Carvin, BRX10.4Neo cab. Specs seem good but is it efficient?

[cassanova]

I'm on the market for another new cab to add to my Genz Benz combo. I currently researching am trying the Carvin BRX10.4NEO 4x10 cab. On paper it looks like it will get the lows and loud enough to cover any rehearsal. I'm also under the impression that sensitivity is what denotes efficiency, and on paper this one looks like it's efficient and can get loud without farting/distorting. But I've never played one or heard one. So I'm looking for advice on this and possibly the BR410.

The cabs specs on frequency response and sensitivity are:

Frequency Response (26 Hz to 22 kHz)
Sensitivity: 104dB @ 1w and 135 dB @ 1200w

Is this cab efficient? I'm under the impression that the sensitivity denotes efficiency and at 104 db @1watt is efficient. I am also thinking this cab can easily handle the low b frequencies with ease and cover mids and highs well too.

[Bass_Pounder]

Based soley upon specs, the cab sounds good.

However, I highly doubt the specs - Especially the 26Hz figure !

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by cassanova

I'm on the market for another new cab to add to my Genz Benz 2x10 combo. I would like to leave the brand name out of the equation, at least for now, to avoid bias. After I get some input about the efficiency and frequency response I'll post the brand and ask around a bit about it as to sound quality, etc. All I will say for now is it's a 4x10 neo cab.

The cabs specs on frequency response and sensitivity are:

Frequency Response (26 Hz to 22 kHz)
Sensitivity: 104dB @ 1w and 135 dB @ 1200w

Is this cab efficient? I'm under the impression that the sensitivity denotes efficiency and at 104 db @1watt is efficient. I am also thinking this cab can easily handle the low b frequencies with ease and cover mids and highs well too.

The specs are meaningless. The frequency response curve doesn't say whether these are -3 dB points, or some other criterion such as -10 dB. The sensitivity rating could be the most favorable point on the response curve, or not. It is unlikely that the cab can take 1200 W without hitting the excursion limit of the drivers.

[cassanova]

I'm leery of Carvin cabs because I once owned an RL410T cab of theirs and the efficiency was horrible. It sounded very good at lower to medium volumes but when I needed it to get loud it just couldn't cut it, it would always distort and lose any sound quality. I can't help but wonder if this one will do the same.

I'd also rather not order it and have to pay the return shipping should I not like it, so I'm trying to find out as much about it as I can. Including a description of its tone.

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Based soley upon specs, the cab sounds good.

However, I highly doubt the specs - Especially the 26Hz figure !

I'm wondering about that part of the frequency range myself. Sounds a little too good to be true.

[Bass_Pounder]

While I don't agree with the freq range spec, the BRX series cabs are a world away from the old redlines.

Although I don't own one, the 4X10's have a decent rep here.

I do however own a BRX 2X12 cab. It is built like a tank, and does go lower than alot of other cabs due to it's increased size (it's overall dimensions are close to a Mesa Powerhouse 2X12).

[rpsands]

Average sensitivity should be 101db on the 4x10. But the low end will be horrid overall.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by cassanova

Frequency Response (26 Hz to 22 kHz)
Sensitivity: 104dB @ 1w and 135 dB @ 1200w

The NE-10 drivers will go to 26Hz, but they do so down 30dB. At 100 Hz four NE-10s have a sensitivity of 101dB, maximum output of 122dB. Anyone can verify these figures using WinISD Alpha Pro or another box program with similar capability.

[will33]

Originally Posted by cassanova

I'm leery of Carvin cabs because I once owned an RL410T cab of theirs and the efficiency was horrible. It sounded very good at lower to medium volumes but when I needed it to get loud it just couldn't cut it, it would always distort and lose any sound quality. I can't help but wonder if this one will do the same.

That's what happens when you reach excursion limits, it happens at much lower wattage than the cabinets "rating". Add up all the voice coils and you get your 1200 watts but there's a lot more to it than that. It's not a knock on carvin anymore than it is a knock on whatever other manufacturer happens to be your favorite. Almost all of them rate stuff in a similair matter.


