Carvin B2000 to powerful??

gatorben24 · #1 03-27-2010, 07:01 PM

Alright guys, im looking at getting a Carvin B2000 with the Carvin brx 410 cab. I was going to get an avatar but i liked the build quality with the durex or what ever it is on the Carvin. But Carvin only has it in 4ohm and what im worried about is that B2000 over powering it. Im looking at later getting atleast one 18' but i still think it could be a little over powering. So here we go

Will that B2000 wreck that 410 if I push it at all?

And if I got another 18' would it still destroy it?

And would it be possible to get the 18' in 8ohm and have 1 410 and 2 18's or would that not work without biamping?

Bass_Pounder · #2 03-27-2010, 07:11 PM

The B2000 is 1300 watts @ 4 ohms

The cab is 1200 watts @ 4 ohms

Just don't push it, and you should be fine.

As far as the 18" goes, I would just get another 4X10 instead.

The BRX 4X10 goes as low as their 18" cabs

KramerBassFan · #3 03-27-2010, 07:24 PM

Forget not, the head will not be anywhere close to 1300 watts as it is.

Not to mention, you cant even get 1300 watts from a 110v 10a socket.

Even with the amp having 100% reliability - (which is impossible

) it still couldn't.

Just thought i'd chime that in.

Bass_Pounder · #4 03-27-2010, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Forget not, the head will not be anywhere close to 1300 watts as it is.

Not to mention, you cant even get 1300 watts from a 110v 10a socket.

Even with the amp having 100% reliability - (which is impossible

) it still couldn't.

Just thought i'd chime that in.

I'm no EE, but I seem to recall that when Bassgear Magazine put the B1500 on the bench, it came in pretty close to it's rated specs (which are almost identicle to the B2000)

Marley's Ghost · #5 03-27-2010, 08:04 PM

I just got the BX500, and I cant imagine needing more power. The BX2000 scares the bejeesus out of me.

The thing to watch out for is transient spikes that could blow speakers. Just be careful with that monster.

MysticMichael · #6 03-27-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorben24

Will that B2000 wreck that 410 if I push it at all?

Not if you make a point of controlling the volume. That's what a master volume control is for: it turns counter-clockwise as well as clockwise...

If you're still scared to use it, get a high-quality compressor/limiter to use with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorben24

And if I got another 18' would it still destroy it?

You don't need a cab with an 18" woofer. The BRX series cabs go plenty low. Just get another BRX 4x10. That rig would be powerful enough for nearly any size gig...

MM

TortillaChip520 · #7 03-27-2010, 11:52 PM

if you're too scared, i'll take it, sissy boy

Sparkdog · #8 03-28-2010, 12:17 AM

I don't think you have anything to worry about with that setup unless you plan to be ridiculously loud. BRX cabs are pretty much bulletproof IME.

I have a B1500 which puts 1250 watts into a 4 ohm load. I've used it often with my BRX 210 cab which is rated for 600 watts max and never had a problem. Now, thats for small rooms so I can't be crazy loud, but I've never come close to overpowering the cab.

Outdoors and in big rooms I run the B1500 into a BRX 410. I've never had the volume above 5 and at that level my pants are flapping in the wind. I think that rig would physically injure you before you blew the cab

Enjoy.

Jazzdogg · #9 03-28-2010, 12:36 AM

The B1500 is like a Chevrolet Corvette; don't blame the car if you get a speeding ticket, just drive prudently.

I'm also a satisfied B1500 owner, and I like always having headroom to spare. If it weren't for the weight, my B1500 would be the only amp I'd ever need with electric bass; the B2000 is mighty tempting!

gatorben24 · #10 03-28-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

If you're still scared to use it, get a high-quality compressor/limiter to use with it.

I think it would be a good idea to get a good compressor anyways. Any good ones that aren't like bizarly high cost?

vinxbass · #11 03-28-2010, 03:54 PM

I use to bridge my BX1200 thru the BRX10.4, 1200 watts rms @ 4 ohms and it didn't have a problem being loud at all. It's a great rig if your playing outside alot. Here in NorCal our band plays alot of outdoor gigs in the spring, summer and fall, and my rig would sound great outdoors. The BRX10.4 is an unsung hero of a cabinet, it suprising that not more people play thru them. They are that good.

