Active speaker systems

[TomHoward]

Hi

 

I am looking to buy an active speaker system, for a room of around 45 feet x 80 feet (14m x 22m) approx, which is usually used for big band (so generally vocals over a big band) or religious use, which is not too strenuous but people sing along so needs a bit of volume.

 

At the moment we either get by with a Peavy Hisys system we have (old carpeted box 15s) or we hire for higher profile events.

 

I've not got serious money to spend so budget is quite tight. I've considered StudioSpares Auditorium, Thomann Achat/ 'the box' (although it's hard to put a matching system together) or something like a used HK Actor DX / L5 off eBay.

 

This is ground-stacked and is temporary - gets taken out and put away.

 

Any advice on what system you would spec gratefully received. Budget is 2k with a little bit of headroom

[danlightingman210]

You could probably pick up a nice qsc k series system for 2k! That's 2 subs and 2 k12 tops or you can get just the k12 tops second hand for around 900 quid and they sound great with plenty of punch. They are nice for big crowds too and you'll have no issue with them being loud enough the get vocals above a loud band easily.

[Brian]

You could probably pick up a nice qsc k series system for 2k!

Every time I've heard the K series I've been very impressed with just how loud and clear they are.

[TomHoward]

I had seen the qsc stuff actually and was surprised at the price, that's 1x 12" tops and 1x dual 12" sub per side? Would that come in at price?

 

Has anyone used these for this scale? I've used the 10s for wedding speeches and the like but nothing so big. Are the abs boxes okay?

[danlightingman210]

You'd get 2xsubs and 2x tops for that price used! Think there 15" subs and 12" tops and that would be around 2k or so used! I used to have a pair of k12's and they sounded great for the price there really punchy and I didn't see the need for the subs as they were that punchy! They would be perfect for what you want them for and would be loud enough and you'd still probably have some head room on top of that!

 

And just remembered there dual 12s not 15s I was thinking of some older qsc stuff.

[TomHoward]

Had a look at QSC and I can't find much used available, the new price is okay but they are a lot smaller components (I'm a little worried about single 12" box unless anyone can put my mind to rest?)

 

2xK12 & 2x KSub £3249

 

By comparisons

 

Studiospares - 2x Dual12 tops and 2x 18" subs £1761

 

Thomann - 2x 12" Achat tops and 2x active 18" bins £1267

 

The K-series seems like a reasonable system but I'm a but worried about single 12" tops and that is a real price difference.

[i_hate_fisicks]

The Thomann Achat stuff is a bargain.

 

Have you priced up Yamaha?

[MarkPAman]

Why do you want to change from the Peaveys you have. I ask because, if they are working properly, then I don't think the Studiospares or Achat will sound that much better.

[TomHoward]

The Peaveys are not good enough. They are 4x 15" tops with no subs and don't have any real vocal clarity. We are also looking to change to something a bit more versatile with active so we can use the tops alone as well when appropriate

 

Yamaha what would you recommend? 2x DSR112 tops over 2x DSR118 subs totals £3070-ish. Come out closer to the QSC than the budget offerings and still single 12" tops

 

Another contender could be current EV actives, 2x EV ELX118P and 2x EV ELX112P comes in at 2350-ish. I think personally I would expect more of the EVs than the Yamahas?

[MarkPAman]

Sorry, I was sure you first post said HiSys 5, which are a rather good sounding cab IMHO (15" + 6" + horn I think). But 15" + horn is not usually so good for vocals, as there's often a bit of a gap around the crossover point. I know Peavey have made some pretty bad sounding cabs over the years as well as some good ones.

[TomHoward]

Ah, no, they are Hisys 2, 15" + Horn.

[Brian]

...there's often a bit of a gap around the crossover point.

 

That's a bit of an understatement. I don't think I've ever heard a good 15"+HF box.

 

 

 

 

[E2A]

I've heard vocal through some K10s quite a few times and I reckon those, paired with the Ksub, would make quite a nice setup.

[mkfs9]

Surprised no one has mentioned Rcf. Very good in my opinion for the money.

[sam.spoons]

I have QSC K12s (with a single EV sBa750 sub) and they are very good indeed, they have a level of clarity in the vocal range which impresses me every time I use them. I also like the Yamaha DXR and DSR ranges, the DSR112 is definitely better than the DXR112 but I significantly prefer the QSC. The plastic boxes don't appear to present any problems either in terms of durability (the finish on my ex-demo boxes has some cosmetic marks but nothing too serious) and, as I said, I have no issues with them sound wise.

 

Unless you are putting kick drum or bass guitar through the system a sub is unnecessary, certainly for vocals you benefit from HPF at 120Hz or higher which is above the usual crossover point between the sub and tops. If you do decide to get subs you may find one is perfectly adequate for your needs. I use a single sub and find myself turning it down more often than I turn it up.

 

 

Yamaha DXR112 costs £514, the DSR112 £764 the QSC K12 is £718 so all do-able in your budget even with a sub or two.

[J Pearce]

If you are getting subs then get 10" tops, much better vocal clarity, lighter to lift onto the poles and smaller to fit in the van/car boot.

You won't miss any bass with the subs in, and there shouldn't be any hole between the two, especially with 12/15" subs. In theory the 10"s might look to have lower power, but my experience is that once the bass is filtered out to the subs the actual SPL produced is much the same, the power handling is lower because it is usually measured full range not high passed.

It will probably even work out a bit cheaper.