RCF users?

[Spirits High]

Hi guys,

I'm after opinions on the RCF Art series by those that use them.

Particularly the 312/ 315a

The main use is for up to 200ish guests, but I'm not looking to take a sub out (except for large Marquees).

All comments (on topic ;) ) would be apprieciated

Thanks in advance

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I hate them. They are crap. :sj:

[wensleydale]

I use 312s and have no complaints whatsoever with them- have some passive Mackies as back up which have never been used.

The RCFs have coped with 250 people plus and whilst I know I could get a slightly better sound with a sub I have never felt the need for one.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I use 312s and have no complaints whatsoever with them- have some passive Mackies as back up which have never been used.

The RCFs have coped with 250 people plus and whilst I know I could get a slightly better sound with a sub I have never felt the need for one.

Slightly better?

Slight understatement there Rich...

The whole system sounds fantastic with subs. I use the 325s on their own and they sound good, but as I said, add the sub (s) and it's a different ball game.

[music-2-play]

For around the price of a pair of 315s (maybe even slightly cheaper), you could get a pair of JBL Eon 15 G2s, which are 400w RMS, as opposed to the RCF's which are only 300w RMS and sound pretty good. That said, I like the RCF gear and I'm buying an RCF 905a subwoofer to augment the system in a couple of weeks. After renting one for a gig, was really impressed. 1000w RMS for £1000 is better than anything JBL can currently offer in the way of high powered 15" subwoofers (as I gig alone, I don't think I could carry an 18" up a flight of stairs --- so as much as I'd like to stay loyal to JBL, RCF have it with the subs for me. Also, as I gig alone, . Don't have much experience with Mackie (i love their mixers, but never used their pa), so can't really comment there.

[wensleydale]

Slightly better?

Slight understatement there Rich...

The whole system sounds fantastic with subs. I use the 325s on their own and they sound good, but as I said, add the sub (s) and it's a different ball game.

but it all comes down to cost and space for me- i could improve my lighting, playback, etc etc, but for what I use them for they do fine.

i dont want to have to get a van and the 312s cope with the music I play- it's not as if I do 18ths each week.

From my perspective if I thought I could charge more if I had a sub then I would reconsider, but I dont, so I wont.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

but it all comes down to cost and space for me- i could improve my lighting, playback, etc etc, but for what I use them for they do fine.

i dont want to have to get a van and the 312s cope with the music I play- it's not as if I do 18ths each week.

From my perspective if I thought I could charge more if I had a sub then I would reconsider, but I dont, so I wont.

And none of that has anything to do with the sound.

I didn't say you had to get a bigger van or that you could charge more.

I said it improved the sound more than 'slightly', which it does.

And it's not about doing 18ths every week. I am talking about quality not quantity.

[A1DL]

For around the price of a pair of 315s (maybe even slightly cheaper), you could get a pair of JBL Eon 15 G2s, which are 400w RMS, as opposed to the RCF's which are only 300w RMS .

Why is the input power so important? The EON15 G2 has a maximum SPL of 129db which is only 3db higher (i.e. barely audible) than that of the RCF315.

The RCF will sound nice. EONs sound horrible and are the worst speakers to come out of the JBL stable (and that comes from someone whom generally holds JBL in high regard)


1000w RMS for £1000 is better than anything JBL can currently offer in the way of high powered 15" subwoofers

Trying to index input power to currency is a crazy comparison.

There's many 400w/600w subs that cost £2,000 that will play louder than that 1,000watt sub that costs £1,000

Most JBL speakers, particularly their subs, are power hungry, I could sell you a new JBL 2x18 reflex SRX728s for less than £1,000, rated at 1,600wrms. Give it 2,500 watts and it starts to grunt quite nicely. Put that 728 up against a B2 (cost over £3k) given 600watts and it will mop the floor with the 728.

[music-2-play]

Why is the input power so important? The EON15 G2 has a maximum SPL of 129db which is only 3db higher (i.e. barely audible) than that of the RCF315.

The RCF will sound nice. EONs sound horrible and are the worst speakers to come out of the JBL stable (and that comes from someone whom generally holds JBL in high regard)



Trying to index input power to currency is a crazy comparison.

There's many 400w/600w subs that cost £2,000 that will play louder than that 1,000watt sub that costs £1,000

Most JBL speakers, particularly their subs, are power hungry, I could sell you a new JBL 2x18 reflex SRX728s for less than £1,000, rated at 1,600wrms. Give it 2,500 watts and it starts to grunt quite nicely. Put that 728 up against a B2 (cost over £3k) given 600watts and it will mop the floor with the 728.

I wasn't attempting to exactly equate price to output power, it was really just because they were more or less bang on the same. I have no doubt that the 728 kicks, but at 76kg and 1m wide, like I said, I couldn't gig with that on my own. I've worked with the B2s in AV setups and, yes they're great. You really need the d&b amps to get the most out of them, which will run to tens of thousands, while the AV standard, not in the arena of the average gigging DJ and in my opinion, pointless comparing. I agree that RMS power doesn't mean everything though, but, I loved the RCF 905 and it's compact and lightweight, so it's definitely for me.

