Harley Benton HB-G112 Vintage - Unboxing, 1st Impression, Review

[@NickintheStates]

I have one of these and you're right... a crazy bargain. In the US it's cheaper than just buying a Vintage 30 Celestion too! I use mine extensively mixing it up with a 112 greenback cab. Good stuff!

[@BadMotivator66]

what up, nick haha XD good to see you here!

[@jcoulter43]

I'm placing an order for one today to use with some of my lunchbox heads. Way more portable than my 4x12 and sounds way better than my Orange 1x8 ;-) Great review as always Henning!

[@kralas111]

19:30 Hello, how about trying another brand of guitars like SX and IYV? No one would then tell you that you work for Thomann and HB. But if you promote only one budget HB brand, then there is nothing to be surprised about. I personally own two SX guitars and I think, and I'm not alone, that it surpasses the HB in both sound and quality. Box JOYO sounds the best in my opinion

[@LotusBoi1989]

Honestly, I feel like whatever subtle differences there are, would be completely lost in the mix once you step on stage. If you wanna be superficial and have the money to piss away just for asthetics, knock yourself out. Me? I'll put the extra $400 towards shit that'll actually augment my tone, not some fancy woods and leather handles. HB it is.

[@LopetaJo123]

agree!

[@DerEchteBold]

I just listened for a second time and the order is now: Selfmade, Suhr, HB, GLB. Your 'JOYO' still sounds the best to me, by far. Through my speakers it's not thin at all in comparison, quite full and with great clarity. The Suhr also has a good clarity, the other two not so much.

[@larsvanessen9408]

The biggest difference might be the completly new speaker versus the well worked in speaker. Or semi open versus closed back. Ha ha tonewood. got an old cab 2 x12 with only one speaker placed the other left open, closedback very very thick multiplex from the sixties....sounds great....?

[@theimp.erfectionist2471]

I've had this cab for half a year now and cannot be happier. Whether it is live, recording, clean or distorted that thing delivers. The tolex is pretty bad and starts peeling after a few days of use, but for the price? cannot complain. Now I want to promote Harley Benton too

[@superchefno1]

I think the GLB sounded very tight and solid. wonderful cab... The Harley Benton sounded almost as tight and I liked the tone more. All the things you pointed out were clear to my ears on the video. This is one of the best comparison videos I've seen in quite some time.

[@NihilQuest]

With close micing each change in mic position gives so much difference in sound it's really hard to judge them. I think any of these cabs will do the job while recording if you know where to put the mic. I have HB and I don't regret it.

[@paulkielt9301]

The smallest yellow cab sounds the best to my ears.

[@SaccoBelmonte]

Amps are in fact instruments as much as the guitars themselves (I would say even more than e-guitars), you should have a bunch of them for the different color they give you, some might not sound awesome alone but cuts perfectly through the mix.

[@JorisGriffioen]

I've got the 212 version of the HB. It sounds good and matches your description (nice sizzle, punchy lows) and I'd agree with the quality description too. It's very good bedroom tone, but I'm suspecting that those characteristics are causing my guitar to be less heard in the mix than it should. Maybe that is why the Suhr sounds like it does.

[@TempoDrift1480]

I don't know how I've been watching this channel for a couple years and wasn't subscribed.

[@Widdy5150]

due to this video, I've gone and bought a pair of the Harleys to run my Helix with the Matrix power amp in stereo........AMAZING CABS 🤘

[@g.a.s.2279]

Could the difference in sound be attributed to how "worn in" each cab's speaker is?

[@erlannderrantem6972]

Yeah that's definitely a factor! They sound actually harsher in the beginning.

[@0Orion]

HB 14:35 Joyo 15:46 GLB 16:34 HB#2 17:43 Suhr 18:27

[@kristopherdetar4346]

For all practice and purposes, the HB is perfectly fine. I have built cabs in the past and for the money and time you could not build one yourself with a Vintage 30 speaker for less money, it would cost you more. Great video !!

[@shaunm1983]

I think its crazy buying expensive cabs, as long as they are solidly built and the size is right for you.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

This was a fantastic comparison and…wait for it…amusing. Just what I needed before doing the last of my holiday shopping. I am ordering the HB soon.

