TEST: Harley Benton C212 A

 The fact that the guitar amplifier market has undergone a fundamental realignment in recent years is unlikely to have gone unnoticed by anyone. The classic orientation in the form of integrated amplifiers plus optimized loudspeaker boxes or combo solutions have massively taken a back seat due to their feel, despite the still best sound results. Hardly any hobby musicians are still willing to drive corresponding components in their car to shows or rehearsals, and the modeling amp combination of good basic sounds combined with low travel costs is also highly valued in the professional sector. However, in order not to completely lose the experience of moving air on your ears, there are active full-range guitar speakers that specialize in amplifying modeling amps. The Harley Benton G212A-FR, which we have for testing, also belongs to this category.

Why active full range guitar speakers?

In order to understand the stubborn adherence of some musicians to an archaic technology, one must briefly consider the history of the origins of electric guitar amplification. Ultimately, all components that make up the “official” sound are due to the fact that they developed from the “inadequacies” of the amplifier technology of the time. The “invention” of the warm, distorted sound is thanks to the low-performance all-tube amplifiers in combination with the social upheaval of the sixties. Ultimately, everything that electric guitarists call excellent sound is based on a more or less technical accident.

Nevertheless, this “accident” has hooked the human ear to such an extent that even today the key discipline is “getting as close as possible to the original sound” and is unlikely to change. When it comes to copying functions, products such as the Kemper Profiler are quite close to the original, but what is missing in many modeling performances is the physical interaction with the loudspeaker. Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to stand at the edge of the stages while some artists are performing will have noticed that the majority of the artists (up to 80% or more in the heavy section) are only “silent stages”. “, where only the natural drum set can be heard on stage at natural volume. A mostly sad sound on stage, although the reason for this is the establishment of in-ear monitoring systems, which make any stage amplifiers plus floor monitors or sidefills obsolete.

However, it is often overlooked that the interaction of the instrument with the loudspeaker not only changes the resonance behavior of the guitar, but also that the artist adapts his playing style to the changed signal flow. It's not for nothing that guitarists with "real" stage amplifiers work significantly more with the guitar's volume control and, on average, offer a more dynamic performance than pure in-ear monitoring solutions. This is where the active full-range guitar speakers come into play, which are supposed to move the air and also have to be designed differently to accommodate the changed frequency pattern. Since the modeling amplifiers have already taken the special frequency response of a guitar speaker into account in their emulations, the same active speakers, as the name suggests, definitely also need appropriate tweeters, which in turn would produce a catastrophic sound in a classic electric guitar speaker.

Just for the sake of completeness, you can of course also use the Harley Benton G212A-FR as a “normal” guitar box together with a modeling amp without an earpiece.

The concept of the Harley Benton G212A-FR

Anyone who has switched to modeling mainly because of weight reasons will let out a real sigh when they first come into contact with the Harley Benton G212A-FR. 22.5 kg plus the dimensions (W x D x H): 706 mm x 356 mm x 518 mm make you think for a moment why you didn't stick with classic amplifier technology. If you can still warm to these values, you get a “high-performance stereo system” with 2x 100 watts on a 12-inch woofer and a 1-inch tweeter. It's not for nothing that the description is reminiscent of studio monitor boxes, as the way they work is basically the same.

However, the Harley Benton G212A-FR is designed to be much more stable for stage use and also has a few features that only make sense in live operation. For example, the base plate is shortened so that the box can also be used as a floor monitor at an approximately 60 degree angle. Unfortunately, this useful detail has the crucial disadvantage that the box only has a comparatively low resistance to tipping in standard upright operation. It would be worth considering whether an additional fold-out stand should be installed in the future to increase stability. If you can live with the “optical challenge”, you can also place the box upright if necessary, but then any stereo signal that may have been applied will be lost in its width.

The housing of the box is covered with black Tolex, 6 corner protectors protect the front plus the upper rear edge. The lower rear edge has no corner protectors due to the transitions not being at right angles. The box itself rests on 4 simple rubber feet, with a continuous black tension fabric protecting the speakers. The back wall is semi-open in the style of a 212 combo and therefore emits around 50% of the sound energy to the rear, at least in the bass range. This must be taken into account if, for example, the box is placed as a wedge behind the floorboard and the box also provides sound for the first row of the audience. Depending on the stage volume/PA ratio, this can lead to an unbalanced sound.

In the style of a typical guitar power amplifier, the Harley Benton G212A-FR has a volume, a presence and a resonance control per channel. The box can also be operated mono using a switch. There is an L/R jack or L/R XLR as an input, and there is also an XLR as an output for looping through to the FOH or monitor space. Unfortunately, the controls, which are subtly reminiscent of speed dome heads, are comparatively difficult to read, especially from a distance, so remember the setting or get very close. 5 LEDs provide information about an active signal, overloading and the mute function, which can be used to mute the power amplifiers. The power switch, on the other hand, is located on the far right of the panel. There is a ground lift switch on the outside left for any ground loops that may occur.

The Harley Benton G212A-FR in practice

To make things really difficult for the Harley Benton G212A-FR, I used a H&K floor amp from the BS200 series as a test setup and connected it to a cabinet that is also available in the Red Box emulation of the amplifier. I then connected it to the active box and was able to find out the advantages and weak points of the box in a direct A/B comparison.