With the Eons, are you sure you're not talking about the original Eon rather than the G2's, which are the recently released second generation model and sound far more solid and tight --- Anyway, that's not something we can really argue about. You either like the sound of a speaker or not. Anyway, better get back to work and stop crouching behind my console, people are starting to look at me strangely --- I love it when venues have free wi-fi though. :)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Ive got the 312's and love them They will easilly cope with what you want them for IMO Paul. You cant beat a 705 sub thought if you want that little bit extra in the future :)

[Twinspin]

Wont go far wrong with the RCF's Im very happy with mine. They do the job nicely.

[DJ Jules]

With the Eons, are you sure you're not talking about the original Eon rather than the G2's, which are the recently released second generation model and sound far more solid and tight --- Anyway, that's not something we can really argue about. You either like the sound of a speaker or not.

The EON15 G2 was JBL's second attempt at the original EON series and most people agree they're not a nice sound (hence the typical second hand price tag of about £350 a pair). The new EON's are the EON1500 which sound absolutely fantastic (but they're £1500 a set new and sell for close to that second hand, if you can find a pair).

Julian

[music-2-play]

The EON15 G2 was JBL's second attempt at the original EON series and most people agree they're not a nice sound (hence the typical second hand price tag of about £350 a pair). The new EON's are the EON1500 which sound absolutely fantastic (but they're £1500 a set new and sell for close to that second hand, if you can find a pair).

Julian

The Eon 1500 is a passive speaker 225w RMS and pretty cheap. I think you mean the Eon 500 series. I guess they would JBLs answer to RCF's 700 series. They're also cool as they have a built in mini mixer with mic pres I think - good for entertainers

[flatliners]

i have the 310a rcf and at 12.9 kg 350 watts and 127spl they are fantastic

[pagan_flame]

Short Version: I would try and hear a set, and also the possible alternatives before making up your mind.

Long version (= My reason why) - recently on Another Forum, I had the first option on a pair of 312's and a 705 sub, to change from my current setup of Mackie SRM 450s and dB Tech Sub 15... at which point a debate ensued of Mackie vc RCF.

Now the general consensus was that RCFs sound warmer, Mackies harsher... but the Mackies do punch harder than the RCFs.

Now for me, as I specialise in rock music - I decided to stay with the Mackies - I run them with low cut button in and at 12 O'Clock on the volume control, flat EQ except for slight drop in the midrange and slight lift at the top, and it all sounds hi-fi crystal clear to my ears - and never any guests wincing / dancing away from the speakers at any point.

But whatever you get, you will need a sub for bigger gigs! ;)

[DJ Jules]

The Eon 1500 is a passive speaker 225w RMS and pretty cheap. I think you mean the Eon 500 series. I guess they would JBLs answer to RCF's 700 series. They're also cool as they have a built in mini mixer with mic pres I think - good for entertainers

Duh, sorry, I did a quick google last night to check my facts before posting but obviously didn't check far enough :o

This is what I meant, EON515:

http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/General/Product.aspx?PId=265&MId=3

I've demo'd these a few times and they knock the socks off most other speakers I've heard (in terms of clarity, range and power - not to mention weight), but then I've never seen the RCF's.

Julian

[Spirits High]

Ive got the 312's and love them They will easilly cope with what you want them for IMO Paul. You cant beat a 705 sub thought if you want that little bit extra in the future :)


Wont go far wrong with the RCF's Im very happy with mine. They do the job nicely.



Thanks guys, I think I know what i'm going to do now ;)





i have the 310a rcf and at 12.9 kg 350 watts and 127spl they are fantastic


Sounds good to me. Strangely enough I weighed the PSR15a before yesterdays gig 30.5 kg :eek: :eek:





Short Version: I would try and hear a set, and also the possible alternatives before making up your mind.

Long version (= My reason why) - recently on Another Forum, I had the first option on a pair of 312's and a 705 sub, to change from my current setup of Mackie SRM 450s and dB Tech Sub 15... at which point a debate ensued of Mackie vc RCF.

Now the general consensus was that RCFs sound warmer, Mackies harsher... but the Mackies do punch harder than the RCFs.

Now for me, as I specialise in rock music - I decided to stay with the Mackies - I run them with low cut button in and at 12 O'Clock on the volume control, flat EQ except for slight drop in the midrange and slight lift at the top, and it all sounds hi-fi crystal clear to my ears - and never any guests wincing / dancing away from the speakers at any point.

But whatever you get, you will need a sub for bigger gigs! ;)


All advice on board.

I feel a day trip to HTF coming up mid July :D

[sandaroadshow]

I dont know what it is but I seem to buy the duff ones then the RCF company seems to want more from me, my 312`s blew last night without even pushing.