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Carvin MB10 Speaker Replacement

P

PaulErik

Apr 3, 2000
60
20
New Jersey
#1
Hi All,

I have a Carvin MB10, a nice little amp, that I use for rehearsals. We get a little loud sometimes, and unfortunately I overdid it and damaged the 10" speaker. The HF horn seems to be undamaged.

Can anyone recommend a good replacement speaker? Maybe something a bit more robust that can handle a little more volume? Within reason of course, I realize it's only a single 10" speaker in a small enclosure. (The amp produces 200 watts at 8 ohms)

Thanks!
-Paul
 
#2
It's a small combo so putting a more powerful speaker in it might result in distortion. I would lean towards putting the same speaker back in and adding a second cab for jamming, which is what I did for years with my MB-10. Hartke has a new HD 12" cab without a tweeter for 299.00. Great matchup. The amp will then be putting out 250 watts, 125 into each.
 
#3
jeff7bass said:
It's a small combo so putting a more powerful speaker in it might result in distortion. I would lean towards putting the same speaker back in and adding a second cab for jamming, which is what I did for years with my MB-10. Hartke has a new HD 12" cab without a tweeter for 299.00. Great matchup. The amp will then be putting out 250 watts, 125 into each.
Click to expand...

Hi! I do have other cabinets, including 2 of the Hartke 12" cabs you mention. But I have to bring my amp to and from rehearsal each time, so adding another cabinet means moving more gear. I really like the the "one trip" load in and out that I can have with the MB10, I bought it for just that reason. (There's a flight of steps involved, so using a cart doesn't really help)

As far as replacing the speaker, Carvin no longer sells them. As you probably know, they're in kind of a state of flux as a company. So since I have to go elsewhere anyway, I figured I'd look for something better.

Thanks for your reply, take it easy!
-Paul
 
#9
The combo is what it is. A single 10 can only take you so far even if it’s driven by 200W. I’ve used a few of the PS10 driver in various projects I've built - it’s not a bad driver if used within it’s capabilities. 200W of bass is outside of that.

Look at the Carvin combo thread as suggested by @BadExample. I would expect that you would not be the first to face this problem.
 
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#10
BassmanPaul said:
The combo is what it is. A single 10 can only take you so far even if it’s driven by 200W. I’ve used a few of the PS10 driver in various project I've built - it’s not a bad driver if used within it’s capabilities. 200W of bass is outside of that.

Look at the Carvin combo thread as suggested by @BadExample. I would expect that you would not be the first to face this problem.
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks!
 
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#13
The combo by itself can be cranked up around 2/3rds (Drive and Master combined) as long as you EQ it properly. When jamming with a band, it really cranked with my Avatar SB-112 extension. Not just loud but very good, punchy tone. The amp inside it is a bit much for the cab/speaker if you push it too hard, no doubt, but still a versatile little tone monster. Good luck with the new speaker.
 
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#14
The Dayton PA255-8 (https://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/specs/295-030-dayton-audio-pa255-8-specifications-46882.pdf) will handle more power (thermal limit) and has a little more Xmax than the stock (PS10) driver. Its TS parameters are similar to those of the PS10, so it should produce lows and mids similar to the stock driver. Its rated sensitivity is about 2 db less than the PS10, although the sensitivity of the PS10 may be based on upper mids peaking. As others have said, you will likely need an extension cab (like Dukes Coffee House 110) to get the spls needed for a loud rehearsal.
 
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#15
AstroSonic said:
The Dayton PA255-8 (https://www.parts-express.com/pedocs/specs/295-030-dayton-audio-pa255-8-specifications-46882.pdf) will handle more power (thermal limit) and has a little more Xmax than the stock (PS10) driver. Its TS parameters are similar to those of the PS10, so it should produce lows and mids similar to the stock driver. Its rated sensitivity is about 2 db less than the PS10, although the sensitivity of the PS10 may be based on upper mids peaking. As others have said, you will likely need an extension cab (like Dukes Coffee House 110) to get the spls needed for a loud rehearsal.
Click to expand...
Dukes Coffee House 110 - So that's a kit cabinet? If not, who sells them?
 
#19
jeff7bass said:
It's a small combo so putting a more powerful speaker in it might result in distortion. I would lean towards putting the same speaker back in and adding a second cab for jamming, which is what I did for years with my MB-10. Hartke has a new HD 12" cab without a tweeter for 299.00. Great matchup. The amp will then be putting out 250 watts, 125 into each.
Click to expand...
Explain the distortion part?
 
#20
Slevage said:
Explain the distortion part?
Click to expand...
If the speaker is a real powerful one, with high XMAX (high ability to move) then it might exceed that cabinets ability to handle the movement. Carvin's good at designing cabs which fits the speakers they put in them. Anyway, your ear will tell you the limits even if you drop a better speaker in it. My experience with the combo is dialing down the bass knob and turning up low mids when playing loud. The semi-parametric EQ section is great for getting the most out of the speaker/cab.
 
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