JBL PRX535 with 518S sub, what should I expect?

[pajhonka]

Hi,
I'm looking into purchasing two active loudspeakers with two active subs and I've narrowed my search to the JBL PRX 535 with 518S subs. I play a mix of electronic & acoustic music at clubs with less than 300 people. My shows usually last around two hours. I've heard JBL passive 3-ways play Drum and Bass and drooled over them. I also like that they're lighter than the other 3-ways in that price range (as I'm my own roadie).

I haven't been able to pump up the volume/bass on these. Low-end clarity and boom is important to me with my style of music. Will this be a good match or should I go another route?

I've also considered going with the Mackie SR1530z and SWA1801 or possibly mixing the PRX 535 and SWA1801. Any opinions/ideas/wisdom out there to impart?

Thanks!

[Remoteness]

I have not heard this combination, but i figured your thread needed a bump so others could get another shot at responding to your questions.

[pajhonka]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

I have not heard this combination, but i figured your thread needed a bump so others could get another shot at responding to your questions.

I really appreciate that. I haven't heard the SWA1801 yet, but I checked out the PRX518s with the 535s today and I was really impressed. Weight was good and the sub was just the right amount of punch. I don't think the PRX combo would bring the house down output-wise, but I don't think I have the budget for that anyway.

[Remoteness]

What style of music will you be using this for?

[pajhonka]

Originally Posted by Remoteness

What style of music will you be using this for?

Electronic beats under piano, synth lines, and male vocals. Kind of Thom Yorke, Flaming Lips, David Gray-ish.

[Remoteness]

Very cool!

[pajhonka]

Here's my MySpace page if you're interested-
MySpace.com - NOMADIC SUN - New Orleans, Louisiana - Electroacoustic / Acoustic / Trip Hop - www.myspace.com/nomadicsun

[edwinhurwitz]

I've heard the Mackie subs a number of times and they can work OK. They do have a bit of the same problem that plagues subs at this price and that is that they tend to be a big resonant thump instead of actually equally reproducing the specific notes in their range. However, for drum and bass music and other similar genres, this may not be a big problem. To get low and loud, there are compromises which can only really be worked out by spending lots of money and lugging big boxes and amps that weigh a ton.

The JBLs seem to be a little smoother in response, but I don't think they have the sheer volume of the Mackies. I would say that if your needs for the low end are more for impact than perfect fidelity, go for the Mackies. I would be very tempted to try the combination of the JBL tops and the Mackie subs.

But, try to listen before you buy! You might even consider trying to rent a few combinations.
Edwin

[nathanvacha]

The mackie subs may be louder in the low end just because they're horn loaded instead of direct radiating, but I would steer clear of their top boxes. Lots of dj's and bands buy them because they're easy to work with, but the constant hiss is more than enough to keep me away.
maybe that's just me.

[mixedupsteve]

I don't know that particular sub but just wanted to say that if you put the two subs together you'll get alot more thump. We have SRX728s and like them.

[pajhonka]

Originally Posted by nathanvacha

The mackie subs may be louder in the low end just because they're horn loaded instead of direct radiating, but I would steer clear of their top boxes. Lots of dj's and bands buy them because they're easy to work with, but the constant hiss is more than enough to keep me away.
maybe that's just me.

My TAPCOs also have that hiss problem. I wrote them about it and this was the response:

It sounds like you are hitting the noise floor of the unit. There really is no way to reduce it. These speakers were designed to be played at a certain level and it was determined to acceptable at normal operating level.


Tech Support - Level I
MACKIE/TAPCO/AMPEG/CRATE
Loud Technologies, Inc.
800-258-6883 ext. 1633

[pajhonka]

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

I don't know that particular sub but just wanted to say that if you put the two subs together you'll get alot more thump. We have SRX728s and like them.

Those things are beasts! I love it!

After doing the test with my music & my own ears, I'm confident in the PRX535s & 518s to be the right fit. Hopefully I can get some extra $ to buy a second sub. The next question will be how am I going to transport all this to my gigs? I have a Nissan Xterra, which can hardly hold my two 15"s and instruments. I may need to buy a trailer before the second sub!

[mixedupsteve]

I thought you were buying 2 subs. What I meant was instead of placing 2 tops over the 2 subs (one pair on each side) then just place the tops on sticks and put the 2 subs together in the middle. If your only going with one it will still sound good I think.

[pajhonka]

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

I thought you were buying 2 subs. What I meant was instead of placing 2 tops over the 2 subs (one pair on each side) then just place the tops on sticks and put the 2 subs together in the middle. If your only going with one it will still sound good I think.

Thanks, I hope so. I'm not playing Wembley Stadium, CBGBs, or even the local Applebee's yet, so I still feel like this will be a significant upgrade for the venues I've been playing.