Carvin BRX 10.2 Neo amazement

[swspiers]

S0-

I played my first paying gig in a long, long time this past Saturday. We split the gig with another local band, and shared our equipment (next week they return the favor with their equipment)

I have 2 10.2 neos powered by a Crown XLS1000, with a Paradriver for a pre-amp.

We made it through the gig, and I got a lot of compliments on the sound, clarity and presence of the rig. But I was really disapppointed. I had to crank everything up just to hear myself. I really thought that this rig would overpower the small-ish room.

When I heard the other band play, it sounded great, but was missing the 'ooomf' I was expecting.

I was thinking about it while tearing things down at the end of the show: How I might have to invest in some more powerfrul gear if we play bigger venues. How I spent a decent amount of money putting together what I thought was a versitile giant killer.

I was also thinking about how nervous I was at the start of the show, when I noticed that the channel 2 (bottom cab) speakon connector was- ready for it- not connected!

My lonely top 10.2 carried the gig. I was not running into the PA, since we all thought it would be able to hold its own based on how I overpower the drummer and guitarist at rehearsal.

I have even greater respect now for what I consider a greatly over-looked cab. I never would have purposley used a single 210, but it's kinda nice to know that I can if I have to.

[5port]

Great cab. I love mine. As you discovered even one will carry a large room. When I use it by itself though I play it vertical. Bought rubber feet for the side on Ebay. These things happen in the rush to set-up.

[Quackhead]

I too have heard great things about those cabinets. What is the tone like?

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by swspiers

My lonely top 10.2 carried the gig. I was not running into the PA, since we all thought it would be able to hold its own based on how I overpower the drummer and guitarist at rehearsal.

Very cool. Now, make a point of posting back here again - after you've played your next gig - with both cabs enabled...

MM

[G]

I use a single BRX210 all the time. It's a great cab. Loves power. It laughs at the 500 watts I'm pushing it with.

[NecroticImbecil]

Originally Posted by Quackhead

I too have heard great things about those cabinets. What is the tone like?

I can't claim to have golden ears, or to have evaluated every boutique cab in existence, so take this for what it's worth. As far as I can tell, the tone is like whatever it's plugged into. Sounds great with tube or solid state. Crisp, deep, seems fairly balanced and even to me but I'm used to vintage cabs where the coloration of the tone is part of the fun. Less mids than the old cabs I'm used to, but they are pretty much all mids. I've run it with a 600 watt solid state amp and with 145 tube watts and been happy with tone and volume. I haven't tried it by itself with a band, didn't think a 2X10 would cut it with the stupid loud guitar and drums, but seems like I might have been wrong.

I do still prefer the coloration I get with a vintage cab when pushed hard - by a tube amp that is also being pushed hard. It's a sound I've loved for years, and the Carvin doesn't have that speaker breakup that is part of the "edge of distorted" tone.

[G]

I agree completely on the crisp/deep/a little light in the mids. Also, the tweeter is really present.

[Quackhead]

I wish the Sacramento Carvin store was still open. I'd go try one out.

[Limeman]

I think the basic design and construction of the cab is solid and well built, but my personal experience with the BRX Neo 210 was ultimately not very positive. Blew two tweeters and one 10" driver all in the course of about 3 weeks. The manager at the Carvin store in Sacramento took pity on me and fully refunded my purchase, even though it was well past the 10-day trial period. Carvin's CS from the factory was exceptional during that period as they promptly and happily shipped new drivers my way free-of-charge. After two tweeters failed, the blown 10" put the nail in the coffin for me. Maybe a bad batch of drivers during that product run - about 1 to 1.5 years back? Anyway... I do remember it being a very punchy and loud, but somewhat under-damped cab. Not the smoothest, but still good bang for the buck. It seems like other TB'ers cabs fared better than mine.

[5port]

Originally Posted by Limeman

I think the basic design and construction of the cab is solid and well built, but my personal experience with the BRX Neo 210 was ultimately not very positive. Blew two tweeters and one 10" driver all in the course of about 3 weeks. The manager at the Carvin store in Sacramento took pity on me and fully refunded my purchase, even though it was well past the 10-day trial period. Carvin's CS from the factory was exceptional during that period as they promptly and happily shipped new drivers my way free-of-charge. After two tweeters failed, the blown 10" put the nail in the coffin for me. Maybe a bad batch of drivers during that product run - about 1 to 1.5 years back? Anyway... I do remember it being a very punchy and loud, but somewhat under-damped cab. Not the smoothest, but still good bang for the buck. It seems like other TB'ers cabs fared better than mine.

What amp were you using? Power output?

[brendanbassist]

I have a BRX 10.4 neo, great cab for a 4x10, but I use my fEarfuls almost exclusively now.