5 Hi-Quality Bass Cabinet Comparison Markbass、Genzler、Bergantino、Phil Jones Bass、Mesa、
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Bass：Alleva Coppolo LM5
Strings：DR Pure blues 45-125
Amp：Epifani UL501 （EQ Flat）
MIC：sE Electronics VR2 70%、RODE NT1 30%
Audio Interfaces：Antelope Orion Studio 2017
Cabinet：
Phil Jones Bass C67
Bergantino NXT210
Mesa Subway 210
Genzler Bass Array 12-3
Markbass Standard 104HF
Why, in so many bass amp/cabinet comparisons, the play always goes to the high notes, finger picking simulating lead guitar melodies, and very little on the low notes(?) It’s a bass for goodness sake. It’s goal is low notes. OMG.
It's just really 🤢😢
Well said. Our role as a bassist (I play bass guitar and tuba) is 99% of the time as accompaniment - laying down a foundation.
Sorry, are you saying the notes in this demo are being too high in the register?
You make a good point. I have the same issue with guitar examples. The highs and cleans will always sound good, but whats the toughest aspect to nail in a mix? Its always those darn lows with all the overtones muddying everything which are so hard to make sound good. That's the real test, whatever handles lows better is the clear winner because almost nothing does. Whenever I compare sounds in my studio I always use the lowest string to be the deciding factor. None of this is to take away from such a great vid however. This is a bass and he definitely played low notes too, Im referring to all the other vids which completely miss the point and just showcase the midrange
The second example set had more low notes. The PJB sounded good even with that. PJB cabs are heavy and expensive. Heavy is the worst part of that. Markbass cabinets just sound too mid bass focused for me, and I have heard that from many other demos as well. That may be good in a live band setting to hear yourself but it doesn't sound as accurate to me. It seems to me the Genzler bass array models should be much more bright and clear, but again from other demos and reviews they are not. Berg sounds good. Mesa sounds flat like others said. But the Mesa probably comes into it own with some distortion and driven hard for rock. By itself clean and for multiple music styles maybe not the best.
The PJB surprise me! It could be too bright at times though. Bergantino seems like the most we'll balanced, but they're all amazing cabs.
The PJB does really have a really fast transient and sounds punchy and clear to me.
It’s the small speakers. Their membrane resets the position faster, so response times are “quicker”, hence more precise!
@@rafbass Yeah but does they work great for heavy tone too or massive tone ? Don't know too if they handle the distortion in a great way
@@francoishtzl157 They distort way less than the concurrence thanks to the lighter weight of moving parts (among other design features) Or if you mean about reproducing a distorted bass sound, yes since they are so hi-fi they do it veery well. I play mostly metal, I have several models of PJB and whenever I play on other amps with heavier speakers I have to push the drive and highs to try to get something that doesn’t sound like reggae to me (no offense)
PJB followed by the Mark Bass. The PJB sounds amazing (more full range with clarity) and musical than the others.❤
Bergantino blows my hears. What a sound! PJB also sound incredible. 😍
Totally agree
Yeah but I can't handle shit for real power or low end
The Bergantino sounds amazing! Not too bright, but still with a high-mid presence that probably cuts through great in a mix. It also has tons of punch! The Markbass has a similar presence, but not the same tight and punchy low-end.
PJB was the only one that sounded open and had natural definition.
+ Bergantino
It is admirable to put this video out. Some really nice cabs! Having the EQ flat is just one "pallet" of "sound". Tweaking the EQ and playing at a higher volume would bring out the true sound of all of these cabs. They would each sound different obviously. As all of you know … volume changes everything! Great video!
Bergantinos are my favorite cabs period, though that Genzler is quite impressive, loads of frequency response for it's size. I'll give the PJB and honorable mention too, though I'd need to hear one in person before passing final judgement.
Best to worst (to my ear):
1) Bergantino - smooth, full-range, hi-fi
2) Markbass - punchy (as expected from a 410)
3) Phil Jones - also punchy, but a little less low end
4) Genzler - decent lows and mids, but lacking a bit of presence on the highs
5) Subway - flat and hollow, not what I'd expected from this renowned brand
I own the Mesa, I guess I’ve got admit it doesn’t hold a candle to these others at least in this demo. It is however built like a tank, really loud and can keep up with a drummer and loud guitarist. I think some of the really nice nuanced frequencies get lost in a van situation.
