• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa Boogie PowerHouse 2X10 and 1X12

CH Design

CH Design

Supporting Member
Apr 25, 2007
2,973
2,440
Ottawa, ON
#1
There doesn't seem to be a lot of information on here about Mesa Boogie PowerHouse cabinets (yes, I did a search). I was wondering if anyone could compare these to some of the more popular cabinets currently being discussed on TB. I know their weight is a big turn off for some, but how do they compare in terms of tone to similar cabinets from Bergantino, Epifani, Schroeder, etc? From what I have been able to find, the general consensus seems to be that these are very ballsy cabs with lots of lows that stay nice and tight/punchy. This is what got me thinking about these cabs ...

From the pages of Bass Gear Magazine Issue No. 3 in the Quick Look at the new TecAmp S210 ... "Just for Kicks, I also grabbed a non-neo (and larger) Mesa/Boogie PowerHouse 210 for comparison. The PH210 was the biggest sounding of the lot (referring to the TecAmp S210, EA NL-210 and Berg AE210) - and very beefy - but it remained tight on the low-B, and was actually more clear than the other three through the midrange."

I don't think I've been able to find any negative comments on the tone. It kind of makes me wonder why they aren't a little more popular.
 
#2
Technically, that would be Bass Gear Magazine, but hey, thanks for reading! :smug:

And you are absolutely correct: the PH210 is an extremely good cab, and one of the best 2x10's I have heard. I am a definite fan of Mesa/Boogie gear in general, but the PH210 is a standout even as compared to other cabs in their line. It pairs up extremely well with the PH212.

I'd love to try a PH112 sometime.

Tom.
 
#4
I love 'em.

I just offed my Berg NV425 to get a new Powerhouse 412. I use it with a Titan V12.

>pnws all.

I've had the PH210, PH212, PH115 and now the PH412 and they're all excellent.

Tom is right on with the PH210 also. It's an exceptional cab.

Mesa doesn't get as much "love" b/c they're considered IMO in the Ampeg camp, and mainly thought of as big, backline rock cabs without good tone or articulation. Couldn't be further from the truth.

But with their new clean, crisp, more "hi fi" Carbine heads released, I suspect a lot more people will discover their cabs as well and truly are a "One Stop Shop" for just about anything you could need/want.
 
#6
RickenBoogie said:
They're great cabs, a cut above anything else I've tried out or owned. I've had Powerhouse 210, 410, and 15's, and really the ONLY downside is their weight. But, big heavy cabs make big heavy sounds.
Click to expand...

However their bracing and construction isn't fluff or BS like with other people.

I finally practiced with my new PH412 last night, and with the Berg, with my 4U rack on top of a Gramma pad, the NV would translate so much movement through to the rack where I had my fan on top that it sometimes would fall off or my picks would fall on the ground, etc..

I tried that experiment last night w/ the Boogie and nothing moved a millimeter. When people say ROCK SOLID construction on these new Powerhouses, they aren't kidding. :)
 
#7
RickenBoogie said:
They're great cabs, a cut above anything else I've tried out or owned. I've had Powerhouse 210, 410, and 15's, and really the ONLY downside is their weight. But, big heavy cabs make big heavy sounds.
Click to expand...

What is it that makes them sound big though? Is it a bump in the low mids like Schroeders? Is it a really deep low end like Epifani cabs? And what about the highs? Are they nice and clear, like most modern cabs, or are they a little more old school? I don't have any way to try one out, so I'm just trying to get a better feel for how it compares to some of the cabs I've played through.
 
#8
fretless_guy said:
What is it that makes them sound big though? Is it a bump in the low mids like Schroeders? Is it a really deep low end like Epifani cabs? And what about the highs? Are they nice and clear, like most modern cabs, or are they a little more old school? I don't have any way to try one out, so I'm just trying to get a better feel for how it compares to some of the cabs I've played through.
Click to expand...

Coming from a thicker-sounding, more "vintage" sounding cab like the sealed Berg, this is a lot more aggressive and in your face.

Of course these are not even comparable drivers here (3 10's and a 15 vs. 4 12's) so that's a lot of it.

I would like to see a shootout of the Mesa 412, Berg 412, and Aguilar 412!

But I'll tell you I bought the better cabinet after playing them side by side for about 5 minutes. To be honest, it wasn't even close.
 
#11
I've been a mesa fan for a long time. A couple of years ago, I sold my Mesa gear (M-Pulse 600, PH 212/PH 115) for a similar Eden rig. This year I went back to Mesa. There's a lot to love about Mesa... the tone of course, but I also like the fact that they still manufacture all their gear about 15 miles from where I live. Also, their customer service is unparalleled. One time I took a out of warranty venture combo in due to some strange popping sound on a Friday morning and picked it up that afternoon (had a Fri night gig). They ended up replacing the tubes and one 10" speaker... at no charge. So, I'm a fan!
 
#12
I'm a huge Mesa fan, having recently chucked all my Eden gear for the Fathom (M6 Carbine) and the PH 410. I really love the sound that I get. Deep and aggressive bottom-end and great mid-range on the 4x10. I'm trying to figure out what the second cab should be, and I've been considering the 210. I've only heard good things about it but can't get my hands on one yet... anyone here tried it with the 410?
 
#17
fretless_guy said:
There doesn't seem to be a lot of information on here about Mesa Boogie PowerHouse cabinets (yes, I did a search). I was wondering if anyone could compare these to some of the more popular cabinets currently being discussed on TB. I know their weight is a big turn off for some, but how do they compare in terms of tone to similar cabinets from Bergantino, Epifani, Schroeder, etc? From what I have been able to find, the general consensus seems to be that these are very ballsy cabs with lots of lows that stay nice and tight/punchy. This is what got me thinking about these cabs ...

From the pages of Bass Gear Magazine Issue No. 3 in the Quick Look at the new TecAmp S210 ... "Just for Kicks, I also grabbed a non-neo (and larger) Mesa/Boogie PowerHouse 210 for comparison. The PH210 was the biggest sounding of the lot (referring to the TecAmp S210, EA NL-210 and Berg AE210) - and very beefy - but it remained tight on the low-B, and was actually more clear than the other three through the midrange."

I don't think I've been able to find any negative comments on the tone. It kind of makes me wonder why they aren't a little more popular.
Click to expand...

Fantastic in a word!!! We don't see a lot for sale, because most of us that have MESA PH cabinets keep it!
I use the MESA PH 2x10 & 1x12 with a Fathom M6....
I use either cabinet on it's own for smaller gigs, studio,etc. The cabinets handle a Low B indiviudally with no problems what so ever...

For awhile I used the PH 2x10 with an SWR Goliath 4x10 (1989 Eden). The PH 2x10 is clearer, louder and equally as full.

I've compared them to:
Eden, SWR, Schroeder, Epifani, Ashdown, Fender, Genz-Benz, Aguilar GS & DB, Glockenlang, Tec Puma, Accu Groove, Trace Elliot, Peavey, Carvin, MarkBass, GK, Hartke, Warwick...

IMHO, the Aguilar DB series or Accu Groove would be the only other cabinets that I would put on the same level as the MESA PH series cabinets.

I am not endorsing artist and have paid for my MESA set up. I find the 2x10 - 1x12 a smaller tighter set-up than the 4x10 -1x15 and of course lighter!

I Love MESA! :cool:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back