Genuine and constructive opinions on Soundlab and Skytec please....

[leighinstoke]

Reason is - very tight for cash here at the moment but things are starting to look a touch 'old' - dented corners on my current cabs, etc.

Despite all the jokes about Soundlab stuff (red and blue cabs, podlights and the other bits and bobs etc) - how does the rest of their speaker range, and also the Skytec stuff rate?

I'm not looking for speakers that will help me to blow the roof off the building and I actually have a pair of Skytec subs that are ok - just looking for some tops or maybe buying new subs and tops on a budget at present that will see me through then become spares when I upgrade once the cash is healthy again.

Amp will be my Behringer EP2500 so they will at least have something decent behind them.

Finally - to give you an idea, I tend to do a lot of resident work and the gear is stored at the place (I'm blessed with a secure lockup!) with maybe the odd booking off site - so the cabs won't be travelling as far as some mobile gear would.

Appreciate all comments on these makes (and not just recommendations to buy other types.)

Leigh.....

[Excalibur]

Reason is - very tight for cash here at the moment but things are starting to look a touch 'old' - dented corners on my current cabs, etc.

Despite all the jokes about Soundlab stuff (red and blue cabs, podlights and the other bits and bobs etc) - how does the rest of their speaker range, and also the Skytec stuff rate?

I'm not looking for speakers that will help me to blow the roof off the building and I actually have a pair of Skytec subs that are ok - just looking for some tops or maybe buying new subs and tops on a budget at present that will see me through then become spares when I upgrade once the cash is healthy again.

Amp will be my Behringer EP2500 so they will at least have something decent behind them.

Finally - to give you an idea, I tend to do a lot of resident work and the gear is stored at the place (I'm blessed with a secure lockup!) with maybe the odd booking off site - so the cabs won't be travelling as far as some mobile gear would.

Appreciate all comments on these makes (and not just recommendations to buy other types.)

Leigh.....

OK, first up I realise I'm going against the exhortation in the last line, BUT:-
I have not compared prices, but if it were a straight choice between Skytec and Class-D, then it's no contest in my book. Sorry I have no experience of Soundlab/Skytec to pass on.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Funnily enough - exactly what I was going to put, but read the last line of the post and didn't!

[colint]

what about self built cabs?

if your a bit handy with wood work you could build your own or spend the cash you have re-building your present cabs with new drivers!

[A1DL]

Noooo, take no notice of Colin and the self building lark - it's got to be the Soundlab red devils every time :D

Forget the blue or the black Soundlabs, the red carpet has special acoustic properties that make those boxes deliver an extra 6db and if you stack them four a side they'll go down to 50hz.

... and that row of piezos makes them look really sexy IMHO, but be warned, the replacement bulletts are about 64p each :D :D

[Paul James Promotions]

be warned, the replacement bulletts are about 64p each :D :D

That much? :eek: :eek: :eek:







































:D

[Tom]

tony......are you being sarcastic or being honest???

[Paul James Promotions]

tony......are you being sarcastic or being honest???

He actually has lots of red speaker cabinets himself, so i'd say he was being honest :rolleyes: :)

[spin mobile disco]

I used skytec tops for a while and had no problem with them. In fact I waould say there sound quaility is very good. However they do use paper cones that although tough will degrade with time. But you should get 5 years or more out of them. I wouldnt bother with the smaller ones as the build quaility is much better on the larger ones. But it is worth considering that you can but some Peavey st15's for £100 a pair at the moment and they are outstanding speakers. Simply the best you can get for that money. Stagebeat had them for £89.95 each and buy one get one free this weekend in a promotion. I would suspect them of repeating it soon so take a look.
I have used soundlab lighting and although some effects look ok etc I find the long term effects do not last. I would say skytec over soundlab any day. But if you can get peaveys for the same price then buy some peaveys you will not regret it I promise. (peaveys have a 5 year warantee as well)

[Dragonfly]

to be honest i have never listened to sky tec or soundlab stuff but if you can judge anything by googleing there seems to be a fair few rigs with those red soundlabs attached to them??

