I want to downsize my speakers....

[Peter Basey]

Hi guys, I thought I'd turn to you for advice as the forum is v. knowledgable.

I want to get some smaller speakers as I'm getting on a bit (48 if you must know) and am getting fed up with humping gear around. I'm aware speaker technology has progressed,but I don't think I have.

I have a Studiomaster powered mixer (350w a side) and an 800w stereo amp for bi-amping. I'm currently using a pair of Studiomaster 12" for small gigs and doubling up with Peavey 15" Blackwidows (Eurosys?) I really want to down size for the smaller gigs and have been looking at either Kustom KPS510 (£229) or dB Technologies Entertainer S400 (£379 at Thomann). Maybe with the dB speakers I could also get a smaller mixer. I don't know whether to sell anything or hang on to it either! Sadly I can't find reviews of kit anywhere.

 

I sing in two (very) different bands and portability is very much an issue. One band performs jazzy function stuff,indoors and small garden parties. Piano needs a lift FOH. Sometimes it gets a little raucous,plus we need to provide background music.

The other band has me singing ,plus 3 horns, doing 40's swing,jive kind of stuff.

I'm not really looking to replace the stuff I have, which seems fine for bigger gigs (although I know not everybody likes Peavey :P ) but really want to carry less sometimes!! I'm thinking another set of speakers for ease of use. Or a replacement?

Which should I go for? Or something else completely,utilising some of the stuff I already have.....

Time for another drink...

[jayselway]

Hey, I used to have a Peavey Rig when I was about 16 (22 now), Eurosys 4 tops, with other subs. Sold that to upgrade to bigger and better, but then I needed something to cover smaller rigs, so I went for the EV SX300 tops, for vocal work - really punchy and crisp! :P

[paulears]

The quest for smaller cabs is common now, and perfectly sensible.

 

The snag is really cost Vs sound. It is perfectly posible to get good, solid sound from small boxes - snag is these boxes are also VERY expensive. The cost effective small cabinet types, like the popular SX300 (and it's clones) sound, well, ok - but don't have the full, solid sound you may want. The good news is that the sound of a pair of conventional 12" studiomaster style boxes isn't actually that good to start with, especially if you've had them for a while. The Peavey have a bit of grunt about them, but that's about it - as you say, humping this lot around is a lot of effort for what they do.

 

The Kustom, dB and similar HK types are very popular now (plenty of threads if you do a blue room google)

 

What is certain is that you need to listen to these things before you buy. They are not a replacement for what you have. You have big, thumpy bottom end, with plenty of power and a pair of fairly chunky tops. The satellite systems will sound very different - ideal for small pubs, maybe a smallish conference with just a few vocal mics. They are not, in any shape or form a 'big' sound. Mind you, this may well be exactly what you are looking for.

[drowner77]

Judging from the kit that you already have if it is just speakers you are after I would definetley reccomend FBTMaxx. THey are very light, very crisp, and sound as good, imo better than the equivalent EV. You can also get bass bottoms to go with them.

 

I have also heard some good things about LEM speakers. They have a powered (Active)set up that a friend of mine recently bought for his Rockabilly Trio and he is raving about them.

[Paul J Need]

Have a look at the Max 4 by FBT. 400w box weighing about 14kgs. Nice warm natural sound, and you can add subs as required. May not need any from what I can see from the spec.

[drowner77]

Have a look at the Max 4 by FBT. 400w box weighing about 14kgs. Nice warm natural sound, and you can add subs as required. May not need any from what I can see from the spec.

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Hey that's what I just said, Paul! :P

[Peter Basey]

Thanks guys. I just need to find somewhere to listen to the kit now......I'm based in south Essex if anyone knows a good supplier?

[Paul J Need]

Have a look at the Max 4 by FBT. 400w box weighing about 14kgs. Nice warm natural sound, and you can add subs as required. May not need any from what I can see from the spec.

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Hey that's what I just said, Paul! :P

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Oh yes! :D So you did ! I should speed read a little slower me thinks! :blink:

[drowner77]

Have a look at the Max 4 by FBT. 400w box weighing about 14kgs. Nice warm natural sound, and you can add subs as required. May not need any from what I can see from the spec.

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Hey that's what I just said, Paul! :P

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Oh yes! :P So you did ! I should speed read a little slower me thinks! :blink:

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Great minds and all that, Paul. :D

 

The FBT's are great little speakers, though.

[rockinrob]

jbl eon 15 g2's powered. - I own a pair they are 350 - 400 w active, they have built in eq + attenuator + gains + jack or XLR input + link. they also have a clip indicator light. they have also come down in price - you can buy a pair now for under £1000 easily

I ve got jbl eon bags too which are great for storage / transportation

 

for the size and value for money + quality you won't get a better deal. its great for my mobile djing - simply 2 speakers on stands and plug my laptop straight in and bob's yer uncle

[Peter Basey]

Just thought I'd let you know I managed to pickup a LEM cyclops system off ebay. It's a 15" active sub with two 8" satellites, plus I bought a new small Phonic 10 channel mixer.Sounds great for smaller gigs,came in at £350 and I'm keeping the Peaveys/Studiomasters and powered desk for bigger gigs.

[Bad_Rock]

Talking about downsizing speakers we must include the "clones" in the game. We all heard about Chinese made "clones" from EAW ( specially the KF 850 ) but even though they are expensive. The affordable clone I've seen ( everywhere ) it's the DAS 118st. For some reason the first Line Arrays made in china were all copy's of the DAS Aereo ( probably because it's the easiest one to copy?).

[Rich newby]

hey

I would say steer away from the kustoms, again it is often said, and I am aplying it to this brand aswell. they seem to be a bit of a make everything company. I used the really famous £100 kustom pa system, (not by choice) as stage moniters, and I dont think they were even up to that. in support that was a dance concert and the stage was fairly big, our main system was Mackie with a 5kw amp rack so that was ok! we supplied that, being told they had stage moniters, we thought it ok not to bother bringing our own, and when we arived and saw the 10" kustom speakers on stage, my heart skipped a beat.

 

Rich