What it is is this: Carvins neos are an OEM version of the eminence deltalite as are a lot of other folks neos. Maybe have a spec tweaked here or there to make it sound a certain way but that's the basic platform. Model 4 deltalites in that size of box and tuning and that's about what you're getting as far as lowend is concerned.

The speakers are nothing like your previous carvin. They're a completely different spec'ed speaker and better. The whole thing has changed compared to your old one, not just the magnet.

Bill's numbers are right. In the range of frequencies most important to the bass guitar, it's an honest 100db/1watt cab or a little better and can take you to a little over 120, maybe 123 or so 1 meter in front of the cab. That's about where it'll run out of gas which is a good bit louder and can take more punishment in the bottom than your previous carvin.

Same ballpark as a lot of other 410 neos. Avatar has theirs made with a little longer excursion, can take a little more power/pounding down low but the tradeoff is decreased mid/upper response, ie: there's a wider hole in the sound from where the 10 can't play any higher but the tweeter hasn't picked up the job yet.

This all happens if your listening position happens to be centered on the cab. Like any 410's in a square like that, if you're off to the side of the thing, or standing right on top of it so your ears are above it, you're not going to hear much for uppermids/highs anyway.

[vinxbass]

The BRX10.4 is an unsung hero of a cab. I've been playing thru it for 2 yrs at it kick ass. I play stickly 5 strings and it handles the low B excellently. Nuff said. 

[Mike Shevlin]

^I'm glad Vin chimed in~ These cabs are really loved by players that own them. I tried one at NAMM and it was very impressive. I also have a friend that uses one in Vegas, and he sounds better than ever (and he has really owned a LOT of gear). The specs seem a little odd, but they do handle the low end VERY well and are very even bottom to top.

[rpsands]

No offense but if you think the BRX10.4 handles the low B well your volume requirements must be quite low @ 60-80hz. The cabinet maxes out probably 10db before the Avatar 4x10 at 60hz.

Having read some reviews of people using BRX 10.2s and finding the bottom quite shy my conclusion is that those of you who can stand using a 5-string through one of these probably have low expectations.

Either that, or Carvin has drivers in there that are better than their posted specs of the Neo drivers.

[Mike Shevlin]

Originally Posted by rpsands

No offense but if you think the BRX10.4 handles the low B well your volume requirements must be quite low @ 60-80hz.

U may be right ~ I was plugged into a 10.4 & 10.2 stack at NAMM and that is not always the best place to evaluate gear, but it sounded very good to me. Maybe if there was and Earful 15.6 parked next to it, the BRX may not have been as impressive. I hear them used live in Vegas quite often, but it's not like these guys are living on their B strings playing old disco music! Lol

[rpsands]

A more fair test would be to set it beside an Avatar 4x10 and crank the bass. I can tell you, if the specs on Carvin's speakers are honest, the Carvin will be blowing drivers long before Avatar.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by will33

Same ballpark as a lot of other 410 neos. Avatar has theirs made with a little longer excursion, can take a little more power/pounding down low but the tradeoff is decreased mid/upper response, ie: there's a wider hole in the sound from where the 10 can't play any higher but the tweeter hasn't picked up the job yet.

I'm not looking for dub type lows and sound levels that could play Madison Square Garden, just something that sounds good, can put out a good amount of low end while still maintaining an overall well rounded sound and be able to get loud without losing sound quality and other issues that I described with the RL410.

For the most part the cab would be powered with a 200 watt head and on occasion when I do a small job a 100 watt head. Nothing in the cab should blow due to power overloading if the cab is rated at 1200 watts.

I used to have a couple of Eden 2x10 XLT's and they were able to get quite loud without issue, so I'm looking for something similar in handling capabilities. Hope that helps a tad.

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by will33

What it is is this: Carvins neos are an OEM version of the eminence deltalite as are a lot of other folks neos. .

