Carvin - BRX 10.4

Neil · #1 07-11-2011, 11:23 PM

I just got the B2000 and like it a lot. The tone is beautiful plus the power and headroom are more than most will ever need IMO.

Because I like the head so much I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a BRX 10.4. There are a lot of good reviews on TB. But there are a few people who say there are nicer cabs out there however, for the price point the BRX 10.4 is hard to beat. What does that mean? Are they talking about the overall sound of the 10.4? Are they talking about the cab construction? Are they saying that if money were no object they wouldn't get the BRX cab they would get those other "nicer" cabs?

I'm not trying to be a wise guy I'm just trying to find out just how good the BRX 10.4 really is. Is it in the same league with the Bergantino cabs, the Epifani cabs, the Aguilar cabs or the Genz Benz cabs to name a few? Or do people perceive it to be a good cab because it's so inexpensive?

Thanks.

Zonked · #2 07-20-2011, 02:38 PM

Neil,

Like you, I am considering a 410 cab and I often hear the same thing about Carvin. It also makes me wonder.

Neil · #3 07-20-2011, 02:48 PM

Hey Zonked Im taking delivery on one tomorrow. I'll let you know how I like it.

Andy D · #4 07-20-2011, 02:51 PM

I'd like to second what Neil said about his B2000: I just bought mine two weeks ago and it sounds great! Simple to use, power for days, and at $650 out the door it was an absolute STEAL (especially when you consider that the only amp that can hang with it in terms of power is the SVT8-PRO and that costs $1,500!). The tube preamp sounds marvelous and adds a nice growl. My old amp would clip at moderate volumes, but when I push my 4x10 and 1x15 with the B2000 she doesn't even blink. An incredible value! For any bass player thinking of picking one up, I absolutely recommend it!

MysticMichael · #5 07-20-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Because I like the head so much I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on a BRX 10.4. There are a lot of good reviews on TB. But there are a few people who say there are nicer cabs out there however, for the price point the BRX 10.4 is hard to beat. What does that mean? Are they talking about the overall sound of the 10.4? Are they talking about the cab construction? Are they saying that if money were no object they wouldn't get the BRX cab they would get those other "nicer" cabs?

I would think that what those people mean is that the BRX is much higher quality than they would expect for the price. And some of them may be saying something like: "I can't believe I'm actually impressed by a Carvin! I can't just praise it outright. So I'll have to find a way to qualify my remarks."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

I'm not trying to be a wise guy I'm just trying to find out just how good the BRX 10.4 really is. Is it in the same league with the Bergantino cabs, the Epifani cabs, the Aguilar cabs or the Genz Benz cabs to name a few? Or do people perceive it to be a good cab because it's so inexpensive?

On the contrary, some people perceive it to be a good cab despite it being inexpensive ("listening" with one's wallet)...

While I haven't personally heard a BRX yet, everything I've gathered is that while it's not in the same league as Bergantino, it certainly is in the same league as makes such as Aguilar and Eden.

Of course, you can tell us for yourself in just another couple days or so...

MM

jeff7bass · #6 07-20-2011, 03:20 PM

I wouldn’t say it’s not in the same league as any other cab, because that’s doing the Carvin a disservice. Some other cabs might have higher excursion limits on their speakers and hopefully design the cab to accurately handle these higher limits while also producing clear, transparent tone, but that’s not a given.

If there’s anything I’ve learned (on forums like this one) is better speakers don’t always equal better tone, which is subjective anyway. What I can say for sure is Carvin has built a very good cab for not a lot of money. It gets VERY loud without distortion but when driving it with the B2000, be careful with the SUB BASS knob when cranking it because the B2000 is capable of shredding cabs with higher excursion limits than the BRX10.4. Your ears will warn you. Make no sudden moves or the T-REX head will eat your cab.

millsbass5 · #7 07-20-2011, 03:31 PM

A little off topic,but: How does the B2000 compare to the Hartke LH1000? I'm really fond of their "minimalist/Less is more" approach.

Andy D · #8 07-20-2011, 03:58 PM

I tried the LH1000 the same weekend I purchased my B2000. It's an excellent sounding head. A bit heftier (40 lbs compared to 14 lbs for the B2000), but the price is similar and like the B2000, it's extremely easy to dial in a good tone.

Neil · #9 07-20-2011, 05:04 PM

Andy when you engage the tube do you hear a significant difference? To me there is a difference but the difference is very subtle. Thanks.

ND

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy D

I'd like to second what Neil said about his B2000: I just bought mine two weeks ago and it sounds great! Simple to use, power for days, and at $650 out the door it was an absolute STEAL (especially when you consider that the only amp that can hang with it in terms of power is the SVT8-PRO and that costs $1,500!). The tube preamp sounds marvelous and adds a nice growl. My old amp would clip at moderate volumes, but when I push my 4x10 and 1x15 with the B2000 she doesn't even blink. An incredible value! For any bass player thinking of picking one up, I absolutely recommend it!

Zonked · #10 07-20-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Hey Zonked Im taking delivery on one tomorrow. I'll let you know how I like it.

Thanks. Would love to hear your impressions of the BRX, vs other cabs you have regularly played.

Neil · #11 07-20-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

I would think that what those people mean is that the BRX is much higher quality than they would expect for the price. And some of them may be saying something like: "I can't believe I'm actually impressed by a Carvin! I can't just praise it outright. So I'll have to find a way to qualify my remarks."

