the perfect setup for me.
That aside, these cabs sound fantastic so far -- and at this price and weight? Everything looks and feels high quality. Except maybe the tweeter switch on the back, which feels a bit imprecise to the touch. (Some might quibble with the three-position tweeter setting -- off, on, minus 6dB -- but that's enough for me.)
Preliminary review: Thumbs up, way up.
I should say part of my happiness is from the 210/115 configuration, which I haven't used in four or five years and which I've come to believe is the perfect setup for me.
That aside, these cabs sound fantastic so far -- and at this price and weight? Everything looks and feels high quality. Except maybe the tweeter switch on the back, which feels a bit imprecise to the touch. (Some might quibble with the three-position tweeter setting -- off, on, minus 6dB -- but that's enough for me.)
Preliminary review: Thumbs up, way up.
Does Larry have measurements already to make Focus covers, or did you provide measurements for your 410?
I did provide the measurement as I did for the NEOX212+210
I sent him a drawing of the cab with meas.
M
Ah that cab really stays on my mind. Last summer I went into a local Houston music store to check out the UBER cabs, 410/212. I saw the XB-3 and plugged into it with a STM-600 they had. I really dug that 410; better than the UBERs for me. And I played thru it with a Am St P5 just like mine, so I got to hear what I'd hear at home. I bought a Streamliner 900 soon after; online music store.
But man, sales-dude would not haggle down another $50-100 bucks for me to take it right then. So I left to look online for one, prices were worse there. I ended up buying a used UL410-II from a TBer. Then found a new-B-stock UL410-II on Yee-bay for a very good price. It only had a slight ding in the grill, all new otherwise.
But I'd see threads or FS ads of the XB-3 and think, man I'ma get one of them one day. Never found a good deal on one since. I already owned 2x NeoX 212Ts, a 112T, a TB153, 2x TC-RS210's, a Eden D210T and those two UL cabs.
But I got all gassy just now reading of that XB-3 here again. Guess I should prolly sell off a couple cabs and start looking for one. But now those Focus cabs have caught my eye. More (gig) reviews please.
But man, sales-dude would not haggle down another $50-100 bucks for me to take it right then. So I left to look online for one, prices were worse there. I ended up buying a used UL410-II from a TBer. Then found a new-B-stock UL410-II on Yee-bay for a very good price. It only had a slight ding in the grill, all new otherwise.
But I'd see threads or FS ads of the XB-3 and think, man I'ma get one of them one day. Never found a good deal on one since. I already owned 2x NeoX 212Ts, a 112T, a TB153, 2x TC-RS210's, a Eden D210T and those two UL cabs.
But I got all gassy just now reading of that XB-3 here again. Guess I should prolly sell off a couple cabs and start looking for one. But now those Focus cabs have caught my eye. More (gig) reviews please.
I got called for a sudden gig recently and the wife had my Honda Pilot, usually use that ride for my gigs so gear stays out of sight in rear cargo area. And its a breeze to load in/out of that cargo area.
So I had to stuff a NeoX 212T in the backseat of my four door Toyota Tacoma P'up. Light rainfall kept me from just tossing it in the trucks' bed.
So I just lifted the 212T by its' ears, put a knee into its' side and slid it into the backseat easily. I really like the design of these Neox 212T cabs, they are my easiest cabs to load into my vehicles. Once I hoist them up sideways, I flip it on its' back and let the built in casters do the work as I push the cab in place. I'd imagine you could do the same to your XB-3, not sure. Tho at just over 50lbs, these are much lighter than the 79lbs of your XB-3 and the cab's shape helps alot.
Too bad you're not closer, I'd love to swap you a UL410 or something of mine for that XB-3. Oh well, good luck and keep us posted on those Focus cabs' performance please.
So I had to stuff a NeoX 212T in the backseat of my four door Toyota Tacoma P'up. Light rainfall kept me from just tossing it in the trucks' bed.
So I just lifted the 212T by its' ears, put a knee into its' side and slid it into the backseat easily. I really like the design of these Neox 212T cabs, they are my easiest cabs to load into my vehicles. Once I hoist them up sideways, I flip it on its' back and let the built in casters do the work as I push the cab in place. I'd imagine you could do the same to your XB-3, not sure. Tho at just over 50lbs, these are much lighter than the 79lbs of your XB-3 and the cab's shape helps alot.
Too bad you're not closer, I'd love to swap you a UL410 or something of mine for that XB-3. Oh well, good luck and keep us posted on those Focus cabs' performance please.
Its a shame everybody is so weight obsessed these days... these XB series are freakin out of this world cabs. LOVE LOVE LOVE my XB2 610
XB-2 610 cab has been on my "Gear-dar" for some time too. I'm a old fart but the way many say, its actually easier to move a single 610 than a couple 410's has me gassin for a 610 cab. Well at least faster; as in a single trip. 
'Course a lighter 610 cab wouldn't hoit.
I rarely haul my two UL410's just cuse they are bulky to move around, not so much heavy. I usually take my two Neox 212T's when I gotta bring the heat.
But a nice 610 would be well....nice....maybe.