To put it bluntly, I was surprised at how good the quality of the Harley Benton G212A-FR ended up being. As expected, the box cannot generate the resolution and dynamics of the original in a direct comparison with the 412 cabinet, but the basic sound is very close to the original in terms of basic sound. Especially in relation to the retail price, you can attest to the active speaker's really good results; the system sounds quite balanced and latently powerful despite no-name speakers.

However, a little caution should be exercised when positioning the speaker in relation to the bass range, as the speaker, which is open at the back, tends to drone a little depending on the room, but this can be mitigated somewhat using the resonance control. The only disadvantage of the box is the very beam-heavy radiation behavior of the box. Due to the tweeters, the speaker loses a lot of treble as soon as you move out of the speaker's direct radiation range. The sound of the Harley Benton G212A-FR is already 1 meter next to the speaker and is only marginally noticeable in the band context. For active musicians on stage, a combination with an in-ear system is therefore definitely recommended.

In addition, it should be noted that if you want to go directly into the active speaker with your Multi-FX or pedalboard, you should definitely have a high-quality speaker emulation installed internally, or have an external pedal in the style of the ENGL Cabloader at the start. Without appropriate frequency correction, distorted sounds are otherwise unbearable.

As expected, the Harley Benton G212A-FR also works very well with an acoustic guitar due to its design, although depending on the stage volume you should consider using a soundhole filter. The two 12-inch speakers actually produce a massive bass foundation, which poses the risk of feedback, especially when used with wedges in the direct radiation area.

Conclusion

With the Harley Benton G212A-FR, the Thomann house brand has a very inexpensive yet good-sounding full-range active speaker in its portfolio. The system generates an unexpectedly good basic sound for modeling amps of all kinds, or acoustic guitars with pickups.

If you want to add some feel to your in-ear sound or generally need an amplifier for your modeling amp, you should give the product a try.

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Additional Informations:

# The Evolution of Harley Benton: A Journey Through Time

Harley Benton, a name synonymous with quality musical instruments, has a rich and fascinating history. This article delves into the origins and evolution of this renowned brand.

## The Genesis

Harley Benton is the house brand for stringed instruments, their amplifiers, and harmonicas of **Musikhaus Thomann**, a large trader for instruments and audio equipment from Bavaria, Germany¹. The brand was developed and is distributed by the company **Thomann** from Germany². Thomann Music, based out of Bavaria, Germany, was founded in 1954 by Hans Thomann Sr³. It is currently managed by Hans Thomann Jr³.

## The Brand Philosophy

Harley Benton generally targets the budget market, striving to provide higher quality instruments than usually found at the respective price points¹. The brand stands for affordable and high-quality musical instruments, enabling both beginners and professional musicians to easily and uncomplicatedly enter the world of music².

## The Product Range

Most Harley Benton products are guitars of various kinds, including electric guitars, acoustic guitars, classical guitars, and bass guitars¹. The brand also includes banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, diatonic harmonicas, electric violins, electric violas, and lap steel guitars¹. Harley Benton also sells amplifiers, pedals, and strings¹.

## Manufacturing Process

Harley Benton guitars are manufactured in around 20 factories in China, Indonesia, and Vietnam¹. The first producer associated with Harley Benton is Saein Musical Instrument Co, Ltd². This South Korean OEM provider produces its guitars in China². Saein is a leading manufacturer that has been producing musical instruments for over 30 years².

## The Impact

Harley Benton guitars are known for their high quality and affordability. They are robust, durable, and very affordable². They offer a very good price-performance ratio and are a good choice for anyone looking for a high-quality guitar².

In conclusion, Harley Benton has made a significant impact on the music industry by providing high-quality, affordable instruments. The brand continues to innovate and expand its product range, catering to the needs of musicians worldwide. Harley Benton's journey is a testament to its commitment to quality and affordability, making music accessible to all.

## The Evolution Continues

As the brand continues to evolve, Harley Benton has expanded its product line to include a wide range of musical equipment. This includes amplifiers, effects pedals, and even PA systems. Each product is designed with the same philosophy in mind - to provide high-quality equipment at an affordable price.

## The Community

Harley Benton has cultivated a strong community of musicians and enthusiasts. The brand's commitment to quality and affordability has resonated with musicians worldwide, leading to a loyal customer base. Many online forums and social media groups are dedicated to discussing the brand's products, sharing experiences, and offering advice to fellow musicians.

## The Future

Looking ahead, Harley Benton shows no signs of slowing down. The brand continues to innovate, regularly releasing new products and updating existing ones. With a keen eye on market trends and a deep understanding of musicians' needs, Harley Benton is poised to remain a key player in the music industry.

In conclusion, the story of Harley Benton is one of continuous evolution and growth. From its humble beginnings as a house brand for Musikhaus Thomann, Harley Benton has grown into a globally recognized brand, synonymous with quality and affordability. As the brand continues to evolve and expand, one thing remains constant - its commitment to making music accessible to all. This is the legacy of Harley Benton, a legacy that continues to resonate with musicians around the world.