What's the best pair of mid priced fullrange cabs around

[Freestyle_Pete]

Hello

 

I'm new round these parts so hello to you all !!!

 

I'm after a new or second hand pair of PA speakers, they need to be loud (350w Rms ish into 4 ohms preferably) able to cope with a full band through them, passive and cost up to £1000

 

I'd consider a sub and satellite setup if they fitted into roughly the same size space, as I only have a ford focus to carry them about in with a load of other gear.

 

Currently I have a pair of Excel cabs they have an Eminence 1 x 15" driver a horn and tweeter, they are over 15 years old now and have served me very well considering they only cost £365 new, however I'm after something tastier now, that will really cut through but in a nice smooth way, with a good amount of bass

 

I've heard a few cabs like the Peavey Hysis 2's and Mackie's, they seem ok but I'd like something louder and better in the same size box if I can get it, I've looked at some old JBL M series, not really heard them driven hard though

 

 

Any suggestions or offers of pa speakers for sale would be greatly appreciated

 

 

Cheers

[cedd]

I believe there was recently a BlueRoomer (Rob Beech possibly) advertising a bunch of Martin F12's in the "For Sale" section. They may well fit the bill.

 

I've always liked the electrovoice cabinets (let's not get into the SX300 debate again!) but others aren't all convinced, they're worth listening to though.

 

I wouldn't look at the Mackie's. I was lucky enough to get hold of some of the last cabinets to leave their old factory - they're great. Unfortunately I also have a pair from their new facility in China - having quite a few problems with them. If you're buying Mackie, buy used.

[johndenim]

Loads and Loads of topics on this!

Welcome to BR, if you use the 'search' button top right you should find lots of other threads to enjoy.

 

So I take it you are wanting a 15"?

What's the app please?

You will find that many 12" will do the same as a 15", just a little less bottom end*.

 

* not the case everytime, some 12" cabs wipe the floor with certain 15's on the low end.

[Freestyle_Pete]

Cheers for the comments and the welcome guys

 

The cabs will be used as fold back in the my rehearsal room, so I need something that isn't too harsh at close range, but also used for medium sized live music venues (up to 200 people) as a FOH PA with a bit of everything put through them including kick and a bit of overheads off the drums, the cabs I have will do the job, but it all gets a bit muddy and distorted when I have to push them and the vocals never quite cut through

 

I like the idea of some Martins, EVs, RCFs or JBLs

 

To be honest I don't mind if the speakers are 12s or 15s so long as they punch the low bass of a kick drum out

 

Can you name a few models that I can check out on the net, I'm after something that's easily driven too as my amp isn't that powerful, I'll do a bit more digging around on here as well see what I can find

 

Cheers

[mksound]

Cheers for the comments and the welcome guys

 

The cabs will be used as fold back in the my rehearsal room, so I need something that isn't too harsh at close range, but also used for medium sized live music venues (up to 200 people) as a FOH PA with a bit of everything put through them including kick and a bit of overheads off the drums, the cabs I have will do the job, but it all gets a bit muddy and distorted when I have to push them and the vocals never quite cut through

 

I like the idea of some Martins, EVs, RCFs or JBLs

 

To be honest I don't mind if the speakers are 12s or 15s so long as they punch the low bass of a kick drum out

 

Can you name a few models that I can check out on the net, I'm after something that's easily driven too as my amp isn't that powerful, I'll do a bit more digging around on here as well see what I can find

 

Cheers

 

http://www.dv247.com/search/0/0/ProductQua...trovoice+zx5/1/

 

Check these EV speakers out. Slightly above your price range but at this price they're an amazing deal!

 

Whats the output of your amp?

 

Maybe you'd be better up grading your amp instead of your speakers because

if there's not enough headroom pushing the input volume will only cause distortion and possible damage to your speakers.

[Killyp]

If you want something which will push out a kick easily you may want to look at a 15" cab, but then you'd find it becomes harsh as 15"s are generally poor at the upper mid/low HF reproduction, particularly at high volumes.

 

I think you're asking a little too much. For foldback, a good pair of 12"s will be far more than capable and push out plenty of lows, but for >200 people venues, may struggle.

 

I would personally look at a pair of 12"s and a sub (or pair). From my experience, a pair of 12"s and a single 15" sub will push out a lot more than a single pair of 15" subs and actually produce a much, much better sound per £.

 

It may just be my opinion but if you're looking at spending this much on a mid-range PA system, maybe you would be best off getting a car which can carry the lot too (especially at the moment when cars are at an all time low).

[Rob_Beech]

A pair of second hand TQ315 MIGHT be reachable within your £1000 budget. Though you'd be fighting me for them if they came up for sale on the usual places. They're a little more than 350 watts, but will happily be driven with a CLEAN 350 watts if that is all your amplifier has to give. They're a 136dB box which is loud, and they handle the LF really well too for a full range box. They're heavy, but will go on a decent stand.

[Freestyle_Pete]

Cheers for the advice from you all

 

My amp is a Yamaha p3500 which gives 350watts 8 ohms 500 watts into 4 ohms, which is more than I thought it was

 

I'll look into the ones you've suggested

 

Thanks

[Freestyle_Pete]

Has anyone heard any Logic XP15s, they seem pretty good and I've found a pair for about £1600 second hand in good condition

 

Any thoughts?

 

Cheers

[ChazHS]

Logic System cabs are generally very good. Another one to look into is CVA.

[Freestyle_Pete]

Has anyone used any EV ZX5s ? They look like pretty kick ass speakers for the money, I've got a TC electronics finalizer if anyone wants to do a swap for some :o

[johndenim]

Has anyone heard any Logic XP15s, they seem pretty good and I've found a pair for about £1600 second hand in good condition

 

Any thoughts?

 

Cheers

 

I went to sound control in notts before liquidisation and auditioned a pair.

Fab full range sound IMO.

Not harsh either for a 15".

 

 

 

Has anyone used any EV ZX5s ? They look like pretty kick ass speakers for the money, I've got a TC electronics finalizer if anyone wants to do a swap for some :o

 

IIRC someone on BR recently bought a pair of these.

I will have a look for the thread.

I would be surprised if he wants to swap them for your offer though. :P

[jon_roache]

I use these all the time, never ever had a problem with them. Great sound and good power output.

 

Studio Spares 15" Mids (Active)

Click Here

 

Highly recommend them! :up:

[Simon Lewis]

Studio Spares 15" Mids (Active)

Not a bad box for the money. However, they're not in the same league as the boxes mentioned above.

The OP wants to achieve better performance than he's getting at present ;-)

[KidRay]

The Martin Audio F12 and F15 are nice speakers, we recently hired a system with F15s as monitors and F215s as front of house, and it sounded lovely, the F15s were plenty loud enough without ever sounding harsh.

If you can find some second hand...

 

I think the Yamaha amp may be struggling to drive them when pushed though, fortunately the Martins are bi-ampable (is that a word?) so you could add another amp if/when budget allows.

 

On the budget end, Studiospares do a range of passive speakers (Auditorium) which seem to be good value for money, and with your budget you could get 2 12" tops and one or 2 subs and still have a bit left over for additional amplification...