2x12 Cabinet for Metal: Mesa Boogie vs Engl. The SAME Speakers!

[@jsullivan2112]

I gotta say I'm really digging the ENGL. I might have to look into one.

[@andreasasector1906]

1:36 - 1:57 Wow, the thickness is awesome!

[@christosfragias592]

The Engl benefits from being a front loaded speaker cab. I have it, and love it.

[@markolivares6943]

Same dude. Love mine

[@sergejkrynycky728]

Perfect riff for the comparison.

[@chriscann2774]

Boy this is way tougher than I expected it to be. Totally different sounds but both great in their own uniqueness. I've been pondering which to get.. probably going with the Mesa based on price.

[@franciscoaguilar6644]

As always, amazing video from Deviant Nation! So what we are also comparing is front (ENGL) vs back (Mesa) mounting!

[@mixingmetal]

Exactly, thanks!

[@Achilleion]

Vivian Campbell uses Engl btw :)

[@Hello-dy1gh]

Both sound great!

[@karloschavezmetal]

Bloody hell... that ENGL chugs like a monster! 🤘🤘

[@MrAgallas]

I love mesa 100%

[@dan0nada754]

great video. actually going for the engl, in part because of this video. sounds soooo good man

[@alexanderpankratov5019]

I Have 4x12 Engl pro cab and this video motivates me to by 2x12 too!!!

[@kenminerva]

I'll be greatly happy if have either of these tones but I'd prefer the Mesa over the Engl, if I had to choose. Both sound great though!!

[@graemedixon6314]

Engl. I'm a bit bias though, I use the Engl Pro slant 4x12. I've used 5 different amps through it and I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.

[@incitatus634]

I use the straight one and I hate it, it's so chirpy and has so much high end, it's way too sharp... I bought it new and I dislike it a lot :(

[@paradox7743]

damn straight could throw that shit off the Empire state building n it keeps Rawking...

[@inbredm3ssiah899]

@@incitatus634 if you bought it brand new, make sure to break in the speakers

[@soundstorm9508]

Very interesting comparison! I'm sure the differences boil down to the Mesa being rear loaded vs the front loaded Engl, and the thicker grill cloth on the Mesa vs the grill on the Engl probably letting a lot more frequencies through. Oh and I know the Engl has interior damping material on the back panel, not sure if the Mesas do. Honestly I could be happy with either, but I'm leaning towards the Engl. The Engl seems more natural and more mid forward, while the Mesa seems slightly scooped.

[@MrVegiita]

Excellent comparison 👏 I pick the Mesa overall. But when you combine the celstion & Marshall speakers 🔊 the Engl sounded a tad better

[@necroticpoison]

Holy shit! This is what I've been looking for. The OS Rec's have always had a part of them that sounds plasticy, although very hi-fi. They're probably the best, but man have I gotten kinda sick of it considering it has been dominant for like nearly 25 years now. ENGL has the growl and lower spikiness that Marshalls have but with the kind of voicing that works for metal. Sick af. Always knew the ENGL was like that just didn't know it sounded that good. Absolutely great vid. Thanks for putting it out there. Sick playing too. Would you consider doing a multi-mic vid? I love 57 + 121 combinations and I think it'd be great to hear a cab with a few combinations and blending maybe.

[@mixingmetal]

Thank you for the review! Yes, I would like to do some mic comparisons in the near future but I don't have 121 or some other ribbons...

[@therealone1288]

getting the engl or orange, mesa sounds good though

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Wow, very interesting - appreciate it!

[@brrblack497]

I have both 2x12 vertical ENGL and Mesa cabs, both with V-30's. The Mesa sounds sweeter to my ears, kinda' like a Santana thing while the ENGL is a tad more aggressive, er Metal-ish'.

[@taylolz]

Maybe it comes down to the grill cloth

[@brrblack497]

@@taylolz Could be? The Mesa's older, speakers probably manufactured in a different place. They're constructed a lil' different too. All the little things add up, but really not that much difference.

[@mattvdh]

mesa v30 plus marshall were nice

[@MichaelDespairs]

I bought the Mesa 2x12 and noticed a very loud resonance when playing single notes in the middle and higher ranges. I clearly hear it on all these cabs in this video as well so I guess I'll just embrace it. I've seen narrow band dynamic EQ used to tame these crazy loud spikes and now I know why.

[@taylolz]

I took the back off my recto-verb combo just to get rid of the resonant peak.

[@MichaelDespairs]

@@taylolz the artifacts I'm hearing are harmonic tones in the high mids like 4kHz area.

[@melodicmetal2155]

​@@MichaelDespairssorry, can you tell please, for home any 4x12 cab with V30 will be loud or not?