To me the PJB has the cleanest tone of all the cabs. The Bergantino is very nice tight bass with a nice deep tone as well.
That conflicts to what phil said about sizes of driver. He said smaller the better, the more response you get. Then how bergantino manage to do it? They are doing great. With high power as well.
Well done comparison. No clear winner for me, but a bit surprised to say the Mesa was definitely at the bottom of the pack.
I feel like the Mesa is best paired with one of the Subway 800 heads…I played through that configuration and it sounded great!
I have a 2x10 Mesa Subway and for it to sound like that it must've had the horn turned off
Id be tempted to go with the Phil
Probably eq a lot would make a nice near field bass sound. The inclusion of 3 inch hi mids/treble definitely sweetens the shrilly Hi Fi. I think it's cool that both Phil Jones and genz are trying a completely new blueprint for bass cabinets
Right! I never would’ve guessed that this would be the direction electric bass amplification would go.. But I love it!!
Whew!!! Right off that bass & PJB sounded so killer!! Top notch stuff as always..!
PJB sounds clear and neutral compared to the others more colored peaky mids/highs with muddied dark tones. Thanks for this informative comparison!
So I own a Bergantino 4x10, SWR 6x10, Markbass 4x10, PJB 6x7, and a couple others and let me tell you: BERGANTINO IS THE TRUTH. My PJB is pretty dope too - the BP800 head I have is the quietest head I've ever used. Coupled with my Berg It is unstoppable. the 6x7 is very small too.
How about a Berg 212 do you think that would sound better than a 410? Or a Schroeder 212
@@davidnaranjo6919 that might come down to preference and ease of use. I prefer 10s (that’s why I have so many lol) because of their middle of the road response. 12s are phenomenal, but, the Berg 212 is like 78lbs. So it’s a beefy move compared to the HG410X which is 49lbs with 16” more speakers
After listening to this again I think they all sound good would love a drum track or a band integrated to get a better feel . I’m nitpicking though because this demo is so good I just wished it had a faded in drum track or band .
Great comparison video! Regardless of each cab used, that Alleva Coppolo LM5 was stellar.
1st choice would be the Bergantino cab all the way, it just sounded fantastic. The Markbass cab was a solid 2nd choice for me, just a great all rounder. 3rd choice goes to Phil Jones, really nice top end clarity and mids on that cab.
Agree with many that the Bergantino sounds great, but from what I'm hearing my vote would be for the Phil Jones C67. I guess the true deciding factor would be if we were able tp hear them live in a band mix. All great sounding cab's, but don't forget that it all comes down to the player... whatever cab you use will still sound like you! Lmao
Incredible! Thank you. Shared this video on Talkbass. This has opened my eyes to the clarity of the Bergantino and how bad (to my ears) the Mesa Subway sounded.
I feel like the Mesa is best paired with one of the Subway 800 heads…I played through that configuration and it sounded great!
As much as I appreciate hearing a fair comparison of cabinets I never encounter, I think it odd to be comparing a mix of speaker configurations. Both Markbass and Genzler make 210s that might have made it more similar.
I've played the Mesa and I don't recall it sounding like that.
I'm not hung-up on speaker configuration-- cabinet volume & port tuning are much more significant factors. In this regard, I think the Genzler was done a bit of a disservice, as it is being compared with larger, more aggressively-ported cabinets. Otherwise, I thought it was a pretty solid comparison.
@@PALongknife That's a slightly odd comment, as cabinet volume and port tunings are entirely reliant on the Thiele-Small parameters of the speakers chosen for the cabinet. Speakers and cabinet act as a whole system.
I feel like so many gear reviews are for bass players that don't actually play in a band. How do these sound with a drummer, a loud guitar player, maybe a second loud guitar player and in a small venue where only the vocals and bass drum are mic-ed?
Agreed. The variables are never ending for bass cabs, each venue is different, each night sometimes. Getting the right cab/amp combo is an art all of its own for sure.
Exactly! Not to mention, nearly all bass gear reviews, be it fancy basses, amps and cabs, seem to focus on r+b/funk/jazz slap or finger style playing. That's fine for some but, how about putting that gear through as many different styles and effects as possible with a full band (vocals, drums, guitar(s), keys)?
When things like cabs are reviewed by putting them in the most mellow and un-demanding of circumstances, it gives off the impression that all these pieces of gear are expensive "one-trick-ponies" that can only handle being treated with kid gloves.
