How good are the Genzler Bass array cabs?

[Nebadon2000]

I am sure the BA series[all sizes]is still a great choice and competitive with any Cabinet in it's range now

But this New BA2-410-3 does sound Fantastic with Nate playing through it
From Genzler Website;

 

[ad9000]

I am very interested in the BA 410-3 also. However, I have a reservation based on playing through a BA 15-3 in my local store (the 15-3 was the only Bass Array model they had in stock). I am not a fan of high frequency drivers in most modern bass cabs, which are far too harsh and metallic for my taste - I usually end up turning the tweeter level controls down almost entirely. I thought the high end on the 15-3 was about the sweetest and most musical I've ever heard, and the dispersion was amazing. However, I did also hear quite a bit of midrange coloration. I was just curious if anybody else has found this to be the case, and if so, if it is limited to the 15-3 or present with the other models as well.

I was playing a Rock 'n Roll Relics P-bass clone the store had thru a Genzler Magellan 350 head, controls set flat and on the clean channel and blue LED contour selection. I expected to hear a very neutral midrange character out of that setup - I know "neutral" is subjective, but I own a Magellan 800, and with it set as described above it is pretty much that way with my other cabinets (various Bergantino and EA's). I may not set the controls flat in a gig situation, but my m.o. with a rig that is more on the hi-fi side is to at least use that as a starting point.

I can't tell you how wrong I was about the comments in the above post from almost two years ago regarding the midrange. I somehow made my way back to the 15-3 (not long after that post) and I have been a very happy owner of two of them for quite a while now. Just goes to show you should have some real world experience with gear before offering any opinions, although I did offer a caveat of sorts.

Now I have to look into the Series 2 BA cabs..

 

[Djadja]

I’ve been playing the BA12-3 since it was first released - I have one of the first 50 signed versions - and a few years ago I added a BA10-2. My head is a Genzler 800. I recently joined an 11 piece Motown band with horns and feel like I may need to be able to get a little louder than I can with those two. Space in my vehicle is also an issue. But GAS has struck.

I’ve been nothing but thrilled with my cabs. I love the smooth highs and excellent dispersion the array offers. I always put my cabs on some sort of stand to get them closer to my ears and that works fine. When I bought the 12-3, I considered a Barefaced something, a Greenboy, and the Hathor - all excellent cabs. I have never regretted my choice at all.

Back to perhaps needing a little more volume - I waffle between adding another BA12-3, another BA10-2, or looking for something lighter that still sounds good (I heard the GR super light cabs at NAMM and was impressed at that setting and the weight was astounding). The 15 is likely too big for my vehicle, certainly when added to another cab. A 410 is more than I want to schlep even at the reduced weight of the series 2 and likely also too big for my vehicle even by itself. Most likely? If/when I add another cab it will be a BA12-3SLT.

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

I’ve been playing the BA12-3 since it was first released - I have one of the first 50 signed versions - and a few years ago I added a BA10-2. My head is a Genzler 800. I recently joined an 11 piece Motown band with horns and feel like I may need to be able to get a little louder than I can with those two. Space in my vehicle is also an issue. But GAS has struck.

I’ve been nothing but thrilled with my cabs. I love the smooth highs and excellent dispersion the array offers. I always put my cabs on some sort of stand to get them closer to my ears and that works fine. When I bought the 12-3, I considered a Barefaced something, a Greenboy, and the Hathor - all excellent cabs. I have never regretted my choice at all.

Back to perhaps needing a little more volume - I waffle between adding another BA12-3, another BA10-2, or looking for something lighter that still sounds good (I heard the GR super light cabs at NAMM and was impressed at that setting and the weight was astounding). The 15 is likely too big for my vehicle, certainly when added to another cab. A 410 is more than I want to schlep even at the reduced weight of the series 2 and likely also too big for my vehicle even by itself. Most likely? If/when I add another cab it will be a BA12-3SLT.

The BA12-3 SLT is louder than the OG BA12-3 and, may I say, funkier. I imagine that the original would behave better mic'd close, and I prefer it over the SLT in small or reflective spaces. My kids prefer the SLT however every time.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I’ve been playing the BA12-3 since it was first released - I have one of the first 50 signed versions - and a few years ago I added a BA10-2. My head is a Genzler 800. I recently joined an 11 piece Motown band with horns and feel like I may need to be able to get a little louder than I can with those two. Space in my vehicle is also an issue. But GAS has struck.

