My first huge bass rig was a peavey powered mixer feeding a pair of toa 12+horn, the line out of the mixer feeding a crown power base 1 which fed 2 peavey sp2s. It was awesome, but a lot of gear with a lot of setup time. Still, living to close to Carvin may make me try this again. I'll be posting one of my cabs for sale eventually anyway, hmmm....
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Boutique 3-way 115 and 215 on a budget
- Thread starter greenboy
- Start date
- Status
- Mar 9, 2005
- 1,946
- 11
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- Avatar Club#12 Eden Club Lucky# 13--USA Peavey Club#37 Carvin Club#5
Sweet to see the inside of a Carvin cab. Nice void free plywood construction. Carvin builds great stuff. I own a bunch myself.
Here's the beauty shot!
I have the retangular cab, not the trapeziod.
The only negative so far is the 1503 being an 8 ohm cab. I just can't get enough power into it. The most I can throw at it is 450 watts. And 450 watts doesn't even get it into the zone, if you know what I mean. If I could get my full 900 watts into it that would be purrrfect...
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
Hoi Supertanker,
Glad you like the cab. Did you take the crossover PCB off the cup from the inside? The majority of the components are actually on the other side. Definitely not the cheapie found in most bass cabs.
As far as active crossovers I've been using Rane DC24 as a bass rig Swiss Army Knife for ages now - really a great unit. But really, there are a lot of good crossovers around: Rane indeed, and Carvin, Peavey, etc. But if buying new I'd be partial to a unit that can do everything the Rane DC24 can do and more - an SMS - Speaker Management System. And I think the Peavey VSX26 (their site is down for maintenance) is probably the coolest one around and cheaper than anything else with the performance and ease of use.
Once their site is back online take a look (or find it on Sweetwater's site) and download the software for it and play with it. It's really well-designed and easy to figure out.
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
Evidently Carvin has now decided that not enough people actually require the semi-trap cuts so they have went with rectangular construction for current and probably all future production runs. Good news for those of us who'd rather have more internal volume.
325 watts x 2 bi-amped (650 watts) is really loud and clear. But just because the cab's woofer can take considerably more, I find myself entertaining the notion of using more yet {but still bi-amped of course since this cab unlike many bass rigs actually bi-amps without it sounding like a step was taken backwards ; }
On the other hand, a second cab certainly doesn't seem such a bad way to go since they are easy to handle and light. That way you get more power from the power amp by going to 4 ohms, and end up running the cabs without the inevitable power compression that comes when pushing drivers harder and harder. Which means more SPL and less THD, really. Plus you get a real tall stack ; }
Yes, a lot of that is just wanting bragging rights. Truthfully, this single cab bi-amped is a force to reckon with. I don't know that I need more for the majority of gigs I do. Everybody likes the stage mix right now - myself included. And it carries the house at most of these clubs I know. The tone / volume balance is great. What more do I need? : }
No I did not. I figured you had checked it out. But it sounds really good. I didn't have to do anything to get my sound, everything flat, both preamp and bass, which was a pleasant suprise.
I'll check into the Peavey, Sounds like what I'm looking for...
The more I play my powerhouse 212, the more I realize it just isn't what I'm looking for. Anyone in the seattle area have one of these I could take a listen to? I was thinking about going back to 10"s, as that is what I've used alot in the past with a single 15" bottom... but I'm thinking this might be my holy grail setup. I find the 212 just sounds a little... dark to me. I want the solid low end of a 15", but the punch and snap of a 10". So, I'm thinking the 6" in this might just do that for me. Plus, I can probably sell my Mesa, buy the Carvin, and still have a little cash left over! On a side note, anyone recommend a good set of removable casters for this thing? That is the one thing I would miss from my mesa. Thanks!
Greenboy and Supertanker-
Can't wait until one of you two pop in the 3015LF and tell us how it sounds!
Carvin's shipped price on a PS15 is just at $90, and they don't go for that on eBay, but I expect a nearly-new one would sell for $50 or 55, so that does offset the purchase of a 3015LF somewhat.
Carvin gives nearly no information about the PS15 driver on the product page, other than to say "Power: 400 watts. Freq. Response: 38-3.5k, 8 ohms. 10 lb. magnet structure."
Comparing the same info on the 3015LF: 450 watts RMS, 900 program, frequency response 40 Hz-1.5 kHz, 8 ohms, and total (net) weight 8.6 pounds.
The 3015LF handles similar to more power, depending on how Carvin rates their woofers. Similar frequency response below the probably midrange crossover point, however, I'd personally put more stock in the 3015LF rating in THIS cabinet, the 1503. Same impedence, so the 3015LF will work fine with the stock 1503 crossover.
