Mesa Subway 115 vs Traynor TC115 NEO

[SickAura]

I have both cabs so decided to a little side-by-side comparison for you all

Price in CAD:
- Mesa Subway 115 - $1,629.00
- Traynor TC115 NEO - $849.00

Subway 115 Key Specs
Power: 400 Watts
High Frequency Horn
Weight: 37.9 lbs
Dimensions HWD: 19 3/8" x 19 1/4" x 18 1/4"
Insulated
Made in USA

TC115NEO Key Specs
Power: 400 Watts
No Horn - Frequency Response: 45 - 5K
Weight: 39.2 lbs
Dimensions HWD: 18 1/4" x 24 1/2" x 18 1/2"
Uninsulated
Made in Canada

Subway 115 - FaitalPro

TC115NEO - Eminence Custom

At Home Solo

• Tested with:
  - Peavey MiniMax, Knobs at Noon, No effects
  - PBass Seymour Duncan SPB-4
  - JBass Dimarzio Model J
  
  
• Subway 115 - smoother, tighter controlled highs and lows, more refined with what sounds like a slight lower mid-scoop
• TC115NEO - louder at same settings, more clarity, more open sounding, airy vs tight, harsher highs, slightly boomier lows, more aggressive and not as focused, sounds like an upper mid-scoop, surprising highs without a tweeter

With the Band - over several months

• Peavey MiniMax and GK Fusion 550 - Knobs generally at Noon, effects as required
• PBass Seymour Duncan SPB-4, Fender Pure Vintage 63
• JBass Fender Pure Vintage 74, SD Antiquity II

Both cabinets cut through well with Subway generally sitting better in the mix across all frequencies. In comparison, the TC115 sits more on top of the mix, versus in the mix. This is only noticeable when played back to back, same band/song/bass.

Conclusion:

Both are solid high quality builds that sound great. At half the price you really can't go wrong with the Traynor. It's light, portable, loud, has excellent clarity and sounds great in the mix. For my taste, it really does NOT need a tweeter with highs having more than enough presence.
However, overall the Subway oozes more quality across all metrics related to build and tone. Refined vs loose would be the two keywords I would use to separate the two. At 2x the price this is what I would expect.
Sometimes looser is better especially in a rock setting. However, having both and choosing between the two, I would go with Subway in all scenarios - and it's what I use when playing live every time.
The Traynor makes an excellent backup for me - whether at home - or as a grab and go jam cab - or to leave somewhere and not worry too much about it. However if it was my only cab, I would still be very happy with it and I plan on keeping it a very long time.

I hope this helps!

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Subway 115 - FaitalPro
TC115NEO - Eminence Custom

The Faital is also a Custom, made to Mesa's specifications and is not an Off The Shelf model.


Thanks for the comparisons.

 

[mmbongo]

That 'tightness/refinement/focus' is what I love about the Subway 15. I've never heard that level of articulation from any other cabinet.

 

[SickAura]

The Faital is also a Custom, made to Mesa's specifications and is not an Off The Shelf model.


Thanks for the comparisons.

Did not know that - thanks

 

[Nebadon2000]

The Mesa is $1199 in US: just saying

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I have both cabs so decided to a little side-by-side comparison for you all

Price in CAD:
- Mesa Subway 115 - $1,629.00
- Traynor TC115 NEO - $849.00

Subway 115 Key Specs
Power: 400 Watts
High Frequency Horn
Weight: 37.9 lbs
Dimensions HWD: 19 3/8" x 19 1/4" x 18 1/4"
Insulated
Made in USA

TC115NEO Key Specs
Power: 400 Watts
No Horn - Frequency Response: 45 - 5K
Weight: 39.2 lbs
Dimensions HWD: 18 1/4" x 24 1/2" x 18 1/2"
Uninsulated
Made in Canada


View attachment 5184976

View attachment 5184977


Subway 115 - FaitalPro

View attachment 5184978


TC115NEO - Eminence Custom

View attachment 5184979



At Home Solo

• Tested with:
  - Peavey MiniMax, Knobs at Noon, No effects
  - PBass Seymour Duncan SPB-4
  - JBass Dimarzio Model J
  
  
• Subway 115 - smoother, tighter controlled highs and lows, more refined with what sounds like a slight lower mid-scoop
• TC115NEO - louder at same settings, more clarity, more open sounding, airy vs tight, harsher highs, slightly boomier lows, more aggressive and not as focused, sounds like an upper mid-scoop, surprising highs without a tweeter

With the Band - over several months

• Peavey MiniMax and GK Fusion 550 - Knobs generally at Noon, effects as required
• PBass Seymour Duncan SPB-4, Fender Pure Vintage 63
• JBass Fender Pure Vintage 74, SD Antiquity II

Both cabinets cut through well with Subway generally sitting better in the mix across all frequencies. In comparison, the TC115 sits more on top of the mix, versus in the mix. This is only noticeable when played back to back, same band/song/bass.