I sorta passed on a local trade deal of a Mesa Powerhouse 610 for one of my UL410's + LMII. I think he also offered his Kustom amp too; don't really need that. Tho his cab was pretty beatup, my cab is in like new cond. He offered to have his recovered before our trade. Great! Still kinda waiting to hear the final say on that deal. No recent correspondence.
But its a heavy mother of a cab for what I'm looking for. And I think he's a TBer looking to trade it here now. I can understand, he just wants to move it out for a lighter cab, that's cool. I'm kinda re-thinking the whole 610 thing. But again a smaller/lighter 610 would be pretty cool.
Sorry, thinking out loud now.
'Course a lighter 610 cab wouldn't hoit.
I rarely haul my two UL410's just cuse they are bulky to move around, not so much heavy. I usually take my two Neox 212T's when I gotta bring the heat.
But a nice 610 would be well....nice....maybe.
I sorta passed on a local trade deal of a Mesa Powerhouse 610 for one of my UL410's + LMII. I think he also offered his Kustom amp too; don't really need that. Tho his cab was pretty beatup, my cab is in like new cond. He offered to have his recovered before our trade. Great! Still kinda waiting to hear the final say on that deal. No recent correspondence.
But its a heavy mother of a cab for what I'm looking for. And I think he's a TBer looking to trade it here now. I can understand, he just wants to move it out for a lighter cab, that's cool. I'm kinda re-thinking the whole 610 thing. But again a smaller/lighter 610 would be pretty cool.
Sorry, thinking out loud now.
Maurilio, I ordered covers from Larry. Thanks for the tip... I'm having major second thoughts about selling my 410T-XB3. For reasons not worth boring everyone with, I simply don't want to transport it to gigs, but today I moved it into my home practice space. Maybe I'll sell my Markbass stuff instead. Or maybe I'll keep that too, much like Steve Martin in "The Jerk," pants around my ankles. "I don't need anything... Except this cabinet. And this amp."
Famous last words, but I'm pretty sure I'm done. The combination of the STM-900 and the Focus 210 and 115 is, for me, as close to perfection as I'll ever find. This is my G.A.S-killing rig. I used the full rig last night for the first time. A well-attended private affair in a large, open room. Band that plays rootsy rock, country and soul covers with a few originals. No house system. I used my Yamaha SA-70 hollowbody bass from the late 60s.
I was struck by how much volume I could have gotten out of this system. I was turned pretty low and still worried about being too loud. So much old-school booty and yet clarity too from this rig. And the portability, which is important to me, was incredible. An easy lift of each cabinet out of my Camry back seat, put both on my fold-up cart, and wheel into the gig.
I was struck by how much volume I could have gotten out of this system. I was turned pretty low and still worried about being too loud. So much old-school booty and yet clarity too from this rig. And the portability, which is important to me, was incredible. An easy lift of each cabinet out of my Camry back seat, put both on my fold-up cart, and wheel into the gig.
I didn't have a chance to post a gig review last weekend after taking my new Streamliner 900 and Focus 410 out for a spin.
Short story - the rig sounded great. My cover band played a pseudo reunion gig at a small/medium sized local bar. I ended using my Bongo with the pseudo SVT settings that were posted in the Streamliner EQ thread. Was punchy and clear, with a little grind when I dug in. I heard it most of the night through my in-ears (which came of the DI out) but the last couple songs I played without the in-ears.
I loved the sound. Sounded good through the in-ears, but sounded amazing in the room. I had PA support, but certainly didn't need it - could have easily carried the room with my rig alone. Most importantly, I never felt like the rig was working hard. The Streamliner was dishing out some serious volume and tone, and the Focus easily handled whatever was thrown at it.
Definitely liking the ceramic speakers. My last couple of rigs have been Neo speakers, but going track to ceramic felt and sounded good. Most importantly, whatever magic the folks over at Genz worked up to keep the weight under control was very appreciated at 3AM when we were packing up. The overall looks, feel and quality are top notch, too.
In short - very happy with my new setup. Didn't get any good gig pictures, but took some pictures at home this afternoon.
The new rig:
The rig with my two Music Man basses:
Short story - the rig sounded great. My cover band played a pseudo reunion gig at a small/medium sized local bar. I ended using my Bongo with the pseudo SVT settings that were posted in the Streamliner EQ thread. Was punchy and clear, with a little grind when I dug in. I heard it most of the night through my in-ears (which came of the DI out) but the last couple songs I played without the in-ears.
I loved the sound. Sounded good through the in-ears, but sounded amazing in the room. I had PA support, but certainly didn't need it - could have easily carried the room with my rig alone. Most importantly, I never felt like the rig was working hard. The Streamliner was dishing out some serious volume and tone, and the Focus easily handled whatever was thrown at it.
Definitely liking the ceramic speakers. My last couple of rigs have been Neo speakers, but going track to ceramic felt and sounded good. Most importantly, whatever magic the folks over at Genz worked up to keep the weight under control was very appreciated at 3AM when we were packing up. The overall looks, feel and quality are top notch, too.
In short - very happy with my new setup. Didn't get any good gig pictures, but took some pictures at home this afternoon.
The new rig:
The rig with my two Music Man basses:
