Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
- Thread starter Rob Spence
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Agree, except for the Art7 series. I'm a big RCF fan, but the 722a's we demo'ed didn't sound that great. I'd save a little longer for TT25a's, they really aren't that much over $2k.
Another vote for DSR112 here. Finally got to hear them this week at local music store. A/B'd them with PRX712 and they were much more "refined" sounding. Tried a bunch of different tracks through them and it felt like there was a blanket on the JBLs. Can't comment on loudness as we didn't crank them to their limit but did turn them up a bit and Yamaha was definitely the winner. Also tried the DXR112 and I would place it between the PRX and DSR, although closer to the PRX.
I also used a friend's PRX712s on a few gigs in small bars (over subs) and they got loud enough and sounded good doing it (with some EQ).
Note that if using them for monitors, the DSR can only lie down one way as the control plate is on one of the slanted sides. The DXR could be used with the horn on either side.
I have a pair of dB Technologies DVX DM12 I use as wedges and they kill the PRX (sound and volume-wise) - though quite a bit more expensive. I was debating getting a couple of PRX for ease of cross-renting with my buddy or waiting for a deal on a couple more DVX... but as of this week, the JBLs are no longer a contender - although I love their size and weight.
My cdn$0.02
Rocky
I also used a friend's PRX712s on a few gigs in small bars (over subs) and they got loud enough and sounded good doing it (with some EQ).
Note that if using them for monitors, the DSR can only lie down one way as the control plate is on one of the slanted sides. The DXR could be used with the horn on either side.
I have a pair of dB Technologies DVX DM12 I use as wedges and they kill the PRX (sound and volume-wise) - though quite a bit more expensive. I was debating getting a couple of PRX for ease of cross-renting with my buddy or waiting for a deal on a couple more DVX... but as of this week, the JBLs are no longer a contender - although I love their size and weight.
My cdn$0.02
Rocky
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
Haven't heard the 722a's yet, but our 710a's are phenomenal for the price.
Haven't heard the 722a's yet, but our 710a's are phenomenal for the price.
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
Another vote for the DSR112. Best of the boxes I've worked with/owned. And you can almost get a pair for your budget. I am continually flabbergasted at how good they sound. And they just keep getting louder.
Another vote for the DSR112. Best of the boxes I've worked with/owned. And you can almost get a pair for your budget. I am continually flabbergasted at how good they sound. And they just keep getting louder.
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
I think the ZXA5 is still the best bet for your application.
I think the ZXA5 is still the best bet for your application.
Silas Pradetto
Graduate Student
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
That's a pretty audacious comment.
I maintain that all plastic boxes lie in the "semi pro" category (even the HDL20A boxes I own), and for $1800 you can definitely get something better in the trap box world. Like, for instance, the NXM25As that I mentioned, but everyone glossed over.
For $1800 you are completely out of Guitar Center territory.
That's a pretty audacious comment.
I maintain that all plastic boxes lie in the "semi pro" category (even the HDL20A boxes I own), and for $1800 you can definitely get something better in the trap box world. Like, for instance, the NXM25As that I mentioned, but everyone glossed over.
For $1800 you are completely out of Guitar Center territory.
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
If you're not meeting riders, is that 10% a dealbreaker?
Interesting comments. I question where the point of diminishing returns comes. Are the newer MI offerings approaching the performance of some of the more "pro" boxes? IOW, do a pair of MI grade DSR 112's(or pick your own box) provide 90% of the performance of a SM80 (or pick your own box)?
If you're not meeting riders, is that 10% a dealbreaker?
Silas Pradetto
Graduate Student
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
I don't think anyone's buying trap/SOS boxes for riders...
I don't think anyone's buying trap/SOS boxes for riders...
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
You might be surprised, particularly if you don't do a lot of "fine arts" work - symphony, jazz, musical theater and various hybrids of those. Meyer, l'Acoustic and d&b seem to get most of this love.
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
Perhaps, but totally not my point.
This.
Not quite. I'd say there aren't many "pro-sumer" options left above $2500.
