D-1, D-2 and D-3 comparison

Yes another comparison video but this one is just a bit different. instade of filming in my shop I haul all three pairs into the house and switch between them to hear for myself the true difference in these great compact Cerwin Vega Loudspeakers that are almost 3 decades old.
Also just a little update on the restoration project I am going to get started on, my Cerwin Vega 211's. If you haven't seen that first video where I introduced you to the terrible state of these 70's speakers click this link • Are These Vintage Cerw... and check them out.

[@Pokertyme2009]

I've had my D-3's since new, late '70's, refoamed the bass once, love 'em, they sound GREAT !!! They only play music from a lp's and cassette's.

[@fishheds]

I have a set of D-4s. I was new to vintage audio and would listen to them and just loved the way they sounded, but I kept reading about HPM-100's and thinking, man if these D-4s sound this good imagine how the HPMs are gonna be. I finally scored a beautiful pair. They sounded really good, but not as good as my CVs. Sold them at a tidy profit though.

[@luisdiaz3887]

Really?!!!

[@themetalmaiden7462]

Wow, this brings back some nice memories. My very first set of CV's was a set of D2's. I gave those to my sister and moved up to a set of D3's. I sold the D3's to a friend and replaced them with a set of VS-120's that I still have to this day. I've always loved my CV's, they are hard to beat.

[@SavingVegas]

My favorite out of these three are the D-2's. They're a very well rounded speaker with a simple crossover needing less components to filter the audio signal. Very clean sounding without the in your face midrange, just my opinion. You hang on to those VS-120's they're a great speaker that will play any genre of music well.

[@9o5east]

Awesome video! Big fan of the Little d series, phenomenal speakers for my little sansui’s and flea watt tube amps.

[@williamblackwell9558]

Last year I got a pair of D3's at Goodwill for $10. I replaced the surrounds and sold them for $400.

[@SavingVegas]

Awesome! My first pair of D-3's came from a second hand store as well, same as you had to replace the surrounds. I have since sold the D-3's in this video but have picked up another pair of D-3's in the black and gray cabinets. Of course the surrounds are shot but I was buying a set of R24's and they guy threw the D-3's in for an extra $20.

[@redbull9554]

Love the EQ also! I want one for my VS 120’s

[@craigscannapieco3858]

I feel Cerwin Vegas are under rated I can’t find anything that produces sound like Cerwin Vegas I have a pair of hed w-12s and the re series 25s bass for days clear highs and mids just a all around great speaker brand 😊

[@georgejobin1744]

Great job keep the vids coming thanks

[@nelsonsmith4188]

I love what you doing man keep it up..cerwin Vega for ever...!👍

[@SavingVegas]

Thanks! I love too and lots of fun making videos.

[@chuckharst8676]

Great vid. Really helped me a lot. Looking to buy a set of D2's for $40 bucks! I will re-foam them. I probably won't go wrong. Thanks for the video.

[@ryepie75]

Nice video man! I've been a fan of Vegas since the mid 90s. I just picked up a pair of refoamed D1's for $125. I also have a pair of Re 38 monsters. I like how you say to save 'em all--if I wasn't married I'd have a house full!

[@SavingVegas]

Thanks! When I bought my D-1s they were well used lets say. I had to refoam one, a recone on the other and rebuilt the crossovers. Great spounding speakers but you just can't beat the 15 inch Vega's.

[@thedcuostylist6689]

i got some nice D3' i customized their look and refoamed them. BADA**!!

[@eiddie4108]

Awesome video! Hope you are able to monetize this channel soon, you put a lot of effort into these videos. Cerwin-Vega should sponsor you!!

[@SavingVegas]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy the content. The effort is worth it to me as long as people enjoy it as much as I enjoy making the vids.

[@mathiasddkk]

So Nice Speakers!

[@ronaldoswald1942]

I have a set of D-5s that I have had since 1985.

[@jorgem50]

I have a pair of D5s, love them

[@adaboy4z]

I had Cerwin Vega L7 book shelf speakers in the late 90s. I don't know what happened to them. Now found a pair of D-1 in great shape just need new surrounds. I will renew the cabinets and add them to my keeper collection.

