Summary: These are my most favorite set of floor speakers I have ever owned. Before them I used to chance my whole setup every few years. Prior too these I was running a pair of older Infinity Alpha 10's on an old Technics Amp. They sounded good especially on the highs but lacked thundering bottom end and had zero midrange. After my brother gave me these I ran them on the Technics Amp briefly and they sounded OK. Then ran them on a newer Sony Receiver, which sounded like crap. It never really powered them very well. The Sony was a step down from the Technics. Then came my current setup. After listening to a friends pair of 70's Marantz Amps I felt they would likely be able to give the Cerwins the extra umph needed to really make the 12's shine. I was very right. That 25 year old makes most new stuff sound like crap. At 100 watts per channel these things sound like depth charges when a really low frequency comes slamming off the cones. Most night clubs seem a little quiet compared to my living room. Try out Sleigh Bells-Riot Rythm and hear what I'm talking about. Make sure you have a good amp for these babies. I agree with what many people have stated about using a strong enough amp to feed these. The Technics was underpowered and the Sony was embarrasing, it always felt like the amp gave up way before the speakers did. My Marantz iced the cake and made the whole damn setup 100% American made. There might be better but not for the same price these speakers go for.
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: My main speakers that shall always be in my collection. I buy, sell, and trade to help support my audiophlia. I have had the chance to replace these speakers many times over. The only pair that ever came close was a pair of Infinity SM-155. I found the 12" Cerwin Vegas had deeper bass then the 15" Infinitys. The highs were far better on the Infinitys, but at the time I had a tweeter out. I went Cerwin Vega.
Fuse protected 300 watt crossover terminals, but really wished they would have originally came with bi-amp terminals. The .75" tweeters are not something you should expect to have forever. As I may have led on I blew one and replaced both in each cabinet. The cabinets could have been made with a little thicker MDF, but Cerwin Vega isn't a furniture maker. The 5.25" mids and woofers I have no complaints on even though I have since replaced them both.
From the beginning these speakers have been superior to most when it comes down to 2-channel stereo. Classic Rock, Rap, or whatever Bjork is the Cerwin Vega LS series towers rock balls. I could see going with something else or something in addition to the Cerwin Vegas for Classical listeners. I have add a pair of Klipsch SF2 speakers for special interest listening!
All in all however you obtain these speakers there worth your dollar, your attention, or the repair. I have owned a few pair of 15" 3-way Cerwin Vega speakers and have always preferred the 12". I can only assume I would rather enjoy the LS-10's.
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: Great. Especially for the price ($125/ea). If I didn't already own the E-315's (which I paid less for), I would have been astounded by the complete sound package. Sure, a pair of nice infinity's will sound nicer, but for the price you really can't beat them. Oh, and the LS-12's are in my dorm room, and we throw movie nights and get noise complaints from upstairs.
In a nut shell: these speakers sound the way all speakers should, bass that is there through the entire specified power input, and a good midrange/ tweeter balance. Basically, whatever your music preference, these will be there.
Dorm Setup
2x LS-12
Crown Com-Tech 810 305wpc @8 ohm
NAD 7225PE as pre-amp
Home Setup
2x E-315
Behringer EP2500 450wpc @ 8 ohm
Harmon Harkdon AVR500 surround sound receiver driving rear channel and center
Energy take-5 center channel
Sony ss-b1000 rear channels
custom 500watt (rms) subwoofer tuned to 20hz
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: One of the best speakers made for rock music. I have a set of 4 using Sansui 500 watt amp. Therotically... 4 way breaks it down to 150 watts per speaker but no problem since the speakers are rated at 300 watts. They handle all the amp can give distortion free.
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
Summary: I listen to mostly hard rock music from the 80's and 80's and 90's music along with bass. Occasionally I'll listen to jazz or rap and hip hop, but basically these speakers are made for those types of music or for people who like bass, big speakers or just want something like a DJ speaker but for a home audio application.
Strengths: Bass of course and the ability to play at loud volumes clear and real. Can also shake your house if powered correctly (150 RMS continuous would be fine). Can be used to DJ smaller parties but they are mainly used to get that DJ type of sound in a home environment which suits me perfectly. One of the only speaker manufacturers available to the average consumer which targets this area to this day.
Weaknesses: Not for people who listen to classical, easy listening, or jazz type of music, but can be played through these speakers OK. Not for people who dont like bass, big speakers, or DJing. Big speakers are hard to move around and shouldnt be moved around a lot.
Similar Products Used: KLH 9912's(like cerwin vega but twice as cheap), Cerwin Vega VS-120, 150 and the newer V-12F's, 1994 Pioneer 15's, DCM KX-212 which had bass that I thought sucked.
Would you like to Comment? Join AudioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
5 of 5
3 of 5
4 of 5
