15" powered subs n top combo

Ben Lawrence

Ben Lawrence

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Mar 2, 2011
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Whats a good 15" sub 12" top combo these days. I have been running the JBL PRX 700 series and they have treated me well but they are gaining some years at this point. Hoping I can find something semi lightweight like these and prefer a wood cab. Something middle of the road I have a bunch of the SRX but they are heavy and dont fit the bill for some of the smaller stuff. Maybe EV EKX? I have a bunch of the cheaper ZLX 12s and they seem to get the job done for certain things.
 
There are quite a few good options on the market, and most of the entry-level wood boxes are decent these days. For smaller stuff, I've found that a 10" top over a 15" sub is a good combo, as a good 12" top typically has no issues outrunning a 15" sub. Some of the beefier 8" tops also hold up well, although at that point you're paying extra for the smaller size.

What price range do you consider "middle of the road"? There are several good options for wood boxes below the Meyer / L'acoustics / d+b price range, but most are a bit more expensive than the Guitar Center brands.
 
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Rob Timmerman said:
There are quite a few good options on the market, and most of the entry-level wood boxes are decent these days. For smaller stuff, I've found that a 10" top over a 15" sub is a good combo, as a good 12" top typically has no issues outrunning a 15" sub. Some of the beefier 8" tops also hold up well, although at that point you're paying extra for the smaller size.

What price range do you consider "middle of the road"? There are several good options for wood boxes below the Meyer / L'acoustics / d+b price range, but most are a bit more expensive than the Guitar Center brands.
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Middle of the road Im thinking around 1.5k plus a little ea. I totally agree on the 10" top I have a setup like that now and it looks slick as well as having ample power ratio. Only thing is it would be nice to be able to deploy the tops as wedges occasionally.
 
In that price range, Yamaha DZR series is reasonably well liked, but is a bit more "prosumer" feature set (IEC power, for example), and the DZR10 over the 15" sub is apparently a pretty potent small rig (although I haven't used one myself). You can get RCF NX and the bottom of the KX series in that price range as well, and the KX08 will keep up with boxes like the QSC K10.
 
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Rob Timmerman said:
In that price range, Yamaha DZR series is reasonably well liked, but is a bit more "prosumer" feature set (IEC power, for example), and the DZR10 over the 15" sub is apparently a pretty potent small rig (although I haven't used one myself). You can get RCF NX and the bottom of the KX series in that price range as well, and the KX08 will keep up with boxes like the QSC K10.
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Thanks I feel like you helped me narrow down a little to The DZR/RCF models. The RCF line has me wandering around a bit though. They have a lot of interesting models. The NXL 14 with dual 6"s and a horn looks really interesting for a lot of the talking head stuff I do.
 
Ben Lawrence said:
Thanks I feel like you helped me narrow down a little to The DZR/RCF models. The RCF line has me wandering around a bit though. They have a lot of interesting models. The NXL 14 with dual 6"s and a horn looks really interesting for a lot of the talking head stuff I do.
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If you are looking at the Nxl 14 you might want to also look at the DB IG2T. 2-8 inch woofers. 1.4 horn (1 inch exit) 128 db's output. Best thing about them is if needed another one can be turned upside down and the 2 become 1 speaker with digital steering up/down. Use 1 a side for smaller shows. 2 per side for larger ones. I've found 2 IG2T's coupled is a DB or 2 louder than 1 of the IG4T's I have. The video is of the IG4T to show the coupling. There is also the IG1T which is the same 128db output but they don't go as low with 2-6.5 inch drivers. Something to look at.


INGENIA IG2T - dbTechnologies

INGENIA IG2T - dbTechnologies
www.dbtechnologies.com www.dbtechnologies.com

INGENIA IG1T - dbTechnologies

INGENIA IG1T - dbTechnologies
www.dbtechnologies.com www.dbtechnologies.com

Wanted to add in the new tr range the RD net with much added processing is included in the boxes.

 
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I am a passive cab (rack/stacks) guy that took the active plunge last November.
I purchased a pair of "used" Yorkville PS12p mid/high cabs plus a pair of *new* RCF sub 705AS mk3 cabs.
The PS12p's can be used as wedges if needed when using my other rigs.

They work well for local club work.
The tops outrun the subs when I place one top/sub per side of a stage.
When I place the subs together (center stage to create coupling) they balance with the upper cabs a bit better.

All in all I am happy with my set up.
 
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