Thinking about investing in more money in relfex rather than horn loa

[Acdisco]

Hi guys,

 

hope we all had a good Christmas and new year?

 

a few questions you might be able to help me out with

 

any of you had a chance to play with the below setup;

 

Martin audio

WS218X // W8VDQ's

 

If so how does it handle dance and live applications and is it as efficent as a turbosound aspect system(TA500dp/TSW218) if we were to use the same amount of boxes?

 

how do they compare?

 

also can anyone give me a definitive answer to what the difference is between the (martin audio) (Black line) S218+ and the (Wavefront) WS218X as the spl is higher on the S218+'s but the WS is 500 more watts? eh??!

 

Cheers guys you have always been really helpful on here!

 

J.

[Ambrose Thompson]

Hello J,

 

I may be able to help with some of your questions.

 

The difference between the S218+ and the WS218X is due to some subtle but important differences in the drivers. Firstly the S218+ has a lighter cone giving it a slight edge in sensitivity, however, the WS218X has some larger components in the motor system giving it an edge in terms of power handling and importantly linear excursion. Sonically this gives the WS218X a tighter more controlled low end particularly when pushed hard.

 

It may be worth noting the driver and many other components in the VDQ and 218X are identical to ones found in our touring products.

 

I won't comment on comparisons to other manufacturer other than I know the Aspect range to be a very well engineered and sweet sounding box. I would advise you to get both in a representative space and have a good walk around the coverage zone, you'll then be able to experience the different dispersion characteristics of each system and see what you prefer.

 

Ambrose Thompson

Martin Audio

 

 

[Acdisco]

Hi Ambrose,

 

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

on paper it looked slightly confusing.

 

Ill be coming for a viewing at your place very soon.

 

we have currently got aspect but are looking of something of same/better quality which is a bit easier to move around.

 

So im working on efficiency vs size

 

you can never have enough speakers!

 

Can anyone else comment on the differences between the systems if you had the same amount of boxes, from a personal experience?

 

Cheers

[Rob_Beech]

Good idea, get rid of that rubbish, I'll buy it off you :) Is it all powered though?

 

Sorry, a bit rude wasn't it.

 

I'd like to thank Ambrose for your comments and views. Very professional and very useful information. It's very good to have you on board to be able to help out with stuff like this. If only the rest of your "lot" were as helpful.

 

I've not experienced those particular mid tops, though I have heard and used the subs (and very pleasant they are too) however on paper the mid tops do not appear to be as loud as a TA500. But that is not what I would pick up on first. It's a different concept. It's not like for like, the W8C would be like for like, and if that were the case I'd say stick with what you've got, the ta500 is twice as loud on paper, and is twice as loud. The W8C is still a great box, it's still made even though its a few years old, which says alot. and whilst <subjective view / opinion based on use> they're not as good sounding as the old W8 with those ATC drivers </subjective view / opinion based on use> they do still work. However this VDQ system which I must state again I've not used or heard, is a different concept.

 

On paper it is not as loud,4dB if we're looking at max spl figures, which IS quieter though depending on application this is often not a major concern. The horizontal dispersion all be it varying is incredibly wide. This is clearly designed as a 1 box per side solution to a problem that must exist somewhere, but this does mean that you'll not be putting 2 boxes per side in, which means that in comparison to 2 TA500 per side, you'll lose ALOT of volume. You'll also lose flexibility, the ability to have a narrow box in a nasty room, 100degrees - 120 degrees is very wide, and you can quite often get rooms where keeping it off the walls as early as you can is the only way to tackle a nasty room.

 

Then there's the actual deployment. I can't see from the limited info I have how this is generally deployed, but I see a flying yoke available, so I can assume its ideal for flying, how does that work? By the time you've got all the extras is it easier to lug around and deploy than something you just throw in a pile and forget about? Those tops are 47kg, a yoke will be another 10-15kg, making it as heavy as a 500 with a wheelboard. Does it have a flightcase, or a wheelboard itself?

 

How much of the aspect do you have? is it all / part powered (noticed the DP) Let me know if you find a better replacement for yourself I'm always after more.

 

Rob

[kerry davies]

"Can anyone else comment on the differences between the systems if you had the same amount of boxes, from a personal experience?" Only if they borrow your ears, James.

 

As Ambrose wisely points out, personal preference is the be-all and end-all and any Sound topic which begins with; "Which is best?" finishes up with "suck it and see".

 

To give an example we once set up a top-line state-of-the-art PA only for a dub DJ to fetch a wall of home-made crap from his removal van which took up half the dance floor. That is what he liked. Simples!

[Acdisco]

we have got a few demo's coming up so will check out a few different systems, I think the VDQ is a no no since you can only use one box a side, its not enough like lego for us. but ill give it a listen anyways!

 

Yeah the 500's are all powered, not too sure if we want to sell as its a lovely sounding box, but ill keep you in mind rob.

 

But we are just looking to head in another direction, I think we may go have a few demo's from a few manufacturers...

 

Any biased recommendations? :)

[ramdram]

Biased? ** laughs out loud **, on your own head be it. Probably depends on the age of your punters. Folk my age (c 60) can't hear much over 12k, cf a teenager at 18/20k. Suggest you buy the best your budget allows for...made in Britain.