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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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 🤘

[@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....?

[@paulkielt9301]

The smallest yellow cab sounds the best to my ears.

[@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.

[@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 !!

[@TempoDrift1480]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@shaunm1983]

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

[@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

[@Cheguebuddha]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@0Orion]

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

[@InTheSh8]

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

[@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?

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!😷

[@Widdy5150]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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. ;)

[@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)

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@AdrianDelso]

Through my shitty speakers the Suhr was a clear winner, but the HB is an unquestionable bargain.

[@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.

[@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.

[@BadMotivator66]

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

[@jakethesound4586]

In the End its logical: If Youre going to Mic different cabinets, which all have the Same model speaker Chassis at 1" distance to Microphone, the effect of the Cab on the Signal is smaller than when You Put a greater distance between Mic and cone. As closeup micing is pretty much the way weve been Rolling for 50 years now....why Not buy the Harley Benton If Youre on a Budget.

[@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

[@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

[@ShoeGazer]

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

[@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?

[@LeeLucas]

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

[@kawmic7]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@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 !! :)

[@paulblackman3936]

Even through a Mike the difference is obvious. The HB is fuller and warmer. Ears don't lie!

[@PyroTBag]

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

[@CLaw-tb5gg]

It's.. okay. When it's cheaper than the speaker itself it's kind of a no-brainer, but tbh it sounded the worst out of the four to me (I'd rank them "Joyo", GLB, Suhr, HB), which I suppose is no great surprise when the cab must have been made for pennies. It just sounds very boxy and cheap-sounding, whereas the "Joyo" sounded more open and even, especially in the low end.

[@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.

[@leavemealoneyouprick]

arent there different types of V30? Chinese made ones and English made ones?

[@UkiMalefu]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@kevingriffin8854]

Most players have a handful of guitars they love and take care of. I bet every guitar you have has old strings and needs a setup.

[@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.

[@miguelruiz7803]

Thx for your point of view

[@mattfleming2287]

It’s a Chinese made Celestion, that’s why it’s so cheap. The cab is the bargain- throw a great, efficient speaker in there and your good to go.

[@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

[@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

[@ianedmonds9191]

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

[@jareyes2012]

That "joyo" cab sounds sweet. GLB yellow sounds terrible. I'd rank "Joyo"-then suhr- then HB- then GLB.

[@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!

[@MisterTee]

I may be one of the few guys on the planet who hates V30 and V30 type speakers. I dont like the mid spike on any of the cabs with the Celestials. The Suhr cab is similar but has less of a spike which is my preference but I would pass on all of these cabs.

[@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.

[@EndHelicopterPilot]

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

[@joshparker2198]

I have the HB 212 V30 and it truly is a bang for the buck. Is it the best sounding V30 cab? Not in a long shot, Orange cabs for instance sounds better, Mesa cabs are supposed to sound better as well, but for the money spent on the HB it does it's job and it is chaffordable. In fact, right now I actually like my HB cab better than my Randal 112 with the same speaker. The Randal cab is better built but the tone somehow sounds different, and more to my liking with the HB cab. It could also be that my dirty amp sounds better with that cab than the other. As always, love your vids Henning

[@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 😂

[@siggiarabi]

if the speaker blows up and you buy a new cab, you at least have the housing so you can fit a different speaker in there (but the only bad thing is that you're stuck with an 8 ohm speaker*

[@lewisbeeman]

Seriously what do you do for a living. You so much gear! It is amazing and I am a slight bit jealous 😒

[@dainiusvysniauskas2049]

Guitar teacher, also runs his studio.

[@thatchman9605]

lewisbeeman he runs a studio

[@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!!!

[@TheRick517]

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

[@mattfleming2287]

Great shootout! The HB sounds pretty good but has an unpleasant midrange compared to your cab. The Suhr and GLB sound a bit boxy. Your cab is the best sounding, dammit.

[@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

[@thehandseesall]

surely 8ohm vs 16ohm will sound different even in the same cab no...?

[@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.

[@neilmurphy1927]

You carnt lose with the hb cabs great product for low low price

[@fuzzmountain7583]

That is an INSANE deal!

[@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

[@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 :)

[@DareBear2099]

In the video I think the HB sounded best to my ears. So it’s not just you sir

[@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.

[@rajamcraja]

they all sound the same brah, in a live show with a full band the slight difference between the cabs is 0% noticeable, believe me guys, just spend on the HB and with the extra bucks you can go to the movies or take out your girl or your mom or whatever. To spend more money on something that does not really make any difference, is not worth it.

[@wolfgangcordsen3430]

good point there

[@markolivares6943]

Good point

[@ddave3388]

yeah no the cab is literally 90% of the tone

[@ddave3388]

but yeah the HB is a really good cab you can't say the cab makes no difference though

[@mikevega7740]

Yeah in us the celestion is 160 plus tax. So it's a bargain

[@BabyHands14]

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

[@MichelleTaylor1]

Another fun,informative and interesting review! 👍🏻 Just listening on my IPhone and iPad at the moment but to me the HB sounded the best, it appeared to have both clarity and warmth and not too harsh, I'd love to hear the newer Celestion "A" speaker in it, I bet that would sound great!

[@pskemster]

You do know the difference between the Chinese Celestions and the real ones that are made in Britain. Thus the price difference. Love your video’s keep them coming. Cheers!

[@pcb1962]

Celestion don't make the Vintage 30 in the UK. "At Celestion all our guitar speakers are designed in the UK. We still manufacture our “premium” speakers, the Heritage Series G12M, G12H and G12-65 and the Celestion Blue and Gold in Ipswich. The remainder are manufactured in our own factory in China."

[@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.