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Carvin BX1500 BR210 BR 118 stack.
- Thread starter lawjazz1
- Start date
Pros
You have two power sections and a cross over to balance your two mis-matched cabs
Cons
You have two mis matched cabs that should be used with two power sections and a cross over.
You have two power sections and a cross over to balance your two mis-matched cabs
Cons
You have two mis matched cabs that should be used with two power sections and a cross over.
Check it out.
IMHO I would want to depend on two power sections or a cross over, as I plan on switching amps/cabs depending on the situation.
I use a very similar set-up...BX1500,BRX210 on top of a 1X15. The two separate amps in the BX1500 are perfect for this as you can balance your sound easily. I quit using the Biamp feature and just go full range. If both of your cabinets are 4 ohms (mine are) the amp is running 450/450W. There are so many speaker/combo possibilities with the BX1500 it aint funny.
I only use the above set-up out doors. Most indoor gigs I use the BRX210 and one side of the BX1500.
The best thing about bi-amping in my experience is this, every stage and every room is different. Sometimes I dial in more upper cab (and less lower cab) because the stage is hollow and/or boomy. Sometimes I dial in more lower cab because the floor is concrete and the lows dissipate. The negatives surrounding mismatched cabs are less pronounced because of this, like CL400 said in witty fashion. 
The best thing about bi-amping in my experience is this, every stage and every room is different. Sometimes I dial in more upper cab (and less lower cab) because the stage is hollow and/or boomy. Sometimes I dial in more lower cab because the floor is concrete and the lows dissipate. The negatives surrounding mismatched cabs are less pronounced because of this, like CL400 said in witty fashion.
+1
I would suggest the OP actually try the cabs before buying.
My recommendation is to go out and find a single cab that sounds good to you. Then buy enough of them to be as loud as you need to be. With the Bx1500 you have a lot of options for powering speakers, but I find the best results in matching speaker cabs.
I agree although there are a FEW exceptions like the ACME Full Range + FLAT cabs, which are essentially the same except one has a tweeter and the other doesn't. That makes them a very intriguing setup for the BX1500.
They like power, so buying two 4 ohms cabs would get you a killer bi-amped mini-rig at 900 watts. Now the X-OVER works as intended without the negatives of mismatched drivers.
It makes a lot more sense to me than any combination of 18's (or 15's) and 10's.
They like power, so buying two 4 ohms cabs would get you a killer bi-amped mini-rig at 900 watts. Now the X-OVER works as intended without the negatives of mismatched drivers.
It makes a lot more sense to me than any combination of 18's (or 15's) and 10's.
Everyone in this thread is really providing very useful information. What I am having trouble understanding is what exactly is the problem with mismatched cabs if they are bi-amped? Why would Carvin sell a mis matched stack if they are such trouble?
If you are bi-amping its not a problem really. But you wont be getting as much sound as two identical cabs run full range. It also assumes that you are going to always use an amp that can split your signal. Some bassists are a fickle bunch and will go through many amps over time.
Why would Carvin sell something like that? People by with their eyes, and it gives them a way to present two cabs instead of one, which gives more exposure to their product line.
For the same reason that most manufacturers do; the number of bass players who hear with their eyes and who make assumptions about sound based on cone size makes it easier for manufacturers to target-market those assumptions rather than to spend the time to correct misconceptions.
Man.... you dudes are harsh ().... I played a Carvin BX(?) 600 through a 1X15 topped by a 2X10 bi amped and the sound was great, plenty of lows and good mids & highs.
In a bi amped rig the cabs aren't mis-matched, they each cover their own freq. range and do different jobs.
I crossed over at just below 180hz and the sound was modern, full, tight, very responsive to EQ changes and had the best "right hand technique response" of any rig I used with the Bass (Fender Am. Deluxe P-Bass) I was playing at the time.
bi-amping just isn't as "in vogue" as it was a while ago, what with the advent of cabs like the greenboy Fearful and Fearless lines and the advancements in driver design bi-amping doesn't have as much of a draw as it used to (plus if you're going direct into a P.A. system you may not even need such a full range on stage amp anyway...). Carvin is just keeping a small flame alive, they aren't "duping" anyone.
