Neo speakers, your opinion...

[TheGrooveking]

I figured I would post this here, since it seems the other Bass forum on this site doesn't get much traffic, I've had a few questions there for a while with no response.

My question is for those who played regular ceramic based speakers and have or now are playing Neo based speakers, what's your thoughts? I have heard that the low's aren't as distinct according to a few bass players I know locally. Presently I am looking at buying a bass amp for my practice area in my home, so that when visiting bassists are here they have something to play through.

Thanks,

TheGrooveking

 

[mainsale]

My first experience with Neo speakers is/was with my Genz-Benz NeoX 212T and it has been a GREAT one! So much so, that I purchased a second cabinet to go with the original. The tone from this cabinet is just wonderful, deep, very deep, rich, warm, full and real loud if I want it. Definition is excellent. Accordingly, I have retired my 410. So, to answer your question, I've been very positively impressed with Neo speakers, especially with their tone, and would recommend this cabinet, at least, to anyone unreservedly!

 

[alanbass1]

I use two Epifani UL210 cabs which are equipped with neo speakers and they are great. I can't really compare them to the ceramic speakers I had as the design of the cabinet was fundamentally different and the switch to Epifani was definately an upgrade choice.

The reason I went for them was the combination of sound and portability - it's no fun lugging big bass cabinets with ceramic speakers. But from what you have stated this would not be a problem, so my advice would be to audition different makes/types in your price bracket and get what sounds best to you.

 

[guitardr]

Heard 'em in Monte Montgomery's GB acoustic amps & they sounded great. They also sound pretty nice in a small Vox Valvetronix I heard too.

 

[cadduc]

my other speakers are evm-15's they have alnico magnets
i am using a schroeder 1212L, i love it

 

[TheGrooveking]

I thought EVM's use ceramic magnets?

TheGrooveking

 

[walterw]

yeah, regular bass speakers are going to be ceramic. you'll only find alnico in specialty low-power guitar speakers.

the rap on neo is that the material apparently loses its power when it gets hot. any reports of how these cabs perform at the end of a long and loud night?

 

[fakeox]

i love 'em in my 8X10 traynor box. i read somewhere(here?)that the v c would fail before neo would be affected by heat.

 

[Brian Scherzer]

I have an Epifini 1x15" cabinet and I can promise you that there is no shortage of lows! Sounds great.

 

[doc]

One thought is that the lows could be a bit less distinct if the cab weighs significantly less due to reduced magnet weight - the cab may move slightly with the impulses and "blur" the sound.

 

[Alpha Audio Works]

I like the neo's for my "small" amp ( rehearsals, low volume gigs ) but MUCH prefer the ceramic's for high volume stuff. The neo's light up quicker at low volumes which is cool but tend to loose it at high volumes. They just don't seem to have the same "sack" as the ceramic's. Just my opinion / experience....

 

[ImpactAudio]

Neo vs. Ceramic

Ceramic magnets radiate their field surrounding the top plate. Picture a halo around a doughnut.

Neo magnets radiate their field to the front and back of the top plate. Picture a rod going through a doughnut.

So what’s the big deal?

When a voice coil moves past the top plate of a ceramic speaker it is no longer in the magnetic field and is no longer producing any motor force.

When a voice coil moves past the top plate of a neo speaker it is still in the magnetic field
because the field extends past the top plate.

What is the difference in sound?

The neo speaker to me has a little less attack but more of an extended low end.

I am not referring to the high frequency attack off of a finger nail or the pop of a g string but the type of quick bass response that thuds your chest.

What is better is really a personal choice.

Do you have to get this up a flight of stairs yourself? How old are you? What kind of shape are you in? Do you have to lift this into the trunk of a car or are you sliding it into the back of a SUV?

This stuff did not matter to me when I started Impact Audio in 1978. But 30 years and 4 herniated disks later it sure matters now.

Sam Andriano
Impact Audio
www.AmpAndSpeaker.com

 

[walterw]

Picture a rod going through a doughnut.

huh. huh huh. huh huh.



back on topic, yorkville has switched over to neo for their sub cabinets, and the 2 ls608s with neo that i have on my p.a. certainly thump just fine all night long.

 

[otaypanky]

GrooveKing, in your original post you mentioned you want a smaller amp for when friends come over. I was in a local shop today that's blowing out a new Ampeg BA112, that I seem to remember being priced at $182 ~
That's about $100 under street price for a sweet little amp
Wray's Music House, Lemoyne, Pa. had it

 

[devilrob1979]

I have Neos in a 212 guitar cab and at least in that application I like them a lot. As an added bonus the cab only weighs 30 pounds or so. People are completely shocked when they pick it up. It's an Avatar Traditional cab so it's not small or poorly built.

 

[lannyhall]

I have Neos in a 212 guitar cab and at least in that application I like them a lot. As an added bonus the cab only weighs 30 pounds or so. People are completely shocked when they pick it up. It's an Avatar Traditional cab so it's not small or poorly built.

That "cab only weighs 30 pounds" part sure sounds tempting.

 

[telemoxy]

I figured I would post this here, since it seems the other Bass forum on this site doesn't get much traffic, I've had a few questions there for a while with no response.

My question is for those who played regular ceramic based speakers and have or now are playing Neo based speakers, what's your thoughts? I have heard that the low's aren't as distinct according to a few bass players I know locally. Presently I am looking at buying a bass amp for my practice area in my home, so that when visiting bassists are here they have something to play through.

Thanks,

TheGrooveking

A friend just bought an Ampeg BA115T and it is terrific without breaking the bank. Your visitors should be pleased.

Regarding the neos I don't hear a difference. there are other variables involved in what you hear starting with the cabinet design that may make the lows sound less distrinct.

 

[jefesq]

Sonny Landreth's bass player last night had a cuple of GK cabs with a NEO badge on them. Sounded good.

 

[grindgod]

I put Celestion Neos in a Marshall 4x12 And Love em. the highs seem to be a little less, but I like that, they sound super tight with every amp Ive put through it. Currently using a Modified JCM800 and 900 SLX in stereo on one 4x12.

Im thinking of putting Neo Speakers in a couple Mesa Road Ready bass cabs (2x10 and 1x15) mostly for the weight factor, but Im looking for what sounds best brandwise

 

[Floyd Eye]

huh. huh huh. huh huh.



back on topic, yorkville has switched over to neo for their sub cabinets, and the 2 ls608s with neo that i have on my p.a. certainly thump just fine all night long.

Well, if they used neos in the LS801Ps I can't tell. F'in things are stoopid heavy.