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Updated 2x10 Shootout!

#53
alexclaber said:
Cab A EA VL-210

Cab B Acme Low B-2II

Cab C EA NL-210

Cab D EA CxL-210

Cab E Dr. Bass Custom 2x10

Cab F Glockenklang Duo Wedge

Cab G Bergantino HT210

Cab H Accugroove Tri 210L

Alex
Click to expand...

Man, that was close! The Berg and the Glock (and the NL-210) really shared a lot of similar characteristics. I was actually quite surprised by this. The Glock was a newcomer, and I didn't know what to expect, though I did think it would be good. With regard to the NL-210 and HT210, though, I had of course played both of them a good bit, and I knew that they were both great all around cabs, but I didn't expect the level of similarity that I heard. I think the main difference came down to the neo's in the EA versus the ceramic-magnet drivers in the Berg (with the neos being a tad warmer, and the ceramics being a smidge more tight, dynamic and authorative).

Excellent guess, though!
 
#54
:bassist:
Thank you....thank you!
I'd like to acknowledge all of those people that have given me the chance to take a listen to their gear....etc...etc
All of these years of training...blah...blah..blah.

My first guess was only going to get me a 4/8.
so I guessed again! :D
 
#55
So, to sum things up a bit, the EA NL-210, Bergantino HT210, and Glockenklang Duo Wedge ended up within spitting distance of each other, and for my tastes, my playing style, and with the associated gear used in this test, they would all via for top honors. For a small, compact wedge shaped "monitor", the Duo Wedge has a very big sound, but of course the NL-210 and HT210 both sound a tad bigger. The Glock does have a fairly unique voice, and it strikes me as somehow taking the rough edges off each note, but maintaining the clarity. The NL-210 surprised me with its authoritative sound, great volume, and excellent balance. But again, almost any subjective words that I can use to describe one of these three would tend to apply to the other two, as well. However, the NL-210 is the warmest of the three. The HT210 took the sound of the other two and just added some meat behind each note. Very dynamic, with a sense of deep forcefulness behind the clarity, the HT210 was probably the loudest/punchiest of the group (even though it couldn't quite take all the gain from the CA9 - but it didn't need to).

But, some thoughts on the other fine contenders:

VL-210 - two of these stacked, and pushed by a big old amp, are still a force to be reconned with. The louder you drive these cabs, the better they sound, IME. [Edit: two VL-210's stacked and driven hard really do sound killer and open up in the midrange. This "test" would not necessarily show this aspect of the VL-210.]

Low B-2II - these cabs still offer excellent bang for the buck, and present a very smooth sound, with good clarity, and excellent low end in a compact, lightweight package.

CxL-210 - this cab is exceptionally quick sounding, with good high end zing and clarity. I can see where slappers might really like this sound (of course, it sounds great with other playing styles, too). In my previous 2x10 shootout, I felt that it was slightly more warm sounding and slightly less clear than the VL-210. Well, with the line driver and the CA9, it seems that my results are reversed to an extent, as the CxL-210 had more clarity, and the relative fullness was right about equal. These two really sound a lot alike.

Dr. Bass 2x10 - This thing weighs next to nothing, and it is in a very compact box. Combine its diminutive dimensions with the diminutive prices charged by Dr. Bass for their cabs, and you have a heck of a bargain that won't break your back. I am just amazed at how much power you can pump into these cabs. [Edit: I should also reiterate that this cab sounded very, very good, and can hold its head high for being so competitive in a very excellent group. For the money, I think Marc's cabs are a stellar bargain.]

Tri 210L - You can move a ton of air with this cab, and the tone is full, full, full. Although it is the biggest cab in the group, it's weight is deceiving and highly manangable. The low end had many similarities to the NL-210, but the mids were rather different. One unique characteristic of Accugroove cabs, IME, is that they sound full and rich no matter where you are playing on the fingerboard.

Ultimately, depending on your personal preferences, playing style, and associated gear, any of these cabs might be "the one" for you.

Later, Tom.
 
#57
KJung said:
Cool thread... nice review. I totally agree with your descriptions of the three cabs that I've owned (Acme B2, EAVL and EACxL).
Click to expand...

Actually, Ken, you'll notice that this time around, my observations of the EA cabs are more in line with what you had mentioned to me way back when. In other words, you're right again! :D

I'm not sure why things would be different, other than that I was using different equipment to test them with (the Skjold versus the Thunderbird/DeArmond being the biggest factor, I would say), and also that the VL-210 and CxL-210 are really pretty close to begin with.

Tom.
 

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