New speakers...

[womble]

I'm still considering loads of options for new speakers and amplifier, as I need to have full back-up this summer as we've got lots of bookings compared to last year.

My sound at the moment is coming through a pair of Class D CD12SP's with an AKA intimidation 1500w amp. My spare amp (that I've never gigged) packed in a few weeks ago when we were practicing some karaoke...

Anyway, as we need to replace the spare amp we though this would be a good time to upgrade the main speakers and move the Class D's and AKA to the reserve rig. Ideally getting some speakers slightly smaller than the class d's would be good so we can fit them in the vehicle.

So... I've considered these 'budget' options:

Passives:
JBL JRX 115/112
Tapco 6915/6912
LD Systems Pro Series 12"
W Audio PSR 15/12

Amps:
Class D ProSound 1600w
KAM KXR 1500w
W Audio DA 1300w

Is there anything else I should be looking at in this kind of range?

Also, I've been told that 12" cabs are better for vocals and, as half of our gigs are karaoke gigs, would I be better with 12" cabs rather than 15" or would the 15" be better when doing disco gigs?

Thanks in advance!

[Cj_The_Dj]

I have a pair of W-audio psr15a and there very good value for money but i do use sub most of the time.

I also recomend thew-audio L400 (Andy is selling some at a good price & for amps

Peavey pv1500 or peavey pv2000 have always been faultless

citronic ppx900 are very good but very heavy as well

[ppentertainments]

For the 'budget' price range, I think you will find it hard to find anything that sounds as good as the Class-D's you have. I know they are big but, I think, the sound is superb. Not the loudest but excellent quality.

Amp wise I use the W-audio DA1300. Have used the same amp for the past 3 years without any problems whatsoever. (shouldn't say that should I, three guesses whats going to happen tomorrow :( ):D :D

[A1DL]

So... I've considered these 'budget' options:

Passives:
JBL JRX 115/112
Tapco 6915/6912
LD Systems Pro Series 12"
W Audio PSR 15/12

Amps:
Class D ProSound 1600w
KAM KXR 1500w
W Audio DA 1300w

Is there anything else I should be looking at in this kind of range?

Also, I've been told that 12" cabs are better for vocals and, as half of our gigs are karaoke gigs, would I be better with 12" cabs rather than 15" or would the 15" be better when doing disco gigs?




If you are going to be running a passive system, the 15" boxes will probably be your best bet, because of their LF extension. If you are planning on upgrading to an active system, then I'd probably buy the 12" boxes as they will sound crisper and as you rightly say, nicer on vox.

Of those you've listed, I would highly recommend the JBL JRX cabs - either the 115s or 112s. We've sold many of these and they are very popular with the DJs. The LDs and Tapcos are marginally louder on paper, however a bit of an unknown entity and on the basis the manufacturers choose not to share their dispertion characteristics (I'll stand corrected but couldn't find them anywhere on the specs), this would point me firmly back to the JBLs.

As far as the amplifiers go, the KAM KXR1500 is ideally suited to the JBLs, with it's 450w/ch@8r output. Forget the craplins special, it is completely underpowered for any of the cabs you're looking at and you can buy a cheaper (and lighter) doorwedge in any good DIY store.

Hope this helps

tony

[Jiggles]

Tony, I think he was referring to this amp: http://www.class-d.com/Amplifiers/New-Pro-Audio-Professional-amplifier-from-Class-D/prod_20869.html

[A1DL]

Tony, I think he was referring to this amp: http://www.class-d.com/Amplifiers/New-Pro-Audio-Professional-amplifier-from-Class-D/prod_20869.html

fair enough Callum, I must admit I was confused as he said "Class D Prosound" - I didn't think craplins did any SMPS amps and equally I didn't know Peter's company :) had ventured into amplification!

Anyway, I can't see any 8r specs for that amp, I'm guessing the 1600w is @ 2r... but maybe wrong.

[womble]

Tony, your advice is fantastic. Thankyou.

If I was to go active, then is there anything in the same price range (as 2x JBL 115's + a KAM 1500 = roughly £600) that could do a better job?

Many thanks again.

[A1DL]

If I was to go active, then is there anything in the same price range (as 2x JBL 115's + a KAM 1500 = roughly £600) that could do a better job?

sorry buddy, I don't follow. :confused:

If you want to end up with an active system but can only stretch to one pair of cabs & one amplifier now, I'd buy the JRX112s and possibly the Kam amplifier now, then save hard for the matching JRX118 subs, a second amplifier and probably a dbx223 crossover to complete the rig. The 112s will run as perfectly acceptable passive full range boxes until you get the 118s.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

He means powered Tony....

[womble]

He means powered Tony....

