Avatar TB153 anything like the SWR Triad???

Ncognito · #1 01-09-2011, 04:24 PM

I'm getting the itch to pull the trigger on the Avatar TB153. I used 15's back in the early 80's before the advent of the modern 410 cabinet. I do miss the 15's a bit. I tried an SWR Triad about 10 years ago and it totally sucked. I went back to my Eden 410xlt after just one gig. What a nightmare, though on paper it seemed awesome!

I know it's probably been beaten to death, but what makes the "new" 3 way designs like the fEarful™ and Avatar TB153 that are always talked about on TB different and better than that old Triad dog???

Thanks for the info!!

honestjohnny · #2 01-09-2011, 04:30 PM

Better. Much better.

Full 3-way crossover, which means that each speaker sees only the frequencies for which it was designed. The 15 is the Eminence 3015LF, a subwoofer style speaker which can give serious low end. In addition, the cab can come in a 4 ohm version (3015's are usually 8 ohms) so you can get max wattage from your amp.

Ncognito · #3 01-09-2011, 04:36 PM

Thanks honestjohnny

I thought the SWR had a crossover. No?

honestjohnny · #4 01-09-2011, 05:53 PM

Yes, 5k and 100 Hz (vs. 3.5k and 800 Hz for the TB) but the speakers weren't optimized for their ranges. The 10" was a regular bass speaker from a 210 or 410 and the 15 was the same as their fullrange 15. So there's still a gap in the mids from 2k to 5k and the 15 can't go as low as it needs to. The TB153 is a 6" mid range that is designed to put out only mids, and the 15 is designed to produce better lows than a regular 15" bass speaker.

The Triad could have evolved into a fEarful, but SWR didn't put the time and effort into it, so like the Neanderthal it died. The fEarful was a labor of love for GB and Alex, with BFM blessing it.

rpsands · #5 01-09-2011, 06:27 PM

The triad has a 6db high pass @ 100hz on the 10, but the 15 is full range. Bad news. The 10 was blowing constantly.

Also, the 15 is a piece of junk compared to the 3015LF - the 3015LF is as sensitive and can take somewhere in the neighborhood of 10x the watts down low.

Son of Sanford · #6 01-09-2011, 09:37 PM

I guess I could be wrong, but I did not think the Triad separated the drivers in boxes, either. The Avatar has a closed back mid. I have heard of the Triad speakers giving up the ghost without much power too.

Doug Parent · #7 01-09-2011, 10:09 PM

The Triad always had a separate internal chamber for the 10" that extended all the way to the back of the cab and was ported out the back. I used 400-500 watts into mine and never blew a driver. I had three. Just FYI.

KJung · #8 01-10-2011, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Parent

The Triad always had a separate internal chamber for the 10" that extended all the way to the back of the cab and was ported out the back. I used 400-500 watts into mine and never blew a driver. I had three. Just FYI.

I also never heard of the 10's 'constantly blowing'. I have buddies who used the Triad for years with zero issues, and they always sounded great to my ear. Stupid heavy though.

And, while the Avatar design looks very nice (I've played many LDS executions with similar components... although I assume better mid drivers and crossovers), I've always been underwhelmed with the Avatar cabs I've played regarding quality of construction, bracing, and crossover quality. Kind of a 'good for the money' brand at the lower end of the market. Haven't heard this particular Avatar box though... on paper, it looks very nice, and is a good deal in an absolute sense.

IMO and IME there.

Doug Parent · #9 01-10-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

I also never heard of the 10's 'constantly blowing'. I have buddies who used the Triad for years with zero issues, and they always sounded great to my ear. Stupid heavy though.

And, while the Avatar design looks very nice (I've played many LDS executions with similar components... although I assume better mid drivers and crossovers), I've always been underwhelmed with the Avatar cabs I've played regarding quality of construction, bracing, and crossover quality. Kind of a 'good for the money' brand at the lower end of the market. Haven't heard this particular Avatar box though... on paper, it looks very nice, and is a good deal in an absolute sense.

IMO and IME there.

For what it's worth I concur.

rpsands · #10 01-10-2011, 12:08 PM

I owned a Triad that I bought that came with a blown 10, and I've seen at least a half-dozen others with obviously aftermarket 10s. They blew very regularly and the 15 blew a lot too -- seen almost as many triads with replacement 15s.

lomo · #11 01-10-2011, 12:41 PM

Now that you mention it, my 1st bass teacher had a Triad he used as a coffee table because it had a blown driver (not sure which).

mynameisjack2 · #12 01-11-2011, 09:16 PM

I've cranked 500 watts into my triad for half a year with no problems. Honestly, it sounded the best out of all the cabs I tried. I still use it, might get a different head to help with the overwatting.

Just my two cents...