Uncle Snake · #12 03-28-2010, 04:05 PM

Given the choice, I will always take more power. The added headroom is just a plus as you will smoke drivers faster pushing a small amp too hard.
If you reach the excursion limits by over powering drivers it's easy to hear and you can back off the volume knob. If you're clipping your amp trying to keep up you are less likely to hear it and the square waves will cause the voice coil(s) to over heat. Once you let the smoke out, it's all over......

Jaco who? · #13 03-28-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Snake

Given the choice, I will always take more power. The added headroom is just a plus as you will smoke drivers faster pushing a small amp too hard.
If you reach the excursion limits by over powering drivers it's easy to hear and you can back off the volume knob. If you're clipping your amp trying to keep up you are less likely to hear it and the square waves will cause the voice coil(s) to over heat. Once you let the smoke out, it's all over......

Well, the volume knob part is correct, anyway.

Different day, same misinformation.

Uncle Snake · #14 03-28-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

Well, the volume knob part is correct, anyway.

Different day, same misinformation.

In my 25 years of playing bass, doing live sound, and car audio competition, this is my experience. Your mileage may vary. Regards, Jake

Eric Moesle · #15 03-28-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Snake

In my 25 years of playing bass, doing live sound, and car audio competition, this is my experience. Your mileage may vary. Regards, Jake

Car audio and bass amplification are two entirely different things, and the "clipping causes square waves" nonsense has been refuted by the industry pro's here in too many threads to count.

That being said, I love lots of power and headroom!

guy n. cognito · #16 03-28-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Forget not, the head will not be anywhere close to 1300 watts as it is.

Not to mention, you cant even get 1300 watts from a 110v 10a socket.

Even with the amp having 100% reliability - (which is impossible

) it still couldn't.

Just thought i'd chime that in.

With all due respect, your assumptions on the inner working of a bass amp leave much to be desired.

KramerBassFan · #17 03-28-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

With all due respect, your assumptions on the inner working of a bass amp leave much to be desired.

I agree totally. I'm still learning.. hence why i built a tube amp.

Now just to learn what everything does...

And if you have anything to add, don't hesitate. I won't get offended or anything of the sort... so educate me away! Thats why i'm on talkbass.

(And for the record... no sarcasm intended there either. )

liam_g · #18 03-28-2010, 09:38 PM

As I understand it, capacitors store energy for brief periods, thus the ability to provide bursts of power above what might seem possible based on wall voltage.

I may have this completely wrong, lol!

cheers,
Liam

Orco87 · #19 03-28-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorben24

Alright guys, im looking at getting a Carvin B2000 with the Carvin brx 410 cab. I was going to get an avatar but i liked the build quality with the durex or what ever it is on the Carvin. But Carvin only has it in 4ohm and what im worried about is that B2000 over powering it. Im looking at later getting atleast one 18' but i still think it could be a little over powering. So here we go

Will that B2000 wreck that 410 if I push it at all?

And if I got another 18' would it still destroy it?

And would it be possible to get the 18' in 8ohm and have 1 410 and 2 18's or would that not work without biamping?

I don't get to do this often, usually someone else answers all the questions, but it doesn't look like the B2000 has a bi-amp option. I only see 2 outputs from the rear (since carvin doesn't have a manual for it) and I don't see any bi-amp control in the front. If you truly want bi-amping the BX1500 may be your bet. Do you or will you be playing in large areas or outdoor venues to justify the need of a 4x10 and possibly 2 18's? In my lil' opinion, I think 1 4 ohm 18 cab would do ya great paired with the 4x10 and w/the BX1500 you can bi-amp at 450w each and with the B2000 you can run 2 4 ohm cabs at 650w each (at 4 ohms it's kickin' out 1300 watts, so I just halfed it (hope I'm correct there))

The br410N-4 cab is rated at 4 ohms at 1200 watts (as previously stated) and the br118N-4 is rated at 4 ohms at 800watts of power.

So ultimately, I'm doubtful if you get the right components that your speakers will be over-powered by the rig... I just wouldn't run the BR118 by itself with a B2000.... hope that helps... (all I did was go to carvin's website and look at specs. ^_^)