Markbass New York 151 vs Bergantino NV115

[d00dr]

Curious to see if anyone has had the opportunity to play through both of these cabs and possibly enlighten me on any similarities and differences between the two cabs. I used to run a pair of NV115's but found the deep lows to be lacking, probably due to it being a sealed cab. I LOVED the tone that I was getting, as I have with all of Jim's cabs that I've had the fortune of owning, but I just couldn't deal with the lack of low end I was getting from them.

I've been using an HT322, or two, for the past 6 months or so and it has really taken a toll on my back. I really need to go back to a lighter, modular setup again. There's no way around it. I thought I could handle it/them but a long summer full of gigging has left me hurting.

So, with that said, the Markbass New York 151 has been on my radar lately. I like 15"s, and I'll be doing a pair of them, but I'm just wondering if they're going to get deep enough for me. I'd have to imagine that there going to carry the deep lows better than the NV115's, due the the NY151 having a rear port and the NV115 being sealed.

Anybody have any real world experience with these two cabs and would be willing to help a brother out? Thanks!

 

[Al Kraft]

I felt the same way about the NV115 and went with the CN212 - it was a nice compromise between sealed cab vibe and heavy bass emphasis of many ported cabs. My sense is that if your taste runs to Bergantino, the Markbass cab may not be everything you'd want. I think Markbass is quality gear, it just never quite appealed to me.

I would also say that unless you have to place your cab right up against a wall, port location is IMHO a lot less important than good port/cabinet/speaker matching to produce a smooth tonal profile with no obvious holes or bumps in the frequency response. This a hotly debated topic, so I'll just offer that opinion based on my experience with cabs of all configurations over the years and call it a day.

Of all the light-weight 15's I've heard recently, the Mesa Subway 115 impresses me the most. Paired with a Subway 112 it is a very nice and highly flexible 2 cab set-up. Two of the 115's would probably be close to sounding like you have in mind. I'm admittedly a Mesa fan, but also own Berg, Eden and GK cabs, so it's not like a religious conviction or cult thing.

 

[d00dr]

I felt the same way about the NV115 and went with the CN212 - it was a nice compromise between sealed cab vibe and heavy bass emphasis of many ported cabs. My sense is that if your taste runs to Bergantino, the Markbass cab may not be everything you'd want. I think Markbass is quality gear, it just never quite appealed to me.

I would also say that unless you have to place your cab right up against a wall, port location is IMHO a lot less important than good port/cabinet/speaker matching to produce a smooth tonal profile with no obvious holes or bumps in the frequency response. This a hotly debated topic, so I'll just offer that opinion based on my experience with cabs of all configurations over the years and call it a day.

Of all the light-weight 15's I've heard recently, the Mesa Subway 115 impresses me the most. Paired with a Subway 112 it is a very nice and highly flexible 2 cab set-up. Two of the 115's would probably be close to sounding like you have in mind. I'm admittedly a Mesa fan, but also own Berg, Eden and GK cabs, so it's not like a religious conviction or cult thing.

I was hoping somebody would chime in with the Subway cabs. I've been hearing a lot of really great feedback on the 112/115 setup. And I've been very heavily considering a D-800...

After taking a closer look at the specs, it looks like the Mesa might be more what I'm looking for; very similar weight, ported, and a lower frequency response...

 

[Al Kraft]

I own a lot of equipment (a lot of it heavy) and the D-800 with the 112/115 cabs are quite remarkable for light-weight gear. All the components were designed/engineered from the beginning to work together so you can actually mix and match them with good results. I expected the new Subway line would sound pretty good before I heard it, but was still amazed at how well it delivered in person. It's definitely worth a listen.

I like really like the flexibility in the amp in terms of tonal voicing - I'd characterize the capability as almost Walkabout to almost Carbine with a clear hint of Carbine quickness and depth as its default. The 115 is quite full voiced and well balanced. Mesa's great customer support and 5 year warranty are also strong points for that brand in my mind as well. For a high quality US manufactured product, I also believe it to be fairly and competitively priced.

 

[TMARK]

I found the Mark Bass anemic and nasal sounding. Compared to a Mesa Powerhouse 15 and a Trace 1153 15.

 

[Al Kraft]

I really like the Powerhouse cabs (I own two 212's and a 410). When I compared them next to the Markbass offerings years ago when GC carried Mesa, there was quite literally a night and day difference to my ear. The new Subway line of cabs doesn't make me feel like I lost anything significant except the weight. I still have my PH cabs, but I find the Subways sound good enough that my ears can't convince my back and knees that the PH cabs are as necessary on a gig as they once were. Depending on your age, YMMV!

 

[mmbongo]

The Mesa Subway 115 cabinet is simply incredible. It's so deep and clear sounding, and the mids are just perfectly crunchy. There is zero boxiness to the Subway 115. Just pure deep, crisp, and clear. It weighs around 35lbs I think, it's an easy one hand carry.

 

[d00dr]

The Mesa Subway 115 cabinet is simply incredible. It's so deep and clear sounding, and the mids are just perfectly crunchy. There is zero boxiness to the Subway 115. Just pure deep, crisp, and clear. It weighs around 35lbs I think, it's an easy one hand carry.

