Question Compact replacement for CerwinVega xls 215 speakers?

[basicchannel]

Hello

I have had these majestic speakers for 10 years now (and love them for all genres of music - especially jungle, dub, techno etc)

However they are very large and am thinking of replacing them with another set which can give similar bass delivery but smaller footprint

Thinking possibly a 2:1 set up

Any recommendations for something that can come near to huge bass of 4x15" woofers?

Thanks

 

[Integralista]

Hi, how big is your room and which amp do you use?

 

[daytona600]

2x15inch woofer horn loaded Eltax Vintage PWR 1959 Speakers

Eltax Vintage PWR 1959 Review « 7Review

Just like before, it’s yesterday once more. The wisdom of The Carpenters. Except, of course, little is quite as it seems. True survivors from the past like

7review.com

 

[basicchannel]

Hi, how big is your room and which amp do you use?

Large, high-ceiling Victorian study (will get measurements)

Yamaha A-S500 (old but great sound, and enough to drive the xls 215s sufficiently for the environment)

 

[Integralista]

What is your idea, how much money would you like to invest into next speakers?

 

[basicchannel]

2x15inch woofer horn loaded Eltax Vintage PWR 1959 Speakers

Eltax Vintage PWR 1959 Review « 7Review

Just like before, it’s yesterday once more. The wisdom of The Carpenters. Except, of course, little is quite as it seems. True survivors from the past like

7review.com

So you wouldn't recommend a 2:1 system?

 

[basicchannel]

What is your idea, how much money would you like to invest into next speakers?

Huge rich bass, but also overall decent sound (but not super fussy about premium hi fi sound)

I wondered if there was a good quality 2:1 system?

Budget up to c 2k

 

[daytona600]

2.2 YES would be better than a 2.1 system for huge rich bass

 

[basicchannel]

Actually a bit of google research

2.2 YES would be better than a 2.1 system for huge rich bass

Thanks - not heard of 2.2

Quick google search suggests both 2.1 and 2.2 mostly for AV set ups - I just want this as hifi speaker replacement

And 2.2 recommendations for this?

 

[abacus]

Actually a bit of google research

Thanks - not heard of 2.2

Quick google search suggests both 2.1 and 2.2 mostly for AV set ups - I just want this as hifi speaker replacement

And 2.2 recommendations for this?

Misconception, a subwoofer is there to enhance low bass and the type of system it is used in is irrelevant.
The reason you see them mentioned a lot in AV setups, is because AV has a dedicated channel for a subwoofer, so logical to add one if surroundings allow.
Cerwin Vega are your typical American sounding speakers, so most recommendations in Hi-Fi forums will not suit as they are designed for a more accurate sound, rather than a big and bold sound.
Have a look at passive speakers used in the pro world (Heavy Rock Stage use) as they will be closer to what you are used to.

Bill

 

[Integralista]

Large, high-ceiling Victorian study (will get measurements)

Yamaha A-S500 (old but great sound, and enough to drive the xls 215s sufficiently for the environment)

Hi, I was thinking about your situation. With your budget and love for a big deep bass in a probably large room, is not easy to give you reasonable advice. First point is your old Yamaha amp. It is good for a low budget system ( lets say up to 1500-2000 eur total or so), but not for full range system. Than to replace speakers with such monster 15inch bass transducers is more difficult. Replacement could include either 2 active subwoofers (one per side, like SVS, Rel, Velodyne..)+ 2 floorstanders or 2 bookshelfs. But here your budget will cover only subwoofers, or main speakers. And all is rolling around how good sound you would like to get. I searched for some alternative, something found: https://magnat-usa.com/home-theater/transpuls/transpuls-1500
These Magnat speakers work well also in two channel hifi system, they are quite nice, very sensitive (so friendly also for your amp), again with powerful bass. They are smaller than your current speakers and quite affordable.
I do not recommend to change to some solide 2+1 or 2+2 hifi setup untill you are ready to invest into better amp. Your Yamaha need a very sensitive big speaker with 12-15inch bass transducers to have full potent bass. "There is no replacement for diameter of bass transducer" unless you will go for active speakers like ATC etc. But they pley according their own rools (normaly smaller cabinets, smaller bass membranes with lot of power behind them...)
Best regards from Slovakia.

 

[Rui]

Hello

I have had these majestic speakers for 10 years now (and love them for all genres of music - especially jungle, dub, techno etc)

However they are very large and am thinking of replacing them with another set which can give similar bass delivery but smaller footprint

Thinking possibly a 2:1 set up

Any recommendations for something that can come near to huge bass of 4x15" woofers?

Thanks

If you´re happy with those, i can assure you no other will satisfy you,

I in 89 bought some AT-100 for my new system as i had only 70´s components but good ones ,this all my life and i wanted a black system,

modern after so many money spent , the 70´s material is far too good compared to late 80´s early 90´s Pioneer, Sony ES and Nakamichi,

ended up buying a good system from Pioneer Urushi and not URUSHI series, also other brands like CEC, Thorens , Rega but the 70´s equipment even a cheap receiver with 30 watts conected to the cerwin-vega giving a not so loud sound but perfect,

when using again modern good material was louder but in sound quality was a shame, i had equalizers at home all my life ,only in 93 when starting to buy more cds i felt the need of one,

all this to say if your cerwin-vega´s are good, no other will satisfy you , i´ve bought many litle speakers with power but never so good as good boxy speakers ,

by the way, now it´s fashion , old boxy speakers and they cost a lot of money, try some tannoys and see if they are good for you ,

Elac is other great brand in speakers or wharfedale, but if you like yours ,keep them,

i hear a lot of music styles if they are good and the cerwin-vega are really the best or old klipsch , JBL, Altec Lansing, etc.