[@jeffgraves4825]

Another great video. Just picked up a set of d2s havent had a chance to hear them yet. What song was that btw?

[@SavingVegas]

I use my D2s almost everyday. Have them set up in my living room for my 2 channel setup and they are impressive for a 2 way 10 inch.

[@SPARO_1984]

awesome!!!!! I have a pair of E312's... I wish I had a pair of D9's. Own a pair of powered yorkville PS12P's... would honestly give them up anyday for D9's.. 4 of them. I wish. Lol I know its nuts but I prefer cerwin vega all my life.

[@SavingVegas]

Yup CV for life!

[@anaxa4883]

I had a D5 and was unimpressed by the bass(possibly my amp) and the tweeter didn't have anywhere near the sparkle and resolution of my Polk monitor 10A with peerless tweeters.

[@SavingVegas]

The first D series speakers I recapped were my D-1s and wow. Those were built it 1988 so depending on how old they are I wouldn't judge them tell they see some nice new quality caps. As for bass I thought it would have been better the first time I heard the D-5s and that was with an amplifier capable of a clean 600 watts. The VS series definitely kicked it up a notch, for bass anyway.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Wow! Looks like they are all in spectacular shape! You do a nice job with your re-foams can’t hardly see any glue around the red. Nice work!👍🏻🔈

[@SavingVegas]

Thanks! Get better every set I do. I just take my time, patience is key. The D-1's and D-3's are minty but the D-2 cabinets are a little rough but good from far.

[@brucebilletter778]

I have a set of d2s, how much insulation should i put in them?

[@SavingVegas]

I usually cover up the back, 2 sides, top and bottom.

[@chinmeysway]

What’s the speaker’s size specs of d-3?

[@Jil8840]

I prefer the D2. Nice test.

[@SavingVegas]

So do I they are still in my living room and get used everyday

[@paulvogt3808]

I'm so jealous bro

[@WardoUSA]

Fun video. Do you have any info on a L9? I have searched hi and low and can hardly find pictures and basic specs. Found a cheap pair locally and thought about grabbing them for fun.

[@SavingVegas]

I wish I could help ya out but I don't know a lot about the L-9. I do have a woofer for them, 10 inch 1.5" voice coil steel stamped basket. Other than that I've never heard a set of them but if you get them cheap I'm sure they sound ok.

[@WardoUSA]

@@SavingVegas thank you for the quick reply. I am going try an grab them for $50 and if they stink I can use them as a rear channel in the garage setup.

[@michaelparker5640]

🤣🤣🤣 you just threw in a middie 😅 that's the only difference I found out Vega makes a heck of a mid-range great for powering up with beefy Bass ✌️

[@johnnyeu7382]

I just got a pair of L-9 speakers. Do you know if they are any good? I can’t wait to hear them when I fix them

[@SavingVegas]

I would consider the L-9 a newer version of the D-2. Same configuration other than being rear ported which I would actually prefer. Still a good made in the 🇺🇸 Vega with decent efficiency rating. They definitely aren't going to blow the roof off but still a great speaker. I'm positive once repaired you will be pleased with them.

[@johnnyeu7382]

@@SavingVegas thank you!

[@dv7548]

I wonder if you could do the AT-15. ?

[@SavingVegas]

I most definitely will when I can get my hands on a set of them. I buy, sell, fix and restore them all the time but I have yet to have a set of AT-15's come into the shop since I have started doing the KZbin thing.

[@johnnyeu7382]

When will you do a video about the VS 150 speaker? They are a kickass speaker 🔈

[@SavingVegas]

As soon as I can find some for sale close to me or cheap enough to make the drive. I am always buying and selling audio equipment for content so what I am able to find is what my videos end up being on lol. As of now I have a few restoration projects I'm working on. I plan on my next video starting the restoration on my CV 211's.

[@johnnyeu7382]

@@SavingVegas 👍

[@anaxa4883]

Low ceilings are worse because of stronger room modes at higher frequencies

[@Anonymous__Prime]

I found a set of d3’s in mint condition and he wants $200… is this a good deal?

