Speakers

[BitterVirtue]

Hi all

I am just wondering which speakers I should get for my new setup, I am looking at Active speakers, and want to know if they are better/easier to setup than passive speakers?

I had passive speakers last time with a separate Amp, are Active better or should I stick to what I know?

Many thanks

[rth_discos]

Personally I prefer active speakers, for the simple reason that if one dies, I don't lose the whole system.

Whereas an amp going takes out all of your sound.

I can't really think of a reason why I would buy passive speakers for mobile work.

[musicology]

I agree with the above. Active all the way for me. I use Yamaha DXR12's. Sweet!

[stormproductions]

Passive is basically old technology now. I'm no audio expert (I mainly do lighting) but as far as I can tell most active cabs weigh less that the passive ones did 20 years ago and contain the amps within them without being any larger, so you gain by having amps/speakers matched to work nicely together by the manufacturers and by saving weight and the space your old amps used to take up.

I still use mostly passive kit as that's what I've got and it works for me.

I have also got a pair of lower powered active speakers too that get used for background music and speeches etc and are great, although it does mean having to run both mains and signal cable to each cabinet which can be a little awkward.

I too am looking at changing my main system, but I need to save some pennies first! Essentially if you're changing the whole system nowadays, there don't seem to be many advantages to staying passive.

[Excalibur]

Personally I prefer active speakers, for the simple reason that if one dies, I don't lose the whole system.

Whereas an amp going takes out all of your sound.

I can't really think of a reason why I would buy passive speakers for mobile work.

Two active cabs = two amplifiers. Two passive cabs, and two amplifiers = same result. I wouldn't dream of not carrying a backup amp of some description. If you lost one active cab, you'd probably limp along with one, so no loss of music. If you had to swap amps, yes there would be a break, but if the backup was the same power, no loss of volume. A six and two threes.

Assuming you buy an amp that's a decent match for your speakers, there's no right or wrong answer to the question. I have active cabs, and most often go out with two actives. Last Sunday night, I had six passive cabs in play. That's how it goes.

The one case where actives win absolutely hands down is if you have tops ( passive or active, doesn't matter ) and you want to add one sub. Active two channel sub, every time, no question.

Mike, if we get an idea of budget, and likely use, that may help us to offer more specific advice, and possibly makers and models.

[BitterVirtue]

Thanks for all the replies, budget is about £1500 give or take, which I need speakers, Mixer and some lights and a rig.

Mostly will be venues such as Social Clubs or pubs.

Will be using for disco and karaoke.

[rth_discos]

My suggestion:

£686.79 http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_box_pro_achat_110m112_sub_passiv.htm
£189.99 https://www.djkit.com/american-audio/american-audio-19-mxr-4-channel-midi-mixer-with-4x4-sound-card.html?cat=115
£145.75 http://www.thomann.de/gb/cameoclmpar_1led_lighting_set.htm
£116.99 https://www.djkit.com/ultimax/ultimax-dj-stand-no-lighting-bar.html?cat=383
£69.99 https://www.djkit.com/ultimax/classic-12m-dj-stand-front-curtain-kit-mk-ii.html?cat=383
£78.00 http://www.terralec.co.uk/mixer__cd_player_cases/cobra_lighting_controller_case/16703_p.html
£59.00 https://www.djkit.com/kam/kam-kwm11-dual-vhf-microphone-system-.html?cat=301

£1346.51

My fear however is that at such a limited budget, you may want to replace your speakers quite soon, which isn't ideal

You could start with 2 of these http://www.thomann.de/gb/rcf_art_312_a_mk_iii.htm (£347.66 each) and add sub(s) at a later date.

My best advice: spend as much as you can on speakers at this stage. You can easily upgrade the rest (add more lights etc), but not so easy to do with speakers (unless as I suggest above, you start building a system with a longer term view)

[yourdj]

My usual answer:

LD Dave and two RCF 310 passive. ;)

But as others have said - one amp!

[Andy P]

Just bought FBT X-Pro's and love them, the X-lites are a very good deal too

[DJColsie]

My first actives were Whafedale Titans. They served me very well for 3 years.