About Electronic music ,i was a dj for 35 years but always used two 79 , SL-1210 mkII ,never had a problem and in 2010 sold both for 500€, with two cartridges and new stylus for them ,each , Shure professional and Ortofon concord .

Having bought the first groovebox from Roland ,i added a sampler and a midi keyboard and made my own music ,first was House ,like the hacienda style that i entered in it, this still in the 80´s ,

as the style i liked later, Psychedelic Trance(found it too slow,but a very good mood), than Electro, Electro Clash and the mix of the best from all styles ,after i stoped, but still listen to good electronic music,

i hear all that sounds good to me, i grew up in the punk years so my first band was a punk band as it was a life style choice about clothes and look, there were Anarquists (mostly in Germany)but not like in the past some don´t even knew who was Bakunine.

I do love rock and all that came from it´s tradicional form. Try new speakers before buying them but if they don´t satisfy you ,keep the Cerwin-Vega´s

 

[basicchannel]

If you´re happy with those, i can assure you no other will satisfy you,

I in 89 bought some AT-100 for my new system as i had only 70´s components but good ones ,this all my life and i wanted a black system,

modern after so many money spent , the 70´s material is far too good compared to late 80´s early 90´s Pioneer, Sony ES and Nakamichi,

ended up buying a good system from Pioneer Urushi and not URUSHI series, also other brands like CEC, Thorens , Rega but the 70´s equipment even a cheap receiver with 30 watts conected to the cerwin-vega giving a not so loud sound but perfect,

when using again modern good material was louder but in sound quality was a shame, i had equalizers at home all my life ,only in 93 when starting to buy more cds i felt the need of one,

all this to say if your cerwin-vega´s are good, no other will satisfy you , i´ve bought many litle speakers with power but never so good as good boxy speakers ,

by the way, now it´s fashion , old boxy speakers and they cost a lot of money, try some tannoys and see if they are good for you ,

Elac is other great brand in speakers or wharfedale, but if you like yours ,keep them,

i hear a lot of music styles if they are good and the cerwin-vega are really the best or old klipsch , JBL, Altec Lansing, etc.

About Electronic music ,i was a dj for 35 years but always used two 79 , SL-1210 mkII ,never had a problem and in 2010 sold both for 500€, with two cartridges and new stylus for them ,each , Shure professional and Ortofon concord .

Having bought the first groovebox from Roland ,i added a sampler and a midi keyboard and made my own music ,first was House ,like the hacienda style that i entered in it, this still in the 80´s ,

as the style i liked later, Psychedelic Trance(found it too slow,but a very good mood), than Electro, Electro Clash and the mix of the best from all styles ,after i stoped, but still listen to good electronic music,

i hear all that sounds good to me, i grew up in the punk years so my first band was a punk band as it was a life style choice about clothes and look, there were Anarquists (mostly in Germany)but not like in the past some don´t even knew who was Bakunine.

I do love rock and all that came from it´s tradicional form. Try new speakers before buying them but if they don´t satisfy you ,keep the Cerwin-Vega´s

I've still got my old CW AT-60s (also bought in 80s) for my Technics 1210s.

I had Wharfdale Diamonds with my 1st hifi system (18th birthday - also QED amp (which I still use) and Dual turntable

When I got seriously into dance music the Diamonds just couldn't handle it so got the Cerwins

Treated myself to the xls 215s in 2014 (arrived in UK from Italy on a wooden pallet!)

Got married and moved into nice Victorian house a few years ago - the 215s are a bit incongruous with Victorian drawing room 😄

 

[Al ears]

I've still got my old CW AT-60s (also bought in 80s) for my Technics 1210s.

I had Wharfdale Diamonds with my 1st hifi system (18th birthday - also QED amp (which I still use) and Dual turntable

When I got seriously into dance music the Diamonds just couldn't handle it so got the Cerwins

Treated myself to the xls 215s in 2014 (arrived in UK from Italy on a wooden pallet!)

Got married and moved into nice Victorian house a few years ago - the 215s are a bit incongruous with Victorian drawing room 😄

Unfortunately I went the other way once married.
Victorian terraced to modern detached.
My large speakers had to go.
If you can suggest you try to find a second-hand pair of Heco Direkt speakers.....

 

[basicchannel]

The missus will let me keep them if no suitable less obtrusive alternative (and despite perhaps not being "hi fi" they sound bloody good to me)

I would love to hear them driven by good quality bigger amp (they have 500w power handling capacity after all)..

 

[matt49]

The missus will let me keep them if no suitable less obtrusive alternative (and despite perhaps not being "hi fi" they sound bloody good to me)

I would love to hear them driven by good quality bigger amp (they have 500w power handling capacity after all)..

Compared to most domestic hi-fi speakers, your CVs have relatively high sensitivity: 95.3dB. So they shouldn't need much amp power to drive them very loud.

My amp has old-fashioned meters, and the needles very rarely pass the 10 watt mark, even when playing loud through speakers that are fraction less sensitive than yours.

Consider all those expensive class A amps that are specified up to around 30 watts. They easily have enough power to drive decently sensitive speakers as loud as your hearing could tolerate.

The counter-intuitive fact about speakers is that the larger they are, the more sensitive they tend to be (OK, that's a generalization), and therefore the less amplifier power they need to reach a given volume. Intuitively you'd think larger speakers would require more power to drive them; in fact, generally the opposite is true.