opinions on carvin turnkey systems?

the yeti · #1 01-21-2011, 05:15 PM

i'm not exactly a pa expert. does anybody know about this system or have an educated opinion from reading the specs?

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...L-2153&cid=102

this is usually the lamest type of post that can be made on a message board i know. at least i didn't ask if it would be good for metal... planned use is 4 vocalists, bass, drums, guitar playing pop/rock covers.

Nagrom · #2 01-21-2011, 05:37 PM

At a glance, the mixer with 2-stereo amps looks good with sufficient power and decent amount of strips. You can use two built-in effects at the same time and also insert external effects in the first six which might be useful. Each strip has only a 3-band eq with a fixed midrange so that may be ok or not. Phantom power looks universal but check because maybe your amp DI doesn't like it.

The amps are rated to 4-ohm and the speakers are 4-ohm so that arrangement is fixed (no extra speakers or mono-mains and three monitors). One page says the 73-lb. speakers are pole-mountable and the other more specific page says no poles or flying.
Regardless, 73-lbs. is an armload and no poles are included. The 2-mics and cables included may or may not be decent. Hopefully the included speaker cables are a usable length.

Big questions is what's the cost, and how's it sound?

the yeti · #3 01-21-2011, 05:56 PM

thanks. $1350 plus shipping. from the little i know i thought it seemed like "enough" pa. the speakers seem to be modeled after those jbl 125s that have 1 15 acting as a sub so i thought that was cool. people seem to like the jbls i guess, don't think that has any bearing on what the carvins sound like of course.

claytitan · #4 01-21-2011, 06:02 PM

I used a 12 channel powered mixer with 15" mains in a band for about a year. IMO I think you will be happy with the sound. Look at the price and if it is enough wattage and gear. If it is I would recommend it.

cjmodulus · #5 01-21-2011, 06:03 PM

Totally misread the title as 'carvin turkey'. Probably not a good idea to go on here right before dinner.

modulusman · #6 01-21-2011, 06:06 PM

Cheap dual 15 inch PA cabs suck. You would be better off with this system. .http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...L-1503&cid=102 If you need more low-end get a sub.

modulusman · #7 01-21-2011, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the yeti

thanks. $1350 plus shipping. from the little i know i thought it seemed like "enough" pa. the speakers seem to be modeled after those jbl 125s that have 1 15 acting as a sub so i thought that was cool. people seem to like the jbls i guess, don't think that has any bearing on what the carvins sound like of course.

If you are talking about the JBL JRX125s those are the worst speaker JBL makes. Total garbage.

cableguy · #8 01-21-2011, 06:20 PM

Arre you running sound from stage or do you have a soundman? Would probably work alright if from stage is your plan. I agree with Modlusman about the single 15" type of speaker and adding a sub later. Would make the speakers lighter to load in and you could mount them on a pole above the sub to get them a little higher. Nobody likes a horn at ear level when they're dancing. I believe Carvin makes powered subs also if you're worried about power amps.

the yeti · #9 01-21-2011, 06:20 PM

^sweet. thanks. i'd heard people say nice things about them... what is wrong w/'em? lots of distortion, not loud enough? crappy and fall apart?

the yeti · #10 01-21-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

Arre you running sound from stage or do you have a soundman? Would probably work alright if from stage is your plan. I agree with Modlusman about the single 15" type of speaker and adding a sub later. Would make the speakers lighter to load in and you could mount them on a pole above the sub to get them a little higher. Nobody likes a horn at ear level when they're dancing. I believe Carvin makes powered subs also if you're worried about power amps.

right now we rent. we have a guy we really like and the price is really good for what we get too. but sometimes he's not available or it's a small job that doesn't make as much sense so i'm investigating options... i really hate being at someone else's mercy. especially if they happen to be a flaky sound guy. plenty of people run it from the stage so i guess that's an option.

modulusman · #11 01-21-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the yeti

^sweet. thanks. i'd heard people say nice things about them... what is wrong w/'em? lots of distortion, not loud enough? crappy and fall apart?

If you got the time plenty of reading over here. http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...022&pp=&page=2

claytitan · #12 01-22-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claytitan

I used a 12 channel powered mixer with 15" mains in a band for about a year. IMO I think you will be happy with the sound. Look at the price and if it is enough wattage and gear. If it is I would recommend it.

Yeah we used the LS1502's. They sounded pretty good. I'm sure the 1503's would sound good.

sobie18 · #13 01-22-2011, 08:57 AM

I am running the Carvin RX1200L with the LS1503's and a pair of TrX118 subs with their DCM2000L amp. Sounds killer for any job around town.

Rip Topaz · #14 01-23-2011, 07:54 PM

I'm running this exact system, only difference being I added an active sub (also Carvin) to it.

My experience has been good overall. It is a great sounding system, but it could use a bit more power at times. I've run my whole band,( bass, guitar,drums, two vocals) into it, and it is LOUD. The horns seem to be the weak link. I've pushed mine pretty hard at gigs, and I've had those moments where I felt like it was all gonna blow, but didn't.

That said, I've definitely heard better. I think if you get it, I would go with two subs instead of just one. For me, one just doesn't seem to be enough.

Without subs, it is a good system, but just because they say the lower 15 works as a sub, don't expect groundshaking lows. It is NOT a subwoofer. It is crossed over for lower frequencies and the two 15's DO sound great together, but for really low lows, add a sub or two. You'll be glad you did.

Oh, and there are NO pole mounts on them. Sucks cuz I bought the extra package with the stands when I bought the system, and can't use them. The stands arent rated to hold the weight of the speakers, and the speakers have no pole mount.
I love the included mics. Actually ordered 4 more of them, they sound so good.
The speaker cables included are 50', and seem to be decent quality.

the yeti · #15 01-24-2011, 05:58 AM

^awesome, thanks.

and modulusman- thanks for the link. that was helpful *and* entertaining.

basswave · #16 01-24-2011, 06:01 AM

I do like Carvin PA gear...It sounds surprisingly very well.