[@MichaelDespairs]

@rinatdautbaev1065 4x12 cabs can sound great at moderate volume not necessarily loud but not exactly quiet either. Maybe a cranked cab is your ideal tone maybe not. If you need it to be quiet try a plugin or a tube amp through an Inductive Load into your audio interface and then I highly recommend GGD Studio Cabs: Cali Oversized Edition.

[@alexolliari334]

I liked Engl !!!!

[@TheThehitman63124]

Defiantly prefer the Mesa

[@Steven-re3tx]

My made in USA Orange 2-12 cab has Vintage 30's. Maybe swap out one for 65 watt Cream or Green back.

[@MichaelDespairs]

This tone is just amazing what revision in the 2 Channel Rectifier?

[@mixingmetal]

Thanks! It's rev.G from 1995.

[@MichaelDespairs]

@@mixingmetal it sounds incredible. I have a non-multiwatt Three Channel and struggle with the fizz and boomyness.

[@theostragonidis7548]

@@MichaelDespairs Operator error.

[@bigdaddycoolone]

How about an in the room recording? Much better evaluation of the tone.

[@michaelkuschikuster]

Cool comparison! May I ask which year the T4416 is made?

[@mixingmetal]

Thank you. Of course, it's 1999.

[@michaelkuschikuster]

@@mixingmetal thank you very much for taking time to answer, I appreciate that a lot.

[@mixingmetal]

@@michaelkuschikuster No prob, you're welcome.

[@irmasil3]

People go: "This one is better, not this one is better..." Its just taste. I have an ENGL cab with V30s and its open and midrange-y and loud (as in this sample)...AND..I prefer my Harley Benton with V30s really...For Thrash, they are dark, and tight, and scooped, and just compliment my Mesa perfectly. They sound very similar to the Mesa cab with V30s here. JUDGE with your EARS!!!! Not with the name brand or how deep your pocket is....It's about music. And music is appreciated with the ears. Whatever you like, the Mesa, the ENGL, the Orange, the Marshall OR the Harley Benton cab..that's good. If you like the tone, you WILL play better.

[@mixingmetal]

Well said, sir!

[@hoozukisama9919]

Is That guitar riff Ill Disposed Song..??

[@xinyizha6624]

hi, what is the song being played? so strength! loved!

[@soundstorm9508]

Holy Diver cover by Killswitch Engaged

[@PaulEubanks]

Engl has a way better sounding midrange imo. Top and bottom get lost in a mix, it's the mids that let the guitar shine through.

[@jacobgarcia2660]

That’s exactly why everyone should use or push/boost the mids

[@jsullivan2112]

@@jacobgarcia2660 That won't do shit if the speaker doesn't reproduce it well. Speaker first.

[@jahangirsiddiqui8791]

This was a nice comparison, just curios why you chose 16 ohm speakers over 8 ohm speakers? In my opinion 8 ohm V30 speakers are better suited for heavy guitar tones.

[@mixingmetal]

Thank you! Because original speakers in Mesa and Engl cab have 16 ohm each. Original wiring in both 2x12 cabs is parallel with 8 ohm main input impedance which is very convenient for me. Though it would be interesting to compare the same speaker models with the same production date (or year at least) 8 vs 16 ohm.

[@jahangirsiddiqui8791]

@@mixingmetal I agree with you, that would be a very interesting comparison! If that is something that is feasible for you, we would definitely like to see a video comparing 8 ohm vs 16 ohm V30 speakers. Again, nice job on this video. I think it is very well done. Cheers!

[@guitarexpert2245]

What about the difference between the two Vintage 30 speakers. I've always had the Marshall Vintage speakers. but I'm kinda digging the U.K. made Celestion ones too

[@wrentcht]

I own a 212 Mesa / Black Shadow , Vertical Cab that I wouldn’t trade for ANY cab ! It pairs amazingly with me Rectoverb that ; to my ears , sound nothing short of amazing ! BTW I’ve owned and sold Eng ! Hard to beat good ole MIA gear !

[@blacklion401]

Also have one and love it. Sold the Mesa Head kept the cab.

[@aquilarossa5191]

The Engl has a little bit of a honk to it, but the Mesa sounds a little muffled. If that's due to the cabs and not the recording, then the Engl is the way to go. You can sort the honk out using EQ. You can't un-muffle a sound in post. That said, I preferred the Mesa. It sounded kind of epic when the harmony line kicked in. Great cabs. Not so great amps (players might like them, but amp techs usually don't).

[@MK-oz2lf]

engl with the MVs

[@IAmUBoy]

They both sound killer but ENGL cabs have a sweet spot for me, Specially E 412 Standard !

[@trajic9204]

honestly the handle on the mesa case would be the deciding factor for me lol.

