carvin ls1503

[hobbes1]

i was searching around here reading threads on this cab as used for bass. does anyone know what brand drivers are being used in them these days? apparently, there have been some changes in the builds of these over the years by carvin.
thanks

[jeff7bass]

Carvin keeps their drivers a secret. It’s an inexpensive cab so don’t expect them to use the same drivers you’ll find in a fEARFUL or Avatar TB153. The speakers in those cost about what you’ll pay for the whole Carvin cab, It’s a good cab though and it will seem louder because it’s got a mid-range driver in it (clarity). It’s also tuned very well and sounds fantastic, just don’t expect to pump 500w into it with the bass and volume cranked. It’s a good cab for a great price. I auditioned them in SD last year and my old Carvin powered PA had the 3-ways that came just before them. They get LOUD but EQ’ing is required once you push them with a lot of volume and bass. If it’s in your price range and you want a 3-way cab, it’s a great deal.

[jnewmark]

Also, the Eminence 3015, or 3015LF is a great drop in replacement 15, if neo prices ever get back to where they were.

[hobbes1]

ok. thanks for the info. hoping neo's will drop in the foreseeable future!

[derrico1]

I have an early-run LS1503 (w/ mid boxed rather than the later, cheaper cup), and it's a great sounding cab for very good value.

I don't know about attempts to turn it into a high-SPL beast by transplanting a 3015/LF. Although the cab volume specs well for that replacement, there were enough TB reports of crossover failure and rattling problems at high volume that I'd think twice about going that route.

It may be that the lighter bracing and cheaper crossover came in later production runs, but I've decided to keep mine stock as a nice cab for mid-volume gigs. I've also used it pole-mounted just to create a monitoring hot spot for me on club stages that are awash with sub and low-end spill from cranked FOH. In those roles, it kills--especially for the money.

[rpsands]

I would stay away from these cabs nowadays based on what I am hearing from GB and others on the topic. The newer ones definitely got cheaped out.

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by derrico1

I have an early-run LS1503 (w/ mid boxed rather than the later, cheaper cup), and it's a great sounding cab for very good value.

I don't know about attempts to turn it into a high-SPL beast by transplanting a 3015/LF. Although the cab volume specs well for that replacement, there were enough TB reports of crossover failure and rattling problems at high volume that I'd think twice about going that route.

It may be that the lighter bracing and cheaper crossover came in later production runs, but I've decided to keep mine stock as a nice cab for mid-volume gigs. I've also used it pole-mounted just to create a monitoring hot spot for me on club stages that are awash with sub and low-end spill from cranked FOH. In those role, it kills--especially for the money.

When you pole mount it, how high do you put it, and do you put the amp on top of the cab ?

[derrico1]

I'll pole mount it so that the mid and horn are just above ear level.

I've run it both with amp on top (LMII in a MarkBass bag stuck to the top of the 1503) and driven by pre/power (Aggie DB659 feeding a Carvin DCM1000) in a 4-space rack set on an amp stand and nestled under the pole-mounted cab.

IME, the rack was overkill, b/c in those situations clarity at the lowest manageable volume is the ticket. No sense washing the stage with even more unintelligible low-end.

[hobbes1]

rpsands: so, is the consensus that the avatar tb153 is worth double the cost because it's that much better? i know "better" is in the ear of the beholder, etc, etc. but $259 vs $600 is a big difference. i want something that will do double duty as a PA(full range) for my tyler variax/pod hd500 rig as well. not trying to start a fight over this but interested in the opinions of users and cab builders. i'm not in the position any time in the foreseeable future at building a fEarful and while i have considered a powered PA speaker like the K series from QSC but again we are in the $600 range. the carvin may not be best at either bass or guitar but if it can do them both reasonably well, then that's what i'll be doing. thanks

[hobbes1]

Originally Posted by derrico1

I'll pole mount it so that the mid and horn are just above ear level.

I've run it both with amp on top (LMII in a MarkBass bag stuck to the top of the 1503) and driven by pre/power (Aggie DB659 feeding a Carvin DCM1000) in a 4-space rack set on an amp stand and nestled under the pole-mounted cab.

IME, the rack was overkill, b/c in those situations clarity at the lowest manageable volume is the ticket. No sense washing the stage with even more unintelligible low-end.

derrico1: was the DCM1000 sufficient to drive the LS1503 well, in general terms or did you ever feel the need for more power?
thanks

[will33]

The woofer in the Avatar can move as much air as roughly 2 of the Carvin woofers can, provided you have enough power to take advantage of it. It's also a good deal higher in sensitivity as well.....there's your difference. The rising price of neo is part of the cost as well.

[derrico1]

The DCM1000 is rated at 700 watts bridged into 8 ohms, and I find that's more than I want to unload on the 1503.

[will33]

Originally Posted by rpsands

I would stay away from these cabs nowadays based on what I am hearing from GB and others on the topic. The newer ones definitely got cheaped out.

FWIW, I've used stuffed metal dogfood bowls as add-on mid chambers with fine results. Hard plastic would also work, soft plastic...not. No stuffing is a no-go as well and bracing and especially crossover's is no place to cheap out either.

Any idea what/how many corners are cut on the newer one's? Not in the market for one or anything....just curious.

[hobbes1]

"Any idea what/how many corners are cut on the newer one's?"

i'd be curious to hear an answer to will33's question too.
thanks