PA speakers

[Don S]

Hello All remote Slutz!

I do mostly recording work, but on occasion also asked to provide a small PA. Usually for Vocal and piano, or spoken word.
Can someone reccommend a mid priced, mid wieght PA spaeker to put on stands for small clubs or rehearsal rooms?
I've been renting the Mackie 450 and JBL Eons and having only marginal success. There must be something a little better out there, does not have to be powered.
Thanks!

[Jim vanBergen]

Mid-priced? Hmmm. Since Mackie 450's are around 600, let's go from cheao to expensive: Meyer non-powered UPA's (used) are around $750 each, which is a steal. Same for Apogee AE-5s.
New Meyer CQ-1s & UPA-1P's (both powered) are great, so are UP-J speakers (10" instead of 12" and the same 2" HF driver as the UPA)

What else: EAW JF200s, d&b E9's.

Good luck!

[ExistanceMusic]

Been using RCF ART 300s for year's, I'm a big fan. They come powered and passive, so you can pick what works best for you. They are nice a flat response without that boomy 125hz resonance the JBLs have.
Just watch the weight....the one thing I like about the JBLs is that I can carry 2 at once and not kill myself. The powered 300s are pretty heavy.
As for mixers, can't go past an a+h mixwix for 16ch. if you need 24, check out yamaha's new MG series. 16mono, 4 stereo plus decent onboard effects. Fun tap delay, too.

[venuestudio]

I woould second the RCF ART series (now made by Mackie under there industrial label). Ihave used the ART 200's for quite a few years and love them. I have both the ART200's and JBL eon15's, the ART's with a 12"woofer eat the JBLs up for clarity. I bought mine used for about 450 each.

[Don S]

Thanks to all Slutz who responded!

The Arts DO look a little like Mackies. The 450 almost. But they sound better? I noticed they are a little more expensive. I'm a big fan of the phrase "you get what you pay for". I'm also trying to listen to the JBL MPro 412. But it's no going to be easy as the local G.C. only carries the 212 series. I'm happy to hear that there are alternatives.
Jim,
I'm sure the Meyers sound beautiful. But WOW-$$$$$$$$!
Please keep em coming as I will be listening for a while.

Don

[Jim vanBergen]

Meyer is indeed a perfect example of "you get what you pay for". Sorry it's out of your budget.

[John Suitcase]

I have a pair of Yamahas, they work really well, and are pretty affordable. Mine are 12" woofers with a horn, I think I paid about $225 a piece, and got the stands thrown in for free.

Avoid Crate like the plague, of course. Friends of mine bought a pair and have blown them twice. New drivers should help prevent future problems for them, but their budget speakers actually cost more than much nicer boxes would have...

[Rick Shepherd]

If you are a big fan of, "You get what you pay for", then feast your eyes and desires on these babies. I have a set of the W-803s and a set of the SR-823s. They are worth every frigging cent!

Daedalus Audio

I use them for live PA as well as reference recording monitors and they are simply stunning!

[ExistanceMusic]

mate, they look WAY too pretty to be draggin to the sort of gigs I do!! They sure "read" nice though, would be great to have half a dozen for "nice" corporate gigs and such.

[Sam Lord]

Don, the JBL MPRO 412s get lots of nice words at PSW LAB forums http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/i/0. I strongly urge you do searches there if you haven't already. I'd also look at Yorkville L368 3-way with a 6" mid and a 12" bass, 58 lbs., about the same price at around $580/pr new. Good hunting.

[Sam Lord]

Here's a PSW LAB thread on JBL SRX 712s: http://srforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/7577/0

[De chromium cob]

You should give these a try- http://www.yorkville.com/products.as...9&cat=2&id=103

[john caldwell]

The PA I use for two ensembles I'm a part of is real nice. We don't play very loudly, by contemporary standards. The genre is contemporary folk. Program material contains acoustic guitars (piezo DI + sdc), voices (Neumann KSM 105's), upright bass (piezo DI + AT 4050), percussion (sdc + dynamic), pedal steel (mic on amp), and brass (Sennheiser MD421-II). The goal is a clean accurate sound. The mixing board is a Mackie 1604VLZ; main speakers are Mackie HR824's which are stand mounted. Monitors are Yamaha MSR100. Rack mount hardware includes Behringer eq's (DEQ2496), DBX 160 compressors, and Lexicon LPX15-II's. The sound quality is absurd, actually. The Mackie HR824's are transported in flight cases because they're really not made for this type of work, but they more than cut it sonically.

