Harley Benton 2x12 Veritical Slant cab vs. Mesa Boogie 4x12 shootout

Hey guys!
I recently purchased a Harley Benton 2x12 vertical slant cab from Thomann, and I just wanted to make a video shooting it out against my Mesa 4x12. Both cabinets have celestion vintage 30 speakers, and even though they are different size cabinets, I wanted to give you an idea of the tonal quality of this cab... especially since it is so affordable! Seriously, I still cant believe after shipping this was still under $300 USD!
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[@rjeff753]

It - the HB - sounds pretty damn good especially compared to some of the other branded 2x12’s out there that are more expensive

[@TaylorDanley]

Totally!

[@lukewaala1672]

Benton sounds smoother in the mix. Mesa had a lot more presence to my ears but was a little harsh as a result.

[@TaylorDanley]

It's hard to capture the difference you actually hear live, but the HB for sure has more mids. Interested to shoot out both with a tube power amp for some contrast

[@shawnshipstad8883]

I own a HB like yours and a Mesa 2xz12 Vert/ slant. Harley Benton is worth the money. Your stuff sounds better through the HB.

[@ShaunNelson]

Both sound great, does the Mesa sound 6 times the price better?? I would say no.

[@greevar]

A 2x12 and a 4X12 put out the same amount of power, it's just divided by 4 speakers rather than 2. The 2X12 is 50 watts per speaker on a 100W amp. The 4X12 is 25 watts per speaker.

[@daniloberserk]

But it's important to remember that speakers doesn't have the same "efficiency" at all wattage, so 4x12 is "still" louder. On the other hand, 2x12 have a better dispersion, so it may sound louder depending on the angle you're listening. I personally would never use 4x12, except for IRs.

[@simondeobald2524]

Well - in this record I (slightly) preferred the Mesa but comparing price and weight the HB is absolutely great!

[@TaylorDanley]

It is quite a good deal. I'm going to end up swapping the speakers out at some point... the difference is more noticeable with certain tones (particularly mid heavy ones). With those, the mids tend to break up in a very not satisfying way. Still, the cab is solid. And honestly, I couldn't even find an empty cab for a comparable price, sooooo.... still a win!

[@strayy1554]

I want you all to remember that there are usually slight individual differences in sound between every speaker and microphone even if it's the exact same models.

[@mattmurray517]

I actually much prefer the Harley Benton.

[@TaylorDanley]

They sound great! I just bought another LOL

[@jyryhalonen4990]

Would be interesting to hear you how you would set up your tone as if the HB was your main cab. I think then the comparison would be more fair then.

[@TaylorDanley]

I'm actually heavily considering putting the speakers back and using the stock ones, so this may happen in the future!

[@godsreclamation2539]

I bought a HB cab for my fm3 and use a powerstage as a power amp. Sounds really good for what it is. I get some compliments at times.

[@stevemoore1698]

Wow. Been watching for awhile, didn't realize you're in oregon too. Cool.

[@myklsorrells3038]

Damn. That last riff was fuckin solid. Nice man

[@TaylorDanley]

🙌

[@jpistolas]

I wonder if it's simply a QC issue. Espensive buyers like Mesa get the better picks and the lower price bracket gets the less. They were both great but different. The Boogie overall tho!

[@TaylorDanley]

It's definitely manufacturing. I followed up this video with a speaker swap video, and they are indeed Chinese made v30s. Theres endless debate on which is better, or mesa speakers are voiced for mesa amps, etc... but I digress... bottom line, they are the best value cabinets I could find!

[@kscotthoy]

The V30s in the Mesa cab are made in England and the ones in the HB are manufactured in China. They are actually two entirely different speakers and as such sound quite different from each other. There are comparison videos out there and the difference is quite distinct, there used to one on Mesa's site last time I was over there, might be worth checking out. Also, as far as I can tell Mesa is the only place you can source loose MIE V30s.

[@TaylorDanley]

Theres definitely a difference. I'm aware of the speakers being a lower quality chinese produced speaker, but still for the price I think this is the best 2x12 you can get. I cant even find a decent empty 2x12 for the same price as this! 😂

[@gahusk6091]

I swear the only English produced ones are the heritage models and then the rest are mic

[@ayard2120]

Had a great Marshall 4x12 and got rid of it for the HB. After playing on it for a couple years I will tell you that I refuse to play live with my Marshall. HB is way better, my leads push through without an issue every time.

