Cerwin Vega Mobile CV SL Series 12" 3-Way Floor Speaker - SL-12

So, let me start by saying I’m an old head. Raised in the 70s and 80s. At a very young age I got hooked on music and always sought after the greatest names in audio reproduction. Cerwin Vega was always a name I associated with over heavy bass, lack of detail, and power hungry, as such, I always avoided the brand. I gravitated to the high end brands, Klipsch, etc., and have owned a bunch. While my favorite speakers are, and probably will remain, a pair of Meadowlark Audio Kestral’s, I recently decided to give Cerwin Vega a try. While all the Klipsch speakers I’ve owned sounded great at low volume levels, at higher volumes, the horns just overpowered the bass (yes, including Heresy’s, KG-4s, and newer models). No, I’m not wealthy and can’t afford to spend 5k or more on speakers. That said, if you want a solid, great sounding pair of speakers at a reasonable price, you won’t go wrong with the Cerwin Vega’s. Great sound, efficient, and easy to drive. Maybe not as aesthetically pleasing as the high end brands but don’t let that stop you!

I needed to replace an old, old set of 3-way speakers and these speakers are a close match. They're a proven design that was perfected in the 1970's These CerwinVega! SL-12's are for loud rock n roll, and have the punch to get LOUD. They are rated for 300W each, and will rock a large party.But realistically, who listens to their music at 300 watts? My wife and I listen to music at less than 0.1W most of the time, 1W is loud, and 10W is the loudest we can stand, and it can annoy the neighbors. So what's going on?First I researched the math about perceived loudness, decibels, and power. You can look it up, but it shows you need 10 times as much power to sound twice as loud. So 300 watts is only twice as loud as 30 watts, as heard by the human ear. So why buy these speakers?I auditioned the newer design speakers with similar power ratings. These have multiple, identical small drivers, passive radiators, etc., and they just do not sound good without sub-woofers. They don't tell you about the sub-woofer until you become very interested in the main speakers. And who wants all the stereo bass jammed into one channel? Rock and roll has some interesting performances where you would want your bass in stereo.I'm using a vintage receiver that is rated for 40W RMS. Even at very low volume levels, the sound is rich and warm, and you can still feel the lowest base frequencies going into your body. For me, this is the best thing about these speakers. You won't get that with small speakers. The 12" woofers are like two sub-woofers, without the extra cabinets. It just gets better at higher volumes.The biggest caution that I can throw out is that if you are going to underpower these speakers, stay comfortably below the rated power of your amp/receiver and stay in the volume range that it still sounds clear. Turning the volume higher his can cause "clipping," a form of distortion which will cause the tweeters to overheat and fail. Stay within the capability of your amp.I gave only 4 stars to the quality of material. There are no defects whatsoever, but the cabinet materials and visual design are just plain and unremarkable. Take off the covers to reveal the intense red color of the speaker cones.One last thing: Serious audiophiles look down on this brand. That's because CerwinVega! speakers are too much fun!

[Edited speaker layout]All I can say is wow! I have an entire 7.2.4 system and all the speakers except upward firing are Cerwin-Vegas (fronts = SL-12, surrounds = RE-16; two subs = LW-12; center = SL-45c; front/rear height = HT-S5) . These beauties replaced my older Cerwin-Vega V-10. The mid and bass is just out of this world good for the price. The tweeter is good but not on the level of the mid/bass. I put up a pint so you can get a feel of its height. Roll off is 40hz but can be set to Full as well, depending on your sub situation.[Edited entire review][Revisit] Cerwin Vega SL-45c: Okay, after doing actual speaker testing with PC software. The biggest difference was this - TURN OFF ROOM CALIBRATION. My first post was that I was disappointed in the high end. But I have come to find out that my receiver's software is absolute junk and makes this speaker sound terrible at the high end and I have the top of the line Onkyo RZ-3100. I turn off the AccuEQ from Onkyo and I can now hear the audio better and I can hear those small sounds that previously I could not hear. I'm unsure why this is happening with the calibration but...I just can't use it. I also roll off these speakers off at 100HZ . I tried all kinds off roll off, from 60 (the rated is 55hz) to 120. The best sound is 100hz and relieves the deep bass from these speakers which I do not need. If you want bass, get two LFE sub-woofers. Also, the two speakers seem to cross over in this box this way from left to right (bass, mid, tweeter, mid, bass) when testing. Overall I am very satisfied with this speaker as long as the receiver's room correction software is turned off. I also placed big 3M rubber feet under the bottom, the benefits are probably inaudible. Oh and...they seem to have a very long bake in time. They sound better as they age.

