Carvin Cabs -vs- Avatar Cabs

Pickinator · #1 12-30-2011, 12:08 AM

I am looking at both of these and wonder if the Forum feels that the two are close in sound quality.

In 2005, I bought Avatar (4X10) and a (1X15) cabs with a Hartke 5500 amp. I didn't like the set up and suspect it may be the Hartke colored my opinion of the Avatar cabs. The Hartke has a loud fan. (I'd rate the whole rig at about a 7.)

I am considering a (2X10 + piezo-type horn) and a (1X15 + horn) to be powered by a yet-to-be determined head.

I would appreciate being talked into the Carvins.

I like the idea of the colored Tolex (on either),

sonic 7 · #2 12-30-2011, 01:33 AM

I have carvin brx210 cab and i love it. Although I've not played an avatar i cant see how it or many other 2 x 10 cabs could sound better. The Carvin brx cabs are duratex and are not available with colered tolex.

Doug Parent · #3 12-30-2011, 04:35 AM

Carvins ceramic drivers are by Eminence who makes a specific brew for them, the 10" PS10 is the same driver they use in their bass cabs, monitor cabs, pa cabs. Same for the PS15 15" driver. My question would be how these drivers which seem to be generic multi-purpose use, compare to Avatar's bass cab designs, who orders custom Eminence drivers just for their bass cabs parameters.

I've tried Carvin bass cab equipped with their PS10 drivers, and I thought they were dark sounding with a huge seam between the woofer and tweeter. And, the Neos that Carvin uses are Chinese, not Eminence. And Carvins crossovers are...eh.

Until they step up, I'd stick with Avatar.

swspiers · #4 12-30-2011, 04:40 AM

I have 2 Carvin BRX Neo 2.10's. I play with a bit of grit to outright apocolyptic distortion. The Carvin's are INFINITELY better in this application than the Avatar TB153 I also have.

But if it were my money, I'd pair up identical cabs to avoid the whole plethora of problems associated with mixed cabs.

blmeier7 · #5 12-30-2011, 05:56 AM

I've owned the Avatar B210 and the Carvin BRX10.2. For my tastes the Carvin wins hands down. The Carvin was much more open and natural sounding compared to the Avatar.

Sonicdecay · #6 12-30-2011, 06:54 AM

I've owned an avatar 2x12 and 2x10 setup, and i'm playing through a carvin brx4.10 now. The carvin 4x10 is louder and has way more bass than the avatars. BUT its the BRX, I have heard mixed things about the normal cheap Carvin cabs.

**nervous** · #7 12-30-2011, 07:19 AM

Dollar for dollar I think you'd be hard pressed to surpass Avatar's quality and value, not to mention their exceptional customer service. I have the B210 NEO and it could easily be the only cab I need. Light, solid, great sound with nice extension, handles power very well. Lots of cover options and color choices as well. As good as anything available.

swspiers · #8 12-30-2011, 07:31 AM

They are great to deal with, with the sole exception of being Direct Sales with no return policy. I like Avatar, but that policy is enough to make me look elsewhere

Orpheus55 · #9 12-30-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nervous

Dollar for dollar I think you'd be hard pressed to surpass Avatar's quality and value, not to mention their exceptional customer service. I have the B210 NEO and it could easily be the only cab I need. Light, solid, great sound with nice extension, handles power very well. Lots of cover options and color choices as well. As good as anything available.

I use the B210 Neo as my sole cabinet, driven by an Ampeg PF500. It is extremely powerful; of course, I do have PA support for outdoor gigs and most bigger rooms, but it's all I need. No rattles, no distortion, and pretty light at 45 lbs.

TylerDurdenPSSC · #10 12-30-2011, 09:02 AM

This thread intrigues me... Sub'd.

Grateful · #11 12-30-2011, 09:12 AM

The Carvin BX210 is an amazing cab. It is also on sale for $339 right now...

Pairing one of those with one of their BR115's would IMHO be a great rig. It's probably my next one.

The cheaper BR series 210/410 Carvin cabs are not ported, but the 15's and 18's are.

I've heard great things on Avatars, but since I've not owned or played through one, I don't really have any relevant feedback for you there....

JacksonAerodyne · #12 01-11-2012, 05:35 PM

I have an Avatar TB153 and it takes some getting used to but it sounds great. I used to play through a GK410 or an Acoustic 8x10. Sometimes I miss the punch of my 4x10 but the sound dispersion and the low end thump with most of the punch the TB153 delivers is awesome. Never played Carvin more than a quick demo in a store, never really liked 'em. For some reason I can't bring myself to actually try their stuff again so I can't say anything for or against Carvin. Just my $0.02

BassmanPaul · #13 01-11-2012, 05:47 PM

Do a search on the benefits of matching cabinets.

will33 · #14 01-11-2012, 05:55 PM

There's been a rash of this here as of late. Mr. paul's well informed advise of not mixing cabs is taking up way too much of his time. Keep at it man, maybe it'll eventually sink in.