So would you definitely prefer the altos over mackie ?
I love my mackies (with a fan attached to the back) but they weigh a tonne.
So would you definitely prefer the altos over mackie ?
I love my mackies (with a fan attached to the back) but they weigh a tonne.
In terms of overall sound, yes. In terms of weight - the altos are lighter than the Mackies - but then I'm used to their weight now. In terms of build quality & longevity... nah. I know my Mackies are ancient, but I seriously doubt the Altos will hold their looks for as long.
I bought them to see me through having to run 2 rigs over the Christmas period at the lowest possible cost. I had my eye on a serious upgrade (buying cheap & wrong is always a false economy) but I thought better of rushing into anything before I've auditioned everything I can. Plus, there'll likely be a lot more decent 2nd hand gear around in the new year I expect. Up here there's loads of junk crap PA going for way more than it's worth. Where are all the people selling Yamaha, EV & RCF right now? Wayyyyyy daaaaahn saaaaaaaaaaaarf
The Alto's do seem good for the price.
It'll depend on your definition of 'small' really. I picked up my Altos for £400 the pair, new with stands. Add about £60 for padded covers & you're away.
Next up from the TS115A I think would be the Proel V15A which you can pick up for £250 each ex-demo (e.g. at www.djanddiscostuff.com) . £50 per speaker dearer than the Alto (£400 inc stands at gear4music).
The USB media player in my Altos has already come in handy, for background music duty at my residency's murder mystery nights. Easy to control & saves me having to turn up with my laptop hours before I'm actually needed (usually 3+ hours).
Having used them for a while, I still think they sound nicer than my Mackie SRM450s BUT... they were really only ever a stopgap speaker for me. A few outfits use them as main PA but I'm really after a fuller, punchier sound... and that means phase 2 of my PA buying should come into play soon. New tops, and at least one bin.
I plan to sell the Mackies (which will no doubt pay for the Altos) & keep the Altos as backup for my 'real' PA when I get it.