Mackie thump TH15A

[DJ Max]

Hi, I have been offered a pair of used Mackie Thumps th15A for £350. Is this a good deal or too expensive? Are they any good at all and how do they compare with others? Am I better off buying new budget active speakers for £350?

Thanks for advise!

[Retrodisco]

Depends which version, the latest V3 are an improvement, but they are still a budget speaker.

A new set of V3 can be had for about £430, so £350 isn't that great unless they are nearly new.

[DJ Max]

The cheapest I came across as new is £480. not sure if they are V2 or 3 but was told that they are as new condition used twice and still in boxes. But saying that I have not seen them yet! Would they be better than the budget Ekho or skytec?

[Retrodisco]

The cheapest I came across as new is £480. not sure if they are V2 or 3 but was told that they are as new condition used twice and still in boxes. But saying that I have not seen them yet! Would they be better than the budget Ekho or skytec?

Yes much better than those brands.

[funkymook]

I’ve never heard a glowing review of the Thumps (any version) and I tried a venues own pair once, I decided to bring my own system. And you have to wonder why someone is selling them after only two uses!

My advice would be to increase your budget and go for new or good s/h from a tried and tested make like RCF or FBT etc.

[Nakatomi]

Don't! Just don't.

Spend the money (and a little more) on a pair of alto Ts215 instead. Seriously.

The thumps are not what they say they are by any stretch of the imagination. Loud? No. Sound nice? No. High power? PMSL. I've been inside some & they're not all that. Not even remotely.

I'd echo what Martin says about spending extra & getting better 2nd hand too. I was tempted to get thumps once & am SO glad I didn't.

For that kind of money there'd be Db Opera 15" actives, or Mackie SRM450 or RCFs. Heck i just saw a pair of FBT Xlite 12s barely 2 years old go for under 450 quid.

My own SRM450 v1 cost me 350 for the pair more than a year ago & they're not great IMHO but still MILES better than the utter rubbish thumps.

[Nakatomi]

And here is WHY you really don't wanna buy a Mackie Thump. Of any version:

From one of my earlier posts where I had a rant because I had one in to fix:



I've got a little job on at the moment of repairing a Mackie Thump 15A. It doesn't power on. So, I grabbed the schematics & had a good old nosey around. The LF amp, usually the strongest amp in a bi-amped active speaker is based on a TDA8924 chip! Maxed out, in bridge mode that IC is good for 240WRMS. Add the HF side, using a TDA7294 which when given 100V (which it ain't) can deliver 100WRMS into 8 Ohms.

Ah, so that's (in theory) only 340WRMS you say. Good. Then we come to the power supply. Split rail 28V at 5 amps. That'll give us about 280W!!! That's quite some way from your 1000 Watts isn't it, Mr Mackie? Even in their spec sheet they say the LF amp is 400W RMS. NOPE. Not when the chip amplifier can only deliver 240WRMS. Very very very naughty Mackie.


So the sum total of the amplifier power in the speaker is 340W RMS. But the power supply can only deliver 280W. And that isn't even continuous, cos there's nowhere for all the heat produced to go. In short, they're complete & utter cack.

I tested it out good & proper after the repair, and to be fair it sounded better than I expected. Loud though? Nah. Maybe a pair would hold their own for up to 80 people in a small room but I wouldn't want to push them.

[Benny Smyth]

In short, they're complete & utter cack.

For crying out loud, Justin. Get off that fence before you get splinters in your ass. :p

[DJ Max]

Thanks all for your advice, I will not touch them. The Alto's ts215 sound good! Maybe I should wait and save some more money! I already have an Alto Truesonic 15 Sub which although it's not the loudest, the quality of sound is nice and I like it. My tops are budget and that's why I'm looking to replace.

[DJ Max]

The older Alto TS115, are they any good? They are cheaper in the second hand market!

[Nakatomi]

The older Alto TS115, are they any good? They are cheaper in the second hand market!

As well as SRM450 V1, I also rock a pair of TS115A - they're very very good speakers for the money. Not the best looking or hardest wearing of cabinets, but look after them with padded covers & they'll be fine. Also, don't run them full belt with the contour switch on, or indeed run them into limiting continuously either (but then I'd say that of any active speaker system).

FWIW Alto also lie about output power, though not as much as Mackie do :D

My SRM450s are louder, but I much prefer the sound of the Altos. And their weight.

EDIT: You need the A version. The TS115 (no A) is passive only.

