Cerwin Vega XLS215...can it be so cheap???

[superfunk]

Hi all!
It's about two weeks i'm reading about these speakers, how great they sound and how CHEAP they are!!!
Google it and you'll have an interesting panorama.
In Italy they're available for less than 1200 euro for the pair.
Now... let's use some mathematics:
four cast frame 15" drivers, two 6,5" drivers with horns, two 1" dome tweeter with horns, crossover, wood and some paint!!!
how can it be so cheap??? i think it could be hard to go any cheaper even with a DIY similar project!
What do you think guys? have you heard those big boxes?
Am i right to be suspicious?

Anyway, i'm so tempted... the specs are great and the reviews are very encouraging.
If the components were very poor quality, there wouldn't be all this enthusiasm around the web, even more because Cerwing Vega is a very underrated brand from the snob audiophile club.


Francesco

[Flaesh]

I have heard in the store similar (?) clsc2XX. I would not ever again hear something like that..

[wjsigo]

Let YOUR ears be the judge.

I haven't heard those speakers myself, but I do own a few other Cerwin Vega models.
AT-15, VS-150, VS-120.

I say go listen to them if you can.

[Top Shelf]

I have a pair of HED W-10... (CerwiN Vegas) that are about 20+ years old and I still consider them fine sounding.

[Helmuth]

The layout of the Cervin Vega looks very good.

big cone area for high output subbass horn loaded mid and high frequency will give good acoustic loading to the cone this also will contribute to sensitivity and impulse behaivour.

Paper cones are still till today a hard to beat cone material. and the basic construction of loudspeakers and drivers have developed on details but a good standard construction can still perform perfect.

So I do not see a restriction on the first look that the cervin vega can't sound great. It even is a complexer construction as many "high end designs" because of the horn loaded drivers.

Only the colours used hold the middle between cool and faulty . Looks like one will have a real party at home when these are playing.

And maybe it is a nice speaker to improve the filter with Janzen parts.

[Helmuth]

Look on youtube.
YouTube - Titus41 Cerwin-Vega!
YouTube - Cerwin Vega Clsc-215 Titus41

[superfunk]

The problem is they are only sold online and the "test drive" it's not possible.
That's why i was wondering what's going on with these speakers.
Surely if i'd take the risk, 1200 euro won't break the bank..
But i'm not Berlusconi and i don't like to throw my money away

@Flaesh: what was wrong in your listening experience? What sort of speakers are you used to and how they compare with speakers in the 2000euro range?



At the moment my speakers are the Leak 2060 (the sandwich), i like the "piston effect" but they are not exactely fast, i also think the area above 5KHz is not of impact and dry enough.
Would they be any better?
What do you think of the horns shapes? I don't have a clue on how can it sounds a non-compression-driver for tweeter.

[Atilla]

The speakers sound just fine, especially if you plan to use them for providing entertainment for the entire neighbourhood. Those things are loud. Very very loud. There's no wonder they're called "party speakers" quite often.

I've got two of those. Keep in mind that they take space. Quite a lot of it. If you don't have room, find smaller speakers. The price is quite normal for this model. It's still expensive though, the smaller models cost half of that and they are still loud enough for the neighbours across the street

[Helmuth]

Originally Posted by superfunk

What do you think of the horns shapes? I don't have a clue on how can it sounds a non-compression-driver for tweeter.

the improved impulse response will help preventing it to make sss sounds and dry high tone would be the word.

[Flaesh]

I was interested in such a big and inexpensive horn speakers and asked to arrange an audition for me, when I saw it (clsc212)in the store. It was a few years ago. I do not remember the player\amp that were in the store, something around $2000 for each. Test disk was Holy Death/Sodomy Of Megido.
I'm definetly not [snob] audiophile . It's difficult to me describe bad sound in english.. it sounded like cheap radio.. yes, with some adding of 2x12" .. I just could not recognise my favorite songs..

While my speakers were OB 2x12 "+8"FR..

Now my speakers is my flush\inwall\ib system (about <$2000 with xover and without wall. or about $1100 with 1" drivers from sale )
The same disc at the moment - music creeps into the soul and I want to tapping my foot ..

I definetly can not recommend to buy this CW without audition.
I definetly can recommend to buy some Italian drivers and make your oun 2 or 3way.