Carvin has not used Eminence OEM neos for at least two years. AFAIK they never had Deltalite IIs, they went from the original Deltalite to what appears to be an un-cataloged B&C OEM circa 2007. The specs on the current drivers are not in the same league as any Eminence neos.

[gary mitchell]

How would the Carvin BRX 410 handle my SWR WorkingPro 700 head.

[blmeier7]

Originally Posted by cassanova

I'm not looking for dub type lows and sound levels that could play Madison Square Garden, just something that sounds good, can put out a good amount of low end while still maintaining an overall well rounded sound and be able to get loud without losing sound quality and other issues that I described with the RL410.

For the most part the cab would be powered with a 200 watt head and on occasion when I do a small job a 100 watt head. Nothing in the cab should blow due to power overloading if the cab is rated at 1200 watts.

While I haven't played through the Carvin BRX 10.4, I do own the BRX 10.2 and it is a great cabinet. IMO it is very true to it's power ratings. My BRX 2x10 is powered with my Carvin B1500 (I obviously don't crank the volume up though). This cab has no problems keeping up with two guitarists and a pretty loud drummer. If I was in the market for a quality, yet inexpensive 410 I would definitely look at the BRX 10.4.

The BRX 10.2 is very full sounding, and outperformed my Avatar B210 in terms of tone and build quality.

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by blmeier7

While I haven't played through the Carvin BRX 10.4, I do own the BRX 10.2 and it is a great cabinet. IMO it is very true to it's power ratings. My BRX 2x10 is powered with my Carvin B1500 (I obviously don't crank the volume up though). This cab has no problems keeping up with two guitarists and a pretty loud drummer. If I was in the market for a quality, yet inexpensive 410 I would definitely look at the BRX 10.4.

The BRX 10.2 is very full sounding, and outperformed my Avatar B210 in terms of tone and build quality.

This leads me to another question. I'm noticing the 10.2 and 10.4 are both rated at 4 ohm.

I like two 2x10 set ups as well and/or a 4x10 mated with a 2x10. Would either of these be possible if the amp is only rated at 4 and 8 ohm loads? Or would I need two 8 ohm cabs in order to do this? IIRC correctly two 8 ohm loads = 4 ohm. I can't remember what two 4 ohm loads equal, that's why I'm asking.

[vinxbass]

Originally Posted by cassanova

This leads me to another question. I'm noticing the 10.2 and 10.4 are both rated at 4 ohm.

I like two 2x10 set ups as well and/or a 4x10 mated with a 2x10. Would either of these be possible if the amp is only rated at 4 and 8 ohm loads? Or would I need two 8 ohm cabs in order to do this? IIRC correctly two 8 ohm loads = 4 ohm. I can't remember what two 4 ohm loads equal, that's why I'm asking.

2 4 ohm cabs is 2 ohms.

[John Bigboote]

Originally Posted by cassanova

This leads me to another question. I'm noticing the 10.2 and 10.4 are both rated at 4 ohm.

I like two 2x10 set ups as well and/or a 4x10 mated with a 2x10. Would either of these be possible if the amp is only rated at 4 and 8 ohm loads? Or would I need two 8 ohm cabs in order to do this? IIRC correctly two 8 ohm loads = 4 ohm. I can't remember what two 4 ohm loads equal, that's why I'm asking.

I've bitched elsewhere about the fact that the BRx10.2 is only available in 4 ohms. If it were 8 ohms, you could run two of 'em with a single 4-ohm amp. Or you could have a BRx10.4 and a BRx10.2, and run 'em both (2.66 ohms) with a 2-ohm amp, and all six drivers would be getting the same amount of watts. But noooo... Carvin thought it would be better to make 'em both 4 ohms. Though others may disagree, I think it's profoundly stupid -- especially since they sell both 8-ohm and 4-ohm versions of those drivers. Why the hell not offer an 8-ohm option?

-jb