Cerwin-Vega has introduced a new line of powered portable speakers for use in professional sound reinforcement. The P-Series consists of the full range P1000X, a bi-amped two-way speaker with a 10-inch woofer and a hemi-conical horn. The larger P1500X is a 15-inch version. The series also includes the P1800SX 18-inch subwoofer. All are covered by a three-year warranty — a nice touch.
Seeking Information
Speaker in the P-Series is powered by a Class-D power amp. The P1000X is rated for 1,000W (peak) power, given as a System Dynamic Power Rating. The P1500X is 1,500W peak power and the P1800SX is 2,000W peak power. The combo P1000X/P1500X/P1800SX manual doesn’t provide any specs or state the speakers’ continuous power outputs, although some of this info is included in the older P1500X/P1800SX manual available online. Usually this figure is approximately half of the amplifier’s peak power rating, but looking around, I was able to find a stated continuous power rating of 540W on the company website for the P1500X and 725W for the P1800SX. Except for the sub, the speakers are bi-amped, but nowhere do the manuals, web site or spec sheets indicate how the wattage was split, nor could I find any crossover frequencies.
Like most component loudspeaker systems these days, the P-Series is designed to be used in a variety of sound reinforcement applications: front of house, monitors, with a sub, without the sub, etc. I do a wide variety of sound gigs and I use many configurations. That said, the first speaker I pulled was the P1000X, the 10-inch two-way. The first thing I noticed is that while there is a handle on the top, there are no side handles, making it awkward to move around and more difficult to pole mount without help. Both the P1000X and P1500X can be used horizontally as 45-degree stage wedges, but here, the P1000X’s lack of side handles makes it inconvenient in monitor applications, where the speaker placement has to be adjusted during setup to allow for changes in mic or onstage gear placement.
Inside/Outside
The enclosures on the 38.5-pound P1000X and 53-pound P1500X seem very sturdy, and are constructed of a rugged composite material with a tough 18-gauge steel grille. The P1500X’s 35mm pole mount socket can be set to either a normal flat position or downwards at a 7.5-degree slant. Both of the cabinets are fitted with multiple M10 fly points that allow the enclosures to be suspended horizontally or vertically. The (non-flyable) front-firing P1800SX 18-inch sub is also quite sturdy, but in a black-finished 18mm hardwood ply enclosure with a 35mm pole mount socket and a slotted bass reflex port below the front baffle.
In The Field
The control panel on the rear of the P1000X and P1500X is pretty straightforward with two inputs for mic/line and a third stereo line input. Each mic/line input is set up with a Neutrik Combo XLR/TRS quarter-inch input, and there is a switch to change between mic and line with an LED indicator so there is no mistaking how your input is set. I like the fact that these are semi-recessed slide switches as opposed to pushbuttons that could accidentally be engaged. The gain knob is at the top of the channel strip and the XLR thru output is at the bottom. Along with its own gain control, channel three has two quarter inch inputs and an XLR mix output where all three channels can be routed to another source.
Additional functions on the back panel are the master volume, lights for power, limiter, and clipping and a remote plug — we’ll explore this later. There are also several switches for tone adjustment. There is an enhanced EQ, Vega Bass boost and a high pass filter. I looked in the manual for the EQ curves — none are provided, nor were these on the Cerwin-Vega website.
I powered up the P1000X’s and ran a variety of program material. The sound was good, but seemed just a touch claustrophobic. I engaged the various EQs to see how the sound changed. I quickly determined that the enhanced EQ was a smile curve, emphasizing the highs and lows. The Vega Bass boosted the bass, but seemed a little heavy-handed. And the high pass filter was, I felt, unnecessary on the 10’s when used stand-alone.
