Sub feedback

bassman10096 · #1 12-01-2010, 06:53 AM

My guitarist who owns our subs is, regrettably (and amicably) leaving the band - without a pair of subs. We generally do not need more than a pair of 118s. I need your feedback on a couple of units and perhaps suggestions for others not considered yet. Our priorities are:
1. Decent sound and good output (hard to fart out) and power handling. Our power amp situation is good, both in power and available channels.
2. Reasonably compact and not unnecessarily heavy ("Honey, have you seen my roadies, lately??").

We have been working with a pair or Sonic Metro 118s (the subs we are losing). Frankly, the Sonics seem to balance performance with size/weight and cost pretty nicely. So I'm seriously considering picking up a pair ($500 used and $600 new, plus shipping for the pair). The only problem with Sonic is that they don't have sufficient national exposure (They are made here in Milwaukee) to see a lot of reviews posted. Basic specs are:
600w RMS/1200 peak; 75 lb; 24" cube. Like I said, they seem to be a good if not great value.

Compared to a pair of Peavey PV118s (same weight, 400w/800w, $4-500 for a pair new), the Sonics seem to cost a little more, but are a known quantity (to me) and deliver more power handling. What kind of experience do any of you have to share on the PVs?

The least expensive JBL sub (JRX, I think) seems to underperform the Sonic (spec-wise, at least) for about $2-300 more per pair. Anybody have good/bad experience with the cheap JBLs?

Another sub that interested me was the Carvin (neo) LS1801N. A little lighter and smaller, with about the same power specs as the Sonic, for about $100 more per pair (new). For another $100 per pair ($200 more than the Sonics), the Carvin TRx118N gets you a little bit more power handling and about 10lbs lighter in about the same box size as the LS1801N. Any experience or thoughts about these or other Carvin subs?

Thanks - any and all feedback and suggestions (including, "Hire a sound company") are welcomed.

Vinny D · #2 12-01-2010, 07:24 AM

If you have been using this sub already and it works for you I don't see any reason to not just get another pair.
They are not going to be any better or worse then other subs in there price range.

Sonic used to offer driver upgrades in there cabs years ago, thats what used to make them a great buy.
You could buy a cab loaded with real RCF drivers for considerably less money then anything else.

I don't believe they offer any driver upgrades anymore, and I am pretty sure the speakers they use now or some sort of copy of the RCF drivers they used too have.

bassman10096 · #3 12-01-2010, 08:44 AM

Thanks, Vinnie. This is good validation on Sonic.

Vinny D · #4 12-01-2010, 08:48 AM

There is a store local too me that sells sonic stuff, it's really not that bad. (still wish they offered the driver upgrade though).
Around were I am there are still alot of Sonic *W* PA bass bins floating around from when that was the next best thing in sub land, they still function well in a couple of club installs.

bassman10096 · #5 12-02-2010, 05:00 AM

Wow. I thought everyone would have comments on the Carvins and suggestions about everything but the Sonic.
Anybody have any experience with the Carvins or suggestions for other subs that I should be looking at?

uhdinator · #6 12-02-2010, 05:58 AM

only thing in that price point is JRX118. have used them. they are entry level but can handle a little more power (i run 900w on them) and use limiters and compression on my system.

Zooberwerx · #7 12-02-2010, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman10096

Wow. I thought everyone would have comments on the Carvins and suggestions about everything but the Sonic.
Anybody have any experience with the Carvins or suggestions for other subs that I should be looking at?

Buy what's used, affordable, local and make the best of it. At your price point, I don't think you'll see that much of a a difference in performance. You should be able to find a great deal in the $400-600 range (for the pair, of course)...Peavey, Sonic, Yorkville, Yamaha, Carvin. I saw the PV 18's on Milwaukee's CL dated 11/01/10....still available?

Riis

bassman10096 · #8 12-02-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

At your price point, I don't think you'll see that much of a a difference in performance. You should be able to find a great deal in the $400-600 range (for the pair, of course)...Peavey, Sonic, Yorkville, Yamaha, Carvin.

I suspect that's right. I'm leaning toward the Sonics. They are local here (definitely not common nationally) so I think there's a natural tendency to take them for granted (Exciting as kissing your sister). Fact is: Sonic seems to make some really nice products that outperform their price points. I've use a pair of 12" 2 way Sonic Main boxes that kicked the hell out of everything else I could compare them to (including a lot of 15" 2 ways) - something like $450 for the pair with stands.

Zooberwerx · #9 12-02-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman10096

I suspect that's right. I'm leaning toward the Sonics. They are local here (definitely not common nationally) so I think there's a natural tendency to take them for granted (Exciting as kissing your sister). Fact is: Sonic seems to make some really nice products that outperform their price points. I've use a pair of 12" 2 way Sonic Main boxes that kicked the hell out of everything else I could compare them to (including a lot of 15" 2 ways) - something like $450 for the pair with stands.

Sounds as if you've had some success with the Sonic line so go for it! Price sounds right and you won't take a major hit if you choose to upgrade at a later date. Use some common sense re: power applications, HPF's, comp / limiters to protect your investment.

Ummm...why didn't you offer to buy the pair from your departing guitarist? It makes for a strange combination: "Hey, I'm a lead guitarist...can play rock, country, R&B, you name it. I even have my own pair of subs."

Riis

WayneP · #10 12-02-2010, 09:34 AM

Don’t know how Sonic fares these days, but back in the mid 90s I worked for a Sonic dealer and was always impressed with the sound quality they offered for the money. Handily blew away the Soundtech stuff we sold for the same price.

P.S. I think you goofed on the title you gave your thread. I thought it was a problem with subs feeding back in the PA. You'd probably have more response with a title like "Need sub recommendations."

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly

Geddyfleaharris · #11 12-02-2010, 10:37 AM

I don't know anything about Sonic so I can't say anything about them.

I have a pair of powered JRX118s. Eh. They are ok but really not much kick. I sort of assume the passive's aren't much better.

I also have a set of powered Yorkville Elite Series LS801Ps. THEY POUND! Our soundman loves them. Yorkville's Elite Series LS808 looks like the unpowered version. Quick check shows them available new for $799.

Yorkville make some pretty darn good live sound gear.

bassman10096 · #12 12-02-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Ummm...why didn't you offer to buy the pair from your departing guitarist? It makes for a strange combination: "Hey, I'm a lead guitarist...can play rock, country, R&B, you name it. I even have my own pair of subs."

Ordinarily that'd be the case. But he does do sound for other bands often enough to need to hang on to them. So, I'm on my own.

You know, I didn't even anticipate the ambiguity of the thread title "Sub Feedback". Duh. Well, once again, electronic media increase the volume and reach of communication I produce, while reducing its quality...