Yes, sorry - I was referring to powered speakers. What's stopping me is that my current set up is passive, so if I went down the powered route I would probably want three speakers, so as to have a spare in case of emergency.

I've found a good deal on the JRX115's and the KAM KXR 1500 with "whybuynew" - £530 all in. (The 115's are cheaper than I can find the 112's for anywhere else) so I think I might go for that and keep the Class D 12"s at the karaoke venue.

Thanks for the help.

[Excalibur]

fair enough Callum, I must admit I was confused as he said "Class D Prosound" - I didn't think craplins did any SMPS amps and equally I didn't know Peter's company :) had ventured into amplification!

Anyway, I can't see any 8r specs for that amp, I'm guessing the 1600w is @ 2r... but maybe wrong.

You :muppet: . It's been the hot topic for ages. Where have you been?
Power supply the size of a matchbox, couple of gigawatts from a 1u case. Fantastic.

I'm exaggerating slightly, but only slightly. Tony, it's a long, long story. I may ring you someday, if you're unlucky. :D :D :D :D

To the OP, I'd buy a crossover, amp, and subs. If you've got the 12SP's, you won't find better for the money. Amp? Thomann TA 1400. ( Not the TSA)

[womble]

You :muppet: . It's been the hot topic for ages. Where have you been?
Power supply the size of a matchbox, couple of gigawatts from a 1u case. Fantastic.

I'm exaggerating slightly, but only slightly. Tony, it's a long, long story. I may ring you someday, if you're unlucky. :D :D :D :D

To the OP, I'd buy a crossover, amp, and subs. If you've got the 12SP's, you won't find better for the money. Amp? Thomann TA 1400. ( Not the TSA)

I've already got the subs, CD15N's, but I don't like lugging ;o)

[Excalibur]

I've already got the subs, CD15N's, but I don't like lugging ;o)

What is it with all these wusses? :confused: :confused: I'm an old man, and I don't moan about these cabs. :p

[womble]

It's also a vehicular 3d jigsaw nightmare to take everything with me.

[Excalibur]

It's also a vehicular 3d jigsaw nightmare to take everything with me.

Van. ;) :D :D :D

[A1DL]

Ignore my last post in that case, as we were talking cross purposes and my recommendations are therefore not relevant.

Within pro audio, an "active" system is one where the crossover points of the various transducers are controlled using an external crossover/DSP. A box with the amplifier built in, as Darren rightly points out, is a "powered box".

A "passive" box is one with a crossover built in and typically set at the (manufacturer's) optimum frequency.

To complicate further, there are boxes that are both active and passive, and/or optionally fully active, such as the Void Stasys 3, where the LF and MHF+HF sections can be run 2-way active with the MHF and HF sections passive, alternatively run on NL8s 3-way active off 3xDSP and 3xamplifier channels.

Unfortunately, within disco, this terminology has become popularly abused and interchanged, with low end manufacturers amongst the most guilty. Like lots of other things in modern day society, I guess. Pedant tired & going to bed. Nite all.

[womble]

Van. ;) :D :D :D

I know I know, but I can't afford to run two vehicles so have to compromise between something for carrying disco gubbins and also the wife, the baby as well as providing taxi services for the teenager and her mates.

I'm looking to get a Zafira in the next couple of weeks, which is about the best compromise I can come up with.

[Excalibur]

I know I know, but I can't afford to run two vehicles so have to compromise between something for carrying disco gubbins and also the wife, the baby as well as providing taxi services for the teenager and her mates.

I'm looking to get a Zafira in the next couple of weeks, which is about the best compromise I can come up with.

Ah well, in that case, fit it with a towbar, and buy a :Censored:ing great trailer. ;) ;) :D :D :D

[womble]

Ah well, in that case, fit it with a towbar, and buy a :Censored:ing great trailer. ;) ;) :D :D :D

Thought of that as well, but I've got nowhere to store the trailer!

[WWDJ]

Tony, your advice is fantastic. Thankyou.

If I was to go active, then is there anything in the same price range (as 2x JBL 115's + a KAM 1500 = roughly £600) that could do a better job?

Many thanks again.

I'm not sure about 'better' because I have been active for the last 3 years, but for Active, I can highly recommend the w-audio prs15a. I have been using these for around 9 months now for main playout and they are loud and dare I say it, bassy too. I have a sub, but I don't like lugging either so I leave it in my regular venue where I use Mackie SRM450s and take the prs15a's everywhere else with me.

I've done parties of around 100-120 with all type of music and for the money they are brilliant and they come with fitted covers that you can leave in place.

I got the recommend off this forum, actually for a friend who was starting out. I was so impressed with his after a few of his gigs that I bought a pair myself.

If anyone has a pair for sale I will take them off your hands (at a good price ;-)