Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

M

Matt Vivlamore

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Jan 11, 2011
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Southern MD, USA
www.meerkatsound.com
I am thinking about at making the switch to Active/Self-Powered gear. As you may know, I run 1-3 SRX718s per side powered with an IT8000. This rig has served me well for the last 2 years and still does; but should I keep or sell & switch.

One of the main reasons, I am looking to switch it’s to optimize my “systems count”. There was several times already this winter where I could have sent out 2 Speaker over Sub rigs with a some monitors; but I didn’t have the Amp Channel count to do so (I only have enough for 1 rig).

I have been looking at: RCF NX S21A, NX S25A, & 4Pro-8003AS as prime candidates. The db Technologies S10, Sub-18D & VRX918SP has appeared on my short list as well. However, the Yorkville, JBL PRX618S-XLF, EV ELX118P and QSC KW181, don’t meet the basic criteria, as I want PowerCon In/Out connection. I am looking to be equal to, if not slightly better than the SRX718s.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

How about one or more Danley TH-118s with SpeakerPower plate amps? Cost will be slightly higher, but dB/cu. ft of truck space will be better.

http://www.speakerpower.net/

Apparently this bolts on pefectly to the TH subs. I believe Danley also sells a pre-packaged TH-118 with this amp attached.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

Why not just buy another Itech??

While I like many of the powered speakers out there today, I really can't stand the tangled mess I end up with using my active LS801P/EF500P rig.
It sounds great, but setup time and keeping the cabling neat just sucks ass.

I much preffer the ease of setting up my passive rig using Itechs.
Less cables, neater stage, and it just seems to setup faster/easier.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

Vinny D'Agostino said:
Why not just buy another Itech??

While I like many of the powered speakers out there today, I really can't stand the tangled mess I end up with using my active LS801P/EF500P rig.
It sounds great, but setup time and keeping the cabling neat just sucks ass.

I much preffer the ease of setting up my passive rig using Itechs.
Less cables, neater stage, and it just seems to setup faster/easier.
Click to expand...

One of the reasons of wanting PowerCon is that I can build my own power cables and then on the jumpers I can bundle the Power & XLR together. Once I find a source, I’ll buy a Spool of the Siamese cable (AC & Signal combined) and go to town building cables.

For what my plan/switch is indicating is that I am going to need to buy 4 more amps (2 Itechs & 2 XTis).
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

TJ Cornish said:
How about one or more Danley TH-118s with SpeakerPower plate amps? Cost will be slightly higher, but dB/cu. ft of truck space will be better.

http://www.speakerpower.net/

Apparently this bolts on pefectly to the TH subs. I believe Danley also sells a pre-packaged TH-118 with this amp attached.
Click to expand...


Size... After owning the UCS1 for several years, I like the compact size of the single 18" design.
Price... When I was buying SRX718s, I remember that I could buy 2 SRX718 for the price of 1 TH115.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

Matt Vivlamore said:
Size... After owning the UCS1 for several years, I like the compact size of the single 18" design.
Price... When I was buying SRX718s, I remember that I could buy 2 SRX718 for the price of 1 TH115.
Click to expand...
My current subs are the same size as SRX718s. I previously had the same thought - I can't own anything I can't lift.

This summer I upgraded my van and got a ramp, and I have switched gears. Now I care more about total truck space, and the output of TH118s exceeds my current subs substantially enough that I think the cost will be pretty even between adding more of my current subs vs. switching gears to the Danleys. Smaller gigs can get a single TH118, which is smaller than the pair of my current subs that would go to the same gig.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

Matt Vivlamore said:
I did look at the VRX918SP, but I don't need the flyware so I stopped looking at them.
Click to expand...

Who cares about the flyware? Why would you let a feature that is irrelevant disqualify the sub overall?

I actually considered adding the VRX918SP amp module to SRX718S subs, but it's more money than just buying the whole VRX918SP.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

Matt, what tops will you use with the powered subs? Might be a slight factor in your choice. Some subs dont have a high pass out, some like the VRX have a 80hz out. Will your tops do well running down to 80hz? I think the RCF's and the S10's have both a 80hz and 100hz or 120hz, forgot now.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

Robert Kenton said:
Matt, what tops will you use with the powered subs? Might be a slight factor in your choice. Some subs dont have a high pass out, some like the VRX have a 80hz out. Will your tops do well running down to 80hz? I think the RCF's and the S10's have both a 80hz and 100hz or 120hz, forgot now.
Click to expand...

Robert, just because the sub has a LP at 80Hz doesn't mean all sound stops above 80Hz. I routinely cross my subs at 80Hz and my tops at 100Hz and the acoustical crossover ends up around 110Hz due to the gain the subs require to 'sound right'.

Electrical crossover != acoustical crossover.
 
Re: Replacing SRX718s? I want to go Active/Self-Powered

Robert Kenton said:
Matt, what tops will you use with the powered subs? Might be a slight factor in your choice. Some subs dont have a high pass out, some like the VRX have a 80hz out. Will your tops do well running down to 80hz? I think the RCF's and the S10's have both a 80hz and 100hz or 120hz, forgot now.
Click to expand...


Top wise; still trying to decide on which ones. But right now I have QRx212 with an IT4000. The SRX718s are set a 85hz for the crossover point.

As for Internal crossover:
NX S21-A: 60 & 80
NX S25-A: 80 & 110
4Pro-8003AS: 80 & 120
TTS-18A: 80, 110 & External
DVA S10: 90 & 120
VRX918SP: 80 & 120
 
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