It would be great to see how they perform in rock, heavy metal, electronic, pop etc. scenarios as well. Not all bass players play funk/jazz/r+b, nor do they play with minimal/zero effects or at low to moderate volume.
It"s kinda like watching a fancy sports car review with all it's bells and whistles, where the car is always being driven at residential street speeds but, never driven on the highway or on the track, despite apparently having plenty of power...
Because if you have all that happening you will have a monitor or in ears .. I only use my cab to even out sound from front to back so in the middle I can hear both .. if you need to turn your cabinet up to the point over a loud guitarist and a mic-ed kick drum .. invest in in-ears ..pr a better monitor
Big fan of the Genzler and PJB, very focused sounds!
Was surprised how similar the other cabs sounded to each other, shocked how bad the Mesa was!
Be aware that Mesa is voiced to cut through the mix better. Genzler is my favorite though.
I own a Mesa Subway 2x10 and I can assure you that the horn had to have been turned all the way off for it to sound that muffled
That's why Justin Chancellor switched from them right?
To my ears they sound like the early 00's Hi-fi cabs of the time and it's definitely a sound, not my sound tho
Mesa didn't sound bad. It's just different than what you prefer.
It‘s a well meant attempt, but the fact alone that the cabs and mics are positioned in different places in the room will have such a big impact that any comparison will be nullified
Genzler for me, probably because I've been playing Genz-Benz for the past 14 yrs and love it.
Very, very good comparison. I have a PJB and a Mesa, and this shows the same differences I hear. However, I like both and use them with different basses to get exactly the right match to get a killer tone. The only limitation of this comparison is how they perform live. For me, the PJB projects and the Mesa fills the room, so it depends on the venue and how the bass is supposed to fit in a band context.
PJB is the absolute best! All frequencies revealed!
Really like the PJB, very balanced sound, Bergantino is my 2nd choice, big bottom. Don't really like the Markbass and Mesa.
What a great video! Well done. My vote goes for the PJB. Was clearer and had a nice mid-range, funky quality, yet still with some guts to back it up.
Bergantino in my opinion. I like their HG the best, but the new NXV is awesome too. NXT close behind. To me combining it with their Forte HP is the best sound. It has the headroom that make these cabinets shine. I tried their B Amp and Trickfish 1k and neither sounded as good as the Forte HP. The HG cabinet you can't mic up and get the total greatness. It has to be listened to in a room. The "3D" sound is really amazing. Being able to walk around the cabinet and still hear clearly it is great in a band situation. Acoustic amplification of a jazz or classical bass plugged in with a pickup like Ehrlund EAP will capture every nuances and the HG amplify them perfectly.
For me - Top 3:
- 1. Phil Jones
- 2. Markbass
- 3. Genzler
No demo spending time playing in the lower range for a bit? How do bass cabs get demoed without a bunch of stuff all mostly below the 5th fret? Low B string riffing would be useful to hear too.
Thanks for the shootout! Would love to hear them in the mix sometime :)
Demo1 - PJB Demo2,3,4 - Genzler. As a Mesa guy, I didn't like that cab in any other these demos. If you started tweaking on the EQ, I bet all of these could sound awesome.
Wow. That Mesa sounded like it was covered in a blanket compared to the Berg.
Definitely. I have that exact Berg cab and I will tell you, it tells the truth. It's dynamic and so clear. No where to hide.
Seemed a boost in mids to my ear
Not bad sounding just different. Berg is bright while mesa is deep. All depends on style of music you play to compliment your sound. I would bet the mesa prob cuts better in a live band mix. All those high frequencies usually get eaten up by the guitar tone.
I agree and you always hear people slapping, or playing in the upper range with a pick. I slap some but for the most part use the big, fat, round lower tones while playing pop and Motown classics. I need a cab to excel at this.
I thought this was going to be a case of all very good and hard to tell the difference, but the PJB is very clear and balanced to me and would be my clear preference. Thanks for the test though, really useful.
Wow. That Bergantino takes the prize for me. Great sounding cab that seems to handle the lows a bit better than the PJB.
The Phil Jones was incredible every time. The Genzler was second every time. The Bergantino was a surprising third every time. The Mesa and Mark Bass were absolutely horrendous.