[@mixingmetal]

But that leatherette is very thin at the edges and constantly breaks if you need to move the cab from time to time.

[@J_Braz_]

Just ordered a used Rectifier 2x12 cab used from guitar center. I called the store and asked if it had the original speakers. They didn't know. My question obviously is how to tell if the speakers are stock? Are all recto cab speakers made in England?

[@mixingmetal]

Rectifier cabs come with UK made Celestion Vintage 30s. 2x12 cabs have two 16 ohm V30s with t4416 number (if production date is before early 2001 you can find the serial number on the speaker chassis and if after - on the sticker).

[@J_Braz_]

@@mixingmetal thanks. That's all I needed to know. First thing I'm doing is taking the back panel off and checking for that.

[@J_Braz_]

@@mixingmetal cab arrived yesterday. Looks like a newer model. Or it was well taken care of. I'm going to try to find out how old it is by the serial number. Anyway its a solid cab and oh yeah, it got the UK v30's. It's the all black with black grill trim. The white trim looks better. But I think that comes on the road king 2x12 cabs. All in all for 500 bucks Im very happy. These cavs are almost 1k after tax. Can't believe how heavy it is. 60 plus pounds. Much heavier than my Harley Benton 2x12v cab. Cheers,

[@J_Braz_]

@James Williams hell yeah! I doubt I'll ever have a 4x12. I've been happy with the mesa 2x12 I found a few months back. I've been switching it between a single rectifier 50 watt head and a Dsl20 head. I have been interested in the EVH 120 watt, 2x12 horizontal cabinet.

[@12Jsilva]

what engl cab is used here? im tryna look for the model. tia

[@mixingmetal]

Engl E212VHB

[@12Jsilva]

@@mixingmetal thank you so much!

[@mixingmetal]

@@12Jsilva You're welcome!

[@12Jsilva]

@@mixingmetal btw what was the specific mesa cab? Im really torn between the two cans

[@mixingmetal]

@@12Jsilva It's Mesa 2x12 Rectifier Horizontal cab.

[@tgchan]

different flavours/ all tasty/

[@rikosimmo]

1:36 1:58

[@mikedervos5974]

the engl has vintage 30s speakers made in uk?

[@mixingmetal]

No, stock chinese v30. But I don't really like them, replaced with uk versions.

[@bekot2813]

@@mixingmetal is engl cab sounding better now with uk v30 then it did with chineese?

[@8Aikvin8]

@@mixingmetal I want to know too the answer to @bel Kot ^^'

[@mixingmetal]

@@bekot2813 Definitely better, especially with Mesa v30.

[@HaydenMcCarry]

I hate to say it..but the mesa sounds so so good..

[@sadanugraha5597]

что дает эту разницу? метод крепления динамика или сетка-решетка или дерево?

[@mixingmetal]

Все факторы влияют, но я думаю при прочих равных метод крепления динамика даст ощутимую разницу.

[@sadanugraha5597]

@@mixingmetal Так может вопрос в установке микрофонов? Если они стояли одинаково относительно решетки то дистанция до диффузора уже другая а при снятии каждый миллиметр меняет звук

[@mixingmetal]

@@sadanugraha5597 Бесспорно расстояние до динамика немного разное из-за конструкций кабинетов, но эти миллиметры далеко не так сильно влияют на звук, как загрузка динамиков. К тому же, если сравнить частотки то низ и нижняя середина где-то до 400 Гц у них практически одинаковые, а если бы расстояние до динамика было сильно разное, то и в этом сегменте были бы большие отличия.

[@piyushsharma5177]

Engl sounded more gritty, mesa sounded tight. Depends on what you are looking for.

[@piyushsharma5177]

I would go engl for chorus, and mesa for anything else

[@atahate]

I'm about to buy mesa mini rectifier. Is it good paired with 1*12 peavey cab?

[@mixingmetal]

Don't have any idea, sorry, but I think everything with Mesa should sound awesome! :-)

[@dingodave3016]

Does anyone know what effects on that guitar to make it sound like 2 guitars or is it 2

[@mixingmetal]

It's two different guitar parts.

[@dingodave3016]

Ok thanks was hoping it was a pedal so i didnt have to get another guitarist 😂 thanks for the reply

[@kresomag]

Engl is so metal \\m//

[@shanobi1kanobi]

Engl all day on this comparison

[@Soloist1983]

Must admit, the Mesa sounds a little better here. But, in person, as far as amps go, Mesa's have a cold, dry, rigid feel to them. I wouldn't touch a Mesa amp with a 10 foot clown pole. ENGL all the way for amps, and for the feel under the fingers, but Mesa cabs all the way. I honestly feel like the only thing I've ever cared for with Mesa Boogie are their cabs, though they certainly are overpriced.

[@donnywoodruff1052]

Do both carry the UK v30s?

