2x12 for High-Gain

[FourT6and2]

Asked a billion times before, but never in this combo.

Bogner OS (closed back, rear loaded)
CAA (ported, front loaded)
Diezel (closed back, rear loaded)
Port City OS (rear loaded?, ported)
Port City normal sized

The Bogner is highly regarded.

The CAA is front loaded so it will probably sound more directional and/or beamy? But be tighter and more focused than the others?

The Diezel comes in both rear and front loaded and both smaller and oversized. But I'm looking more at the rear loaded, whether smaller or OS.

I'm leaning toward the Port City. Heard nothing but great things about Port City (except one thread where someone said "Celestion speakers aren't designed for ported cabs…blahblahblah and that the Port City cab was loose and lacked punch). But everyone else seems to think highly of them. I'll be using a Diezel Einstein and a Peters Hydra. I think most are familiar with Firejack's clips with his Hydra and Port City (OS? can't tell). Sounds great to me. I've used a Mesa 2x12 in the past. But it's kinda "meh" to me. A little boomy. A bit spiky in the highs.

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

Hate to rain on your parade......but I did not like my Port City 2x12 at all. The bass frequencies sounded disconnected from the rest of the tone. Kind of like the Sonic Maximizer of cabs. Added up to a loose, non-punchy sound under high gain. Did sound good for cleans and mild breakup though.

I've also owned the Bogner OS. Better than the PC for sure. But if I was strictly playing high gain then I would opt for the Orange PPC. Best 2x12 I have ever owned for high gain.....by a longshot. In distant 2nd would be the Splawn 2x12.

 

[Invidious]

I have a 2x12 G-flex genz benz that plays like a damn 4x12. Easily the best 2x12 I have ever used and I have tried a bunch.

 

[garey77]

StoneAge cabs! I got one a 212 closed back cab from a forumite here. It kills. Very worth the time.

 

[JerEvil]

Love my Creamback loaded Splawn 2x12's even for metal.

 

[cphr3d]

What no nod for the recto 2x12? I love mine recto 2x12s.

 

[napalmdeath]

I have a 2x12 G-flex genz benz that plays like a damn 4x12. Easily the best 2x12 I have ever used and I have tried a bunch.

Took the words out of my mouth. That, or Recto 2x12. G-Flex my pic.

 

[harddriver]

I had a Splawn 2x12 in the past, it was ok.

The 2x12 cab winner in my book is the Mesa Roadster 2x12, they now call it the Compact Recto 2x12 with Mesa V30's. Hands down the tightest, biggest sounding 2x12 that I have heard even compared to the Recto standard 2x12. Give Ola's clips a listen. These cabs love amps that push a lot of modern low end.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[jinch0]

What no nod for the recto 2x12? I love mine recto 2x12s.

Exactly!! I bought a vertical mesa 2x12 cab and sounds brutal a tight with my EVH 50 watt. After the amp the cab is the most important piece of the puzzle.

 

[russellconner]

I have a 2x12 G-flex genz benz that plays like a damn 4x12. Easily the best 2x12 I have ever used and I have tried a bunch.

This one speaks the truth. Im a major mesa/bogner fanboi, but the GB 2x12 with the ports sounds and feels pretty close to a 4x12. Theyre darn impressive.

 

[jinch0]

Avatar contemporary cabs are good afordable choice. They have ton of lowend

 

[FourT6and2]

Hate to rain on your parade......but I did not like my Port City 2x12 at all. The bass frequencies sounded disconnected from the rest of the tone. Kind of like the Sonic Maximizer of cabs. Added up to a loose, non-punchy sound under high gain. Did sound good for cleans and mild breakup though.

I've also owned the Bogner OS. Better than the PC for sure. But if I was strictly playing high gain then I would opt for the Orange PPC. Best 2x12 I have ever owned for high gain.....by a longshot. In distant 2nd would be the Splawn 2x12.

See, your experience differs from all the other reviews I've read. The clip I posted sounds pretty good to me And the owner of that cab had nothing but good things to say about it. But I've also seen a lot of negative reviews about the Orange. Weird. What amps are you using? I'd need a frame of reference to know what sort of sound you're talking about.

I have a 2x12 G-flex genz benz that plays like a damn 4x12. Easily the best 2x12 I have ever used and I have tried a bunch.

I had a G-Flex like 10 years ago. It was ok. Nothing special. Plus I don't want a 2x12 that sounds like a 4x12. Otherwise I'd just use my Bogner 4x12...

What no nod for the recto 2x12? I love mine recto 2x12s.

I have a Recto 2x12. Like I said in my OP, I don't like it. It's boomy and fizzy and spiky in the highs.

Avatar contemporary cabs are good afordable choice. They have ton of lowend

They're ok. I've tried one. And I have one of their 1x12s. But not what I'm looking for. Don't need a lot of lowend. I just want something tight, punchy, non-directional, and something that resonants while letting the speakers breath. A nice even open sound. CAA is probably out since it's front loaded though. If the Port City really is no good, I might just have to grab a Bogner or Diezel.

 

[bubbastain]

Just had a "New Cab Day" today. Picked up an empty Orange (black) PPC212 and loaded it with a pair of Celestion Century Vintage speakers(the super light neo magnet ones). Had my friend bring his DSL and Splawn cab over and we tried a bunch of combos and A/B'd the 2x12's. His Splawn cab loaded with a SB and BB just sounds fantastic. Orange cab sounds just as good. Different obviously because of the speakers, but really good. I'd be equally happy with either. I would like to try one of the EVH 2x12's with my amp too.

 

[bigangryguitar]

I have a 2x12 G-flex genz benz that plays like a damn 4x12. Easily the best 2x12 I have ever used and I have tried a bunch.

This one speaks the truth. Im a major mesa/bogner fanboi, but the GB 2x12 with the ports sounds and feels pretty close to a 4x12. Theyre darn impressive.

I guess I will 4+ this, I LOVE my g-flex 2x12. I did put some removable casters in which I love since it doesn't overdo the low end. Some guys I have heard don't bond with the stock speakers but I for one love them.

Sorry I will withdraw my recommendation to you I just saw you didn't like these. Apparently our tonal preferences vary

 

[Heritage Softail]

Have you tried the Matchless 2x12?

Not going to compare it to others since opinions are like assholes.

It is a neutral can with a great natural tone. It works well for high gain as long as you don't overpower the rating.

It can play awesome lower gain.

 

[FourT6and2]

Have you tried the Matchless 2x12?

Not going to compare it to others since opinions are like assholes.

It is a neutral can with a great natural tone. It works well for high gain as long as you don't overpower the rating.

It can play awesome lower gain.

Haven't tried Matchless. But I did have a Bad Cat 2x12 at one point. Not sure if they're similar or not. Bad Cat cab was fairly loose. But had a nice woody open sound for lower gain stuff.

 

[PBGas]

What no nod for the recto 2x12? I love mine recto 2x12s.

Love mine! Fantastic, clear, no fizz and lots of bottom end in my new rig!

 

[chunktone]

My Framus 2x12 is the best sounding 2x12 I've heard.

 

[mmolteratx]

Love my Creamback loaded Splawn 2x12's even for metal.

Yup. The Splawn 2x12s are killer.

 

[sahlomonic]

I have a 2x12 G-flex genz benz that plays like a damn 4x12. Easily the best 2x12 I have ever used and I have tried a bunch.

I concur with this. Gflex 2x12s sound huge. I have Eminence Wizards in mine and love the sound.

I also have a Bogner-style Avatar 2x12 with Lynchbacks. Another huge sounding combination.

I will say, the corner handles on the Gflex make it much easier to transport than cabs with handles on the sides.