[A1DL]

http://www.ukdj.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=8542

[Tom]

10 = £6.10


CHEAP. :lol:

[Corabar Steve]

Do you think that maybe just once we could mention the above brands without gear snobbery creeping in?

[Dragonfly]

to be honest i have never listened to sky tec or soundlab stuff but if you can judge anything by googleing there seems to be a fair few rigs with those red soundlabs attached to them??

sensible and honest post :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: for me

[DJ James Lake]

I had a pair of soundlab speakers once, be very cautious there power handling is very poor. The magnets on the cones are extremely small. Mine died mid gig after melting the voice coils.

Not sure about skytec, but would suspect the same.

If your on a budget, look at KAM i've had a pair of the 18" subs for 2 years now and given them one hell of a pounding and they take every bit

[CRAZY K]

10 = £6.10


CHEAP. :lol:

Hmmmm-far too cheap--100 watts eh?

Seems a bit unlikely---maybe they only last for one tune:eek: :eek: :eek:

I bought some Maplins drivers at £10 a go for my old spare Skytec Horns--they sound ok for small gigs.

CRAZY K

[kilmeedyman]

I had a pair of Soundlab cabinets, 15" woofer and Celestion drivers which performed very well indeed. They were not the entry-level range.

I don't know if they are still available new but would be a good buy used if in good condition.

[BeerFunk]

I can't say I've had much experience with either Soundlab or Skytec, but based on their reputation over the last few years or so, they should be good for a couple of years at the minimum. If that minimum is long enough for you, then what do you have to lose? The sound quality is acceptable, but it could be a false economy in the long run (or then again, you could be lucky and have them for years!)

[leighinstoke]

Hi guys - thanks for the good comments and otherwise.

I didn't realise the prices of Class-D cabs - you've certainly given me something to think about with their range - especially seeing what they have to offer.

Leigh....

[Corabar Entertainment]

Definitely worth it Leigh.

We were in a venue the other week to do a kids party. It was a bit of a strange party in that it was already going whilst we were setting up (long story, not worth going in to). Anyway, the venue had their own system installed which we used to play a few CDs on whilst we were setting up. The speakers were KAM and sounded OK...... until Steve turned the Class-Ds on! ...... There was absolutely NO comparison in the sound quality - the Class D's wiped the floor and were in a different league. Now I know that KAM aren't one of the expensive makes, but it's the only side-by-side comparison we have made.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Now I know that KAM aren't one of the expensive makes

To be fair Ang, KAM have a cheaper range and a more expensive range too.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Yes, I appreciate that - but all I was trying to say was that we hadn't done a side-by-side comparison with any of the higher-end cabs (and whether they were the cheaper or more expensive KAM range, I don't think anyone classes them as 'high-end')

[colint]

Noooo, take no notice of Colin and the self building lark - it's got to be the Soundlab red devils every time :D

Forget the blue or the black Soundlabs, the red carpet has special acoustic properties that make those boxes deliver an extra 6db and if you stack them four a side they'll go down to 50hz.

... and that row of piezos makes them look really sexy IMHO, but be warned, the replacement bulletts are about 64p each :D :D

The red carpet sound just yummie! I'm of down to allied carpets they got a sale on!

[Excalibur]

Do you think that maybe just once we could mention the above brands without gear snobbery creeping in?

NO! Next question please. :mad:


Hi guys - thanks for the good comments and otherwise.

I didn't realise the prices of Class-D cabs - you've certainly given me something to think about with their range - especially seeing what they have to offer.

Leigh....

Go for it Sir, personally I don't think anyone gives more bang for your bucks! Memo to self, must see if I can get commission for all these referrals!;)

[gillo]

ive had a pair of skytec cabs and soundlab cabe in for repair and there was no comparison between the two! skytec over soundlab any day! a-b tested a sskytec 15'' and a soundlab 15'' and the skytec was rated at 150 watts rms soundlab 300 watts rms and the skytec out performed it by miles! i used to own a skytec pa the higher end of it and the sound was nothing short of stunning! i also own a set of classd cd 158(15 inch) and these are gorgeous sounding cabs, dont go for the 12 inch version there no way near as powerful.