ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

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Matt Vivlamore

Senior
Jan 11, 2011
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Southern MD, USA
www.meerkatsound.com
Did anyone else receive a call from ISP Technologies today?

How are their products? I asked the guy who called me which products would you recommend as a replacement to the EV QRx & JBL SRX series… His response was “I’ve only been here for 2 weeks and I’m not too knowledgeable about our products. But we can set you up with a demo system.” I do give this guy credit for being honest, but... really. Your selling speakers that range from $1,000 to $10,000 a box; shouldn’t you have a cross reference guide to go off.



Thier Product Link
http://www.isptechnologies.com/
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

We have an ISP Tripower Reference rig over XMAX 212 subwoofers for over 4 years now and absolutely love it! I would consider this setup to be a direct competitor to the QRx/SRX lines and IMO find it to be superior to those in every way other than rider friendliness. Two boxes can do the work of 4 SRX or QRX tops and sound stunning doing it. They really throw well too and we've had people come from blocks away saying they heard good music and had to check it out. They are also insanely efficient - a stack of 1 Tripower reference top over a single XMAX sub can run off a 15 amp breaker at full tilt and not blow it (not that we ever make a habit of it, but for the size shows that these get taken out on the power situation is often not the greatest). It's also nice not to have to lug around amp racks and cost wise once you factor in amps and cabs these are either about the same or actually less. To me this setup is very ideal for many on the JV forum here and also excellent as a smaller B rig for those of us with a pile of other, larger, gear.

I am confused about them making cold calls like that - was it actually someone for the company or was it a new local rep?
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

They have some systems in the Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill country bar chain. I mix in one of those that has 12" line array boxes and XMAX 218 subs. The system has really good clarity, and the subs pound pretty good. No failures in over a year of live music 5 days a week and national acts coming in. Definitely worth a try.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

I've been an ISP fan for quite a few years now. To greatly simplify, I believe their goal is to make some of the best sounding stuff out there. Period. They are also one of the best companies I'm aware of in regards to listening to dealer/installer/end-user input. We (and I'm sure others) have mentioned things we liked or didn't care for with certain products, and...sure enough...the next revision has the changes. In the contractor market, they have the ability to customize nearly any product they have to get the job done.

As far as the company itself, I've been to their factory in Waterford, MI several times and have met Buck, Shelly, and Jon (as well as most of the shop/office people). My first dealings with them were when their primary (at least it seemed to me) line of gear was guitar stuff and a couple of subs. They now have grown to occupy a very large shop/office/warehouse space. I honestly can't remember a time when I've used their gear (either installed or portable) and didn't have a great experience with it. Everyone at the factory is absolutely great...a very genuine, down-to-earth bunch of people.

As Peter and Rob have both mentioned, the first thing you'll notice is clarity. Not just mids, or highs, or sub-bass...but everywhere. It's a very open, but neutral (and by that nature, somewhat unforgiving) sounding lineup. If you know how to mix and start with good inputs, you'll be highly impressed. If you give it garbage, it will reveal every little flaw. I like systems like that, some people don't. I think it pushes you to hone your skills a little more. Also, the stuff is crazy efficient. There have been times (not usually by choice) when I have run a large amount of gear (or have seen it done in demos) off sketchy power with very little impact on performance until pushed near its limit.

I'd highly suggest taking a listen to any of their gear. None of it is cheap, but it will nearly always outperform other similarly priced gear. There's a lot of odd-ball companies out there whipping out their generic active pole-mounted speakers and hacked up line arrays. I assure you ISP is NOT one of those companies.

They are slowly, but surely, gaining fans throughout the country. There was a gig I did a while ago where the BE started talking about a rig he ran thru someplace down south. He had absolutely rave reviews of it (and also the provider). I asked him what the rig was and he said ISP. If they continue their current trend, I don't think it will be much longer before enough people have heard good things about it and "turn-downs" will be few and far between.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

Adam Kane said:
As Peter and Rob have both mentioned, the first thing you'll notice is clarity. Not just mids, or highs, or sub-bass...but everywhere. It's a very open, but neutral (and by that nature, somewhat unforgiving) sounding lineup. If you know how to mix and start with good inputs, you'll be highly impressed. If you give it garbage, it will reveal every little flaw. I like systems like that, some people don't. I think it pushes you to hone your skills a little more. Also, the stuff is crazy efficient. There have been times (not usually by choice) when I have run a large amount of gear (or have seen it done in demos) off sketchy power with very little impact on performance until pushed near its limit.

