Guitar Speaker: single Adam T8V or pair Behringer B2031A?

[svinyard]

Weird question I know but hear me out. I've got approx. 200$ to spend for a speaker for my Tonex (digital guitar amp). I could get some used Behringer B2031A's (1.5hr drive/Craigslist)...a pair of them for 225$. Or I could get a single Adam T8V used for 220$ shipped to my door, returnable as well and in seemingly good condition. Or a mint, open Box one for 245$ shipped. I'm playing in a 10x15 space, untreated bur with giant book shelf and large curtains on an entire wall. A single speaker, would definitely work volume wise, especially since these go up to around 116db apparently max'ed. (Oh there's also some PreSonus E8's -not the newer XT's for like 200$ a pair an hour away. They don't get as loud as these others and I'm not sure how good of a speaker that is)

Use-Case: I'm needing to play my guitar/tonex amp standing or sitting while I dial in my tone/pedals etc. I'm not obsessing over hunting perfection tho as PA/FOH systems are all over the place. But, I'd like for the tone to be relatively inspiring so it's fun to play. I've played through the Behringer's at my buddies larger studio and it sounded pretty good in a big space. But I've seen so many people say this speaker is bad and the Adam speakers are awesome tho. I struggle buying, not-so-great stuff. I'm not sure I need two of the Behringers...and I have to drive my ass out there...not sure I have room on my desk for two of these huge things. But I'm new to this so what do I know. The Adam speaker is same price but for only a single speaker, but it's shipped and I can return it within 30 days if I don't like it at local store. Use-Case: I'll often be standing and playing along with set-list songs from Youtube, tho close enough to the speaker...but I'll also sit at studio desk at times too. I'd like to grab a Fender FR-10 but those are like 470$+ used...too much for now and I have real vintage amps for "getting the goods".

Any Sage advice for a speaker noob dipping his toe into the digital guitar amp/speaker world?

 

[smygolf]

I can not really comment on the difference of the two speakers
2 vs 1, will you ever use the Behringer in stereo ?

 

[svinyard]

I can not really comment on the difference of the two speakers
2 vs 1, will you ever use the Behringer in stereo ?

I’m not sure on the Stereo…someday perhaps but it’s not a big priority as my guitar rig isn’t going to run it. I’m most mono when paying live too just due to sound guys and PA setup is rarely dialed well for Stereo anyways.

 

[smygolf]

I’m not sure on the Stereo…someday perhaps but it’s not a big priority as my guitar rig isn’t going to run it. I’m most mono when paying live too just due to sound guys and PA setup is rarely dialed well for Stereo anyways.

As a European, Behringar are known for there bad quality, Adam known for good so i would choose Adam in this case.

 

[JaapD]

Is there a limiter in the signal path? If not, then I don’t expect the monitor speaker would last for a long time, due to the heavy transients of the guitar’s signal. I’d go for a real guitar speaker instead.

 

[Hayabusa]

Is there a limiter in the signal path? If not, then I don’t expect the monitor speaker would last for a long time, due to the heavy transients of the guitar’s signal. I’d go for a real guitar speaker instead.

both have limiters, so no real issue I would say, I assume the OP guitar effects will also include some form of compression/limiting.

 

[NotInYourHead]

The B2031A is more appealing IMO. You're getting two of them for the price of one. It'd come in handy when you have time to sit down and need to mix in stereo.
Regarding longevity, especially for high output for a long time, the Behringer might have an edge here. It has a large, exposed heatsink at the back to prevent heat from building up. Adam T8 is enclosed.

 

[JaapD]

After everything mentioned above I’d go for a buy once cry once solution; a proper guitar speaker.
I have a pair of T7v’s, nothing wrong with them! But don’t find them ‘heavy duty’ speakers.
W.r.t. T8v: looks like a woofer with a tweeter attached; who is doing the mid range?

 

[svinyard]

After everything mentioned above I’d go for a buy once cry once solution; a proper guitar speaker.
I have a pair of T7v’s, nothing wrong with them! But don’t find them heavy duty speakers.

Well, so I have guitar cabs (passive) already. I play my big tube amps through them.

That being said, they aren’t “flat” by any means. When I use my digital amp (tonex) it’s for taking to certain venues where I just plug into their Front of House/PA system. The studio monitors give me a flat speaker that simulates that environment so when I plug into PA, my tone is fairly well dialed.

That was the idea at least?

