Yamaha DXR 12 vs RCF ART 312A mk3

[AndyStevens2408]

Hi

I've been offered a swap , my yamaha DXR12's ,which are now 2 years old ,for a set of RCF312A's mark 3,which are only 3 months old.

Both sets of speakers have covers and are in mint condition.

Can I have your thoughts please as I've only owned mackie , Jbl and Yamaha in the past.

Many thanks

[Excalibur]

Hello Andy, and welcome to the forum. Firstly, welcome, and could I ask you to pop across to the Newbies section, and introduce yourself. It's quite painless, and we like to know who we're typing to.

Secondly, re the speakers, I'm sorry I have no idea at all. I can't see a huge difference between the two, both quality speakers, same size drivers. I'd cheerfully use either if asked to.

[AndyStevens2408]

Hello Andy, and welcome to the forum. Firstly, welcome, and could I ask you to pop across to the Newbies section, and introduce yourself. It's quite painless, and we like to know who we're typing to.

Secondly, re the speakers, I'm sorry I have no idea at all. I can't see a huge difference between the two, both quality speakers, same size drivers. I'd cheerfully use either if asked to.

Consider it done!

Cheers

[Pe7e]

I'd stick with your yamaha DXR12's if I were you, why do you think he wants to exchange his virtually new speakers with their guarantee for your older ones that he would no longer have the benefit of one with?

[AndyStevens2408]

I'd stick with your yamaha DXR12's if I were you, why do you think he wants to exchange his virtually new speakers with their guarantee for your older ones that he would no longer have the benefit of one with?

My friend claims that he wants to swap them as yamahas have an RCA connection on the back. He was the original owner of these, had 2 sets and sold me a pair. Unfortunately his pair were stolen so bought the RCF. He has offered a straight swap plus £100 cash.

[funkymook]

Hi Andy - they’re both excellent speakers so I think it just comes down to personal taste, any chance you can play them side by side before deciding?

[AndyStevens2408]

Hi Andy - they’re both excellent speakers so I think it just comes down to personal taste, any chance you can play them side by side before deciding?

Hi , yes that may be an option, I was just trying to get a general feel as to whether you guys thought this may be a worthwhile swap.

[Pe7e]

My friend claims that he wants to swap them as yamahas have an RCA connection on the back. He was the original owner of these, had 2 sets and sold me a pair. Unfortunately his pair were stolen so bought the RCF. He has offered a straight swap plus £100 cash.

That problem could easily be solved for a couple of £s with a simple RCA - XLR adapter lead, I think there must be another reason he wants rid of the RCFs, I suspect quality. I've owned a pair of the earlier RCFs in the past and they were OK speakers, but I was not particularly impressed, however sound is a very personal choice. Regarding the Yamaha DXR 12s, I've never owned a pair, so I can't comment on them from personal experience, but all the things I have read and heard about them, have never contained anything but favourable comments and few seem to make their way to the S/H marketplace, which in itself says something. Be sure to audition both speakers side by side before committing yourself to the swap. If you take a look at the customer ratings on the Thomann site the both get a nominal 5* rating, but digging deeper, the RCFs get far more 4* than the Yamahas. Pricewise the RCFs are £736 a pair, the Yamahas are £1190 a pair, that's £454 you are dropping.

[AndyStevens2408]

That problem could easily be solved for a couple of £s with a simple RCA - XLR adapter lead, I think there must be another reason he wants rid of the RCFs, I suspect quality. I've owned a pair of the earlier RCFs in the past and they were OK speakers, but I was not particularly impressed, however sound is a very personal choice. Regarding the Yamaha DXR 12s, I've never owned a pair, so I can't comment on them from personal experience, but all the things I have read and heard about them, have never contained anything but favourable comments and few seem to make their way to the S/H marketplace, which in itself says something. Be sure to audition both speakers side by side before committing yourself to the swap. If you take a look at the customer ratings on the Thomann site the both get a nominal 5* rating, but digging deeper, the RCFs get far more 4* than the Yamahas. Pricewise the RCFs are £736 a pair, the Yamahas are £1190 a pair, that's £454 you are dropping.

Great advice and I am tending to agree with you , hence my lack of keenness and questioning of the swap.

[yourdj]

That problem could easily be solved for a couple of £s with a simple RCA - XLR adapter lead,

you know what I had not thought of that, pretty obvious. I have bought a small 8 inch Thomann Pro speaker for background and small ceremonies. Its has a jack/XLR, but using a RCA adapter would make more 'adaptable' for other uses. I have several Proel ones. With regards to the question, I have RCF art 310's and a Yamaha DBR12. Personally I would say the Yamahaa are better, regardless of age. They should be a bit louder also (128 vs 131 SPL). You have more versatility with ins and outs and a fantastic Bass / hi settings, plus a separate mic in.

