My first real speakers were Cerwin-Vega. I can't remember the model number, but I can tell you that they incorporated a 15-inch woofer and one high compression horn, and they put out plenty of bass frequency response for that design. When I first bought them I felt like I had finally entered the pro sound world. This really has nothing to do with my review, but I was feeling a bit nostalgic when I received them.
The Gear
Let's start with the CVA-118 active subwoofers — I will begin by running through the specs of these 18-inch subs. Cerwin-Vega puts a 700-watt (continuous) amplifier module that is capable of achieving 1,400 watts (peak) into their 18-mm hardwood box. The sub enclosure measures 25 inches tall by 21 inches wide by 23.5 inches deep and weighs 115 lbs. The frequency response is 39 Hz to 135 Hz, and Vega claims a max SPL of 131 dB. This is not an attack on this particular Cerwin-Vega product, but does anyone know how bloody loud 131 dB is? If you don't, it's painfully loud.
The Vega box is handsome with a bullet-proof aluminum alloy grill protecting the 18-inch cone transducer (speaker) and a solid black spray-on finish. The back control panel of the CVA-118 is full of features. Starting at the top of the subs back panel there are left and right inputs in balanced and ¼-inch models, along with four LED lights indicating the status of the amplifier.
Next, we have a master-level control followed by a high-pass filter, which is capable of blocking audio signals to the top cabinet below 65 Hz, 85 Hz or 130 Hz. Selecting bypass of this filter and you can send a full-range signal to the top cabinet. A polarity or "phase" switch is onboard followed by a variable low-pass filter that allows you to block high-frequency signals above a selectable hertz. Thru outputs in left and right balanced and 1/4-inch versions provide a loop thru for the input signals. The high-pass filter is active on these outputs. To the right of the thru outputs is a link output with a Master/Slave switch. When switched to Master, all sub controls are functional and the link output (XLR and 1/4-inch) send a summed signal to the Slave sub. In Slave mode, only the left input is active. Level, polarity and low-pass filters are defeated. That's about it for the rear panel of the CVA-118 except for an on/off switch.
Along with the subs, Cerwin-Vega offers the CVA-28. This little box is deceptively powerful. It is loaded with two eight-inch woofers and one high-compression horn mounted in the center of one of the woofers in a concentric configuration. A 400-watt (continuous), 800-watt (peak) power module fuels this little three-way box. A built-in EQ contour switch and a sub/no sub switch allow this speaker box to attain a high SPL without competing frequencies. There are also connections for microphone, line and instrument via XLR and ¼-inch. The CVA-28 has a grill made of the same impregnable material as its big brother and has the equivalent black-spray finish. The box is just 20 inches tall and 11 inches wide and weighs 48 lbs. The CVA-28 can be pole-mounted to the CVA-118 sub, and there are fly points on the powered box.
The Gigs
I separated my field-testing into three versions. First, I just used two CVA-118 subs as the low-end of an outdoor system. For five days, I mixed Simi Valley Days in Southern California. My system was made up of four top boxes and the two Vega subs. Each day of the event, I pushed the subs hard and they really performed well. I was honestly amazed at how much clean low-end frequencies the CVA-118s produced. During this same show, I used the CVA-28 boxes as monitors.
Now the boxes are not designed as wedges, but I set one on the edge of the drum riser and directed it toward the guitar player. I placed the other cabinet on a stand and used it as a keyboard monitor. It is truly amazing how much horsepower these boxes have. They are clean and powerful, and by the results of my testing, very flexible. I am surprised Cerwin-Vega does not build this cabinet in a monitor-friendly shape. As I just mentioned, I know that is not their intentional design, but they kick as monitors.
My last test was at a club in Burbank, Calif. By the way, I live and work in Los Angeles County, so most of my field tests are either in California or Nevada. I set the two CVA-118 subs up with one CVA-28 box set atop each sub on a pole. This configuration produced a total of 2,200 watts continuous and 4,400 watts peak. Basically, buckets more power than I needed for the gig. The thing that was cool was that the sound system sounded sweet at a low volume. I rolled back the input-level controls on the subs and top boxes, and I got a great sound without blowing the audience out of the club. I actually could have used only one sub and still gotten a great sound.
Overall, I was impressed with the subs and top boxes. They proved to be versatile and performed well in every scenario I put them in. They also make a handsome sound system. Looks do matter, especially to the client. The CVA-118 subs retail for about $1,500, but I had no problem finding them for $1,000 online and at my local music store. The CVA-28 retails for about $850, but the powered boxes can be found for about $650 all day long.
Cerwin-Vega CVA-1128s and CVA-28s
What It Is: Powered subs and tops.
Who It’s For: Small soundcos and bands.
Pros: Tank-like construction, buckets of power, sound good loud or at lower volume.
Cons: You will not find these on many riders.
How Much: MSRP CVA-118: $1,500, CVA-28: $850.00.
Web site: www.cerwin-vega.com