BWAHAHA.. on Ebay they're going for more than I paid for mine new - with stands :rofl: (£400)

[DJ Max]

BWAHAHA.. on Ebay they're going for more than I paid for mine new - with stands :rofl: (£400)

So you are happy with them, That's a good deal £400!! Can you still get them at that price new??? :)

Are they ok to run them on their own for about 80/100 people?

[Nakatomi]

So you are happy with them, That's a good deal £400!! Can you still get them at that price new??? :)

Are they ok to run them on their own for about 80/100 people?

Gear4music have some but stock is limited.

For up to 100 people in most venues they'll be fine on their own. With one 15" sub they coped with a prom of over 120 kids but were about on their limit. Students really know how to make noise!

[Excalibur]

I’ve never heard a glowing review of the Thumps (any version) and I tried a venues own pair once, I decided to bring my own system. And you have to wonder why someone is selling them after only two uses!

My advice would be to increase your budget and go for new or good s/h from a tried and tested make like RCF or FBT etc.

Good advice, backed up by Justin's experiences. Right, with the Thumps blown out of the water, what do we have left? Max, the TS1 series Altos are cheaper cos they're older, and a slightly lower spec than the 2 series. Avoid the TX like the plague, have you read the specs? They're firmly in the lowest bracket.
Mackie SRM 450 are contenders, and Justin owns them and the Alto TS215. Worthy of consideration. Db Chromo and Opera are in the frame if you can find them at the right price, and I was impressed by the FBT J series at Coalville. RCF 315 and above will blow your socks off.

My first choice though, as I've owned a pair for a year now, would be the Proel V15 (http://www.proel.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=12883) but not at this price s/h (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Proel-V15A-V-Series-Active-300W-RMS-15-Speakers-12-Months-Pat-Certification-/162154149900?hash=item25c123f80c:g:1ZAAAOSwRoxXnfi p)with faults
They are exceedingly capable cabs, and will cope with large venues of younger folk with ease. I rarely turn the gain up past 12 o'clock.

Curve ball? You've got the Alto sub, don't rule out 12" cabs. That would mean you'd take the sub out a lot more than if you had 15s. Food for thought.

[Nakatomi]

I won't even entertain the idea of FBT now. One person I know has had to send one of his back twice now for the same fault. Exploding. No. Once is unlucky, a fluke production issue. Twice? Hmmm. Hardly user error either. And it wasn't one of the cheaper models either.

Even on Faceache FBT fanboys are surprisingly quiet these days when folk ask for opinions on active speaker options. In fairness they seem to turn warranty repairs around quickly but still. None of us want to have to use backup gear.

[DJ Max]

Gear4music have some but stock is limited.

For up to 100 people in most venues they'll be fine on their own. With one 15" sub they coped with a prom of over 120 kids but were about on their limit. Students really know how to make noise!

I think that they are cheaper on e bay, are these the on'e?? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alto-TS115-Truesonic-2000W-15-Passive-PA-DJ-Speaker-TS-115-PAIR-Stands-/191363898181?hash=item2c8e2d5b45:g:GbYAAOSwAHZUM89 L


Good advice, backed up by Justin's experiences. Right, with the Thumps blown out of the water, what do we have left? Max, the TS1 series Altos are cheaper cos they're older, and a slightly lower spec than the 2 series. Avoid the TX like the plague, have you read the specs? They're firmly in the lowest bracket.
Mackie SRM 450 are contenders, and Justin owns them and the Alto TS215. Worthy of consideration. Db Chromo and Opera are in the frame if you can find them at the right price, and I was impressed by the FBT J series at Coalville. RCF 315 and above will blow your socks off.

My first choice though, as I've owned a pair for a year now, would be the Proel V15 (http://www.proel.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=12883) but not at this price s/h (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Proel-V15A-V-Series-Active-300W-RMS-15-Speakers-12-Months-Pat-Certification-/162154149900?hash=item25c123f80c:g:1ZAAAOSwRoxXnfi p)with faults
They are exceedingly capable cabs, and will cope with large venues of younger folk with ease. I rarely turn the gain up past 12 o'clock.

Curve ball? You've got the Alto sub, don't rule out 12" cabs. That would mean you'd take the sub out a lot more than if you had 15s. Food for thought.

Thanks for your advise!

[DJ Max]

sorry ignore that as they are passive :(

[DJ Max]

Are Behringer any good? Found these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEHRINGER-EUROLIVE-B212A-ACTIVE-SPEAKERS/282147202521?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D37440%26meid%3Ddbd92f7bd4594fabac11e879d8a1 dbdf%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D18%26sd%3D282 137554818) on e bay and they want £200 for them.