I decided to try the P1500X. The fact that this one had a side handle was an improvement, but still was tough to get on the pole. I fired them up. I immediately liked the sound. This was a true full range speaker. The highs were crisp and lows full down to about 80 dB. Although the P1500X uses the same HF driver (1.75-inch, 1-inch exit) as the P1000X, the larger, wider horn flare of the P1500X seems to be better matched with the enclosure and its 15-inch woofer. I’m guessing the crossover frequency to be around 3 kHz. Dispersion for both is given as 90- x 65-degrees (HxV). It would be nice to have more actual specs from the manufacturer though, especially since both the P1000X and P1500X are designed with fly points and the manufacturer obviously anticipates them being spec’d for installations and professional users.
The P1500X back panel configuration is exactly the same as the P1000X. I must say that the testing of the various EQs on the P1500X seem better matched to this speaker than the P1000X. I still felt the Vega Bass was a bit much, but in a stand-alone DJ situation I could see it as a definite plus.
Good news. The P1800SX sub has a handle on each side. Bad news. There is not enough room at the top of the handle to move it using a two-person, side-by-side carry without wrecking your knuckles, unless you twist your arm 180-degrees so each palm faces inwards. However, the P1800SX does include four casters that can attach to the rear of the cabinet for ease in transport. Sub weight is 73 pounds, or 77 with casters installed.
The back panel of the P1800SX has two combo XLR/TRS quarter-inch inputs and XLR thrus. There is an XLR link output to add another P1800SX. A switch for polarity reverse can throw the polarity 180-degrees out when the sub can’t be placed in an optimal position. A front limiter light can be switched on for seeing when the onboard limiter is kicking in. There is also a HPF Thru and LPF Sub switch. This simultaneously engages a low pass filter to attenuate frequencies above 80Hz in the P1800SX and a high pass filter to attenuate frequencies below 80Hz on the Thru 1 and 2 outputs. And there is a switch for Vega Bass boost. This is the first time I’ve encountered a bass boost on a subwoofer. I suppose in club situations it’s a welcome addition, but I didn’t feel it (actually — I did feel it) worked with any applications I could foresee in the near future, although it may have appeal to the DJ crowd.
I paired the P1800SX with both the P1000X and the P1500X with different results. I thought it complemented the P1500X very well. It seemed apparent that they were designed to work together. The P1000X, not so much. Even though I spent a lot of time adjusting them together, I didn’t hear an evenness like I did with P1500 pairing. I found in the manual that the crossover point with sub is 80 dB. I think that that would have to made adjustable to properly complement use with the P1000X, perhaps to 110 Hz.
The remote volume control port on each speaker is a great feature. The 3-pin terminal connector plug on the back panels of the P1000X, P1500X, and P1800SX can be set up to control overall volume from a remote location through an optional controller and wiring (sold separately) or you can easily DIY your own for a custom install using a 10k Ohm potentiometer. It works through voltage level and not the actual audio signal.
Impressions
Here are some overall takes on the P-series. The P1000X 10-inch is a good option for singer/songwriters, especially when used as a monitor or any application where small footprint sound is required. Now if it only had a side handle or two. The P1500X is a better-sounding full range speaker, with plenty of punch for a wide variety of stand-alone applications or with a sub, although a second side handle would be an improvement. The P1800SX is a good-sounding sub that’s best paired with the P1500X and delivers a surprising amount of LF energy. Its 38 Hz (-3dB) bottom-end response seems to be fairly conservative — it goes way lower than that — and it will surely appeal to the EDM/electronics crowd.
At a Glance
Tough and Road Ready
With the P-Series, Cerwin-Vega offers a solid, well-built line of powered portable speakers for a variety of applications, either stand-alone or with a compact 18-inch subwoofer that delivers the LF intensity the company has long been known for.
Cerwin-Vega P-Series
PROS
Solid construction; three-year warranty; convenient remote volume option; versatile onboard 3-channel mixers; included sub casters are nice touch.
CONS
Incomplete documentation; P1000X and P1500X need additional side handles; P1800SX needs larger handles; 80 Hz crossover point on sub seems too low when used with P1000X.
Price (street): P1000X, $699; P1500X, $799; P1800SX, $999.
Manufacturer: Cerwin-Vega
More Info: www.cerwinvega.com