Conclusion:

Both are solid high quality builds that sound great. At half the price you really can't go wrong with the Traynor. It's light, portable, loud, has excellent clarity and sounds great in the mix. For my taste, it really does NOT need a tweeter with highs having more than enough presence.
However, overall the Subway oozes more quality across all metrics related to build and tone. Refined vs loose would be the two keywords I would use to separate the two. At 2x the price this is what I would expect.
Sometimes looser is better especially in a rock setting. However, having both and choosing between the two, I would go with Subway in all scenarios - and it's what I use when playing live every time.
The Traynor makes an excellent backup for me - whether at home - or as a grab and go jam cab - or to leave somewhere and not worry too much about it. However if it was my only cab, I would still be very happy with it and I plan on keeping it a very long time.

I hope this helps!

It says right on the back of the speaker, that the subway is an 800w 8ohm cabinet. Not 400w.



But, good overall review. You should do a demo video so we can hear what you hear.

 

[SickAura]

The Mesa is $1199 in US: just saying

Yep - we literally get ripped off on everything
$1199 USD x approx 1.35 CAD exchange rate = $1620

 

[SickAura]

It says right on the back of the speaker, that the subway is an 800w 8ohm cabinet. Not 400w.

Mine doesn't.....

 

[12bass]

Could try adding some damping material to the Traynor. That may give it a somehat tighter, more neutral, sound.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Mine doesn't.....

View attachment 5185293

Yes, yes it does.

Do you notice a weight difference between the two cabs? Like, does the Mesa feel heavier?

Because it's supposed to have a 400w Subway Neodymium speaker in it, and instead it has an (Italian, not american) 800w faital speaker in it, that looks like it has a huge magnet. That speaker probably weighs 8-10 lbs

 

[mmbongo]

Yes, yes it does.

Do you notice a weight difference between the two cabs? Like, does the Mesa feel heavier?

Because it's supposed to have a 400w Subway Neodymium speaker in it, and instead it has an (Italian, not american) 800w faital speaker in it, that looks like it has a huge magnet. That speaker probably weighs 8-10 lbs

That Faital is the correct speaker. And yes it's Neo and very lightweight. 800 watts is likely the 'maximum' power rating for that speaker which is not a real world number. Mesa only uses actual real world numbers. Other manufacturers would indeed call that an '800 watt cabinet' which is misleading.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

That Faital is the correct speaker. And yes it's Neo and very lightweight. 800 watts is likely the 'maximum' power rating for that speaker which is not a real world number. Mesa only uses actual real world numbers. Other manufacturers would indeed call that an '800 watt cabinet' which is misleading.

Well, their website list the speaker on that cabinet as a "subway Neodymium speaker"

It says nothing about a "Faital pro"

But usually, Neodymium magnets are very small.

 

[SickAura]

View attachment 5185299 View attachment 5185300

Yes, yes it does.

Do you notice a weight difference between the two cabs? Like, does the Mesa feel heavier?

Because it's supposed to have a 400w Subway Neodymium speaker in it, and instead it has an (Italian, not american) 800w faital speaker in it, that looks like it has a huge magnet. That speaker probably weighs 8-10 lbs

Didn't notice that lol
RMS vs Program probably

 

[SickAura]

Could try adding some damping material to the Traynor. That may give it a somehat tighter, more neutral, sound.

Yes I plan on doing that soon

 

[SickAura]

That Faital is the correct speaker. And yes it's Neo and very lightweight. 800 watts is likely the 'maximum' power rating for that speaker which is not a real world number. Mesa only uses actual real world numbers. Other manufacturers would indeed call that an '800 watt cabinet' which is misleading.

No the Mesa cabinet feels about the same as the Traynor - just a little more solid
I bought brand new several years ago when they were much cheaper but still expensive for the time
Got to believe they all have the same speaker

 

[mmbongo]

Well, their website list the speaker on that cabinet as a "subway Neodymium speaker"

View attachment 5185365

It says nothing about a "Faital pro"

But usually, Neodymium magnets are very small.

'Subway Neodymium speaker' is just a generic term Mesa uses. Maybe in case they have to change speaker suppliers at some point or something.

You can see here it clearly has a Neo magnet.
Home

 

[Nebadon2000]

Didn't notice that lol
RMS vs Program probably

When he said back of Speaker he meant it literally fooled me to

My mention of price in US was to "At 2x the price this is what I would expect." technically it is only 1.5 times the price yes in your reality it is 2x[seen Traynor here for $720-800]

I have been looking at Sadowsky Metroline Basses; in Europe they are considerably less money independent of Euro vs Dollar

PS; From Faital Website [excerpts]

15PR400{ 15" - 400 W - 99 dB - 8 Ohm }

AES Power Handling (1) 400 W
Maximum Power Handling (2) 800 W
Sensitivity (1W/1m) 99 dB
Frequency Range 35÷4000 Hz

Net Weight 3.6 kg (7.9 lb)

 

[allanhearn]

I have them both. Sounds great together.
Bought the traynor for $200 used. One of the best used gear deals I've ever gotten

 

[allanhearn]

 

[agedhorse]

It says right on the back of the speaker, that the subway is an 800w 8ohm cabinet. Not 400w.



But, good overall review. You should do a demo video so we can hear what you hear.

Our published ratings are clear and accurate.

We provide both mechanical and thermal power ratings, we don't base our ratings on program or peak power marketing numbers.

The driver is a custom part number from Faital, based on the 15PR400 platform. We have used this driver since 2015.