Recommendation For Active Speakers

[digga]

Hi Guys

Was doing a gig last night for one of our big hotel contracts (it was their own xmas party), and my Gemini GX450's started to give up (finally). The horns started to cut out, and it sounded terrible. Fortunately, the hotel was very understanding, and didn't complain about the din!!!

It's time I updated these, and was wondering if any of you fine people could recommend a similar sort of active speaker, maybe a bit more powerful, but certainly no bigger or heavier, as space is tight in the back of the estate car.

I have been looking at the Makie 450's and the new Wharfdale Titan Active 12's or 15's. Any comments or recommendations would be great.

Thanks

Digga

[Jiggles]

Mackie if you can afford them.

[Shaun]

Quite a few of the forum members (myself included) have the Mackie 450s, they're nice speakers with plenty of power. It's always best to hear the speakers before you purchase them if possible. Speaker brand and sound is a personal thing.

[A1DL]

http://www.turbosound.com/products/txp/txp.htm

[flatliners]

has to be the rcf either the 310a or the 12" just a fantastic speaker trust me go hear them the mackies are an ok speaker but who wants ok
i have the 310a and have loads of comments on the sound of them
not wanting to offened mackie users
turbosound are great speakers but cost alot

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

has to be the rcf either the 310a or the 12" just a fantastic speaker trust me go hear them the mackies are an ok speaker but who wants ok
i have the 310a and have loads of comments on the sound of them
not wanting to offened mackie users


So why not just put your recommendation instead then? :rolleyes:

There's no way that you'd be able to use the 310a on their own either.

[Shaun]

the mackies are an ok speaker but who wants ok




In your opinion!


Speaker brand and sound is a personal thing.

;)

[TonyB]

I would recommend the Warrior PSR 15. As you are used to using a 15", a 10" or 12" may sound like it is lacking bottom end unless you use bass bins.

[flatliners]

i wish people would just listen to the rcf speakers as i like to hear other speakers i have heard the mackies heard the worrior speakers ( not bad for the price )
infact i hear alot of speakers
just think that people would look at the 310a and say because its only a 10" speaker its not gonna be any good but in my opinion for the price there is nothing to match the rcf 310a speakers

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

i wish people would just listen to the rcf speakers as i like to hear other speakers i have heard the mackies heard the worrior speakers ( not bad for the price )
infact i hear alot of speakers
just think that people would look at the 310a and say because its only a 10" speaker its not gonna be any good but in my opinion for the price there is nothing to match the rcf 310a speakers

Look, I use Mackie and I know there are better out there, but I don't keep stuffing them down people's throats at every opportunity.

RCF are, and have always been good cabs, but that's no reason to keep banging on about them.

[Shaun]

i wish people would just listen to the rcf speakers as i like to hear other speakers i have heard the mackies heard the worrior speakers ( not bad for the price )
infact i hear alot of speakers
just think that people would look at the 310a and say because its only a 10" speaker its not gonna be any good but in my opinion for the price there is nothing to match the rcf 310a speakers

Again, that's your personal opinion. I've heard the RCF 310a, and I wasn't overly impressed, but's that's just me.

You're correct in mentioning that people should listen to as many different brands as possible before choosing. People like different things. :beer1:

[TonyB]

i wish people would just listen to the rcf speakers as i like to hear other speakers i have heard the mackies heard the worrior speakers ( not bad for the price )
infact i hear alot of speakers
just think that people would look at the 310a and say because its only a 10" speaker its not gonna be any good but in my opinion for the price there is nothing to match the rcf 310a speakers

I have heard them and I like them. I like my own set up too but I don't ram what I have down everyone's throat as being the best thing since sliced bread every time there is a thread about speakers.

As mentioned above, speakers are very much down to individual taste and just because you seem to have a fixation for RCF doesn't mean that they are the preferred choice of others.

[Excalibur]

Look, I use Mackie and I know there are better out there, but I don't keep stuffing them down people's throats at every opportunity.

RCF are, and have always been good cabs, but that's no reason to keep banging on about them.


I have heard them and I like them. I like my own set up too but I don't ram what I have down everyone's throat as being the best thing since sliced bread every time there is a thread about speakers.

As mentioned above, speakers are very much down to individual taste and just because you seem to have a fixation for RCF doesn't mean that they are the preferred choice of others.

Agreed totally fellas. I mean it would be terribly bad form if every time anyone asked about speakers, Steve and I recommended Class-D!;) :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I also have a pair of active EV speakers and I prefer the sound of them to Mackie, but they are used for other applications.

[flatliners]

its just because i carnt affored nexo speakers

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

its just because i carnt affored nexo speakers

Eh? :confused:

[Corabar Steve]

Admit it Flatliners, you do work for RCF don't you.

