Mesa PH410 vs Eden 410XLT ?

[HolyGrowl]

Anyone had the chance to A/B those two cabs?

As in-store testing is really not representative of a real live environment, I once tested a 410XLT with the M6 Carbine and thought it was way too overwhelming in the hi-mids and highs, very clanky and not so much meat.

I had also previously tried the PH410 with different heads and thought the same about that cab.

Then, not long ago, had the chance to play on the same rig in a rehearsal space (M6 and 410XLT) and was amazed at how good it was sounding in the mix with the rest of the band.

Not having the opportunity to do the same with an all mesa rig, I wanted to know if some of you could tell me if those two cabs sound somewhat similar or if the MESA would be diffeent sounding in the mix than the XLT and how different.

Thanks!

 

[shoot-r]

IMO, the Eden 410XLT is voiced to cut in a live band.
I've got a bassist buddy that plays in a "loud" metal band, he's up against Marshall's/Mesa's and a key's amp that'd make a great P.A. for most bands. He uses a G.K. 1001 head into a 4 ohm Eden 410XLT cabinet. He gets P.A. support but their sound man usually takes him out because his out-front volume is killin'. The Eden really sounds good in the mix and it has great projection. I can't speak for the Mesa cab, but I'm sure it's great also.

 

[lawsonman]

I can only compare the Eden 410 against my Mesa 212's.For me it was a no brainer, the Mesa did everything better. Not cutting the Eden down,they are very good cabs.

 

[HolyGrowl]

I can only compare the Eden 410 against my Mesa 212's.For me it was a no brainer, the Mesa did everything better. Not cutting the Eden down,they are very good cabs.

Could you give me more details on what you thought was better with the Mesa exactly?

 

[lawsonman]

I'll try.To me the Eden was a softer,smooth type of tone.The Mesa tone seems to just project out and kick you in the butt.Great thump and the mids and highs are crisp and clear at any volume.Forgive me if this sounds stupid.I'm terrible at explaining sound.

 

[quickervicar]

You won't go wrong with either. They both kill in a band situation. Unfortunately, you can't demo them in a real-world setting.

 

[Bassorama57]

Ah, but let's not get into the Eden 4x10 v Mesa 2x12...OPs (I believe) set on a 4x10. I don't have the Eden, but I'll "describe" the Mesa, using an Ampeg 4x10 HLF as a point of departure. Although Ampeg claims a useable low freq of 28 hz (and Mesa doens't publish specs), I belive the Mesa's got a better all-around lower and low mid response, certainly cleaner, than the Ampeg.

 

[pickles]

I have only tried the mesa 10s in stores, but they seemed more even and full range, and the Eden is more of a highmid + lowmid sound. That growly, punchy Eden thing. I'd base my choice off of what head I wanted to use. With and Eden or SWR head, or an Alembic pre with a power amp, I'd go with the XLT, most anything else I'd go with the PH.

 

[HolyGrowl]

Thanks all for the responses so far.

I went back to the store this morning and tried a ph410 again with an M6. They moved the gear to a different, larger room so the sonic environment was a bit better.

Now correct me if I'm wrong but the Mesa seems more open in the lows than the Eden, at least that's what my feeling was in the store. I remember the Eden to be punchy and compact with good lows but really not as much as the Mesa which seems to be in line with what Bassorama describes. I was still finding the high mids and highs quite annoying, but again I did find that with the Eden as well initially in the store and turned out to be just fine in a band situation.

I guess what I'm trying to determine here is if the Mesa is harsher, equal or more tamed then the Eden in the high mids and highs.

 

[HolyGrowl]

Anybody else's take on this?