[@bellachi9575]

Thank you for this review. I bought the hb cab(my first as an electric newbie) and was blown away by the difference this size speaker makes in guitar sound compared to the small practice amp I had been using.

[@ianedmonds9191]

Closed back speakers are definitely tighter. Phase is preserved a lot better. Now in a band situation that's not gonna mean shit because you are in a room and there are reflections and that will kaput any phase advantage of any amp. The Tightness of any boutique amp + Cab will only work if it's close miced into the desk and PA. Luv and Peace.

[@StuartBridson]

I've just sold my 2x12 (loaded with Vintage 30s) and am in the market for an 8 ohm 1x12 V30 cab and you've just sold me on the Harley Benton I think. I was kinda unsure of the price and the open back but you've just convinced me for sure. I originally wanted to get an Orange PPC112 but they're 2.5 times the price and 16 ohms and my head only outputs at 8 ohm (it's an Engl Ironball using the built-in powersoak feature) so seems like a waste of money. THANK YOU!

[@InTheSh8]

The celestion vintage 30 always "clocks in" at 100 Euros or less! But still it's a bargain and I bought it, too!

[@ArielsSmartyPants]

This sounded almost exactly like I expected, the HB is brighter with higher transients and pick attack because the speaker isn't broken in and the GLB is boxy sounding because it's too small. The other two sounded bassier (normal) with less transients.

[@TMmodify]

boutique 8' or 10' guitar amp speaker cabs might be the most useless things in the history of music instruments since that diamond covered Fender Tele. and don't even get me started on the possibility that someone somewhere is making custom shop kazoos.

[@Cheguebuddha]

Yeah Harley Benton ROCKS!!! More HB demos please!!!

[@chrispygingerpie]

The reason the Cabinet with the speaker is cheaper than just the speaker is Economies of Scale, Harley Benton/ Joyo make so many of these speakers that they get great discounts so that the price per cabinet is heavily reduced. Plus that they are most likely buying close to cost price and not retail like the standalone speaker. I have the Harley Benton G112 (it's an openback but also has a front port hole) and it has a T75 style speaker in it and I have to say it sounds pretty good in pair with my homemade cabinet with a Seventy80.

[@CJ-rf9jm]

I like that speaker, especially in the harley benton cab I could actually afford. But then I'd hafta buy a head to use with it. Now see what you've done? your giving me G.A.S again.

[@drb9223]

Most combos can run an external cab.

[@pyotrilyichtchaikovsky3733]

The orange micro dark is a great lil cheap head

[@Rocker72]

Great review. Thanks for your work. I just ordered a Line6 Pod GO and I’m gonna run into a HB Custom Line Thunder 99 Power amp and from there out in stereo to two G112 Vintage speakers. I expect great things to come out of that combo.

[@seanyiscubsfan1]

How do you think this cab would sound with a Victory RK50H?

[@JohnIainMcFarlanewaspfactor]

Just got the HB to let my Orange Micros push a little more air.OMFG!Neighbours marching down road with flaming torches and pitchforks!Best £110 I spent in a long time.And......I still can't turn the amps above 2.

[@banditdeluxe1310]

John Iain McFarlane have you ever tried a speaker soak/attenuator? Something cheap like a little 8ohm speaker soak to act as a master vol?

[@ottoolsen9560]

from where i am sitting joyo at 1 Hb 2 sr 3 and jbl eh glb at 4 th glb sounds more boxy. but then im used to the Hb but the 2x12 stereo cab.

[@yoann_]

So you can unplug a speaker from a valve amp when it's on bypass? Is it ok why any valve amp head? If yes, I think I really learned something today :)

[@CaptainChaos2102]

hi henning, ich bin auch gerade in einer situation, dass ich mich nicht entscheiden kann als amp habe ich mir den laney irt studio ausgesucht. aber nun welche cab die harley benton vintage cab oder doch die laney irt cab. ist echt nicht so einfach, vom preis her ist die harley benton schon sehr attraktiv. aber super vergleich bei den cabs. greetings.

[@Widdy5150]

I purchased two 1x12s to run with my Helix in stereo on the back of watching this video..........AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stratguy1013]

Don't know if you read all these comments but I got to tell you...I have been watching you and enjoying your vids for a long while. If you are ever in Florida (orlando) shoot me a text and we will have a beer. Your reviews are the best..honest and to the point. Keep it up.