You can't fool me :sj:

[Tony Scott]

What's an ACTIVE speaker then? :D

Thought it went:

Playout > Mixer > Digital Speaker Management System > Lots of Amps > Lots of Speakers > Bad back > Whinging Roadie?

No....................just me then! :D ;)

[Corabar Steve]

Yep! :sj:

[digga]

Thanks guys for all of your advise I'm starting to get the feeling that I shouldn't have asked this question. There seems to be a big conflict of opinions. bottom line I guess is; go listen to some speakers!!!

Now I might regret this questions, but, can any of you guys (and gals) recommend a good outlet somewhere in the South East of England that will have a selection of speakers available for demo? (Have I just opened another can of worms)

Digga

[Tom]

I think Dj empire might be close to you??? or maby Studiospares

www.decks.co.uk are at Burlington Parade, Edgware Road, London, NW2 6QG

[djsteve10]

Well i have heard some FBT Verve 12" active speakers at my mates shop today, We plugged them in and honestly it sounded like there was 15" subs running with them. These are nice speakers and have the same drivers as turbosound, Nexo, Hk Audio... All the drivers are high quality B&C drivers. These speakers are some of the best i have heard for a long time.
I have ordered myself a pair of these .... ok costing just short of £1000 but they are well worth it.

[Spirits High]

I would recommend the Warrior PSR 15. As you are used to using a 15", a 10" or 12" may sound like it is lacking bottom end unless you use bass bins.

I can personally recomend the W audio PSR15A's. I run these myself and have been more than impressed with them. Pick up a pair for aroung the £450 mark. They come with covers fiited aswell, just unzip the front & Back and away you go. Only downside you may think they're a bit on the heavy side of things but you get used to it:D

http://www.djkit.co.uk/product.php?id=1216&cat=237

Been gigging them for just over a year now and they''re very very good.

Like you say your best bet is to get to a shop and listen to them.

[digga]

Hi Everyone

Just thought I would say thank you to everyone who offered advise on this subject, and to let you know that I purchased a pair of active Warrior Audio PSR 15's. Oh My God, these are a million times better than the Gemini GX450's.

The sound clarity is amazing, bass is superb and total output is so much more than the gemini's. The bags they come in are excellent quality, and the overall construction of the cabs is solid. The only down side to them is that they are a bit heavier than my old ones, but I need to work out a bit more anyway :-).

A special thanks to the Ian at EBDJ (Clubhouse) in Eastbourne for a first class service.

Right, I'm off to burst my ear drum's again :-)

[Spirits High]

Hi Everyone

Just thought I would say thank you to everyone who offered advise on this subject, and to let you know that I purchased a pair of active Warrior Audio PSR 15's. Oh My God, these are a million times better than the Gemini GX450's.

The sound clarity is amazing, bass is superb and total output is so much more than the gemini's. The bags they come in are excellent quality, and the overall construction of the cabs is solid. The only down side to them is that they are a bit heavier than my old ones, but I need to work out a bit more anyway :-).


Right, I'm off to burst my ear drum's again :-)

Digga,

Glad you like them like i said i've been gigging mine for just over a year now I love 'em, as for the weight you get used to it:D :D :D

[Alex - Cream Ents]

Mackies are a decent option, and still sound nicer than the Warfedale / Warrior stuff, in spite of the Chinese production.

RCFs are good solid cabs, if a little shouty around the mids without a graphic, Turbo and EV options are very good but considerably more expensive than the other options.

I'd steer clear of the cheap and cheerfulls, as the hi end always sounds rather horrible.

If you're looking to run them without a sub I'd suggest something with a 15" driver rather than a 12" as you'll get more punch.

**ADDED NOTE**The FBT stuff is good for the price !!! B&C components and made in italy. Proel have a deal on these at the moment as well.

[Corabar Steve]

in spite of the Chinese production.

What's that got to do with anything, the bulk of disco kit is made in the far east these days

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

What's that got to do with anything, the bulk of disco kit is made in the far east these days

I was thinking that too...:rolleyes:

[Twinspin]

I have both cabs.... The Mackie SRM450s and RCF ART 322As. The SRM450s are still good active cabs. In experience of using them both. I prefer my RCF cabs.

The mackies still are better than the majority of the equivalent speakers that have been mentioned. As a fair comparison my RCF 322a cabs are the same size drivers as the mackies and around the same watts

The mackies are more punchy id say without a doubt. But if its the smooth sound quality you want. The RCF beats the mackie every time they sound a lot smoother. Add the RCF bass and its a real nice system.

I havent any experience on the 310a so i couldnt tell ya.

Electro-Voice...... still better than RCF and Mackie if you can afford the price of EV then i would go for them.