They are 12" and not 15

[CRAZY K]

Are Behringer any good? Found these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEHRINGER-EUROLIVE-B212A-ACTIVE-SPEAKERS/282147202521?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D37440%26meid%3Ddbd92f7bd4594fabac11e879d8a1 dbdf%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D18%26sd%3D282 137554818) on e bay and they want £200 for them.

They are 12" and not 15

i think for a serious set up you need better than this.:rolleyes:

[Nakatomi]

Bottom line is, you need to be avoiding brands like Behringer, Soundlab, ProSound, Skytec ... and Mackie Thump.

Incidentally, why is it I'm always reminded of the Goodies when I see those words together?

[CRAZY K]

Bottom line is, you need to be avoiding brands like Behringer, Soundlab, ProSound, Skytec ... and Mackie Thump.

Incidentally, why is it I'm always reminded of the Goodies when I see those words together?

Have heard Prosound which sometimes sounds half reasonable--as to reliability--no ideas:rolleyes:

[Retrodisco]

Even on Faceache FBT fanboys are surprisingly quiet these days when folk ask for opinions on active speaker options. In fairness they seem to turn warranty repairs around quickly but still. None of us want to have to use backup gear.

This will be X series speakers then, the first batch had issues, later ones not and other ranges seem as good as ever.

[Excalibur]

Are Behringer any good? Found these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEHRINGER-EUROLIVE-B212A-ACTIVE-SPEAKERS/282147202521?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%2 6asc%3D37440%26meid%3Ddbd92f7bd4594fabac11e879d8a1 dbdf%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D18%26sd%3D282 137554818) on e bay and they want £200 for them.

They are 12" and not 15


i think for a serious set up you need better than this.:rolleyes:


Bottom line is, you need to be avoiding brands like Behringer, Soundlab, ProSound, Skytec ... and Mackie Thump.

There's your answer. I've heard some Behringer cabs really struggle when pushed, which sounded fine at lower levels. They're not the quality you're looking for.


Incidentally, why is it I'm always reminded of the Goodies when I see those words together?
Same reason as I do probably. :D

[Nakatomi]

There's your answer. I've heard some Behringer cabs really struggle when pushed, which sounded fine at lower levels. They're not the quality you're looking for.


Same reason as I do probably. :D

BPM 2016 - Yorky Speaker Technologies is very proud to announce the launch of their brand new public address system range. .... every model in the Eckie Thump range has a casing moulded from the finest black pudding...

[funkymook]

BPM 2016 - Yorky Speaker Technologies is very proud to announce the launch of their brand new public address system range. .... every model in the Eckie Thump range has a casing moulded from the finest black pudding...

That sounds like a goodie....

[DJ Max]

Just ordered a pair of the Alto TS215, hopefully together with the Alto truesonic 15 Sub I should have a decent sound system.

[Excalibur]

Just ordered a pair of the Alto TS215, hopefully together with the Alto truesonic 15 Sub I should have a decent sound system.

It's a decent enough midrange system. Should be fine, let us know what you think after a few outings. Simon Cowey ( Soundscapes ) has the 215s, and rates them highly

[CRAZY K]

It's a decent enough midrange system. Should be fine, let us know what you think after a few outings. Simon Cowey ( Soundscapes ) has the 215s, and rates them highly

We have the 12inch tops and the 15 inch sub--we like them as well.

[DJColsie]

I do believe our learned friend from Yorkshire has the ts210s and isn't over impressed with them.

[Excalibur]

I do believe our learned friend from Yorkshire has the ts210s and isn't over impressed with them.

I do have them, and the only issue I have with them is that they're not even half the cab they replaced. Full heartbreaking story here. (http://www.forum.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/showthread.php?43365-A-tale-of-speaker-woes-(-And-good-luck-)&highlight=phonic)

Nevertheless, they're doing all I ask of them, and currently they're going out more than any other speaker of mine, possibly two out of every three gigs. I must point out that I am currently experiencing many gigs with less than seventy five guests or so. ( A fortnight ago I used the PSR8s on their own, mainly cos the room was smaller than many living rooms :) They were not found wanting. )

All you have to remember is to pick the right sized cabs for the job, and run them within their limits. Simples. :)

[Nakatomi]

We have the 12inch tops and the 15 inch sub--we like them as well.

FWIW I heard some TS112A recently & wasn't underwhelmed by them.

[Excalibur]

FWIW I heard some TS112A recently & wasn't underwhelmed by them.

I heard some a while ago against the QTX I was using at the time ( and perfectly happy with, I have to say ) and was impressed by the Altos.