I own the Genzler driven with a Magellan 800 amp and question why they used a BA12-3 when there was a BA 210-3 with two 10" Faital's along with the 4 3" mid Faital's. It just doesn't seem terribly fair when all the rest had multiple drivers. Frankly, from what I heard I think the Genzler acquitted itself best of the bunch give it was the smallest cabinet with the fewest number of main drivers. The Genzler and the Bergantino were head and shoulders above the other cabinets. The one shocking disappointment was the Mesa cabinet. Like someone here said, it sounded like someone threw a blanket over it.
I run a GK 412 NEO with my UL501. It’s got plenty of punch and helps me get the most out of the Epifani when I need it. You can always turn the master down for smaller rooms
The funny things is I am listening to this through a solid state 12 channel older yamaha pa amp and my Mackie 15 PA cabinets and I they sound amazing. I can hear a distinct difference on the Bergantino's. I am surprised how flat the Mesa's sound. All these years my best friend has had them and I have been at times going to put out the big bucks for them, I am very satisfied with my full set of Accugroove's made on ole Peninsula Avenue in Monta Vista, California.
Phil Jones for sound, bigger cabinet and 4x10s got to be best, I'd buy the Genzler though, great sound for the size, easier to cart about.
Given the flat settings on the amp I liked the Berg and the Genzler. I think a comparison of the cabs with the "optimal" (or various) amp settings for each would have added value. I found both the Mark and the Mesa a tad mid-heavy through my studio monitors. The PJB sounded great with the thumb/slap in Demo 1 but not so good on the finger style playing.
The Bergantino, PJB, and Markbass got my attention because they have more clarity. As far as a better-balanced sound, I'd go with the PJB or the Bergantino with Berg as my 1st choice!
Genzler has the best highs, Mesa has the best mids. I'd go Mesa for a rock band, Genzler for more modern styles.
I have played and owned Epifani (ul 901 and the Piccolo 555) and their Ul cabs, Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 with the Sl 201 and 1x15, and the markbass 1x12 and 2x10 traveler with the vintage 500. All amazing amps and speakers, but I actually prefer the Markbass Rig now. Plenty of power and clarity (flexible setup as most of the time I just run the 1x12 on stage and DI into the pa. It cuts through every time. And really light as a bonus
love the PJB. Killer riffs bro!
Well damn, I was all set on a Mesa 1x12, but sound doesn't lie.
PJB I own the 47 and I love it, for small to mid gigs
I have this Markbass cab, and it sounds great, however the Bergantino sounded a fuzz better to me in this video.
Thanks for this great test
Outstanding video Doghouse! My top 2 were very close but after multiple listens I found that the PJB & Bergy were the best. Now lets look at my 2 least favorite, the Mesa has a not-very-good midrange tone and the Markbass has nasally mid sound, not even close to the others in overall tone quality. The Genz sounded good but comparing a 1-12 cab to a 6-7 and a 2-10, it wasn't really apples to apples. Still a great video, it really gives you a good idea of what quality craftsmanship sounds like.
Genzler for warmth, Markbass for the attack.
The berg looks to have 12” speakers?
The Berg kills it! Or maybe the Genzler.
Best balanced Bergantino
Crystal clearest Phil Jones
Genzler sounds good near to Bergantino
Mesa Boogie always muddy
Mark Bass sounds goods
phil jones or genzler
For me, I would select the Berg first followed by the PJB C67 as a close second.
Phi Jones for me,
As I use the C4 cabs, which imho are way better than the 7's, very closely followed by the Bergantino which has a great balance. The marinade was good but the orange speakers are looking a bit meh now. Genzler? Not bad, but very disappointed by the mesa, sounded like it was in a different room.
Marinade??? Mark bass 🙂
If I had to buy just one of these I'd go for the Markbass cab. It seems to have a better range than the others. The Genzler was good at the low end but lacked sparkle. The Phil jones had plenty of sparkle but not very strong at low frequency. Does this demo actually show for a good full range you actually need a 1x15" and a 4x10" rig?
The Phil Jones is clearly the cleanest and most dynamic. After, the Mark Bass and the Bergantino are not too bad but far behind the PJB. The mesa is… 🤮
Bergantino but the mark bass makes a great statement here
The one I like the best is Bergantino. It has enough deep low end and definition. It is not soupy at all and does not sound too modern or vintage. It wins for me and I like the sound of Genzler too. Mesa is too soupy and does not have any definition at all and Markbass sounds like an amazing box for slap bass but is too empty sounding for fingerstyle player .that also uses pick, like me.