[@mixingmetal]

Mesa has UK V30s and Engl has Chinese V30s in stock. But I used UK Mesa V30 and UK Marshall Vintage in this video.

[@jeffreyhall76]

I prefer the Mesa significantly

[@slavirachev6016]

ENGL is front loaded ,mesa is back loaded speakers,did you keep this when you make the comparison?

[@mixingmetal]

Of course, I didn't change the construction of these cabs.

[@slavirachev6016]

this is where the big difference came from

[@mixingmetal]

@@slavirachev6016 Yes, also the grille affects the sound, that Mesa one especially.

[@gastonpossel]

@@mixingmetal As an acoustic engineer, I'm very skeptic of that grille claim, they should be fairly transparent acoustically-wise. Have you tried them without grilles? Are these closed-back cabs? Does any of these have acoustic absorption (wool) inside? I'm curious about other differences between these two. Great demo btw. I would go ENGL.

[@mixingmetal]

@@gastonpossel Yes, Mesa Boogie grille filters high frequencies and adds something in upper mid area. Haven't tried without grilles and both are closed-back cabs. Engl has acoustic foam on the inner side of the back panel and Mesa doesn't.

[@michaelallen981]

run them together!

[@mrabihnaboulsi79]

Mesa V30 all the way Engl will sound better with drums on Always refer to the original... holy diverrrrrrr!!! 🤘🤘🤘🔥🔥🔥

[@delusionwalker8852]

In solo mode I prefer the Messa but in mix context Engl is the clear winner

[@paradox7743]

The ENGL 2x12 is the beast/ the mesa is good for perhaps a nice lamp stand .

[@mixingmetal]

Haha, nice! :)

[@jollyradtv9941]

ENGL all the way! Mesa sounds thin.

[@AllieVkat]

This sounds like the same track as the older video of the v30 vs reaper hp..... 🤔 only difference is the claim of what is what

[@mixingmetal]

No, it's different reamped tracks for every video on this channel. I do it all over again every time but I know the sweet spots of my speakers and place the mic almost identically on the same speaker in different videos. Also the same one speaker has small differences from clip to clip due to the sound impact of the second one in 2x12 cab.

[@stopUkrainewar666]

The pricevmakes the diff

[@retrocny5625]

Strictly EQ wise, I prefer the ENGL. I don't have any 2x12s, I just have a couple of 4x12s so this test with 4x12s would've been more interesting to me. I've used both Mesa Recto OS 4x12s and Mesa Traditional 4x12s in the past and I've always preferred the traditionals. A little brighter sounding, not quite as boxy and low end dominant as the oversized. I've always loved Mesa cabs though. They're industry standard(in my opinion) for a reason. Built extremely well and sonically they're better than most of the competition, as far as modern metal goes at least. Though if I was on the shop floor and I just heard these two cabs played side by side like this and I had the option of only buying one, I'd be leaving the store with the engl cab. Sounds a little more present, not as boxy in the midrange and more open. Combined with an amp like a 5150/6505, it'd probably be the better match since that amp has those same sort of boxy characteristics and a lot of upper mids. Plus V30s already have a lot of midrange to begin with.

[@MichaelDespairs]

The Mesa is untouchable.

[@bon2yan88]

MESA ALL THE WAY!

[@FEAROWNAGE]

Mesa anyday.

[@yannickgauvin7987]

I have a mesa boogie rectifier 4x12 oversize and an engl 4x12 pro v30 ... the engl is disgusting with the Chinese v30s ... the high frequencies are so acidic it hurts the ears. the mesa is better its warmer but we still recognize the high frequencies of the v30s ... especially since the v30s are so directional 2 inches next to the cab and it sounds like shit ... I solved my problem by putting 4 eminences dv 77 in the mesa and 2 eminences swamp thang and dv 77 in the engl ... and the sound is much fuller and much more mediums ... I will never understand how someone makes poyr like the v30

[@szymonszymanski3]

ENGL for me

[@ciroman8956]

Mesa The Best!!!!!

[@jsullivan2112]

Yup, ENGL all the way.

[@ryanshook8284]

The ENGL had much more of a cutting "TOK" sound to it that was the opposite of the Mesa's scooped curve...in the best way. They seem to be complimentary. Get both and stack 'em up!

[@rotek824]

Engl sound Much better imo

[@RicardoGarcia-zk3zp]

Angl

[@bigchocolate8547]

Sound quality you just can't beat the MESA

[@mikedenkinger9570]

Mesa wins.

[@howardgillingham4763]

Everyone is putting their stuff against MESA mesa must be the standard for everything

[@mixingmetal]

That's true.

[@kresomag]

Till now marshall was standard for everything, engl is standard for metal nowadays.