[@SavingVegas]

Price varies a lot depending on your area. I sold some mint D-3's last year for $350CAN.

[@peterrichard3706]

Liked your video! But... I'll keep my RE 30,S. Better specks , better handling, 4 ohm. 250 watts . Black. P,S. Ditch the EQ. CV, s don't need, em. I don't even use tone controls. Don't need em.

[@SavingVegas]

I agree with the EQ. The EQ in this video was the first I have ever owned. I am always buying and selling audio equipment to try different setups. My main shop stereo is a set of VS-120s with Adcom pre and power amp. The Re30s are nice but in my opinion the vs120s are better. I had the chance to put them up against eachother to A and B them side by side. Long story short I sold the Re30s and kept the 120s. Not saying they are crap or anything, they just didn't do as well at higher volumes, they were a bit harsh at higher frequencies.

[@OfficialNakatsuMegami]

I think moving to two way speakers in the industry was a terrible move. Not a single two way sounded as good as a 3 way. Even worse, Commercial concert Loudspeakers going two way sound even worse than their 3 way counterparts. People have no idea what they are missing these days.

[@CasioGreg]

why aren't they equi-distant from each other?

[@SavingVegas]

Each pair is equal distance from each other.

[@bigbird7838]

Just bought some mint d2s very nice speaker

[@The-Only-Gubby]

you should make the cabinets all new. make them look original but better. use mdf and better bracing

[@SavingVegas]

Aftet I spent some time messing around with the old cabinets unsuccessfully I will be building all new to original spec cabinets. Like you said original but better. There are a lot of things that can be done better compared to the old design.

[@The-Only-Gubby]

@@SavingVegas the fastes way to do it is to buy the wof prevenered and pre cut from a company. dosent cost much more then the wood. and is easy to asamble :P

[@SavingVegas]

Our lumber prices here are through the roof right now. $100 Canadian for a 4'x8' sheet of MDF.

[@The-Only-Gubby]

@@SavingVegas i paid a litle over 3300$ for my 18T/TR cabinets haha

[@kurtzembower9297]

Get rid of your EQ then play them so you can get the real sound of each speaker

[@luisdiaz3887]

Difference between D1 and D2 is really noticeable to a well educated ear. No to anyone out there so what’s the point in spending more money for a D2 if D1 do an excellent job?

[@samle8260]

no audio on video

[@SavingVegas]

There should be 🤔 I just checked it and there was audio.

[@samle8260]

@@SavingVegas not here hehe.. werd..

[@DougMen1]

I always wanted a pair of D1s, because the smaller woofer should have better midrange than larger two way CVs, but it's impossible to tell since you ruin they sound with the equalizer set to a smiley face curve. The D1s seemed harder to find than others, and now they're going for $300 on Ebay, which is insane. There's literally NO mids coming from the D3s, because of your stupid smiley face setting. Also, you're going to go deaf, or at least have serious tinnitus if you actually listen that loud. I gave my BIL a pair of 3s and a pair of 5s, and he likes the 3s much more, because I re-did the crossovers to make the midrange driver equal in level to the woofer and tweeter instead of being much lower in level. That tweeter is the best CV has ever used. I had a pair of the 312s in the 70s and they were the best CV ever made, except for the 12TR, which was the 312 in a tower cab. IMO, the 12" woofers are the best compromise between the 10s and 15s, with the 15s being too bassy and the 10s not deep enough. Also, they sound best without the smiley face EQ, but with the bass turned down a little and the treble up a little, using the tone controls on your amp or receiver, at least if you want balanced and hi-fi sound, instead of sounding like a big shitty boombox.

[@srimplaysnewwind3806]

junk speakers, crappy test. waste of time.

[@SavingVegas]

Well the sound of every speaker is subjective. One of the things I love about audio gear. Thanks for watching anyways, cheers.

[@srimplaysnewwind3806]

@@SavingVegas No. Those kef in the back are way better. Much better higgies, and mids. It's not subjection, it's a democracy

[@SavingVegas]

I will admit those Keffs image very well and I do still enjoy them but when I want to really crank up the tunes they fall short to the Vega's.