18247

18248

[Excalibur]

After looking at Toby's piccies, it's obvious that the RCF are designed only as PA speakers, and not for want of a better word "all-in-one" speakers.

Plugging a mic and an mp3 player into one or two Yamahas is a doddle. Not so with RCF. If you only ever rock up, put a disco together and bash out the latest bangin' choons, no problem.

If you had the need to plug in a mic for announcing the running order of the ceremony, and simultaneously an mp3 player full of 100 greatest classical pieces scored for lute and kazoo, as background in the wedding breakfast, then no contest, it's Yamaha.

[AndyStevens2408]

Thanks all for your replies. My Yamahas are definitely more versatile than the RCF's.
I suppose I was treating the swap as an upgrade to "newer" speakers however I think I may have had the blinkers on!

[djdj]

Have to agree!!!

I love my Yamaha's
I have a set of 12s and 15s and would not swap them for anything!!
;)

[Imagine]

Have to agree!!!

I love my Yamaha's
I have a set of 12s and 15s and would not swap them for anything!!
;)

I've got the DXR8's, DXS12's and the DXR15's - wouldn't part with them for anything (although I've yet to hear these CS1000 things everyone seems to be rushing out to purchase).

[djdj]

I've got the DXR8's, DXS12's and the DXR15's - wouldn't part with them for anything (although I've yet to hear these CS1000 things everyone seems to be rushing out to purchase).

My 12's are the Wooden DSR variant and despite they are not as input friendly as the Plastic cabs, when put together with the Yamaha Sub that I have they sound awesome.
Not keen on the new Drainpipe system although I did like the sound on the Vertus.

[sweetie]

a swap for RCF HD12 would be more apt

[DJColsie]

I have never used Yamaha but respect the brand and warranty. Would be interested to hear them.

Still wouldn't swap my RCF HD12a's though.

[yourdj]

I have never used Yamaha but respect the brand and warranty. Would be interested to hear them.


If you want I can do a side by side test at an HDA meeting one time. I have the DBR12, but its not a lot different to the DXR12, just not as nice plastic and as far as i can see, a couple of buttons on the back? For the price it is a very good speaker. I like my RCF's, but if I was to go active it would certainly be the DXR. :)

[ppentertainments]

To be honest, overall, I think a swap would be just a 'like for like'

[TONYTIGER]

My 12's are the Wooden DSR variant and despite they are not as input friendly as the Plastic cabs, when put together with the Yamaha Sub that I have they sound awesome.
Not keen on the new Drainpipe system although I did like the sound on the Vertus.

The Vertus are brilliant ,as long as you dont want to do dance party's but great for weddings and general events very clear precise sound.

[hadyn]

I used to own rcf15s and rcf subs and sold them to buy brand new dxr15s plus subs
have to say afterwards the rcfs seemed slightly better sound but now I have 7 years guarantee and still great sounding speakers.
stick with the dxrs deal sounds dodgy :)

[ppentertainments]

The Vertus are brilliant ,as long as you dont want to do dance party's but great for weddings and general events very clear precise sound.
I know a lot rave about them, but the Vertus are the only speakers I have used and left with ringing in my ears. They are a good sound, but they fill the room with sound too much instead of just the dance floor. Look the part though I must admit :D

[yourdj]

they fill the room with sound too much instead of just the dance floor.

I think not the best option for a mixed function room with low numbers on the floor (70-100 with 50% dancing) as you will get granny trying to have a chat in the corner and not hearing what they are saying. I like my directional speakers as you can contain the sound a bit more. I can definitely see the benefits for other applications especially when you have 200+ people all partying as it throws the sound very well. Especially useful for marquees and venues where the sound will disperse easy.

I want to get a smaller system like this for background music in meals where everyone is baked into the room and delivering unified sound is hard, without a multiple speaker system in the ceiling. Just waiting for Bose to bring out a white compact in the UK. I do like the look of them and they are discrete and everyone knows the brand name. :)

[TONYTIGER]

I know a lot rave about them, but the Vertus are the only speakers I have used and left with ringing in my ears. They are a good sound, but they fill the room with sound too much instead of just the dance floor. Look the part though I must admit :D

You just need to know how to use them and which presets to use here is a comprehensive review http://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/fbt-vertus-cla-604a-cla-208sa