On the contrary, some people perceive it to be a good cab despite it being inexpensive ("listening" with one's wallet)...

While I haven't personally heard a BRX yet, everything I've gathered is that while it's not in the same league as Bergantino, it certainly is in the same league as makes such as Aguilar and Eden.

Of course, you can tell us for yourself in just another couple days or so...

MM

I think you might be on to something there Michael.

And yes I will post something on here tomorrow night after I try the cab.

Neil · #12 07-20-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

I wouldn’t say it’s not in the same league as any other cab, because that’s doing the Carvin a disservice. Some other cabs might have higher excursion limits on their speakers and hopefully design the cab to accurately handle these higher limits while also producing clear, transparent tone, but that’s not a given.

If there’s anything I’ve learned (on forums like this one) is better speakers don’t always equal better tone, which is subjective anyway. What I can say for sure is Carvin has built a very good cab for not a lot of money. It gets VERY loud without distortion but when driving it with the B2000, be careful with the SUB BASS knob when cranking it because the B2000 is capable of shredding cabs with higher excursion limits than the BRX10.4. Your ears will warn you. Make no sudden moves or the T-REX head will eat your cab.

Hey Jeff…..all very good points. Who knows which manufactures have better speakers or better designed cabs. I’m not technically inclined at all. All I know is that if a cab gives me the sound I’m hearing in my head and takes a lot of volume, is clean and punchy, doesn’t distort or fart out…then it’s a good cab to me.

Regarding the B2000…..I’ve done probably 4 or 5 gigs with the head now (into my Genz Benz UBER410) but I’m still learning how to use it.

Originally I was setting my Sub-Bass and Bass around #7 and then offsetting all those lows by raising the high mids to 7. I was really playing loud too! The head still had a ridiculous amount of headroom available. I don’t think I even came close to hitting its maximum output potential. By the way the UBER took all I threw at her.....no crapping out, no farting, no distortion. I only hope the BRX10.4 is just as clean at those volume levels.

As I keep experimenting with the head I’ve now got everything pretty much set flat with the Sub-Bass around 8 and it is crystal clear, very puncy and very articulate. Not sure where the setting will be with the BRX but flat is always good. Where is the maximum you've been setting the sub-bass at loud volumes levels? Also what bass are you using?

ND

jeff7bass · #13 07-20-2011, 06:58 PM

I own the BX1200 but I tried the B2000 with the BRX10.4 cab in San Diego when I visited the store. I like the sound of the SB4000 bass with SUB BASS around 1:00 and DRIVE straight up (12:00). It was definitive but without any string noise. Then I jacked it up loud and found backing off the SUB BASS just a bit provided the best tone. I also tried the head with an additional cab (BRX10.2) at 2 ohms. Really filled out with two cabs, even though "techically" the BRX10.4 would now see less wattage per speaker. On all the Carvin amps I've tried, I like the DRIVE around 50 percent.

The GB Uber 410 is a great cab, I'd be really surprised if the Carvin could take as much as it can but the Carvin costs HALF as much. If the Carvin takes 75 percent of the Uber, it's well worth it to most people. Quite honestly I've played with a lot less than the Carvin can provide and still got yelled and by sound guys.

Neil · #14 07-20-2011, 07:06 PM

Jeff I forgot to mention that I've been keeping the drive at 7. It sounds really punchy and aggressive set at 7 without any distortion. What do you find happens to your sound as you increase the drive.

By the way, on these Carvin bass amps is it considered to be "flat" when kept at 5? You know 12:00 o'clock.

I've been listen to all the SB bass on line. They all sound absolutely incredible!!! I'd love to try one. That will probably be my next endeavor. LOL

jeff7bass · #15 07-20-2011, 07:12 PM

I like DRIVE at 12:00, or 5. That's aggressive enough for me but to each his own. The SB4000 bas was very comfortable and easy to play. I liked the active/passive feature. In it's price range it's tough to beat, although I also love my friend's Lakland Skyline Glaub model.

NecroticImbecil · #16 07-20-2011, 07:21 PM

Dig my 10.2, expect I'd feel the same about the 10.4. It doesn't compare favorably to Bergantino tonally IMO, but not much does. The Carvin's quite a bit cheaper though, and the Duratex sure beats carpet or tolex by miles.

Lucky Strike · #17 07-20-2011, 07:27 PM

From talking to the guys at Carvin Hollywood, the 410 has the same speakers that GK and Markbass uses the only difference is the cab construction. I would put Carvin's cab construction on these cabs up higher than Markbass or GK...

Neil · #18 07-20-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NecroticImbecil

Dig my 10.2, expect I'd feel the same about the 10.4. It doesn't compare favorably to Bergantino tonally IMO, but not much does. The Carvin's quite a bit cheaper though, and the Duratex sure beats carpet or tolex by miles.

I've owned just about all the top brands so we'll see how it compares tonally.

What were the differences in your opinion between your 10.2 and the Berg? By the way which Berg were you comparing it to?

bring the noise · #19 07-20-2011, 08:22 PM

What other non carvin amp would you guys say the b2000 is similar too? I have been interested in the b2000 and 10.4 also. Anyone have a link to a demo of the b2000? I have found little.

MysticMichael · #20 07-20-2011, 10:25 PM

If we're talking available power & headroom @ 4 ohms, I would say the Gallien Krueger 2001RB, the Genz Benz GBE 1200, and the Mesa M9 would all be in the same ball park...

MM