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Submitted by
eeggel
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: March 22, 2012
Bottom Line: Bought my CV 380 SEs when I was in high school from the local audio shop, back around '86 '87 or so. Biggest thing they had. Almost bought the previous model that was finished in wood grain but these in black were nicer ;). As I was told at that time these were some of the first speakers that were digital ready with the introduction of CD players that was relevant. Not sure what it meant really, lol. These speakers have been fixtures in my house from the day I brought them home, and damn they are heavy! I've replaced the spring clips that were on the back with binding posts and some time will put Neutrik Speakons in place. I just love the high fidelity mix with brutal capability of these speakers. They have stood the test of time like a fine sports car.
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Submitted by
sdguero
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: May 6, 2011
Bottom Line: I got these speakers used and beat up in 1994 from a thuggish Mexican dude in Camarillo CA for $300. He told me they were $2000 new but his DJ "friend" had used them for house parties for 5 years so they were pretty beat. He then tried to sell me a snap on tool set that fell off a truck... Anyway, they were really beat up and one woofer was blown out. Luckily I lived in Simi Valley, CA, a mere 10 minutes form the factory where they were built. Over the next 4 years I ended up bringing both speakers in to be rebuilt for $80 apiece. They have been bumping for the last 15 years, moved from my parents house, to dorms, to about 10 different places I've lived at. They have been inside, the garage, even the backyard for almost 2 years and are still kicking. Unfortunately, one cabinet has started to rattle itself apart and I lost the mids on the other one. So now I'm searching for a quality speaker repair place to rebuild both of them one more time.
I honestly have never seen better speakers that weren't professional DJ equipment and cost orders of magnitude more money. The lows are INSANE. The highs are in crisp. The mids are just there, which is what they should be. These speakers have survived so many moves that I thought they might be indestructible. Turns out I was wrong as several things started breaking the last 2 years. Regardless, I cannot recommend them enough. In good shape, I'd pay $1000-1200 for another pair of these today.
I've been pushing them with an old Pioneer 125RMS 8ohm receiver that I bought new in '94 for $300. I know its far from ideal for these babies but they still sound pretty good and that bass bumps pretty well. Since they are 4OHM speakers I figure I'm really pushing about 250W through them.
I love these speakers. Literally, I love them.
-Ryan
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Submitted by
markdallen
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: March 2, 2010
Bottom Line: I bought my 380SE's 20 years ago, New, when I really new nothing about HiFi. What a stroke of luck really as I am never going to part with them. Initially I had them partnered with many different amps usually about 100wpc and they sounded very good, loud and clear. It wasn't until I hooked them up to some quality components and cables etc that these speakers truly announced what they were capable of. I now have 450W mono blocs driving them and boy do they sing. Depth and soundstage are amazing while detail, separation and clarity exists not normally associated with CV, especially at high levels. And bass so punchy that pictures are constantly falling off surrounding walls. I have had many speakers come through my hands but have been unable to find a sound like these for under 10K. I have never seen another pair for sale either. Although they are looking a little worse for wear after 20 years, they still sound as good as day one.
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Submitted by
lee
a Audio Enthusiast
from Date Reviewed: January 4, 2010
Bottom Line: I searched long and hard for a good pair of hard rocking speakers, and Cerwin Vega is what I found. Picked these speakers up for $460.00 from a guy selling them on kijiji. Best loud speakers I have herd yet. Once you find some good clean power to feed them ( i am am running an Adcom 545 II, 125w rms), they really come alive and will never disapoint. I listen to a large variety of music from classic rock to hip hop and they sound truly amazing in every situation. Play the "What's the differece" by Dr. Dre and they will make the lights fall out of your celing. The horn tweeters make the snares just snap like youve never herd before. The Bass is loud clear and never gets tired.
If you happen to find a pair of these speakers for sale, make sure you look the speakers over very carefully for any signs of wear n tear or ageing, as most of these speakers are at least 20yrs old, and listen to them very carefullly for any distortion. Cost for a pair of these shouldnt be more that about $500.00.
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Submitted by
audiophileguy
a AudioPhile
from Date Reviewed: June 25, 2007
Strengths: EVERYTHING!!! Detailed Spacious Soundstage, Heart Pounding Acccurate SOUND! Strong Bass Down to a Real 25Hz/Smooth Detailed Mid's/Clean High Frequency's to 20kHz! Real Level Adjusters ,LOOKS AWESOME! A Decibel level of 126dB'S!
Weaknesses: Very Rare & Hard to find!Bottom Line: These Cerwin Vega's are "TRULY" a work of Art ! Big ,Solid and Very Pleasing to the eye,not to mention the" AMAZING SOUNDSTAGE ! Being they are a couple of Decade's old,they were way ahead of their time.They look very modern w/ the MTM Desisn(Mid-Tweeter-Mid) and the black felt on the front baffle(nice touch),the poly treated mid's,black cabinet's ,grill covers w/ the red stripe,Level adjustments.
*Now to the good stuff-The 15.25 " Woofer(WOW) Has a Pleated Rubber Surround( not the usual rolled foam)that will NEVER need replacing.Very Stiff and also the woofer cone is Pleated and Rigid.It was only used on 2 Model's that I know of The 380 -SE and the pd-9.(Besides Pro Models & Earthquake subs!)Vega only used it on their Limited Special/Select Models.This is a serious Woofer my Friend's-Extremely Tight ,Detailed Slab Cracking BASS!
*The (2) 7.5" Midranges Provide plenty Midrange,they sound very dynamic and smooth.
*The tweeter horn provides plenty of clear,clean ,Airy, High's!
*I am running 300 Watts R.M.S. of clean Amplifier Power thru them.
Conclusion: I have listened to many a Speaker's and this is TRULY a Beast of a speaker.Reminds me of the old Savard's! Kick-ass Bone Jarring Sound!
I would almost bet my life that you cannot touch the Dynamic's of this speaker without getting in the $10k plus range!(1 haven't heard it.)
Price Paid:
$600.00
Similar Products Used: Pretty much all Speakers under$8k Dollar's !
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