I’ve been nothing but thrilled with my cabs. I love the smooth highs and excellent dispersion the array offers. I always put my cabs on some sort of stand to get them closer to my ears and that works fine. When I bought the 12-3, I considered a Barefaced something, a Greenboy, and the Hathor - all excellent cabs. I have never regretted my choice at all.

Back to perhaps needing a little more volume - I waffle between adding another BA12-3, another BA10-2, or looking for something lighter that still sounds good (I heard the GR super light cabs at NAMM and was impressed at that setting and the weight was astounding). The 15 is likely too big for my vehicle, certainly when added to another cab. A 410 is more than I want to schlep even at the reduced weight of the series 2 and likely also too big for my vehicle even by itself. Most likely? If/when I add another cab it will be a BA12-3SLT.

Might want to try moving BA10-2 and adding the BA12-3 SLT You are considering might be just enough for Band
[The BA 10 doesn't have fantastic Faital driver that's in the 12's] Of course don't move BA 10 until you have tried 2 12's at Gig.

So only need 2 cab's for gig

 

[Nick Urth]

I'm sure the series 1 cab will not come up short for your needs, and getting those at a little reduced cost at this transitition time may help some players.
As I've mentioned, those are still premier cabs in the market. The Series 2, allows us to continue producing these cabs within their current price range and with some updated advantages going forward. Nothing at all wrong with these original cabs.
Thank you very much for using our gear.

Thanks so much Jeff! I'm loving the fidelity of this cabinet. However, as I've been putting it through the paces at higher/love type volumes, I've been getting a bit of grill noise and vibration/hum coming from some low frequencies. It's hooked up to one channel of a mesa subway 800d which should perfectly match it power wise (400 watts at 8 ohms), so it's not overpowered. I'm not using the "deep" boost on the amp or have bass frequencies boosted either. Although it's a louder volume I wouldn't expect any distortion from these levels. I tightened the screws on the grill and the two on the top and bottom that look to connect to the grill tightly and that helped some of the midrange frequency hum, but I'm still getting some vibration on the low E and F that is coming out of the cabinet. It is a floor model that sounded great at modest levels, but I'm concerned getting this noise. It doesn't sound "blown" from a classic sense because a low G at the same volume sounds fine. I'm calling the retailer tomorrow to discuss.

Do you have any thoughts or recommendations for this Jeff? I suppose it could be the grill but I've tightened the screws already and still getting a vibration out of it. I otherwise love the cab and would hate to return it, but I also expect this thing to be a tank and offer the killer clarity through it's full range of capabilities.

Thank you Jeff I appreciate your time. It's awesome that you are on here to answer questions.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Thanks so much Jeff! I'm loving the fidelity of this cabinet. However, as I've been putting it through the paces at higher/love type volumes, I've been getting a bit of grill noise and vibration/hum coming from some low frequencies. It's hooked up to one channel of a mesa subway 800d which should perfectly match it power wise (400 watts at 8 ohms), so it's not overpowered. I'm not using the "deep" boost on the amp or have bass frequencies boosted either. Although it's a louder volume I wouldn't expect any distortion from these levels. I tightened the screws on the grill and the two on the top and bottom that look to connect to the grill tightly and that helped some of the midrange frequency hum, but I'm still getting some vibration on the low E and F that is coming out of the cabinet. It is a floor model that sounded great at modest levels, but I'm concerned getting this noise. It doesn't sound "blown" from a classic sense because a low G at the same volume sounds fine. I'm calling the retailer tomorrow to discuss.

Do you have any thoughts or recommendations for this Jeff? I suppose it could be the grill but I've tightened the screws already and still getting a vibration out of it. I otherwise love the cab and would hate to return it, but I also expect this thing to be a tank and offer the killer clarity through it's full range of capabilities.

Thank you Jeff I appreciate your time. It's awesome that you are on here to answer questions.

Speaker or handle screws?

 

[Nick Urth]

Thanks I'll try those too. Didn't think about those.

 

[Jeff Genzler]

@Nick Urth ---- sorry to hear of your issue. Please email me and we can make sure to get your issue corrected ASAP. [email protected]

I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Thanks so much Jeff! I'm loving the fidelity of this cabinet. However, as I've been putting it through the paces at higher/love type volumes, I've been getting a bit of grill noise and vibration/hum coming from some low frequencies. It's hooked up to one channel of a mesa subway 800d which should perfectly match it power wise (400 watts at 8 ohms), so it's not overpowered. I'm not using the "deep" boost on the amp or have bass frequencies boosted either. Although it's a louder volume I wouldn't expect any distortion from these levels. I tightened the screws on the grill and the two on the top and bottom that look to connect to the grill tightly and that helped some of the midrange frequency hum, but I'm still getting some vibration on the low E and F that is coming out of the cabinet. It is a floor model that sounded great at modest levels, but I'm concerned getting this noise. It doesn't sound "blown" from a classic sense because a low G at the same volume sounds fine. I'm calling the retailer tomorrow to discuss.

