Reliability of Carvin specs / opinions on this sub

ThrashMaster · #1 08-29-2010, 08:59 PM

Im looking around for a subwoofer to improve the low end response of my swr cab which is 3 db down at 55 hz. The carvin subs seem to be an economical way to do this

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...roduct=LS1802N

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...roduct=TRX218N

Both of these are 3db down at 30 hz, which works for my low tuning. Any experience as to how real those specs are? Any experience with either of these subs?

lowphatbass · #2 08-29-2010, 09:12 PM

IMO, you would be better off going with a Bag End S18E-D. It's possible to go the "esoteric" route and run a true subwoofer, but generally those types of boxes are best used in front of the stage.

ThrashMaster · #3 08-29-2010, 09:24 PM

isnt the whole infra set up expensive as all getout? These look interesting because they relatively cheap, and supposedly, loud and low

billfitzmaurice · #4 08-30-2010, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrashMaster

Both of these are 3db down at 30 hz, which works for my low tuning. Any experience as to how real those specs are?

They're probably reasonably accurate, but you don't need two eighteens. One would be sufficient.

ThrashMaster · #5 08-30-2010, 12:35 PM

I was just concerned about efficiency. Id be using 400 watts for my mids and highs through the 6x10 which is supposedly 110db 1w1m. while the 1x18 is only 98db 1w1m and only handles 800 watts of power while my amp is capable of 1500.

I play in a pretty loud band so...you really think the 6x10 wont outrun the 1x18?

Thanks for weighing on on this, youre the kinda the guy I was hopin would speak up

billfitzmaurice · #6 08-30-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrashMaster

I was just concerned about efficiency. Id be using 400 watts for my mids and highs through the 6x10 which is supposedly 110db 1w1m. while the 1x18 is only 98db 1w1m and only handles 800 watts of power while my amp is capable of 1500.

I play in a pretty loud band so...you really think the 6x10 wont outrun the 1x18?

Thanks for weighing on on this, youre the kinda the guy I was hopin would speak up

The official technical term for a 6x10 cab that claims 110dB sensitivity is hogwash.
That said, if a 6x10 isn't doing it for you I'd look at a different cab configuration. Depending on how loud you play, and how low you go, you might need the low end output of a 2x18, but you don't need a 6x10 to provide the mids to keep up with that, a 2x10 would be sufficient. But I'd go a different way.
The displacement of the Carvin (and most other) eighteens is about 640cc. The displacement of the Eminence 3015LF is 846cc, so the Eminence will put out more from a far smaller box. And all you need to keep up with the 3015LF for the mids is a 6" mid driver. So the solution is a cab using a 3015LF and a 6" mid. That means fEarful or something similar if you care to roll your own, or an LDS or Barefaced if you want off the shelf. Two 15/6 are more practical than one 2x15/2x6.

RNV · #7 08-30-2010, 01:15 PM

Just get the Carvin BRX410NEO bass cab and call it a day. Best cab I've ever used, and I've borrow and played through a bunch!!!

ThrashMaster · #8 08-30-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

The official technical term for a 6x10 cab that claims 110dB sensitivity is hogwash.
That said, if a 6x10 isn't doing it for you I'd look at a different cab configuration. Depending on how loud you play, and how low you go, you might need the low end output of a 2x18, but you don't need a 6x10 to provide the mids to keep up with that, a 2x10 would be sufficient. But I'd go a different way.
The displacement of the Carvin (and most other) eighteens is about 640cc. The displacement of the Eminence 3015LF is 846cc, so the Eminence will put out more from a far smaller box. And all you need to keep up with the 3015LF for the mids is a 6" mid driver. So the solution is a cab using a 3015LF and a 6" mid. That means fEarful or something similar if you care to roll your own, or an LDS or Barefaced if you want off the shelf. Two 15/6 are more practical than one 2x15/2x6.

Thanks for tellin it straight Bill

Actually, my 6x10 is doin it for me, I just need more low end extension/output...love the sound of it otherwise.

I've got the skills to diy it, and would prefer to really, but I no longer have access to a woodshop

Ill have to beg to differ or two small cabs being more practical than one big guy. Im 6'5'', 250lbs, and Id rather save a trip to the van.

Ill look into the lds cabs.

billfitzmaurice · #9 08-30-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrashMaster

Ill have to beg to differ or two small cabs being more practical than one big guy. Im 6'5'', 250lbs, and Id rather save a trip to the van. .

You'll have a very different take on that 20 years from now. I used to toss a 4x12 PA column over each shoulder to save a trip to the van; now I can't even lift an 80 pound bag of concrete, due to the damage I did to my back when still young, strong and stupid.

ThrashMaster · #10 08-31-2010, 08:13 AM

Sorry to hear that man...ive had some knee injuries, but thankfully nothing with my back.

For me, if a cab isn't sized so that I can roll it along with tiltback wheels, its a no go.

62bass · #11 08-31-2010, 02:24 PM

What Bill is saying is true-both about using two lighter and more efficient cabs (I can't lift 80 lbs. anymore, but I'm 70 now) and using the Carvin sub isn't the best idea.

About 10 years ago I was using a GK 400 RB driving an old style GK 4x10 cab that was 4 ohms. Not very efficient and not a lot of bottom end. It sounded great however but I just couldn't get enough volume and enough bass on some gigs.

I thought I'd be really clever and save some money by buying a Yorkville Sound 2x10" bandpass design, powered sub woofer and running it with an electronic crossover which was also available cheap from Yorkville. The Yorkville had a 750 watt amp built in and truly did put out some amazing bottom end below about 100 hz. But the combination sucked. I didn't really want to hear all that true fundamental and nothing I could do would prevent it from making mud out of the band's sound. Enough subwoofer to hear it and it wiped out everything low. Also leaked into the drum and vocal mics causing a dirty and less distinct vocal sound. Great for reggae though. Less subwoofer so it didn't muddy the mix was a waste of the subwoofer because it wasn't putting anything audible out. And the damn thing weighed about 95 lbs. Not much fun at 3 A.M. when you want to go home and chill out. Or at the beginning of the evening when you need some energy to play after loading in.

The solution for me was to get rid of the 4x10 and instead I got a pair of relatively inexpensive Yorkville 1x15 cabinets. Now that was what I was missing. Of course, it was putting out very little below about 70 hz but it sounded big and fat and would play way loder with the fairly low powered GK head. Each cabinet weighed 55 lbs. I imagine if they had been neo 15s instead of the Eminence made ceramic speakers Yorkville used it would have been about 10 lbs lighter for each.

The Fearful or similar with the mid driver would probably be even better for many bassists. I don't need much high end for the type of sound I use, but back then I did need the volume. We were playing some big rooms and I was up against a guitarist with a 4x10 Bassman amp and a loud keyboard player and very aggressive drummer. I use flatwound strings and don't go for the glass shattering top end you can get with rounds. But some guys will want that midrange and treble and better off axis response.

I probably could have got a good enough sound and enough low end volume by getting rid of the inefficient GK 4x10 and getting an Eden 4x10 instead, but I just fell in love with the sound of 15s.

Perhaps adding a good Fearful type cabinet would do it for the OP too.