Larger speakers (#2 and #3) sounded much boomier to my ears with less mid-range. Markbass is super-punch, very focused sound. #1 may be even more mid-rangy. Sounded kind of like a guitar amp. Genzler sounded the worst in my opinion
I find Mesa cab's to be really tight to where kt sounds like the speakers don't move, almost "dead" sounding
as a guitar player , I like the Bergantino ,sounds clear
Great bass cabs but y’all sleepin on peavey 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💯💯💯
Mesa won for me, but the Genzler was a close 2nd. The genzler had just a smidge too much low end that I could see getting muddy in a band context. the Mesa had all the right characteristics!
Bergi all the way and the reason I plug into one, if it's available, in a music store. Genz is a close second.
Good comparison. Thank you
I liked the Bergantino best, with the PJB and Mark Bass tied for second. Genzler in third. Didn’t care for the Mesa at all.
Of these, Bergantino! PJB second.
I hope that you used the designated amp for each cabinet to unleash their true potential. I believe pjb can do more than that because it sounds good but not great. I commend begantino to sound good at that low b string.
Phil Jones au top !!
It’s so damn subjective because of personal taste and using different bases, so many factors before it hits the cabinet
So for my two cents, if I was going to go modern jazz bass type thingy, I would personally pick the *Bergantino*
No brainer here: Phil Jones absolutely. Best clarity, mid range response and punch on the low end register. Markbass would be my second choice. Everything else sounded like it had a blanket on front of it.
for this style, the brightest the better. I dont think is a worthy comparison because is only one aspect of many that a bass can bring.
AMAZING channel. You should have more subs
TO me the Berg and Mesa sound terrible. The Genzler seems the most natural and the PJB really surprised me at how goad it sounded but fear it ma y get lost in a dense mix.. None of them are my thing though. I really thing the Berg sounded very congested in the mids as did the Mesa.
I noticed that only pjb and bergantino can cut through the mix. Others sound mushy already, imagining that it live scenario b string would hard to hear.
SPL at low freq seems slighted on Markbass, as well as too much muted color. Mesa sounds a little sterile - cardboard. PJB seems best at low freq, less color down. Genzler happy medium. Bergantino best average
I heard the Trickfish. 4 X 8" Cabinet at La Bella in Brooklyn . It sounded punchy and focused . But I would like to hear it on a gig . Have you tried any of the GR Bass Aerotech Cabinets ? They use carbon fiber construction and Neo speakers . They are feather weight .
Was the horn on the Mesa turned on at all?
The Bergantino and the Genzler 👌
Did you jumper delete the other cabs in the room to make sure they are not sucking out the bottom?
Bonjour, ce ne sont pas des 2x12?? le bergantino et le mesa...
would like to have heard a big baby II in the mix
1) Bergantino (Just the right amount of everything)
2) PJB (fought really really hard for #1)
3)Markbass (much better than I expected)
4)Genzler (lots of character, maybe a but muddy in the upper bass)
5)Mesa (wtf is happening here)
I have to agree with this assessment completely. But if you don't have the space the genzler sounds great. The Mesa not worth the price.
It is unlikely that I would ever play what he is playing. It's nice. How about the baseline to "I Feel Good" or "Knock on Wood". That would be useful
Bergantino sounds best to me.
They all sound great miced.
How do they feel in the room 30 feet away.
Try using an Figure-of-eight microphone and keep a certain distance from the cabinet
Great job ! Bergantino
I have 2 Mesa 2x10s that sound awesome with my Mesa wd800 head.
This Subway sounds terrible compared to .the other's.
This is not an apples to oranges fair comparison.More like an ad for Markbass
On this test, Bergantino.
lo mejor phil jones
Im a disapointed mesa guy. I should get a bergantino
The Phil Jones is the clearest sounding and it wins hands-down in my opinion followed by the Markbass .. Genzler is the worst unfortunately; compared to the others sometimes it feels like being played underwater.
Bergantino the best second markbass
PJB is the best
PJB sounded way too tinny and "hi-fi" to me (kind of like a new version of some of the SWR stuff from years ago). Bergantino sounded much better to me. I was underwhelmed with the Mesa Boogie. The Genzler probably sounded best to me--more transparent and less tinny hi-fi. Didn't like the Markbass at all--too nasal.