bruce Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 I'm looking at buying a small powered wedge monitor, or maybe a pair. Any recommendations? There are several criteria, which obviously will mean some compromise.... Currently I'm using one of two options - either my mate's rubbishy LEEM keyboard combo amp - which seems woefully underpowered for its size - or a pair of old Peavey unpowered monitors. Can't remember the name, but the Peaveys are the very "lightweight" ones in moulded cases, with a 12+horn, where 2 of them "clip together" face-to-face for transport. Lightweight package, but also lightweight sound. And it means carrying a separate amp and more spaghetti. Normal "gigging" use will be for my own band. That's folk/ceilidh music, smallish venues, usually 2-3 mics for acoustic instruments plus a midi input for keyboards (which also provides bass). Usually this is through a small 1U mixer, feeding a 300Wpc amp and a pair of Celestion SR-1 cabs, with the SRC-1 controller. Occasionally an extra sub (HZ International SB300). Normally a perfectly adequate system for the sort of venues we play. When not gigging - ie for most of the time - I'd probably use it at home connected to a single midi expander, for practice. Whatever I buy needs to be reasonably compact and lightweight. I can currently fit the above system, plus stands and a box of cables, in the back of the car without folding the seats down. And my bad back says "keep it light"... so no 18mm ply... And budget is, as ever, limited.... Has anyone tried the cheapie Thomann monitors? 12"+piezo, 100W, balanced input, 3 band EQ and a notch filter. But at just 75 quid, can they be any good? Any thoughts? Bruce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Langfeld Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 If size is an issue, and you are playing in small venues, where stage noise is going to be a problem, and you can stretch to £250, then you have dBTechnologies IEM gear available to you. For the price, wedges are really not worth it these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 IEMs.... Hmmm - hadn't really considered that option. It wouldn't really fit this particular application, cos one of our regular gigs is an "open mic" environment, where you may have up to 20 musos using the same kit each night. even for when it's just the small band playing, it's still 250 pounds per person.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Lawrance Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 Berry B300's!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Beech Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 hmmm b300'#s never used them in a monitor situation. suppose they could work. I've not heard the thomann powered stuff although I've got half a dozen unpowered 10's and they're not a bad little box for the money. the feet they are supplied with to stand them as wedges are crap. they break when you look at them, get lost in the van, and the bloody things still point at your knees when on them. nothing a few bits of gaffa covered polystyrene can't fix!.these are NOT ones with piezo tweeters so I can't comment on these, my guess is they woudln't really be up to the job. Certainly look into the next range up. mine are the PA110 but I dont know the powered versions number. Just done an hour set with my band at Butlins Minehead in reds, I swear those Martin wedges get worse. couldn't hear a bloody thing. worst of it is. we've got a run every wednesday from may to november in there. Give me my IEM anyday!Which brings me onto IEM. it is a shame about the situation as IEM is becoming more an more popular. Lot of going on about nothing and not much information but. its late. M5 was closed, no diversion set. was driving round bloody Swindon half an hour. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpitkin Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 I've used recently: db opera live 202's:- 12" plastic boxes, ~200W can do small FOH or monitors, built in mic pre, balanced jack and XLR I/O sounds alright, bought 2, arent built amazingly well (rig gets used 2+ times /week gets thrown in a car at least once a week and small bits have fallen off). £250/box Wharfdale SPV-12M?: 12" wooden boxes, unbalanced inputs, can run a second passive monitor, no idea how they sound as I've not wondered to have a listen in the church situation they are in, musos say they are fantastic compared to old Peavey wedges. Only usable as monitors. £200/pair perhaps? Given the choice I'd side with the db stuff, I did when I bought them for the client I bought them for vs the slightly pricier wharfedale kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted March 6, 2006 Author Share Posted March 6, 2006 I've actually got a couple of the B300s, which I use for something completely different... They're reasonable boxes. Only one problem - they weight a bloomin' ton... Would prefer something with a 12" rather than 15" for this particular application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 I'd recommend the Wharfedale EVP-X 12PM 300W powered 12†+ 1†wedge monitor. It retails at £255.00 + VAT, and can run a passive slave if needed. +ve It sounds quite good for the money It's fairly light - ve The new version has a sticky label that takes off the grille paint! I've had one dead on arrival and one dead after 3 months. The dealer replaced both under warranty quite quickly. The slave output is on a jack conector! Why not use an NL4??! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkie Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 - ve The slave output is on a jack conector! Why not use an NL4??!Must be a cost issue; why don't all speakers come with NL4's so people don't try to connect them up using guitar leads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mal421 Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 A slighty sideways look . How about replacing your Celestions with Carlsboro NXT's . They're flat panel spaeakers and you get as much sound off the back as you do off . You will have to use the sub all the time though . Just a thought . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce Posted March 6, 2006 Author Share Posted March 6, 2006 . They're flat panel spaeakers and you get as much sound off the back as you do off Sounds like a recipe for feedback - or at least uncontrollability! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mal421 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 They're not too bad . We are talking folk band so stage levels shouldn't be too high . The NXT's would be of no use to a rock band for example . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.