[@lydiagraham2188]

Holy shit! what up Taylor!!! I was watching this video and was thinking....this guy seems soooo familiar!. This is Derrick Graham

[@TaylorDanley]

🙌 what up fam! Thanks for dropping by 😂

[@marcintaniewski1263]

HB sound really good definitely worth every penny👍

[@ultimatemetalguitartones]

Fuck... I prefer the HB

[@anthonysilva5312]

6:35 Mesa 7:22 HB

[@OinTaylor]

Hi Taylor, do you make your own IRs? Since people say the HB V30s are actually a little different, being Chinese or whatever, I would love to see that IR creation Sweep pattern run through the V30 on the Mesa and then the V30 on the HB. See if there's any appreciable difference (once they are more broken in) Would like to actually see the speakers as well if the cab backs can come off. Thanks, your channel is really great

[@TaylorDanley]

Thanks for watching! If I pull the back off, I will DEFINITELY document it for everyone. I've actually been toying with the idea of doing a how to make custom IRs video (yes I make them sometimes), but I think I need to get better at it first. I did make one from my Mesa, and it sounds pretty good, I just want to experiment more with different mic'ing techniques and whatnot. Good suggestion! 🙌🤘

[@C-Ro]

Hello! 🎸

[@TaylorDanley]

👋🤘

[@satanpuncher06]

I just ordered my g212 vertical can’t want to try it iut

[@TaylorDanley]

🤘🤘

[@nefariouspreludev2.046]

Your tone sounds like my tone from when I was 15. HH squier and a line 6 spider 2.

[@Fartinhalerr]

12:00 mb4x12 12:08 hb2x12

[@iboinkedyourmom]

🤘🏻

[@LSlava]

Mesa no doubt

[@TaylorDanley]

🙌

[@HELLPATH]

Apart from the speakers being brand new, and not yet broken into... Is there a difference in the construction? Like different wood, or dimensions in these cabinets? I always wanted to know... Because if not, I could build a box myself, put v30s on it and sound like those big brands?

[@TaylorDanley]

I dont know the specifics like the wood used. And exactly how they are built but, from my superficial observation, the construction feels really solid. I would say the mesa cabinet definitely feels more sturdy, like maybe thicker plywood was used, but I have no idea. In all honesty, I think that the amount of time it would take to gather supplies and build a cabinet, it would be far better to just order one of these lol. I think with shipping it cost me $270.

[@christophgrubor7365]

As far as I know, the HB-cabs are made of chipboard, instead of plywood, like the Mesa-cabs. What I do know for sure is, that Mesa gets special V30 versions. They are voiced a little bit different to the standard ones. They do have a different production number than the others. They tend to sound a bit more smooth and less aggressive. Btw. Marshall do also get special specification-V30s.

[@TaylorDanley]

@@christophgrubor7365 The Harley Benton cab I reviewed is made of poplar plywood. The v30 speakers are supposedly a cheaper Chinese manufactured version, but still. For the money, I cant find a comparable cab... even without speakers! 😂

[@christophgrubor7365]

@@TaylorDanley Oh... they use poplar plywood, now? That's new to me. Of course it is chinese V30 production. But, I did some experimentations on my Mesa-cab myself. I think, it is not necessarily a quality difference, if the speakers were made in the UK or China. It depends what sound you want, what your needs are. They just sound a bit different and that is fine.

[@TaylorDanley]

@@christophgrubor7365 Yeah, definitely. I noticed originally the mids used to break up a lot more in my HB, bit that's smoothed out as of late. I would say compared to my mesa, they mesa sounds like it has the mids scooped, and has a more impressive bottom end (which I'd expect from a cab that size)

[@thumpinfetus58]

I've noticed you've still gone the physical cab and power amp route instead of using it an frfr speaker and IRs. Would you say the Ampero's IRs are adequate or recommend a physical cab?

[@TaylorDanley]

I would say it just depends on what you are doing. Since the ampero has an IR loader, you dont need to rely on the stock impulses. However, I would say the stock impulses are pretty good. In my situation though using a cabinet is necessary for playing live.

[@simonnagtegaal9282]

Cool

[@andrewreichert15]

Have you had any issues with the ampero tuner? I just got mine and even tho I absolutely love it, the tuner seems a bit funky and slow

[@TaylorDanley]

YES. I know there was an update recently, but I haven't had time to update and see if it fixes the tuner. I've just been using one of those little clip on ones.

