Info needed

[AleTheNervo]

I need a new 4 x 12 cab. I want a good sound but don't wanna apend a fortune. So my eyes felt upon Behringer's Ultrastack bg412s. I read many good things about this but never had the occasion to try one, so I wanted some more affordable opinions about it!
Is there someone who ever tryed it or has it?
Has the thing some tune or is it worth to spend three times more to buy another cab?

Thanks for the infos!

[AleTheNervo]

come on! hasn't anyone ever tryed one? I only need some opinions!

[shogun]

they are garbage. you get what u pay for. if u want a cheap/good cab get an avatar or splawn or whatever they are

[Lefty Robb]

I take it $250-$300 max is your limit right now? Lets do some homework and take a look at some of your options for a new cab in that price range:

Please keep in mind in this price range there all going to be plywood or partial board, with plywood being much better.

The Behringer Ultrastack BG412S 4x12 Stereo Cab:

Jensen Speakers
400W handling
Stereo
$250

HC review:

Features 8.5 (35 responses)
Sound Quality 8.4 (36 responses)
Reliability 8.6 (34 responses)
Customer Support 8.2 (10 responses)
Overall Rating 8.8 (34 responses)

Ibanez IS412C 4x12:

4 - 12" Speakers (no name)
320-Watt Handling Capacity
2-Piece Split Baffle
MDF Baffle Board
Particle Board Back and Sides
1 x 4 Ohm and 1 x 16 Ohm Jacks
$249.99

No HC reviews for this model but the TB cab got horrible reviews.

Crate FlexWave Series FW412 120W

No Name speakers
120W power handling
Stereo or Mono operation
4 or 8 Ohms
$299

No HC review for this cab. But the GS-412S cab got rave reviews.

Fender FM 412 4x12" 100 Watt 4-Ohm Cabinet

Mono
4 - 12" Fender Special Design "Sound-Tested" drivers
Reinforced metal corners
Slant front
Pop-out casters
All-plywood construction
$299

a whopping 1 HC review:

Features 8.0 (1 response)
Sound Quality 9.0 (1 response)
Reliability 8.0 (1 response)
Customer Support N/A (0 responses)
Overall Rating N/A (0 responses)


Marshall MG412

4 - 12" custom-voiced Marshall/Celestion speakers
Mono
8 ohm
Handles 120W
$279.99

reviews are kinda Meh:

Features 7.0 (15 responses)
Sound Quality 7.2 (18 responses)
Reliability 8.0 (14 responses)
Customer Support 10.0 (3 responses)
Overall Rating 7.7 (16 responses)

Line 6 Spider III 320W 4x12

320 watt rating mono
4 - 12" Celestion speakers
"Roadworthy" cab construction (what ever that means)
$299

the 4x12 didn't have a review but the other 4x12 did so:

Features 9.5 (2 responses)
Sound Quality 10.0 (2 responses)
Reliability 10.0 (1 response)
Customer Support N/A (0 responses)
Overall Rating 9.0 (2 responses)

Peavey Windsor 412

Four 12" Supreme XL loudspeakers
Mono cabinet
300W max power handling
16 ohms
$279.99

No HC review but reviews on MF seem good.

B-52 LS-412 400W

400 watts RMS
100-watt RMS custom built, heavy-duty B-52 speakers
16-gauge metal grille for ultimate protection
Rear porting for extended low-frequency reproduction
Metal handles, rubber feet and metal corners
Detachable casters for easy transport
Mono/Stereo switchable
$299!!!!!

Very high marks on MF.
the LS didn't have a review on HC, but the $50 more LG did.

Features 8.8 (29 responses)
Sound Quality 8.4 (27 responses)
Reliability 8.8 (26 responses)
Customer Support 9.8 (13 responses)
Overall Rating 9.3 (26 responses)

theres also the Kustom QUAD ST 412 but its bran new and no reviews or anything. But looking at the reviews for the Quadstack and tr-412 I'd say there nothing to write home about.


Honestly the B-52 and the Behringer Ultrastack seem to be the best buys IMHO, and the Line6 in 3rd place. I think the B-52 comes out on top with its huge power rating and porting, and with the stereo function as well, construction seems good as well.. Another thing to remember, you can but these cabs and always upgrade the speakers in the future. Don't be afraid to do some pawn shopping for a used cab either, some great deals can be had if you know how to haggle, and used can be just as good if not better (someone else broke in the speakers for you, making them move better and sound better) More things to think about is do you really want a 4x12? a good 2x12 or really really good 1x12 can sound just as good if not better than a 4x12 at the same price.

[ColinMmmmm]

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

More things to think about is do you really want a 4x12? a good 2x12 or really really good 1x12 can sound just as good if not better than a 4x12 at the same price.

I'd second that and look for a decent 2 x 12. If you're gonna buy a cheap cabinet, why would you buy a REALLY HEAVY ONE? I'd only lug around a really great 4x12. I'm not ruining my back for a huge piece of **** cab.

[toshiro]

Aren't the Epiphone SoCal cabs plywood? MDF just sucks, and even the best cabs are ply(birch, but it's still thick plywood). That's what I would get since you can't get an Avatar over there.

[Lefty Robb]

There really isn't anything wrong with plywood, its incredibly strong, hard and light, and can take a real pounding, now press board/ partial board on the other hand, yikes, its like make a cab out of sponges.... I've always thought a cabs wood shouldn't absorb or change the sound in anyway, but it should focus all of the speakers sound waves so that you hear everything. Construction, not material should be key to building a good sounding cab.

[markyperfection]

one guitarist in the band that shares a rehearsal space with us has a behringer cab. i've had to use it a time or two, and i'd be less than a good person if i didn't tell you clearly and honestly that behringer cabinets are junk. there was no detail to the sound, there was an annoying mid-range hump that couldn't be dialed out, and the low-end felt just gross. i don't know another word that fits any better. just gross. it made my monstrous (yet very pleasant) sounding touring rig sound congested and abrasive. it fatigued my ears to listen to it.

even though i can't think of an alternative that's within that price range, i can't recommend that you waste your money on a behringer cabinet. i hope that helps in some way.

[Lefty Robb]

Originally Posted by markyperfection

even though i can't think of an alternative that's within that price range

I listed 8 of them

[toshiro]

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

There really isn't anything wrong with plywood, its incredibly strong, hard and light, and can take a real pounding, now press board/ partial board on the other hand, yikes, its like make a cab out of sponges.... I've always thought a cabs wood shouldn't absorb or change the sound in anyway, but it should focus all of the speakers sound waves so that you hear everything. Construction, not material should be key to building a good sounding cab.

That was my point.

Any plywood > MDF.