Sounds exactly like what I'm after! So, I guess now for the million dollar question: 112/115 or 115/115...?

 

[mmbongo]

Sounds exactly like what I'm after! So, I guess now for the million dollar question: 112/115 or 115/115...?

I have the 115/112 setup, but I'll be honest...I think I want a 115/115 setup. Not that there's really anything wrong with the 112, but to me the 115 is SO GOOD that I want double that.

Like I said, the 112 is fantastic as well. I also have various GK and Ampeg cabinets here to compare to. The 112 is hangs with any of them easily and outclasses some of them, but there is not a huge gap in between the 112 and either of my Ampeg PF cabinets. But the 115....nothing comes close. It's unreal. It's just so deep and clear sounding. I keep saying that, but it is! It's so focused...so punchy.

 

[Al Kraft]

Sounds exactly like what I'm after! So, I guess now for the million dollar question: 112/115 or 115/115...?

For all around versatility in covering the broadest range of music and venues, the 112/115 is a nice package. If I were doing a lot of low bass heavy stuff, but still needed a solid mid range and upper voice the two 15" loaded cabs would be a no brainier. I personally find the 112 good, but not overwhelming in the low bass department. Next to the 115, it's almost impossible for anyone to miss the difference in bass response/fullness.

My concern was that for my needs, two 115's were bordering on too much of a good thing. I like the balance in the 112/115 combination. My 212 needs are already met by my Berg CN212, two PH 212 cabs and two GK Neo 112 II's, so I never even considered that option with the Subway. In Bergantino terms, I think the 112/115 vs 115/115 comparison might be similar to the old CN212 vs HD212 differences in low end fullness/extension and stronger mid presence. I hope that helps!

 

[rodl2005]

Just a reminder. ...it doesn't HAVE to be a 15" to go low.
My Berg AE410 -imo - seems to go lower. ...or 'handle...project' lows more than my Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115s.
I like both. .. I actually like the Bassman 115s a little more for most stuff I do. ..but if I'm wanting nice BIG lows, the 410 seems to project the lows outta my Stingray 5 more

 

[jnumme]

For all around versatility in covering the broadest range of music and venues, the 112/115 is a nice package. If I were doing a lot of low bass heavy stuff, but still needed a solid mid range and upper voice the two 15" loaded cabs would be a no brainier. I personally find the 112 good, but not overwhelming in the low bass department. Next to the 115, it's almost impossible for anyone to miss the difference in bass response/fullness.

My concern was that for my needs, two 115's were bordering on too much of a good thing. I like the balance in the 112/115 combination. My 212 needs are already met by my Berg CN212, two PH 212 cabs and two GK Neo 112 II's, so I never even considered that option with the Subway. In Bergantino terms, I think the 112/115 vs 115/115 comparison might be similar to the old CN212 vs HD212 differences in low end fullness/extension and stronger mid presence. I hope that helps!

I concur with the above statement . I recently as of this last week got the 112 115 combo and I'm extremely happy . I pondered going with 2x115s but decided to go with what the D800 was designed to pair with a 112 115 and I'm now selling my other rigs. I gig regularly in a pop band and now I have the rig to cover all genres with nice tight lows growly mids and clean highs for articulation. Never sounding muddy . Quite amazing set up for a total weight of 75lbs.

 

[Low Class]

I've owned the ny151 and now have the Ninja 121h x 2. The Ninja's aren't as light, but MAN do they sound good!! I like em better than any Bergs I've owned.

 

[Laurent]

I own a Markbass NY151 and I have demoed the Bergantino NV115.
I have owned as many as two NY151 and also own a Bergantino NV610.

The NY151 has been was my main cabinet for several years. It's a beautiful sounding box that has some vintage character and some warmth as well. Paired with a small tube head, I often think of it as an extended range modern sounding B15. Before I bought this 115, I tried many 15" from Markbass and other cab builders and that was my favorite. It has a deep, warm, slightly sweet buttery tone.

The Bergantino NV115 did not do it for me, the sealed format did not work for my ears. I like it with 10's speakers but with a 15" something did not appeal to me. I might have expected a vintage tone and it was not. I am not exactly sure. The cabinet did not quite sound like a 15 to my ears (arguably it's the tonal result of two speakers) and it did not have the warm bassy tone I expected.

I adore their NV610 but the other non sealed Berg cabinets are not my taste. They are very impressive cabinets but it's just not the tone I like. My taste runs toward old school, vintage tone, I will admit.

The Markbass NY151 and Berg NV115 are really different animals. It would be interesting to hear them side by side.

I also tried pairing two NY151 and that did not work for me either. I have better results pairing a 115 with a 112. I know that on paper that's not supposed to work and that has a lot to with the two cabs you use, but that works for me. So with 15's I like them soloed or paired with a 12 the best.

I also love the weight and form factor of the Markbass NY115. It's a really easy cab to carry and its weight is reasonable. It's a one hand carry for short distance. Hopes this helps a bit. It's important to remember that cabinets are really a personal thing. If you have a GC near you, I would recommend you test the NY115, their other Markbass 115 don't sound quite as good in my opinion but their are in the same ballpark. You can also try the NY112 which does not sound quite the same as the NY115 but they share some tonal characteristics such as warmth and balance.