Do you have any thoughts or recommendations for this Jeff? I suppose it could be the grill but I've tightened the screws already and still getting a vibration out of it. I otherwise love the cab and would hate to return it, but I also expect this thing to be a tank and offer the killer clarity through it's full range of capabilities.

Thank you Jeff I appreciate your time. It's awesome that you are on here to answer questions.

Take the cab outside and try it.

Myself and others have had noises that we swore were coming from a cab or sounding like it was blown but it was a small something in the room vibrating.

 

[Nick Urth]

@Nick Urth ---- sorry to hear of your issue. Please email me and we can make sure to get your issue corrected ASAP. [email protected]

I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.

Hi Jeff, thanks so much for the attention to my concern. I tightened up all the screws around the grill and handles (didn't get in the speaker screws) and moved the cab in to a different much larger room. I think that resolved both issues and it seemed to be performing fine. Some of it was the grill vibrating. But also just like Bigbottom (great handle) said that lowest frequency vibration that really seemed to be coming from the cabinet was something in the room or somehow an affect of the setting in the room. So I think I'm all good. I wanted to comment here because i didn't want to leave a bad mark on the reputation of these stellar cabinets. In the large room I was blown away by the clarity the array design provided. I absolutely love it.

I'm out of town this week but am going to test it out again Friday. I believe the issues are all resolved though. Thank you Jeff, I will send you an email as well and will let you know the final verdict Friday. Cheers

 

[PhishPhan22]

So I bought 2 single 15slt array cabs. I
Play jam band music modern day so really we play an push all generas. I’m playing a Spector Euro which idk if it’s me but those basses seem to have so much more lower end on tap. But anyway. I’ve been going back a forth deciding to get rid of one of the 15” for a 2x10 a then running they with the 15”? Or trading both for 4x10. I got to play on a 4x10’lasy night in a show but didn’t get to push it like I’d like but it made my Spector more growl but I did miss the deep punch. So my question is which route you think would suite an is anyone tryin the 2x10 with a single 15” If it’s a combo worth getting like I get growl an cut an then the boom I’m
In I just wonder would I be happier with a 4x10 If I played more metal I wouldn’t mess with my rig at all I feel like these 15” have to be some of best series one or two at covering all the ranges. If I could redo the buying I woulda got 4x10 but the 2x10 plus 15”’
Is interesting

 

[Nick Urth]

Hi Jeff, thanks so much for the attention to my concern. I tightened up all the screws around the grill and handles (didn't get in the speaker screws) and moved the cab in to a different much larger room. I think that resolved both issues and it seemed to be performing fine. Some of it was the grill vibrating. But also just like Bigbottom (great handle) said that lowest frequency vibration that really seemed to be coming from the cabinet was something in the room or somehow an affect of the setting in the room. So I think I'm all good. I wanted to comment here because i didn't want to leave a bad mark on the reputation of these stellar cabinets. In the large room I was blown away by the clarity the array design provided. I absolutely love it.

I'm out of town this week but am going to test it out again Friday. I believe the issues are all resolved though. Thank you Jeff, I will send you an email as well and will let you know the final verdict Friday. Cheers

Hi folks, I just wanted to follow up that this cabinet is all good and has been an absolute dream to gig with over the past few months. Sorry for the delay, I did notify Jeff Genzler, the man himself, who was kind enough to reach out directly. I haven't had any issues and the vibrations I was hearing at high volumes were coming from vibrations in the room or remedied by tightening the grill screws.

Myself and bandmates have very much appreciated its reliable clarity in many different settings. It even produces great stage volume on outdoor stages as well. The tone of the Mesa Subway D800+ combined with the range and precision of the Genzler BA115 is an awesome combination that produces stunning fidelity.

 

[DJ Bebop]

The tone of the Mesa Subway D800+ combined with the range and precision of the Genzler BA115 is an awesome combination that produces stunning fidelity.

That makes sense with what I believe to be the same designer-engineer, had his foot in both.

 

[bobyoung53]

OK, has anyone tried an A/B comparison between the BA2-12-3 and the BA2-410-3 cabs? Same sized cab, thought maybe the 212 cab would have more mids, curious as I'm leaning toward the 410 cab but just saw the 212 cab and wanted to see what people think. I'll be pairing this with an SVT head.

