Aguilar S410 Cabinet

I recently had the chance to sit down with the GS212, the S210, and the S410 at the local shop. All were pretty cool.

The S210 is apparently the cheaper version of the GS210. Instead of solid plywood it uses MDF and lighter stamped frame speakers instead of the cast frame and heavy magnet speakers in the GS's. Covers the same frequency range according to the Aguilar site. 250 watts, 8 ohms, about 50 pounds, nice handles, and a really smooth tweeter with control.

As a stand alone, I'm not sure this would cut it for anything more than a coffee shop or small club gig. It does sound really good though. At lower volumes it's nice and full sounding with tight and punchy bass. When you crank it up more though the highs and mids start taking over. However, if you put it on top of another cabinet that puts out more low end (1x15, 1x12, 2x12, etc), it sounds really nice.

For the purposes I would use it for (on top of another cab), it gets a 10 (7.5 for a stand-alone).

Aguilar stuff is solid all the way around. I've never heard of or read about anything breaking on an Aggie.

These guys are top notch in this department. The previous owner of my DB659 preamp unscrewed one of the input jack washers to put on another amp, so mine came without it. I emailed them to ask where I could buy another one and they sent me one for free.

I know it's not an expensive part and no big deal or nothing, but honestly it's more of the thought that counts. Most other companies would rather make you pay the $2 for the part instead of making a good impression on you so next time you're looking to buy an amp, they're the first name you think of. So basically it comes down to $2 vs. lifetime customer?

It is what it is. With Aguilar, you get at least what you pay for and then some. This isn't the best 2x10 cabinet out there but for the money you can't beat it. I've had a lot of experience with Aguilar stuff and whenever I'm looking for a new amp or cab, they're always the first name I think of. If lost or stolen, I might try the GS210 or the S410 since they're in my price range, but if I had to do it over, I'd buy this one again.

2005 Aguilar S410 cabinet. From Aguilar's website:
Specs
Four 10? Aguilar stamped frame drivers with 38 oz. magnets
Power handling: 500 watts RMS
Impedance: available in 4 or 8 ohms
Phenolic tweeter with integral phase plug
Custom crossover with variable tweeter control
Two 1/4? jacks and one Neutrik speakon
Frequency response: 42 Hz ? 16 kHz
Sensitivity: 101 dB @ 1W 1M
Casters included
Recessed deep-dish handles
Interlocking corners
Dimensions: 24?H x 22.50? W x 16.625?D
Void free MDF, Quad bracing.
Weight: 83 lbs
Warranty: Three year limited
Price: $849 retail

I have the 8 ohm model. There's nothing unusual about it as far as features go, but there aren't any glaring omissions, either. It's just a good, solidly-made 4x10 cab. Oh, and Aguilar included free casters, which is always nice.

I play a variety of styles, from modern worship to hard rock, and the Aguilar cab really compliments the versatility of my Carvin head well. It does tend to sound a bit "midrange-focused" (as Aguilar called it), but not in a honky, annoying way. I really haven't found a style that this combination can't handle at least reasonably well, and it's great for rock. It sounds deep and powerful without sacrificing clarity. It's not in the same league as an Epifani, Bergantino, or expensive Aguilar, of course, but it's miles beyond anything else in its price range.

I'm going to hold off on this because I haven't had it very long, but Aguilar is known for reliability and this sucker is built like a tank. It weighs about as much as one, too.

Again, no opinion yet, and I'm hoping to keep it that way, but I have no reason to doubt Aguilar.

I've been playing for about seven years, somewhat seriously for the last two or three. My last main amp was an Ampeg B-100R, and I loved it but it just didn't have anywhere near the headroom neccesary for gigs with weak PA support. The Carvin-Aguilar rig allows me to dial in a wide variety of tones with enough volume that, if I needed to, I could cover most small venues with no PA at all. If it was stolen, I would cry, then go back to work until I could get another one, although I would probably be forced to step up to the GS series, since Aguilar just discontinued the S series (which is why I got such a killer deal). Overall, it's a good, solid, well-made cab that can't be beaten without paying about three times as much as I did. I can't imagine why Aguilar discontinued it, unless it was cutting into the sales of their more expensive gear. The only way I could be happier with it would be if it came with a roadie to lug it around for me!