[@EytschPi42]

thanks a lot Warren!!!

[@dimitris470]

Awesome cab for people that are on the road much or starting a studio. Plywood is light and highly available. Most people that know how to hold a hammer should be able to service this. And the open design makes it very forgiving. The other cabs, to be honest, are meant for a living room. BTW the sound differences are not only because of differences in material, but in design too. Open/closed cab makes a big difference, as does the total volume of of the cab and the placement of the speaker. PS: small tip, use a plumber's iron to solder the wires (not plumbers flux though) and don t use the tag clips. Replace the entry socket with a gold plated one. And the plastic handle with a metal one. 5 bucks and 10 minutes tops

[@chumbo]

If you're a real man, and so unbiased as you say, you know you have to do a comparison with Thomann's direct rival to that cab...the Music Store Fame GN112 VIntage, priced at...you guessed it...129€!!! Come on, I dare you ;-)

[@athamz9872]

well probably the same product with a diferent brand on it no?

[@joesasser4421]

The HB and “non-joyo” sound similar, fantastic sound from the GLB, the Suhr is also different, but not as good ask the others. I’d go GLB 1st, than the HB. Recording engineer, listening through AKG K240 that I’ve had for over 30 years.

[@nowherebrain]

I have to say the two on the left sounded the best...I bet if you made the HB a closed back it would give it a bit more punch to the lows.

[@taz4965]

Would love to hear how it compares with the PRS 1x12 cab for the Tremonti MT15. At £299 GBP the PRS is pricy, so I'm veeerrry tempted by the HB, I'll probably rip the logo off tho!!!

[@ianedmonds9191]

For a sub 1000E rig this does sound special. Luv and Peace.

[@johnwillard6198]

I have the egnator rebel 12 , have you ever tried one of those

[@brianlebrun2382]

What I heard... the "Joyo" just didn't cut it..the GLB sounded warmer but in a boxy way. It's one of the reasons I don't like a single 12. The Suhr was mud. That being said, the HB had the cut I would look for in a cab. In other words how will it cut in the mix sitting next to a drummer or bass player without being mic'd. That extra high end it had might be due to being a new speaker and not broken in. I don't know how they do it at that price but the stuff is a bargain.

[@josephjuneau9400]

I love your comment. "I'm gonna be honest and you'll have to fucking deal with it". Perfect in your face honesty. It doesn't get any better than that. Excellent videos by the way.

[@elliotjgc]

I got one of these cabs for home use (go direct live). I found it to be a brill sounding cab for the cost. Thanks for doing a review on it.

[@OliOllsen]

Would it make sense to use also a roommic for the review? Or would this still doesn't sound like the real deal? And is the Mjolnir now available at Thomann? I never found it in the webstore... thx for all your reviews and silly stuff.

[@eeeejcicjn]

Can these boxes be used with amp sim pedals like Iridium or must pair with head?

[@DMSProduktions]

Maybe TRY a condenser mic (LDC) it may pick up more nuances a dynamic might miss. What I heard basically sounded the same bar the Suhr, which sounded really BOXY in the Vox AC30 vein. The other 3, not much diff thru my hifi set up. GLB a bit tighter/cleaner in the low end, but apart from that same as HB. Your home grown cab did sound thin, but still not much again. I think the mic MAY be the loose link in the chain! (signal)

[@ShoeGazer]

I love your channel so much! thank you for posting this demos!

[@TonyHookedonVanlife]

just listening thru, they all pretty much sounded the same... by skipping around on the timeline of the video, you CAN hear the differences. The gold GLB was MUCH more mid-heavy than all the others. If that is good or bad, it depends on what YOU want in your tone. The Suhr was abit louder than the HB, but other than that, not much tonal difference, and POSITIVELY no reason it should cost that much. The homemade non-Joyo cab was in the middle - nothing stood out. Final assessment - the Harley Benton is a FANTASTIC DEAL. Even for those of us living in the US, with the shipping charges from Germany(currently about $40 or so), it's STILL worth the price, no doubt about it.

[@garyh9740]

Thanx!i got to skip half the vid because of your excellent summing stuff up skills!

