Is the new Acoustic BN410 decent?

[father of fires]

So I bought an Acoustic BN210 to use for at home practice...and I like it a lot.

Would I also like the Acoustic BN410?

I feel like ported 10" cabs are a dime a dozen and I'm really just looking for a decent deal on a cab with decent lows.

 

[father of fires]

This post didn't get any love but I figured I'd add a small update. I ran by a GC on my lunch break and tried a BN410 both with and without a BN210.

I've been out of the amp game for a while. I used to use vintage Acoustic, Ampeg, Orange, SWR, GK, Fender, etc. rigs. I used to lust after boutique amps and such. I was very much an amp worshipper.

Then I got a simple rig (Hartke HA 5500 and Mesa Powerhouse 2x15) and was happy for a few years. My bands were on hiatus and I got really into effects so I never gave much thought to my live rig.

So when the GC Acoustic stuff came out I didn't pay it any attention.

Now my bands are getting ready to play some shows and I have found my current rig lacking. I sold the Mesa and I'm looking for a new cab.

And I can't believe it but I almost bought that BN410 in the store today.

But I had to stop myself and wonder what is going on.

Did GC/Acoustic step up their game? Are these actually quality cabinets?

Is anyone gigging them?

 

[bassguyry]

I can't speak to the other Acoustic cabs (410, etc.), but I own two Acoustic BN112s and absolutely love them. I've only had them for about three months or so, but I've put 3-4 gigs on them, along with weekly rehearsals at decent volumes. They have a great thump to 'em, and for the price (GC was selling them for $229/each), I don't see how you beat them. My other rig consists of two Schroeder 1212Ls, which I've had and loved equally for years, but I am definitely quite impressed by these two Acoustic cabs. Time will tell if they're truly road/gig worthy, but I've yet to see any indication that they'll quit anytime soon.

 

[father of fires]

Thanks for the feedback. This doesn't seem to be a popular topic.

I decided to go ahead and order one. It think it goes without saying that there are plenty of awesome cabs I'd rather have but for the money I was really impressed so I ordered one last night.

I'll report back after the next practice.

 

[father of fires]

Now it's time to pick a new amp!!!

 

[father of fires]

So the cabinet came in yesterday and I plugged it in for a few minutes and it sounded great! I played it with my Hartke and Acoustic 2x10 and I was floored.

I'm a pedal guy so I really just needed a good vessel for my sound with plenty of lows.

I'll set an alert on my phone to come back in a year and let you know if it held out. The sound is great but now the test is how reliable it'll be.

 

[AngusHasMoxie]

I think the big con people point out for these cabs are that they are made with plywood or MDF, can't remember which. Which is to say, they're made with cheap materials, cheaply. Which means they won't last under constant gigging, but fine for a living room amplifier

That being said, I really like their aesthetics.

THAT being said, at that price point, I think it would be hard for me to not shell out a little extra on a used GK or something made with higher-quality materials.

 

[father of fires]

Good points.

I've had nothing but trouble with used gear lately. I always seem to end up with duds.

Buying new for the next little while.

Thanks!

 

[RoadRanger]

I think the big con people point out for these cabs are that they are made with plywood or MDF, can't remember which.

The new line is plywood (the good stuff). The old ones are MDF (heavy).

 

[BrewsterRooster]

I've owned a couple Acoustic combos in the past several years (B100 and B200mkii) and while they were only used for practice and small gigs, I never had an ounce of trouble with either one. Strong little amps with some good tonal flexibility. My only complaint might be that both were a little on the heavy side, but I'm still standing.

I tried a 410/115 stack with a 300W Acoustic head at a GC a couple years back, just for my own edification, and I came away feeling about like you described. If I'd have been in the market for an affordable stack right then, I might have been inclined to pick it all up. I had one of my Jazzes in the store that day to try it with, and I liked how they worked together.

Acoustic is a budget brand and as such, it's tough to expect all top-shelf content. The stuff I've tried still seems like a pretty solid value.

I like that little stack of BN112s pictured above. I never got to try one of those cabs but always wanted to.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Sorry OP, can't answer your 4x10 question, but I couldn't resist showing off my latest rig; a BN112 being pushed by an Ampeg PF-800. I know, bringing a bazooka to a penknife brawl, but man they sound really good together. Admittedly, I have not gotten a chance to hear it outside the man cave, but for smaller-sized venues it should be decent. The next step would be doing what bassguyry did and add a second 112 for larger places. A review on Musician's Friend by Laurent back in March of this year colored me interested so I picked one up with a 15% discount for only two bills. I see they're now on back order until February. Again, it hasn't left the house, but I'd say it's as well put together as anything else in the price range. Give it an audition.

 

[Mike Guello]

So the cabinet came in yesterday and I plugged it in for a few minutes and it sounded great! I played it with my Hartke and Acoustic 2x10 and I was floored.

I'm a pedal guy so I really just needed a good vessel for my sound with plenty of lows.

I'll set an alert on my phone to come back in a year and let you know if it held out. The sound is great but now the test is how reliable it'll be.

Well, it's been 12 years, what's the verdict?

 

[father of fires]

Well, it's been 12 years, what's the verdict?

Not sure how I missed my alert!

I still have the cab.

I think the 2x10 sounded better. The 4x10 is a little lighter on the low end.

But I use it right now as my home practice cab.

For gigs I broke down and bought another 8x10 and I leave it at the practice space.

 

[Orpheus55]

I just bought a used 210 now for $200 and it is a great cab; good as my Avatars, and lighter

 

[BassmanPaul]

A bit late but there is also the option of a pair of 2x10s.

 

[toprekoms]

What material should they be constructed of?

 

[Mike Guello]

What material should they be constructed of?

It's made of plywood

 

[Mike Guello]

I ended up getting the BN410. For whatever reason they're the same price as the 210 used so why not? I'm pretty happy with it. The drivers have cast frames which usually means good things. As for the tone, it seems a bit on the dark side. This works fine for me because I tend to like a more vintage tone. I'm running a traynor yba-200-2 with it and it sounds great! Nice and punchy with plenty of low end but not muddy. And just enough upper attack. I actually end up rolling the highs and mids back just a little at higher volumes. Being 70 pounds I was expecting it to be a bit hefty but it's dimensions make it easier to carry. As a bonus, it'll tilt back if you remove the rear casters and it's pretty stable in that position!

 

[Downlowsince81]

Acoustic did not cut cost or weight when it comes to the new very well built plywood cabinets. Neo speakers only help lower overall weight. I posted a picture of the rear of the B600C that weighs 72 pounds, even with a class d head. It appears that Acoustic and Kustom use an Indonesian speaker company known as maxo, which makes full range Ceramic/Ferrite and Neo full drivers mostly used for PA equipment. I was unaware of this speaker company until now, and there is no way of knowing what other conpanies use this type,of speaker as a OEM brand.

 

[Downlowsince81]