GK Neo 112 Stack vs GK Neo 410: Opinions?

[JanusZarate]

Several years ago, I owned a Gallien-Krueger Neo 212 (first gen) that I used for rock and metal gigs. Eventually, I traded it for a Neo 410, finding it to be a bit more suited to my style with its rounder sound. I've been using the 410 ever since, primarily with a GK MB Fusion. I love the combo.

Presently, I'm in an odd dilemma. I've been considering a Neo 112-II to pair with my GK MB Fusion as a portable practice/gig rig. It had me thinking: what if, instead of just one, I get a pair and replace my Neo 410 altogether? It would give me modular flexibility for home and the stage. Music-wise, I'm still playing progressive rock, metal, post-punk/new wave, etc. - usually with one or two guitarists, multiple vocalists, a drummer, and a few less conventional instruments (cello, keys, hand percussion, etc.).

I'm wondering if anyone has made a switch like this and what they thought of it.

I'm particularly interested in the volume/headroom comparison, as well as low end (if prior experience serves me right, my old Neo 212 had a more prominent midrange than the 410, but I don't know how a pair of 1x12s will compare in terms of low end). Power-wise, a 112 stack seems better matched to my head, too - 250W per 300W cab instead of 350W for an 800W 4x10.

Ideally, I'd like to maintain a similar potential of volume, clarity, and low end when I use the stack. Am I being unrealistic, or will these two independently boxed 12" speakers compare favorably in this way to their 4x10 cousin?

 

[SunnBass]

I will tell you this: GK's 10 inch neo cabs are voiced lower than their 12's.

 

[eriky4003]

Janus,
If you do buy two 8 ohm 112s, then you will be able to use the full 500 watts from the amp. There is a lot of love for the GK Neo 112s on this forum but you will lose a lot of speaker (4x10 vs 2x12) with this switch but, alternatively, I bet if you stack the speakers horizontally they will be closer to your ear and may provide better clarity over a 4x10 on the ground.

 

[tombowlus]

I have a Neo410, as well as two Neo112-II's (and a Neo212-II), and I prefer the more balanced tone profile of the two Neo112-II's. The Neo410 gets a little deeper, but doesn't speak as strongly through the mids. Both are good options, and it's really a matter of personal preference.

 

[DWBass]

You won't lose much, if any volume using 2 Neo112's. You will have a lot of punch. It's different sounding. That's the only thing I had to get used to coming from 10's.

 

[Chef]

TomB nailed it.

The 410 is tuned lower; which makes it feel mid scooped.

The 2x112 stack is great and something I use a lot; but, it won't have the deep low end heft the 410 does. So; if that's a mission critical part of your sound, the 112's aren't for you. the 212's either, for that matter.
For me, the more balanced tuning of the GK 12 loaded cabs is more my thang.

 

[JanusZarate]

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!

I figured it would come down to tone more than any other factor, and that's rather reassuring. Now I just need to track down at least one Neo 112-II to demo. I haven't played through 12" speakers in a few years, and my ears could use a refresher.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Two 12s are the new 4x10. Easier to carry, more versatile, almost as loud.

 

[JanusZarate]

I will be skipping the "demo" phase - sort of. I just scored an excellent deal on a Neo 112-II. If I like it enough, a second one is in my future.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I just got a Revsound 2x12, and love it. Almost as small as a 2x10, almost as powerful as a 4x10.

 

[JanusZarate]

Update - after a few weeks of my new Neo 112-II being confined to an apartment at extremely low volume use (a genuine challenge when you're driving it with an MB Fusion), I finally had a chance to test it at rehearsal volumes in a folk metal setting.

My tiny little rig was up against:

• One guitarist with an elevated Mesa combo and Line 6 effects rack
• One miked vocalist
• One miked acoustic mandolin (played by the vocalist)
• One hand drummer with miked drums
• One kit drummer

The Neo 112-II held its own without needing to crank the amp.

I should be receiving my second Neo 112-II next Monday, and running the stack for rehearsal that Wednesday.

 

[JanusZarate]

Awwww yeah.

Lefty EBMM StingRay, GK MB Fusion, and a stack of Neo 112-II cabs (the second one arrived last night).

 

[eriky4003]

Nice.
Thoughts on the difference between this rig and the old 4x10?

 

[JanusZarate]

Nice.
Thoughts on the difference between this rig and the old 4x10?

I haven't had an opportunity to test this stack in a rehearsal setting just yet, but I have quite a bit of gig experience with the first-gen Neo 212 and Neo 410. I owned both simultaneously at one point.

Generally, the Neo 410 has less midrange presence and greater lower frequency depth than the Neo 212. Sometimes it delivered a bit too much low end; in certain venues, I found myself rolling back the bass more than usual to avoid unwanted boom. Still, it was easily managed, and it remained my cab of choice for the last 6 years or so.

The Neo 212, by comparison, was more balanced - more in the midrange, a bit tighter in the lows, not as deep. The Neo 112-II seems very similar to its bigger brother so far, which is what I was hoping for.

I'll have a better idea of how this stack compares performance-wise in the next few weeks, with rehearsals and a gig coming up soon. So far a single Neo 112-II held up nicely for rehearsal. I look forward to pushing things harder with a pair of them.

 

[JanusZarate]

Rehearsal report: I played with the full band lineup last night, which was the same as the last one plus our bagpipe/flute player (who doubles as a supporting vocalist). Six musicians in a folk metal setting.

I brought my MB Fusion and the pair of Neo 112 cabs, stacking them vertically for the sake of clarity. I had a nice full tone and plenty of volume on tap, especially when I engaged the second channel for some overdriven grind.

My rig quest has concluded once more... for now. Now I can return to shopping for basses.