Best wishes,

John-

[Don S]

Samuel,

Thanks! That's what I'm looking for! I found about 3 models in that price range. The Yorville are 3 way - cool. People are raving about the U-15, But it's a thousand and 80 lbs. Also the EAW JFX series is loved by a couple friends, just a little expensive at 1600 a piece.
But here are the choices so far: and all come with matching subs if I need them.

MPro412
EAW FR129Z
Yorkville 368.

Now to find a dealer were I can hear the Yorkvilles. Does anyone know of a rep in the NYC/North Jersey Area?

Don

[Rick Shepherd]

mate, they look WAY too pretty to be draggin to the sort of gigs I do!! They sure "read" nice though, would be great to have half a dozen for "nice" corporate gigs and such.
__________________
Jesse Mahoney

Pretty or not, I have no problem worrying about that. These speakers are about the best out there, and pretty to boot, mate!

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by Don S

Samuel,

Thanks! That's what I'm looking for! I found about 3 models in that price range. The Yorville are 3 way - cool. People are raving about the U-15, But it's a thousand and 80 lbs. Also the EAW JFX series is loved by a couple friends, just a little expensive at 1600 a piece.
But here are the choices so far: and all come with matching subs if I need them.

MPro412
EAW FR129Z
Yorkville 368.

Now to find a dealer were I can hear the Yorkvilles. Does anyone know of a rep in the NYC/North Jersey Area?

Don

FWIW, the 500P is a better deal then the 368- they are powered and have a 2" horn instead of a 1" horn. Much better IMO. But I like headroom....

[Don S]

Cob,

Yes - you're right! I just got off the phone with a dealer. Apparently this guy thought the L368 was a dog from the start. And oddly enough are discontinued in 2005 catalog!
THE 500P looks great, Now just deciding to go powered or unpowered. According to the dealer, the E-12 can be pushed a little harder and has a birch box instead of plastic. But the price is amazing - 700 for the 500P. Dealer says it blows Mackies and Eons out the water.

Thanks again!

Don
Now - an amp! Any suggestions - Crown XS series?

[blackcatdigi]

Don,

I would strongly urge you to check out the SLS stuff before you lay your money down. Ribbons rule for acoustic based PA work!

link

[Sam Lord]

Originally Posted by Don S

Cob,

Yes - you're right! I just got off the phone with a dealer. Apparently this guy thought the L368 was a dog from the start. And oddly enough are discontinued in 2005 catalog!
THE 500P looks great, Now just deciding to go powered or unpowered. According to the dealer, the E-12 can be pushed a little harder and has a birch box instead of plastic. But the price is amazing - 700 for the 500P. Dealer says it blows Mackies and Eons out the water...

Don, nothing against Cob's experience or any Yorkville, but a 15" crossed over at 2k+ will NOT do vocals right, regardless of what any dealer says. Sure you'll hear them, and they'll be loud, but a 15" is just too slow to reproduce midrange. They're OK for rock 'n rollers who don't give a @#$% about anybody's voice or acoustic instruments. Now I know that many PA operators just don't have the financial choice and must go with big 2-ways, but really, mid drivers and the bigger box only add around 20% to the cost of an otherwise 2-way box. Now, ribbons mating with a 15" down at 500 or so is another matter. Just my 2 cents, thanks. Sam

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by Samuel L. Lord

Don, nothing against Cob's experience or any Yorkville, but a 15" crossed over at 2k+ will NOT do vocals right, regardless of what any dealer says.

You should listen to them, because my experience is that they will do vocals just fine....

[Don S]

Hi Samuel and Cob,

I've heard that 12'' drivers deliver good sounding vocals. I'm looking at the 550P and the E12 both have 12's not 15's. Plus they weigh less. I'm a single engineer on these gigs.
The E12 crosses over at 1900K. The 550P is biamped and crosses at 2300. Not sure if this makes a huge difference. I have yet to hear any of these monitors. I'm hoping my ears will sort out some of the numbers. I've only worked with and have the buget for the Mackie 450 or G215 Eon. Both don't impress and happy that there are alternatives for not much more money.
Samuel, Not sure I can afford the SLS. They look pretty high end. Thanks for info! There don't seem to be too many choices in my budget for a 3 way.

Don

[blackcatdigi]

Originally Posted by Don S

Samuel, Not sure I can afford the SLS. They look pretty high end. Thanks for info! There don't seem to be too many choices in my budget for a 3 way.

I'm not Samuel, but you're welcome! See if you can find a dealer and get some pricing before you decide they're too expensive. You might be in for a shock as I've found them to be very reasonably priced.

Good Luck.

[Sam Lord]

Originally Posted by De chromium cob

You should listen to them, because my experience is that they will do vocals just fine....

You're right, I should. Prejudice is a bad teacher...