Active Sub Woofer/s for Mackie SRM 450 V1's

[DynamoTom]

Hello there,

I am currently on the look out for a single or pair of active sub woofers to go with my current Mackie SRM 450 V1's.

I have been looking at a pair of Mackie SRM 1801's or a single DB Tech 15D.

What other sub woofers do you think that will work/go with the Mackie SRM 450's?

Ideally, I would like to get two sub woofers for image purposes and for those large venues.

The maximum I am looking to spend is £1000.

Thanks.

[mattydinx]

Personally I'd stick with the same brand and series, They're generally designed to work perfectly together.

I once heard a rig with 4x SWA1501 subs and SRM450 tops in two stacks - the amount of bass was phenomenal and punched you right in the gut!

...Just a shame the SRM450s were so harsh they made your ears bleed at the same time :p

Joking aside, If I were you, I'd keep your system matched.

[DynamoTom]

Personally I'd stick with the same brand and series, They're generally designed to work perfectly together.

I once heard a rig with 4x SWA1501 subs and SRM450 tops in two stacks - the amount of bass was phenomenal and punched you right in the gut!

...Just a shame the SRM450s were so harsh they made your ears bleed at the same time :p

Joking aside, If I were you, I'd keep your system matched.

I used to own four Mackie SRM 450 V1's and two Mackie SWA 1501's but I had one Mackie SWA1501 that kept overheating and kept going bang so I got it repaired each time, and once they were both working again, I sold a pair of Mackie SRM 450's and the pair of Mackie SWA1501's and brought a pair of EV ELX 115's with the money with a Mackie M1400 amp as a temp amp.

I am thinking a pair of Mackie SRM 1801's but I've heard a couple of reviews that they are unreliable and not very good. I've got mixed thoughts about them.

[DJDC]

db's are quite nice you can pick a pair of these for under 1k.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/db_technologies_sub_05d_subwoofer.htm
unfortunately they have just stopped selling the 15d cab my mate brought a pair were just over £300 each delivered and with 3 yr warranty. only downside they would have to go back to germany.

[sweetie]

Two 18" mackies versus a 15" db tech! :o no contest

[Disco Dave]

Mackie Sub I was told not to touch.. that was from 3 music shops that sold them.

One was HTFR. Go with the DB sub's there light as well.

DB sub 129dB
Mackie does not show it anywhere ??

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I had the chance to get a pair of pristine condition Mackie Subs off a mate before Christmas for a stupid price because they needed repairing and were used twice I think. I put up a post on here asking what they were like and I was told that they weren't worth risking due to various horror stories (I think Shaun was one of them that had problems) so I steered away from them.

When I eventually get the wad of dosh through that I am expecting, I will be posting the same question as the OP but for V2's although saying that, I did like 'The Box' which I heard a demo of in Guildford and is available from thomann.

[Charlie Brown]

I use the 15inch RCF sub (no idea what model it is) and it works a treat. Blows the DB sub out the water.

[WWDJ]

I use the 15inch RCF sub (no idea what model it is) and it works a treat. Blows the DB sub out the water.

RCF ART705AS 800W. Not to be confused with the Sub 705 which is a different sub.

At your budget you should be able to afford the RCF 905 sub. Phone a few dealers and ask for 'best price' and you will get it within your budget I am sure. It will fit under your booth and add plenty of bottom end.

[DynamoTom]

db's are quite nice you can pick a pair of these for under 1k.

http://www.thomann.de/gb/db_technologies_sub_05d_subwoofer.htm
unfortunately they have just stopped selling the 15d cab my mate brought a pair were just over £300 each delivered and with 3 yr warranty. only downside they would have to go back to germany.


Two 18" mackies versus a 15" db tech! :o no contest


Mackie Sub I was told not to touch.. that was from 3 music shops that sold them.

One was HTFR. Go with the DB sub's there light as well.

DB sub 129dB
Mackie does not show it anywhere ??


I had the chance to get a pair of pristine condition Mackie Subs off a mate before Christmas for a stupid price because they needed repairing and were used twice I think. I put up a post on here asking what they were like and I was told that they weren't worth risking due to various horror stories (I think Shaun was one of them that had problems) so I steered away from them.