BTW I play through GK stuff now and it's "bi-amped", but, for me, the 5000hz crossover point doesn't change my sound at all.... I don't overdrive the amp and I don't slap or use a pick so there isn't really much information coming from my Bass above that frequency.... So, technically I'm still running a bi-amped rig, but it's nothing like my old Carvin rig.
).... I played a Carvin BX(?) 600 through a 1X15 topped by a 2X10 bi amped and the sound was great, plenty of lows and good mids & highs. In a bi amped rig the cabs aren't mis-matched, they each cover their own freq. range and do different jobs.
I crossed over at just below 180hz and the sound was modern, full, tight, very responsive to EQ changes and had the best "right hand technique response" of any rig I used with the Bass (Fender Am. Deluxe P-Bass) I was playing at the time.
bi-amping just isn't as "in vogue" as it was a while ago, what with the advent of cabs like the greenboy Fearful and Fearless lines and the advancements in driver design bi-amping doesn't have as much of a draw as it used to (plus if you're going direct into a P.A. system you may not even need such a full range on stage amp anyway...). Carvin is just keeping a small flame alive, they aren't "duping" anyone.
BTW I play through GK stuff now and it's "bi-amped", but, for me, the 5000hz crossover point doesn't change my sound at all.... I don't overdrive the amp and I don't slap or use a pick so there isn't really much information coming from my Bass above that frequency.... So, technically I'm still running a bi-amped rig, but it's nothing like my old Carvin rig.
I use a Carvin 1200 which is discontinued for the 1500.But I can say it is the best amp I have owned.I use it with 2 4x10 cabs-one with a tweeter,and one without.But keep this in mind...biamping is not noticeable to the crowd,unless you mic your cabs versus direct out,because the direct out is only a single out.The Carvin head ROCKS in dual full range mode,and I get slightly more highs by using one tweetered cab.I am happier with my sound now than I ever have been before & I've been at it 45 years.
I run the Carvin BX-1500 into their 4x10 8 ohm cabinet and 1x18 8 ohm cabinet. I can bi-amp the deep lows into the 18 inch speaker and the highs into the 4 ten inch speakers. The frequency separation is tight and spot on, amazing actually. In the studio I of course just use the 4x10. I went with the 8 ohm cabs for a few reasons, mostly the ability to adopt into different cabs.
The BX-1500 has plenty of power in any inside situation and does just fine outside. If you are playing anything larger you're going to be miked up. I looked long and hard for a rig and can't say enough good things about this set up. As mention before it really is about what you hear. I played through many Ampegs and Marks and money not really being the issue I wanted something that made my instrument sound the way I hear it in my head. For me, this rig did it. I push this rig heavy playing many hours a week and it just floats along, never any issues. As for the power mongols, I have never pushed it pass 12 o'clock (1/2 power I guess) most 1/4 power and in a large studio using a passive bass it's VERY loud. Just my 2 cents.
The BX-1500 has plenty of power in any inside situation and does just fine outside. If you are playing anything larger you're going to be miked up. I looked long and hard for a rig and can't say enough good things about this set up. As mention before it really is about what you hear. I played through many Ampegs and Marks and money not really being the issue I wanted something that made my instrument sound the way I hear it in my head. For me, this rig did it. I push this rig heavy playing many hours a week and it just floats along, never any issues. As for the power mongols, I have never pushed it pass 12 o'clock (1/2 power I guess) most 1/4 power and in a large studio using a passive bass it's VERY loud. Just my 2 cents.
I have a BX1500, using a modified Kustom "tuck & roll" cabinet with 2-10" + 2-12" speakers. You will not have to worry about power - I used mine last weekend with a 6-piece band (guitar, drums, 2 keyboards, and a sax player). We were in a medium sized hall, with a fairly good crowd. I had the drive on "3", the power amp volumes on "5" and the master on "1 1/2" - and I covered the room very well. We usually run everything through the PA, but did not do it for this gig. I am looking forward to the opportunity when I can use my matching Kustom cabinet, so I can utilize all 1500 watts --- OH MY GOD !!!
I use the amp, it's amazing. Very light, tons of power and eq'ing options, very transparant amp, if you want it to be.
Those cabs will be a dissapointment. If you're going to use Carvin Cabs get the BRX models. Even better, get a different brand of cabs. I'm not a big fan of their speakers, at all.