 

[staticV3]

W.r.t. T8v: looks like a woofer with a tweeter attached; who is doing the mid range?

See here:

 

[dfuller]

Well, so I have guitar cabs (passive) already. I play my big tube amps through them.

That being said, they aren’t “flat” by any means. When I use my digital amp (tonex) it’s for taking to certain venues where I just plug into their Front of House/PA system. The studio monitors give me a flat speaker that simulates that environment so when I plug into PA, my tone is fairly well dialed.

That was the idea at least?

Reasonable assumption, but note that home volume and stage volume (and solo vs band) will pretty much require tones to be dialed differently. Less treble and more mids for playing with a band IME.

 

[DVDdoug]

I haven't heard either one but the Behringer has a reputation for excellent sound. I'm sure either one is good enough for use as a monitor in a "home studio".

I'd go for the "stereo pair". Maybe you can put them on shelves or hang them from the walls. I don't think they are meant for a desk unless you're taking about a "mixing desk" (large mixer).

Or, I'd get a guitar speaker (if you're not using it for backing tracks) or maybe a (smallish) PA speaker.

And guitar isn't that demanding for "sound quality". As I'm sure you know, guitar amps/cabinets aren't supposed to be high fidelity. They are "part of the instrument", they all have their own character and most guitar players have their favorite guitar and favorite amp.

And with what you are doing with pedals and effects (and maybe amp sims) it's just not that critical as long as you can go as loud as you want without distortion when you don't want it, and without frying the tweeter...

And like you said, when you're playing live the PA and venue acoustics make a difference, and you're not hearing exactly what the audience is hearing.

...Behringer has a reputation of poor reliability, in general, not specifically this speaker. But I have no idea if it's deserved... There stuff is inexpensive so they sell more and if you sell 10 times as much stuff you'll get 10 times the complaints.

 

[svinyard]

Reasonable assumption, but note that home volume and stage volume (and solo vs band) will pretty much require tones to be dialed differently. Less treble and more mids for playing with a band IME.

This goes back to my original thought, how do I dial in a tone at home that translates well over FOH/PA. If I play through a dedicated Cab, they are all mid-focused since none of the FR cabs are flat like a studio monitor. They all bump those mids and roll the treble etc to mimic a real cab. Great for playing, but I worry it’s not great for tone setup and I have to be pushing volume for them to relate back what I’m playing.

Those mids are critical for me to cut through, tho I’ve got pedals that certainly do that on the fly for Solo stuff.

But…what’s the right tool here? Hard to tell for me. It does seem like people think 2 of the Behringers might be just fine vs a single Adam. I’d love to try a Fender FR-10 but those def aren’t flat. Is flat important tho? I’m not creating and mixing music

 

[Multicore]

What's the model of the Tonex?

Also, is it just for use at home? And only ever for use with the Tonex?

 

[svinyard]

What's the model of the Tonex?

Also, is it just for use at home? And only ever for use with the Tonex?

It’s the big pedal, not the micro one. I have big vintage amps I play a lot at home. I need the Tonex for Live use (mostly) but would like to enjoy playing it at home when I do. It’s a very cool device and I have it on a pedalboard with high end pedals.

When I’m looking for legit tone tho, I plug into my Marshall Plexi and big cab. I just can’t take that with me to play live all the time.

Yes my solution needs for a speaker are pretty much entirely geared around use with the Tonex

 

[Multicore]

It’s the big pedal, not the micro one. I have big vintage amps I play a lot at home. I need the Tonex for Live use (mostly) but would like to enjoy playing it at home when I do. It’s a very cool device and I have it on a pedalboard with high end pedals.

When I’m looking for legit tone tho, I plug into my Marshall Plexi and big cab. I just can’t take that with me to play live all the time.

Yes my solution needs for a speaker are pretty much entirely geared around use with the Tonex

Either the T8V or B2031A should work fine with the right cable.

The B2031A is surprisingly good, presumably because it's a copy of a good Genelec design. (There's an amazing thread here where someone modded the electronics to improve the cross-over and get a flatter response.)

So I'd choose on other criteria. e.g. do you want two boxes without warranty or one with?

Fwiw, I use a Headrush Gigboard and really like the sound but it took a lot of work to learn enough to get that tone. I play it with headphones or through my desktop speakers, Genelec 1029A, which are 5" and don't do a lot below 70 Hz but neither does a guitar.