[@tgchan]

Different but both amazing/

[@chokolap7436]

mesa is like more fart sound. i prefer harley benton

[@thegmangabe929]

i havent been able to find a video of the harley benton with lower tunings, anyone know if it sounds good with low tunings like drop a or drop b

[@TaylorDanley]

My newest vid has a demo of an insane distortion pedal through it. I'm playing a 7 in drop F#. The big variable is the pedal vs a modeler though 🤷‍♂️ I can tell you while it lacks some of the beef of a 4x12, it still has a lot of bottom end if that's your thing

[@thegmangabe929]

@@TaylorDanley Thanks, I think I'm gonna have to get one.

[@TaylorDanley]

@@thegmangabe929 no prob! 🙌

[@TheChadPad]

Wow, the mesa just ate that harley benton for lunch

[@nategin9009]

I mean yeah, Harley Benton is chinese crap

[@mercilessforever]

The harley sounds a little brighter, the mesa sounds a bit darker. But i dont think its that simple either.

[@Dogmatikos]

Mesa cab is 280 or 240 watts?

[@TaylorDanley]

240

[@louciferLGS]

HB sounds hissy, mesa is pretty much perfect. ones for gigging, ones for studio recording.

[@TaylorDanley]

Hissy is a good way to describe it. I've had a handful of people tell me that goes away over time and they will sound much closer after the HB has had enough play time. We will see!

[@louciferLGS]

@@TaylorDanley yo that's actually super interesting! plus not many v30s sound alike anyways. ill always love the sound of them though.

[@gabrielabers5119]

The HB is a no from me d@wg. Fellow born and raised portlandian here BTW. Currently looking for some guys to start a deathcore project. Lemme know if you're interested in jamming.

[@betolicks4071]

They both sound good but different at the end of the day its all music and there's no rules fuck it both were sick but which one isn't gonna leave a whole in your wallet

[@Fartinhalerr]

Do you remember if this 2x12 has 16ohm speakers or 8ohm like the mesa? This is the best sounding 2x12 ive heard. Still prefer the 4x12 but usually 2x12s sound like an ice pick in your ear

[@jw11432]

No question that the 2x12 sounded more scooped. I wonder if it would be possible to bring that mid-range back in with some EQ adjustment. Maybe even add a smidge more low-end. The tone and clarity sounded fine I think, but I also think that being V30's, they definitely need to be broken in to sound "right", from what I understand about those speakers.

[@MichaelDespairs]

The 4x12 sounds scooped in comparison. So there is question.

[@JamesAllenJr]

I'm losing some top end clarity in the 2x12.

[@k4mil66]

Hello :)

[@pxtixntzero7127]

Lives in Portland Oregon oof srry bud

[@lamargent5434]

hb WINS

[@AdamFreeman123]

The crazy thing about these to me is that it’s cheaper than buying 2 V30s. Like what? How? If I didn’t have a cab, I’d get one. But like, how?

[@TaylorDanley]

I believe these are cheaper Chinese production v30s. Still, what a deal. It sounds great too.

[@AdamFreeman123]

@@TaylorDanley that makes me feel better about buying 2 V30s and putting them in the cab I made costing more than this. But yeah... that things a steal & sounds killer and if I'd known about this a few years ago (was Thomann stuff even available in the US 2-3 years ago though? legit no clue) then yeah I would have saved myself some time and some money for my 2x12.

[@TaylorDanley]

@@AdamFreeman123 I feel like I just found out about thomann, no idea when it was around in the us lol. Yeah totally, I have some speakers I might toss in there to compare if I get the time and motivation to pull my cabs apart haha.

[@CalKelly]

One reason could be for mass purchasing, remember when you buy a V30 you get all the added costs of margins and every time it passes through a pair of hands the price increases, going direct to Celestion and buying a LOT of speakers would lower the price considerably

[@charlesrocks]

Lolz...Mesa all the way.

[@gizemkayhan9245]

harley benton is better here

[@howardgillingham4763]

Celebrate Chinese goods

[@pbbeck01]

I made it to 4:30, then realized this guy is another f-ing drop-tuned djenter. 🙄 I'm out.

[@TaylorDanley]

😂 I'll have you know that guitar was tuned standard!

[@andresisais6069]

Yeah and it's not even djent lol

[@gahusk6091]

@@TaylorDanley lmaoo

[@TaylorDanley]

@@gahusk6091 🤷‍♂️🙌

[@BazonBlades]

What a f**king ass. People are dicks on the interwebz.