 

[rodl2005]

I am sure the BA series[all sizes]is still a great choice and competitive with any Cabinet in it's range now

But this New BA2-410-3 does sound Fantastic with Nate playing through it
From Genzler Website;

Whooo! This dude can play alright

Love to try any of the range, but a BA115 for sure

 

[RasJay]

My BA2-212-3 just arrived yesterday. I am comparing to my first gen Genzler 2x10 and 1x15 Bass Array stack. A quick sound test by my self I noticed more pronounced mids and less low end with the 2x12. Both stacks have great high end articulation. I am using a GK Fusion S and Spector Euro. Also take note that the 2x12 is 4ohm when pairing with other cabs. I personally would not be spending these amounts of dollars if I need not think the cabs are worth it.

I have two practices this weekend with two different bands and can report back later. My expectation is I may sell my 2x10 and 1x15 Bass arrays (Las Vegas NV), for no other reason that just doing something different very couple of years. PM if anyone if interested.

I ordered my BA2-212-3 from Barnett Music Exchange in Tulsa and called their shop with some questions due to shipping the "Brand New" cab with no original box or packaging. . Then they had Jeff call me directly to confirm it was a new item just 3 weeks old.

 

[RasJay]

OK, has anyone tried an A/B comparison between the BA2-12-3 and the BA2-410-3 cabs? Same sized cab, thought maybe the 212 cab would have more mids, curious as I'm leaning toward the 410 cab but just saw the 212 cab and wanted to see what people think. I'll be pairing this with an SVT head.

Jeff Genzler told me on the phone this week that the 4x10 cab has more mids than the 2x12. I have not played the 4x10, but I told Jeff the 2x12 I just got has more pronounced mids than my current 2x10 on 1x15 setup. Jeff has also expressed to me a couple of times over the last few years that the array is tuned a little different for each model cab.

I practiced last night with my power metal style band which has marshall and mesa guitar combos. The Bass Array 2x12 has some good mids and less low end. However the low end sounded tight.

 

[bottomzone]

I have one of the BA 410 cabs…and absolutely love it! It’s compact, lightweight and packs plenty of punch! I have owned Eden, SWR, Hartke, EA and Mesa in the past, and I'd take the Genzler over all of them at this point. Since I guess my band is old school we use monitors on stage but typically try and run only vocals through them and only add instruments/kick drum when we must. That said our amps carry the stage volume and we always have PA support. We don't play the biggest stages out there but with the array system of the 410 I'm able to move around the stage and still hear myself very clearly, definitely better than a traditional 410 cab. I've been playing the same rooms for several years now and can hear the difference. Guitar/BL and drummer both love it too...they always hear plenty of bass. The 3" drivers add plenty of upper mid/top end without being as 'harsh' as a tweeter loaded cab to my ears. If you like a 'glassy' slap tone this cab can pull it off, you just have to EQ for it. It can get plenty of deep too. I also run the MG 800 head and always have plenty of volume with lots in reserve. All that to say, the BA 410 is a great single cab solution....it gets my vote......YMMV.

View attachment 4345554

Yeah, sweet TL5! The Bass Array cabs are intriguing!

 

[RasJay]

Now that I have had the 2x12 for quite awhile, I need tor make a correction to my post from last year. The 2x10 and 1x15 setup does have more mids than the 2x12 alone. The cabs respond to different heads. My GK Fusions S 800 EQ and features are so versatile that I can get a lot out of either setup.

I recently bought a new Ashdown CTM-15 to try something different. It is limited on low end with its passive EQ and being only 15watts with EL84 power tubes. It does sound different through each cab. I really like it in the 1x15 as that cab gives it some lows. Sounds vintage.

I played the Ashdown at a rehearsal studio last week to see if it could hold up with two guitar players. It short, it was pretty loud and fun. I played my Bass Array 2x12 against the studios Ampeg 810e and the guitar players used 5150's.

The 810e had a lot of mids and not too much low end with the Ashdown, but sounded awesome. The 2x12 surprisingly had more low end than the Ampeg and more lower mids, and also sounded awesome, and just as loud.

I would say the 2x10 with 1x15 together sounds more traditional, and the 2x12 cabinet sounds more modern. I prefer the former with the Ashdown and the ladder with my GK Fusion S (this head has low "bump" that delivers a lot of tight low end to the 12"s...and kinda too boomy with the 15).