EV Xi1183A opinions?

Evan Kirkendall

Evan Kirkendall

Senior
Jan 10, 2011
903
4
18
Abingdon, MD
www.harfordsound.com
Yep, they're big, they're heavy, and they're loud. But, are they worth it?

I have the opportunity to get 4 boxes for less then $1k per box, which is one of the only reasons I'm considering them. I'm looking for a loud trap box to do medium sized stuff. I've used a lot of the other EV stuff and do like they way they sound, but don't have any personal experience with these boxes. Anyone out there use them? They look great on paper, but we all know how much that means... I like that they're 60x40, so I can still use 1 per side on "smaller" gigs.

But, I'm a 2 man operation. Can 2 dudes handle these boxes?

These will go on top of 4 single 18's per side. Not worried about powering them. Just looking for overall opinions on them.




Link:
Electro-Voice



Thanks!
Evan
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

I feel like the 1980s want their big, giant, heavy trap box back. I have a feeling that one of my Fulcrum DX1565s would run right with those no problem, and sound dramatically better, while being only 90 pounds.

You'll probably save enough money on fuel, trucking, and chiropractor bills in the first year of ownership to make the Fulcrum (or similar lightweight box) worth it...
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Big heavy box but they sound good and I guess 2 people could move them around, they're not unlike an EAW 850 to shift about, get or make dollys for them and try and avoid too many stairs. Sound wise probably not unlike the QRX though "louder" they sounded great to me though I am a EV fan so take that as you want. Silas yes the Fulcrum stuff is lighter probably would keep up with these though outdoors or with a loud band I doubt it especialy if Evan amps these up to their max, plus in the world of the less well educated otherwise known as "rider dreamers" the EV stuff will be a much easier sell which probably counts as much as anything. I've been moving old Meyer gear around for years because A it was cheap and available and B it is an easy sell, much easier than other newer less well known systems that arguably work as well as them. G
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

The Xi-1183 and X-Array Xn are the same boxes except the Xn has neo drivers, I think.

There's some discussion of them on the "Classic (1998-2003) LAB".
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Hi Evan

I have always wanted the rig you describe!!! if it was me I would buy them, and yes they do sound great!!
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Thanks for the info guys. I was planning to power them with Crown MA series. 5k on lows, 3600 on mids and 2400 on highs. Add a Lake for processing and I think it would be pretty rocking!

Now the real question is, is my back ready for these...




Evan
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Another option I've been considering is the Community SLS960... Not quite the same beast, but still loads of output. The plus of those cabs is that they are passive and only 135lbs. They probably won't have the beef of the Xi1183, but they'll be easier to move and power. What would you guys do?



Evan
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Evan Kirkendall said:
Another option I've been considering is the Community SLS960... Not quite the same beast, but still loads of output. The plus of those cabs is that they are passive and only 135lbs. They probably won't have the beef of the Xi1183, but they'll be easier to move and power. What would you guys do?

Evan
Click to expand...

Didn't you have SLS960's at one point? I think the general consensus is that they need some serious additional low-mid support to round them out.

Jeff
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

You'd need more of them and as Jeff said there would really need to be some form of low mid in there which would be more weight, also there is still that rider thing, which may not be a huge issue but will I assure you make the rig an easier sell especially if you're pushing it a bit. The 1183 can do quieter gigs without any subs or maybe just a couple on an aux. (then Gordon remembers who he's talking to, ignore the last sentence). If it were me I'd take the four EV boxes the all in weight won't be so different, sure it comes in bigger chunks but if you're careful you'll be ok. One question, must you use such heavy amps? the ones that I've used had EV P3000s etc driving them and it was actually the amp racks that were the menace when moving the system around. Be careful processing them as EV have a habit of putting in filters with no gain on them just to sort phase issues plus the 18" doesn't like to run hard at very low frequencies 70-80 hz or so is a good high pass point from memory G
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Gordon/Jeff,
I have owned the Community SLS920, and SLS960. The 920 was completely useless below 250hz. The 960 did well down to about 120, and 90 if you didn't ask too much from them. I did a few rock shows with them and for a passive box getting ~1200w, they screamed. However, the EV boxes seem to have the edge all around. They'll be more rider friendly, and hold their own down low at high SPL it seems. I may substitute the MA amps on mids and highs for something a little lighter, but I want something with some oomph to it on the 18's.

It looks like the deal is gonna go through on these boxes, so I'll have to break the news to my guys this week. :lol:



Evan
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Another thing is that you can power a pile of 960's with light amps on a wall socket.
The Crowns are gonna need serious juice. I did a Pat Travers show with 4 2x18 cabs and 960's and slammed it all on one 20 amp circuit. Probably couldn't turn on the 5000 with only that.
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Well, the sale on the EV's fell through. So, I'm back to square one. I'm highly considering the SLS960 now, as it's a very efficient box, and I know I can make them sound good. With as hot as I run my subs, the acoustic x-over in my rig is gonna be around 120hz anyway, so I don't think their will be a lack in the midbass.

I'm also considering the JBL SRX725. But I don't know if they're on the same level as the 960.

Thoughts? Suggestions?


Thanks!
Evan
 
Re: EV Xi1183A opinions?

Evan Kirkendall said:
Well, the sale on the EV's fell through. So, I'm back to square one. I'm highly considering the SLS960 now, as it's a very efficient box, and I know I can make them sound good. With as hot as I run my subs, the acoustic x-over in my rig is gonna be around 120hz anyway, so I don't think their will be a lack in the midbass.

I'm also considering the JBL SRX725. But I don't know if they're on the same level as the 960.

Thoughts? Suggestions?


Thanks!
Evan
Click to expand...

Hi, the SRX 725 is just a smaller maxed out box than the SLS960. Different characteristics no doubt, but given the right processing, they could both be substituted for each other at low to moderately loud volume levels - at least in my head. But by now you probably know that there is a point where the 960 will run away from many other boxes, and in a deeper crowd that is something to take into consideration. You will probably be using subs no matter what tops you end up with.

Good luck!
 
Top Bottom