When I eventually get the wad of dosh through that I am expecting, I will be posting the same question as the OP but for V2's although saying that, I did like 'The Box' which I heard a demo of in Guildford and is available from thomann.


I use the 15inch RCF sub (no idea what model it is) and it works a treat. Blows the DB sub out the water.


RCF ART705AS 800W. Not to be confused with the Sub 705 which is a different sub.

At your budget you should be able to afford the RCF 905 sub. Phone a few dealers and ask for 'best price' and you will get it within your budget I am sure. It will fit under your booth and add plenty of bottom end.

Thank you guys for all of your views and opinions. I really appreciate it.

If I did go for a DB Tech sub, it would have to be a 15D as I've heard it before and I really liked the sound of it.

Shakermaker - Are they the SRM 1801's and not the SWA 1501's or SWA1801's?

I'm not sure about the RCF subs, as I haven't had any demos or anything of them, so I would need to do that before I make a purchase.

[Charlie Brown]

Before you buy ANY sub, please please listen to the RCF.

I've had the db sub you're on about and hired a pair of mackie subs + the hd mackie subs and the RCF on its own is far more superior. Build quality, sound etc. Probably why it's the most expensive...

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thank you guys for all of your views and opinions. I really appreciate it.

Shakermaker - Are they the SRM 1801's and not the SWA 1501's or SWA1801's?

To be honest I am not 100% but I think they may have been 1501's?

[paulg]

Thank you guys for all of your views and opinions. I really appreciate it.

If I did go for a DB Tech sub, it would have to be a 15D as I've heard it before and I really liked the sound of it.

Shakermaker - Are they the SRM 1801's and not the SWA 1501's or SWA1801's?

I'm not sure about the RCF subs, as I haven't had any demos or anything of them, so I would need to do that before I make a purchase.

You'd be well advised to look at the RCF subs if you can though. The 15D's are bandpass design whilst the RCF's are direct radiating and there is a big difference in output and throw. I've done side by side tests and the RCF's do seem better.

Based on talk on here, I bought a pair of the 15D's blind from the interweb (or should that be deaf) but I hated them from day one. It was my mistake, but it depends what you personally define as bass, whether you want it punchy, whether you want to hear much of the lower frequencies etc. Once I'd learnt my lesson not to listen too long or hard to other people about PA and instead listen to the products on offer, I went round loads of shops to audition subs. I took my own tops along too to run along side them. After finally talking to the very honest guys at RCF, I chose the 18" RCF 4 PRO. For me, it's an excellent jack of all trades sub for the money (just over the £1000 you want to spend though). On the plus side, it's very unlikely you'd need two if you are matching with SRM's. I seldom use both of mine. Downside: heavy!

PS: I'd recommend some form of EQ when using 12" Mackies - rather like RCF 12" tops, they don't do themselves justice when simply run flat or in boost mode. A little cutting of the coarse mid and high frequencies really makes them come alive.

[Excalibur]

As we've said countless times before, and will do again, you must listen first. Picking them up might also be informative.

I remember folk enthusing about early Db subs, and then being less than ecstatic about the digital replacement. You've got to buy what suits your ears, your back, your vehicle and your pocket.

[paulg]

As we've said countless times before, and will do again, you must listen first. Picking them up might also be informative.

I remember folk enthusing about early Db subs, and then being less than ecstatic about the digital replacement. You've got to buy what suits your ears, your back, your vehicle and your pocket.

......and as the years pass, probably what suits your back is the biggest consideration. Forget the sound, it's just a muffled rumble anyway.

also, if you can get one, the non digital verison of the 4 pro is also better - more oomph to move that big driver.

[WWDJ]

......and as the years pass, probably what suits your back is the biggest consideration.

which is why I have 12" subs 27kg ..... :D :D :D

[paulg]

which is why I have 12" subs 27kg ..... :D :D :D

and I have the standing posture of a monkey.

[DynamoTom]

Thank you for posting all your views and opinions.

I've had a look around the fourm and internet and come up with a DB Tech 15D, RCF ART 905, or an Electrovoice ELX118P.