[@garyh9740]

+tony93666 Woah!I just got a dude to disable his comments because me and another viewer got to trading off color remarks if you get my drift.It was all innocent fun but I could see where it might be misconstrued!😷

[@TMmodify]

hey Henning ,have you ever heard about evolution amps ? apparently they make solid state heads that DO sound like valve heads but I can't find anything about those,not even a single review/demo/ recording of their amp.

[@miguelruiz7803]

Thx for your point of view

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

You're real, I like real, subscribed. Got something of a craving to try some HB gear out, seems like a decent punt for little outlay. Keep being you, I know you will. ;)

[@larslenard6725]

would this cab and speaker be good with a hiwatt t20? I know the combo comes with a fane speaker...

[@UkiMalefu]

It may sound different in the room, but I agree with what you said.

[@FabrizioPeretti]

Is the suhr cab made out of plywood? I'm asking myself how the justify that price

[@livevvire146]

fame makes even cheaper ones with v30. can you do a comparison of a fame and hb 112 ?

[@BadMotivator66]

Ofc, Mic placement will make a big difference to the sound

[@jamesr_whiterock_ocmd_3629]

Will that harley benton work good with the joyo zombie 2 or the orange micro dark? Thank you for all ur vids

[@muddywalker3736]

Could I run bass in to that cab nothing crazy just 40watts ????

[@alexshackleford1065]

I don't think your output valves would find it very funny. Seeing if the speakers are wired up isn't usually the first thing you check 😂

[@micktheshaggy3977]

Is there any chance to see your comparison of this cab with JetCity 12S+? Thomann also stocks them and they are exactly the same price.

[@iancurrie8844]

It’s the same picture. The only one that will be significantly different would be from Orange because they not only believe in closed back cabinets, but also closed front cabinets

[@DerEchteBold]

I think I like your custom 'Joyo' cab the most, next is GLB, then Suhr and HB. But it doesn't surprise me that you heard something completely different in the room. Of course you promote Harley Benton, if the stuff is good that's the right thing to do!

[@PyroTBag]

Henning, I love you man.. Keep up with the awesome vids!!

[@bassmana2z686]

Do you think the HB didn't sound quite so crisp ? That's not necessarily a bad thing.

[@TMmodify]

It sounded more expensive than it actually is,that's all I need ^^ apparently the 2-12 version is quite good too.

[@azraaell]

What about the g-112 none vintage cab? Only £58 would love to see a demo of that! 😁

[@DerEchteBold]

I think some of the reviews on the Thomann site say it's kinda dull and muffled, the typical 'blanket over the speaker' sound.

[@MWerNicht]

First: Great video - exactly the review I needed. And one question: Do you think it's possible to remove that "Harley Benton"-logo without destroying anything else on the cab?

[@luke_reiss]

You showed the Harley Benton more than one single time. It actually sounded different. The best sound in my opinion was the first time you showed, right after when you played the guitar recording the loop. Maybe because of the residual ear conditioning after listening through phones. (some effect similar to vision when we get stains in our view after watching too much light and turning the head to a clean wall to see the stain). But apart from that (forgive some crazy thoughts), the first time seemed to be the best sound of the entire recording.

[@saintangernew]

Hello ! Verry nice but from where make you settings for the tone ?? Thanks !

[@danielguitar5150]

Hey Henning, Should I get the HB Vintage cab 2x12 Horizontal or Vertical, or this 1x12 in the vid???

[@albertogarcia1386]

Good review man, My nomination to the Oscar's to the best cabinete with 12" is for.... the Harley Benton. The worst one for me is the Suhr. the Joyo it is not bad.

[@LeeLucas]

Great test and no doubt you cannot go wrong with the price of the HB.

[@MagnusPejlert]

Maybe prices changed since you made the video, but checking at Thomann today a V30 8ohm is 109€ and the HB G112 vintage is 122€. A totally ok cab for 13€ is still a pretty awesome deal though! :)

[@tsabtsih]

155 now :(

[@francescocagnacci]

169 now. I still think it's a good bargain

[@MrPinkStrat]

Suhr proves what Ludicrus Pricing they have, 300 would be A more fair price ...guess GREED took over,, If I'm paying 5 times the Price ..It had better be 5 times as good

[@daleturner3507]

Based on listening on my dog sh!t headphones the Suhr sounded good. The GLB sounded almost the same as the HB cab. Idk since like you said I’m not in the room. Great video.

