Bass Emporium Newsletter

Bass Emporium Newsletter - October 2007

Bass Whisperer

The Bass Whisperer Reports:
Bergantino Audio HS-410, 4-10" & Horn Bass Guitar Speaker Cabinet

Since first entering the bass cabinet market in 2001, Bergantino has set several new benchmarks for quality and tone. With the introduction of their HT series, bassists experienced full-range sound reproduction with an overall sweetness that was previously heard only in high-end studio monitors. The HT series also introduced some innovative speaker configurations; the 310, the 322 (two 10s, a 12 with a tweeter), as well as a single 12 cab that could ably represent the low B string and cover small to medium gigs all by itself. Of the original HT lineup, only the HT112 is currently in production.

One problem with a cabinet that so accurately reproduces the input source is: you begin to notice any deficiencies in the amp that drives it. This ultimately led Bergantino to develop the IP ("Intelligent Power") series—self-powered cabs with digital switching amps, and proprietary Digital Signal Processing to create an eq curve and limiting that brings out the cabinet's ultimate capabilities. While powered cabinets are nothing new, Bergantino's mating of DSP, Class AD amplifiers and superior cabinet design once again raised the bar in the bass amp market.

While the IP series does represent somewhat of a "golden ideal," many bass players still want to play through a bass head with a sonic signature they feel represents their preferred tone. Add to this the growing trend in bass amplification toward smaller, lighter, digital and Class D amps—and a new set of challenges arise in terms of getting the best performance from a cabinet with the relatively tame power handling capabilities of these lightweight heads. Jim Bergantino puts it this way: "The larger HT cabs like the 310 and 322 had very high-performance woofers with long excursion, but they were not very efficient. What that means is—you need a good power amp to drive them. Amps built for the MI (musical instrument) market typically under-perform if you compare them to a PA amp with the same power rating. Essentially, this means a digital amp rated at 800 watts will not deliver the goods like an 800-watt PA amp." While some tone fanatics may be willing to lug around 50 lb. power amps plus a preamp, the trend in the MI bass amp market has steadily moved toward smaller and lighter. Realizing that most run-of-the-mill bass amps could not bring out the best his cabinets have to offer, Mr. Bergantino decided to create a new line of cabs. The goal: to build a cabinet that is compatible with the capabilities of consumer-level bass amps—without sacrificing tone and definition.

ENTER THE HS
The Bergantino Audio HS (High Sensitivity) series is the result of this challenge. On the surface, they look like any Bergantino cab, but it's what you'll find under the hood that makes the difference. By designing a more efficient woofer, Bergantino was able to get better performance from his cabs when powered with your average bass amp. However, this increased sensitivity does come at a price: "We gave up a little low-end extension for better efficiency, more volume, and better mid-range focus" states Bergantino. Now, before you grab your torch and pitchfork and head up the hill to his laboratory, take heed: "Will it sound as big or go down as low? No, but while reproducing the B string is important, what's most important is how your sound works in the overall mix. What is it about the B string that we want? And, what does the B string have that we don't need?" Hmm, does he mean to say that super-extended sub-low frequency response may NOT be what I want onstage? Not if you like hearing yourself. "While some people refer to the HT 322 as a "reference standard," ultimately I think the HS cab is a more useful tool" Bergantino tells us.

REALITY CHECK
All this talk about less low frequency extension made me wonder if the HS series lacked bottom or depth. To find out, I test-drove the HS410 (a 210 model is also available, and more configurations are in the works) with my Acoustic Image Focus 2 head—a Class D switching amp that is rated at 600 watts into 4 ohms. I've used this amp for many years with a dual stack of Bergantino HT112s, and find it works very well at low and moderate volume levels. However, when it comes time to really crank it up, I feel that my tone is somewhat compromised. To be fair, the Focus is designed primarily as an acoustic bass amp (the name of the company might have been a clue...) and while the 600-watt power rating delivers superb low frequency response at typical acoustic volume levels, it's just not robust enough to drive the HT112s at jazz-fusion volume. But, heading out for a gig, I have two choices: take the Focus with 600 watts, weighing in at 5 lbs. —or carry my Genz-Benz GBE 1200, delivering 1000 watts (into a 4 ohm load) weighing 42 lbs. Being essentially old and lazy, it's no surprise which amp sees more gig time. However, the nights I choose the GBE1200, the Bergies stand up and deliver huge, focused bottom, detailed mids and sweet highs—at full throttle without breaking a sweat. The prospect of a cab that could give me similar results with my 5 lb. amp was very exciting to say the least.