OMFG!!! THE POWER!!!!!!So the story starts, I replaced a Sony receiver from the early 90's. I bought another Sony receiver that is just excellent. I thought my speakers were good 👍 once I started playing around with the new receiver, I realized it could be a whole lot better. My speakers were also from the early 90's. And they were mixed matched. So I decided to get the full set of Cerwin Vega SL series. Took me some time because they are expensive speakers. I now have the full set except I'm going to add a second subwoofer. Don't really need it but the power is just phonanall. Oh my f'n god!!!!Unbelievable power, crisp clear sound. I now have to replace a cracked window lol lolThe power, geezers!!!!!!!I highly highly recommend these speakers.Just an FYI the fuse is for the woofer only. Mid range and tweeter are not fused, however the speakers are rated a very high wattage so I doubt you will blow them.Highly recommended. You will love the power from these speakers. If you appreciate music and movies get these speakers. You will not be disappointed.

I totally love these speakers they sound amazing and have great bass response buy these if you want to experience your music I will be buying more of these in the future!! A++

Great sound so far and stupid loud!

They ship one at a time,from differant locations..they were what. You would expect..fantastic

Good sounding speakers at an affordable price. Very loud when needed.

Love it 😎

Spesso snobbate da chi "crede di capirne" perché erroneamente considerate "casse da giostrai" , queste Cervin Vega (ottimo marchio americano ; sconosciuto ai più in Italia , crea da decenni dei prodotti dal rapporto qualità sonora/prezzo realmente elevato) che appartengono alla serie basica del brand , sono tra le più bilanciate come riproduzione in frequenza (come pure quelle con driver da 12" ... N.B.: in diametro superiore iniziano sì ad assomigliare alle "casse da giostrai") .Tweeter a cupola morbida (tipo seta) da 1" (25mm) , medio da 130mm "non putissimo" (scende oltre i 1000 Hz) e woofer da 10" (250mm) . Tale scelta dei driver permette un'ottima suddivisione e relativa riproduzione di tutte le frequenze (sempre in rapporto a quanto costano!) .Il driver dedicato ai bassi grazie al suo diametro risulta azzeccato , reale ma non invadente , sale di frequenza senza "impastare" l'ascolto .Le "cannonate" che emettono sono difficilmente riscontrabili non solo in prodotti di pari fascia ma anche di costi superiori . I bassi sono imponenti , secchi , profondi e precisi (taglio all'americana ... sui 300Hz) , con discreta tenuta anche sul vibrato ... Non dico che potreste fare a meno di una bass unit , ma quasi . Se avete abbastanza potenza da applicargli , potreste demolire un edificio .Scontato che vadano bene per rock ed ovunque siano richiesti bassi veri , si difendono comunque abbastanza bene anche per riproduzione di generi musicali "più morbidi" . Naturalmente non eccellente ma comunque apprezzabile la riproduzione delle medioalte .Poco curati (per modo di dire) come finiture ( poco più che un parallelepipedo ) , quello che pagate é la "bontà" dei driver in esso installati .Cestello dei woofer in alluminio pressofuso , bobine generose . Molto buono il sistema di filtraggio . Sempre "povera" (come da loro filosofia) la morsettiera di connessione . Durata del foam garantita 10 anni (personalmente mi è durata anche di più) . Reperibili dagli States i foam kit per replecement . Relativamente poco costosi in loco , un po' meno quando arrivano a casa ... Tasse doganali !!!La soddisfazione d'ascolto che ne ricaverete non può che farvele consigliare .Max Du BoisSound Solutions , Indipendent ReviewerValutazione:4 stelle al prodotto5 stelle al prezzoN.D. stelle alla spedizione4 stelle al packingSpiegazione delle valutazioni:Le stelle "effettive" ; ossia quelle assegnate al prodotto , sono il frutto di una competente ed obbiettiva valutazione riguardante unicamente la reale "bontà" complessiva dell'articolo .Prezzo , spedizione ed imballo non potendo essere pienamente oggettive perchè soggette a variabili (il prezzo può scendere o salire , la spedizione può arrivare puntuale o meno , l'imballo essendo fatto da persone può essere che oggi è fatto bene da un addetto , domani un altro lo fa peggio) , sono da considerare una informativa sulla esperienza personale avuta nell'acquisto del prodotto . Anche l'imballo originale per quanto accattivante , curato e/o a scartamento facilitato non influisce minimamente sulla mera qualità dell'articolo e sua relativa valutazione .Pertanto NON FANNO MEDIA !P.S.: Nell'eventualità avesTe dubbi e/o curiosità inerenti a componentistica audio/video non esitate a contattarmi .Nel mio account troverete email appositamente dedicata .