A big difference is the weight! Just the magnet on the PS15 weighs 10 pounds, for a probable total driver weight of 15-18 pounds, while the 3015LF's total weight is 8.6 pounds.
Assuming the PS15 DOES weigh 18 pounds, then the difference in the driver weight will drop the total 1503 enclosure weight from 58 pounds to 48 pounds.
48 pounds is not comparable to the ultralight cabs on the market in 2007, but it's not a heavy carry and stack at all, especially with the 1503's nice recessed handles.
Can't wait until one of you two pop in the 3015LF and tell us how it sounds!
Carvin's shipped price on a PS15 is just at $90, and they don't go for that on eBay, but I expect a nearly-new one would sell for $50 or 55, so that does offset the purchase of a 3015LF somewhat.
Carvin gives nearly no information about the PS15 driver on the product page, other than to say "Power: 400 watts. Freq. Response: 38-3.5k, 8 ohms. 10 lb. magnet structure."
Comparing the same info on the 3015LF: 450 watts RMS, 900 program, frequency response 40 Hz-1.5 kHz, 8 ohms, and total (net) weight 8.6 pounds.
The 3015LF handles similar to more power, depending on how Carvin rates their woofers. Similar frequency response below the probably midrange crossover point, however, I'd personally put more stock in the 3015LF rating in THIS cabinet, the 1503. Same impedence, so the 3015LF will work fine with the stock 1503 crossover.
A big difference is the weight! Just the magnet on the PS15 weighs 10 pounds, for a probable total driver weight of 15-18 pounds, while the 3015LF's total weight is 8.6 pounds.
Assuming the PS15 DOES weigh 18 pounds, then the difference in the driver weight will drop the total 1503 enclosure weight from 58 pounds to 48 pounds.
48 pounds is not comparable to the ultralight cabs on the market in 2007, but it's not a heavy carry and stack at all, especially with the 1503's nice recessed handles.
Brandon- thank you. That definitely helps. I had forgotten that Carvin does rely on those online manuals, in many cases, for the detailed online product info. It was nice to read up on the 1503 there.
We'll I managed to get 600 watts into the 1503. It was unphased by 600 watts.
alembic5 I really don't see any need for casters as it is quite manageable without them.
I have to agree with GB on the mid bass bump. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm sure the 3015LF would smooth it out.
I was able to overdrive it into breaking up. Just like GB said, most folks would not consider it a bad thing (I don't). I think it sounds pretty good with a tube amp (the mild distortion). But I'm sure the 3015LF will have a flatter response.
I'm most impressed by the clarity and efficency. The mids hit just as hard as the bottom and the top. I've never played any cab that was as efficent (except Accugroove).
Compared to Accugroove Whappo Jr. the JR has better (flatter) extension on the bottom, but it also has $300.00 Beyma woofers in it. I think the Carvin mid and top is more accurate and 3-D and it seems to have more air on the top. If you've played A-Groove you know the highs are smooth but shy. The 1503 seems more open and airy.
On the quiet passages you can play with proper dynamics and not have to comphensate for the cabinet's inability to recreate those quiet lines.
I still haven't had to change any eq settings on my bass or pre. I alway run all settings flat with my Aggie cabs, but now I get to hear what I've been missing.
I'll play for a few weeks with the stock woofer in it, then I'll pop a 3015LF in.
alembic5 I really don't see any need for casters as it is quite manageable without them.
I have to agree with GB on the mid bass bump. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I'm sure the 3015LF would smooth it out.
I was able to overdrive it into breaking up. Just like GB said, most folks would not consider it a bad thing (I don't). I think it sounds pretty good with a tube amp (the mild distortion). But I'm sure the 3015LF will have a flatter response.
I'm most impressed by the clarity and efficency. The mids hit just as hard as the bottom and the top. I've never played any cab that was as efficent (except Accugroove).
Compared to Accugroove Whappo Jr. the JR has better (flatter) extension on the bottom, but it also has $300.00 Beyma woofers in it. I think the Carvin mid and top is more accurate and 3-D and it seems to have more air on the top. If you've played A-Groove you know the highs are smooth but shy. The 1503 seems more open and airy.
On the quiet passages you can play with proper dynamics and not have to comphensate for the cabinet's inability to recreate those quiet lines.
I still haven't had to change any eq settings on my bass or pre. I alway run all settings flat with my Aggie cabs, but now I get to hear what I've been missing.