The improved response of the Focus/HS410 combination was immediately apparent. At high volume, the mid focus was defined and punchy—but well supported from underneath. Unless your goal is to make people soil their shorts with every low note, you won't be disappointed with the bottom this cab produces. Just as a smart recording engineer rolls off the sub low frequencies of the bass to carve out its space in the mix, the HS de-emphasizes this zone to achieve greater efficiency and clarity. The highs even sounded sweeter than through my HT stack. Another issue I've encountered with the Focus/HT pairing is the "braap/fart" sound of pushing an underpowered speaker to high dB levels. The AI Focus combined with the HS410 allowed me to dig in hard without producing this unpleasant, and potentially speaker-destroying sound.

SPECS
The HS410 is a 4-ohm cabinet rated to handle 800 watts RMS, with a frequency range of 45Hz to 15kHz. The dimensions are 22.75"W x 25.5"H x 15.5"D—the width and height are the same as the HT410, but the depth is 2.5"shallower. The cabinet weighs in at 85 lbs. —pretty typical for a non-neodymnium 4x10. For the tech heads out there, the sensitivity rating is listed as 103dB - 1watt/1meter. At $999.00, it's not inexpensive, but it is competitively priced with other cabs in it's class.

Bergantino HS410

SOUND CHECK
To give you a sense of the HS410's tone, I recorded it at home, powered by an Acoustic Image Focus 2 (set flat), with an MXL 603s condenser mic placed 7" and 45 degrees off axis from one of the 10" speakers (see photo and note high tech paper shock mount...).

Bergantino Mic

This setup went direct into a Digidesign MBox, recorded in ProTools 7.1—with no eq or compression.

Sample 1 is a 1974 Fender Jazz with a J-retro preamp (set flat), played fingerstyle. The warmth and punch is immediately audible, but the mid definition is excellent, especially on the fast triplets. You can hear the subtle zing of the tweeter, bringing out a nice sparkle, but not overtaking the essential beefiness of the tone.

Sample 2 is the same Fender Jazz, this time with the J-Retro's bright switch engaged, but no other eq boost. Using a HipShot Bass Xtender to drop the E string to low C, the HS410 brings out all the complexity of this instrument's wonderful slap tone. The lowest notes are round and clear, the low-mids have impact, while the pesky upper-midrange frequencies that typically make slap sound harsh are nowhere to be found—but in no way would I characterize this as a "scooped" tone. The highs are crisp and present, but not over-hyped. I can live with that!

Sample 3 is a passive Lakland Joe Osborn 5 string with D'Addario Chrome Flats, tone set wide open. To show that the HS410 is not just about modern, hi-fi tone, I completely rolled off the tweeter. The result is a thick, chewy, old school sound with great articulation. The woofers' naturally occurring high frequency response is just perfect for this type of playing, and the barrel-like girth of the low-mids will make you want to do the boogaloo. Dropping the line down an octave to the B string, I'm impressed with the HS410s ability to maintain the integrity of the notes, there is no mud happening here!

BOTTOM LINE
If you've ever had the chance to play through a Bergantino cabinet, you already know they represent a much higher standard than the typical offerings. If you've never tried one, the HS series will open your ears to a new level of tonal excellence. With its focus on efficiency, the HS410 will bring out the best your bass and amp have to offer. They cost more, but for several good reasons. 1) They are conceived with clearly set design goals, and those goals are not compromised with a "price-point" consciousness. 2) The engineering behind the concept is top-notch. Every component has been configured to meet the goal of the cabinet. There are no "off the rack" parts involved. 3) They are designed and built in the US under the watchful eye of Jim Bergantino. 4) They sound wicked good—wicked!

Ed Friedland is a renowned Bassist, Educator and Author. He has authored over 15 books and DVDs and has played with the likes of Joe Beck, Larry Coryell, Robben Ford, Paul Horn, Clay Jenkins, Mike Metheny, Bud Shank, Lew Tabackin & Michal Urbaniak to name just a few. Ed is also currently teaching at Bass Emporium in Austin, Texas. Check out the Ed Friedland website for full information about him at http://www.edfriedland.com/.