They are slowly, but surely, gaining fans throughout the country.
Click to expand...

+1

As Adam said....their gear is so clear and powerful...to some people it's almost a shock...a bit un-nerveing the first time they hear the boxes. Using these boxes are easy, but, you have to be playing your "A-Game" when stepping behind the Console. The "feel" for the boxes becomes second nature after a few minutes .

And... I can't think of a better box for corpy work...right out of the gate. Clean, powerful and clear.

Try them out...what'ya got to lose?

Hammer
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

The monitors are pretty huge, if that's a concern. Definitely not in the "slim" category. Also they have surface mount handles (yuck) that look like they would come off the cab if given a good yank.

The cabs get fairly loud and don't call a lot of attention to themselves. They are anything but "warm" sounding. Which can be a positive or a negative depending on your particular feelings. They are quick to get harsh if you're not paying attention, but they don't tend to "grow" harsh with volume like the SRX cabs can do.


And the install in the "I love this bar" in Denver is horrible. What exactly are you covering with that top box???
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

Silas arranged for an ISP demo at his shop (last year?) and I attended. Had several nice conversations with one of the guys from MI. My short impressions were that some of their products were excellent and some were good, IIRC I liked their wedge and horn loaded sub quite a bit. I thought their mid-size line array had an off axis problem that may or may not be fixable, but sounded and behaved well otherwise. Their big line array is very loud but I wasn't a fan of their processing for it, my impression was that I could get it to be better behaved off axis and sound a little better, probably without sacrificing anything. Of course, I didn't do any work in the processing, so that's just off the cuff conjecture based on impressions from a product demo I attended at least 12 months ago.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

I received another call from Buck. In the next couple months they are setting up a Demo in the NoVa/MD/DC area.

I do wish their manual had better explanations/diagrams; the face of a big black box doesn't tell you how the monitor angle looks.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

Drove one rig for a night at the Toby Keith joint in Denver and actually didn't mind it at all. For the size of it, it filled the room quite well and I really don't remember too much that I would complain about it. THink it was the small line arrayish boxes with the front loaded subs. Didn't get a chance to really beat the tar out of it but I did remember that it could have used more oomph in the low mids (and that could very well be that rig in that very room and the processor settings and may not be representative of the entire lineup)

I wouldn't turn it down if it was the rig of the day mind you.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

Bennett Prescott said:
Silas arranged for an ISP demo at his shop (last year?) and I attended.
Click to expand...
I was also in attendance that day.
I recall the wedge being clear and well behaved at close to face melting levels.
Definitely worth checking out if you're in the market for a mid priced powered R&R wedge.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

Philip LaDue said:
I was also in attendance that day.
I recall the wedge being clear and well behaved at close to face melting levels.
Definitely worth checking out if you're in the market for a mid priced powered R&R wedge.
Click to expand...

In the next year, I'm planning on changing out monitors. The MRX512m are nice wedges, but as mains their "miss" the mark. Don't get me wrong they are great speakers, but working with the QRx212 and then to MRX512m you'll see it too. I have been internet looking at the dB Technologies DVX DM12 ($1600) and DM15 ($1750) as monitors & SOS mains.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

I ran an ISP rig somewhere in my travels this spring, but for the life of me I can't remember where. Since I can't remember any serious negatives, it must have been at least an ok rig.

I don't know if you heard but they installed the dB tech small "line" vertical array boxes in the auditorium at school, if you ever want to hear that. The system is sized for speech and playback rather than full on rock, but still sounds a lot better than the rps that was there before.
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

Matt Vivlamore said:
I've been looking at those, but I am thinking about making the transition to self powered again.
Click to expand...


You may want to check out the db technologies and fbt powered monitors too. Are you looking at monitors only or mains and subs too?
 
Re: ISP Technologies... Tell me about them because the salesman couldn't.

As a user of the ISP TriPower Reference, XMAX118 subbs and VMAX112 2 ways(mostly used for wedges) for the last 6 years I can tell you some about them. We have covered crowds with 4 subs and 2 Tripower Ref's that amazed bands and clients alike. I've had so many compliments on the VMAX 112's from artists - the latest was from the band Dirty Word - "that much monitor should be illegal." And we're talking a stamped 12 and a 1" driver. They deserve a serious look from anyone and their customer service is unparalleled. I would not hesitate to buy more of their boxes.
 
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