[@Briansgate]

Can you run a bass amp head through this?

[@Flobnockie]

I actually liked the "Joyo" cab the best out of all of them

[@alanst.4417]

Seems to sound more "3D", detailed, with a beautiful midrange and fuller bass IMO.

[@zombiemontage]

Good match for a joyo zombie?

[@rveurope]

Lots of effort taken, great review! Ty. ( my opinion I would add a tool box HB 1x, 2 x, 4 x 12 or 2x 10 x 2 x 12 empty, think you can already get empty cabs from Thom as well?).. Then purchase a UK heritage greenback 55 H or so.. Couple of screws and there it is affordable prime sound..made such with a Palmer and H speaker greenback..but agree the HB 1 x12 vintage is good enough for most purposes! ( I run it with a Tm 36 awesome) the Palmer with HT 5 R.. Killer though

[@headkickko609]

I was considering of getting the 212. But since last Friday, I have two original V30's waiting in the trunk of my car. They are some 20 years old, but never used, still in their orig. boxes. I also have plans for a 2x12 on my PC.... But guys I'm so freakin' lazy its not even funny anymore.

[@BabyHands14]

One of these and an orange micro terror or micro dark could be a really nice cheap combo methinks

[@phko0001]

Hi HP, Interesting review. Thank you for spending the effort on the detailed work. My suggestion: You need to try out the Orange PPC112. It has a certain punch and for my ears it has the right sound for "metally" stuff. I think you have also in your crosscheck. Cheers PK

[@somebodyelseuk]

In fairness, where the cab is positioned in the room will affect what you hear. How so cheap? Well, the cab is probably made in an Asian sweatshop, and Thomann are putting more than average mark up on the V30 - they're approx. £90 in the UK. Nevertheless, that cab is outstanding value.

[@profile1251]

How do we know its a genuine Celestion v30 etc?

[@simonsmith2579]

Sounded the same as the (Joyo) and they both sounded better (more low end) than the other expensive one. Size wins!

[@simonsmith2579]

Better than the more expensive ONES I mean

[@cathaldalymusic]

I was gonna buy one of them but I got a great deal on a vox night train 1x12with a green back, amazing cab! You should check them out

[@HenkDynacord]

Is the HB frontloaded?

[@grilledspaghetti]

I remember seeing Die Ärzte on the live feed of RaR about 2003, Farin had cabinets that had the brand name taken off and replaced with a "Fahrstuhl" plaque. I would so do that with that HB. I'm pretty sue I will.

[@jacobbockover1628]

I like open back cabs especially at home

[@wagnernoise]

I liked the Harley Benton cab, but my preferred was the GLB. Anyway, I'll probably pick one of this Harley Benton in the future ;) Cheers!

[@lucasaragon9823]

great review..... I would really like to see a video where you show all your guitars or at least the ones we don't see in the videos

[@martinmiessler5025]

Ahoi Leider fehlt der Fame Sweet Baby 5 Watt, den kann ich nur Empfehlen. Kleiner Tipp macht euch ein TopTeil daraus denn 8 Zoll Lautsprecher taugen mal gar nicht zum Funzeln ;-)

[@EytschPi42]

das war ein boxentest, kein combotest

[@Terry3Gs]

Great video Henning sir !! I thought thru my Asus Xonar DX into my Senheiser PC 350 gaming headphones the "joyo" & Surh did sound as you said a lil "thin" .... the GLB i found sounded dare I say "compressed" which would make sence given the box spec's. BUT I fully agree the HB-G112 sounded VERY full/great !! :)

[@juancts]

Como le va con un orange micro terror ??

[@EndHelicopterPilot]

I'm in the market for a new 1x12 atm. Good timing Henning.

[@peskypesky]

I thought they all sounded good, but different. Can't say any one amp was better or worse than the others. Harley Benton seemed to lack some bottom end, but not so much that it would bother me.

[@TheRick517]

I bought mine for €99,-. The V30 alone cost €98 at the same retailer back then.

[@MrPoilleke]

I go between the Harley Benton #2 and the glb #1, more depth and bass, but for the price l actually go for the hb

[@kawmic7]

I liked the Glb best, but very close is the HB. P.s. The amp is crap. Way too harsh.

[@justinjones6810]

Why don't you set up a room mic so that we can at least get some sound of the room