I'll play for a few weeks with the stock woofer in it, then I'll pop a 3015LF in.
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
And then some. I already had a bass cab before the LS3105 that used 6.5" drivers for midrange - in this case an Ampeg 1832 Extreme, with two 6.5" cones being used between 1000 and 4000 Hz. Compared to tens, this gives more even polar response and output in the upper midrange, and a side-by-side comparison with a 2-way Tens cab makes a Tens cab seem peaky and less articulate and with less sparkle, and conversely, rather shrill.
Combined with a decent 15" woofer to supply more copious lower midrange and sub-100 Hz output, there's simply a best-of-both-worlds response, and a sense of more headroom and linearity and detail, and responsiveness to bass playing techniques that I just don't hear in two-way cabs of ANY size and component outlay.
I think Carcvin has some listed on their site, but I haven't looked to see if they are socketed removables. If I actually thought this cab would benefit from removable casters (it's SO easy to handle) I'd consider quick-release plate mount casters rather than socketed ones though they weigh more, simply because they'll take a lot of abuse without the wheel portions eventually becoming prone to falling out at inopportune moments. Google seems to be the best way to find a good price and size/config.
Actually just a single pair of tiltback-recessed wheels like those I pictured earlier in the thread (I found 3" ones because larger wheels handle rough surfaces much better) might be nice too, though I'd probably not bother with EITHER unless going for the 2-by-15 Carvin cab.
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
Unfortunately that T-S parameters table hasn't been updated in some time, and I think Carvin upgraded their OEM versions of the 15" bass woofers - the only constant being fs, so as to make the newer driver versions function well in older cabinet lines/at the same box tuning.
alexclaber
Commercial User
Thanks so much for this input. It reminded me of the time I first played through that 1832 cab, and I absolutely fell in love. If they didn't weigh so darn much, I'd have one right now. I think I am now convinced that this is the cab I need to try. Now... time to scrape together some cash and order one up! This will be the first time I've bought a bass cab without playing through it first... I'm sure I won't be disappointed! Anyone have any experience with one of the blem models on ebay? What can I say... 2 kids+single income= no gear budget!
I paid $280 + shipping for mine from the Carvin store on ebay. Make em an offer, you may be able to get it for less even less...
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
Do inquire about the specific item number hower; whether the cab is semi-trapezoidal or rectangular. Evidently Carvin did several production runs of semi-traps before deciding that perhaps the club PA market didn't require that, really. For bass players there is an advantage in getting a rectangular cab because of the slightly larger internal volume with essentially the same footprint.
According to Carvin the "blems" are very slight, and many may never realize any cosmetic difference.
- Dec 18, 2000
- 13,201
- 340
- Disclosures
- greenboy designs: fEARful, bassic, dually, crazy88 etc
MichaelVee,
I think the stamped-frame PS15 weighs between 13 and 15 pounds, compared to around 8.6 pounds for the 3015LF, or 7.9 pounds for the 3015.
I'd consider the cab a lightweight, when you consider it's 1/2" 9-ply baltic birch construction, with a pro-quality passive 3-way crossover, and drivers that give it an extended response with high SPL potential compared to lightweight 2-way cabs that have less clarity, extension, and directional advantages.
The main gains of the Kappalites beasides a smoother, truer mid-bass and greater sub-bass presence will be that within that cab size they can be driven to RMS and beyond without overexcursion - which only a very small minority of bass cabs is capable of. This translates into a more significant tonal and SPL gain than comparative RMS figures would seem to indicate.
Why haven't I done it yet? Well, frankly the stock driver in such a cab still affords a great gain in fidelity over most of what is available in bass cabs, and I'm looking at digital camera replacements among other things, at the moment ; }
I think the stamped-frame PS15 weighs between 13 and 15 pounds, compared to around 8.6 pounds for the 3015LF, or 7.9 pounds for the 3015.
I'd consider the cab a lightweight, when you consider it's 1/2" 9-ply baltic birch construction, with a pro-quality passive 3-way crossover, and drivers that give it an extended response with high SPL potential compared to lightweight 2-way cabs that have less clarity, extension, and directional advantages.
The main gains of the Kappalites beasides a smoother, truer mid-bass and greater sub-bass presence will be that within that cab size they can be driven to RMS and beyond without overexcursion - which only a very small minority of bass cabs is capable of. This translates into a more significant tonal and SPL gain than comparative RMS figures would seem to indicate.
Why haven't I done it yet? Well, frankly the stock driver in such a cab still affords a great gain in fidelity over most of what is available in bass cabs, and I'm looking at digital camera replacements among other things, at the moment ; }
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