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
Perhaps, but given the parameters of replacing the plastic K12 with something that sounds better and can get louder when pushed, the ZXA5 seems perfectly reasonable. But since I am not familiar with all the latest and greatest, then perhaps it's not the "best bet."
Perhaps, but given the parameters of replacing the plastic K12 with something that sounds better and can get louder when pushed, the ZXA5 seems perfectly reasonable. But since I am not familiar with all the latest and greatest, then perhaps it's not the "best bet."
While it isn't powered, a local fellow replaced his pair of QRX212s with the JTR Noisys speakers and says they get louder and sound better. Plus is lighter and pole mount.
So, some part of me would love a new set of speakers that would not only replace my QRX but in singles, be usable in SOS gigs as well.
At the higher end the TT25a seems good with the ZXa5-60 a lower cost possible.
I guess I am hearing that the NXM25a is also viable?
I general I do not prefer 90 degree cabinets for indoors as too much sound gets on the walls.
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So, some part of me would love a new set of speakers that would not only replace my QRX but in singles, be usable in SOS gigs as well.
At the higher end the TT25a seems good with the ZXa5-60 a lower cost possible.
I guess I am hearing that the NXM25a is also viable?
I general I do not prefer 90 degree cabinets for indoors as too much sound gets on the walls.
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Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
I generally toe mine in quite a bit to both cover close up better (so I don't have to bother with center fills) and to get them off the side walls. I do understand many of yous guys don't like the way mains look toed-in and are trying to get even coverage to the rear - which is almost never a desirable thing at the gigs I do as even at the straight up "concerts" the older folks prefer to position themselves for the SPL level they prefer. I had one last summer (town green free concert) where some were setting up their chairs 150 feet back before I was even fired up and my system doesn't look the least bit scary - maybe they had bad experiences with stoopid loudness there before?
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
The Noesis 3TX kick arse and are incredibly small and are louder than the QRX212
JTR will make them in the same box the T12 came in if you need a larger box ( I did)
The Noesis 3TX kick arse and are incredibly small and are louder than the QRX212
JTR will make them in the same box the T12 came in if you need a larger box ( I did)
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
The JTR Noesis 3 way box is a 60 x 40 with rotatable horn. I was torn between that and the Danley SM80 and finally went with the SM80. I do not like the sound of a ZX5 or ZXA-5 in comparison to either of these boxes. But, neither the JTR or Danley are or can be self powered - no room in the cabinet for an amp. One of those Fulcrum powered boxes would likely be great sounding, although it would probably be out of the $2k limit. I was also tempted to pick up a pair of the dual 12's (passive) used when I was looking.
The JTR Noesis 3 way box is a 60 x 40 with rotatable horn. I was torn between that and the Danley SM80 and finally went with the SM80. I do not like the sound of a ZX5 or ZXA-5 in comparison to either of these boxes. But, neither the JTR or Danley are or can be self powered - no room in the cabinet for an amp. One of those Fulcrum powered boxes would likely be great sounding, although it would probably be out of the $2k limit. I was also tempted to pick up a pair of the dual 12's (passive) used when I was looking.
Re: Best powered speaker for less than $1800?
When I was using T8's and Growlers primarily, I'd get questions like "where's the PA?", and "why didn't you bring the big stuff?"
I finally started taking the Orbit Shifters and Triple 12's to all my gigs and even though the Growler/T8 was plenty, people were happier.
Some people hear with their eyes!
So when I replaced the T12's, I asked Jeff if he could do what is basically a pair of Triple 12's, with the noesis horn instead of the T12 Coax.
He did (he already had a home audio version) They sound great, and look right on top of orbit shifters.
The Noesis 3TX look like toys on the orbit shifters. No real difference in sound though!
Also, I like not using poles to mount my tops and I strap lights on top of my tops so it works better for me.
When I was using T8's and Growlers primarily, I'd get questions like "where's the PA?", and "why didn't you bring the big stuff?"
I finally started taking the Orbit Shifters and Triple 12's to all my gigs and even though the Growler/T8 was plenty, people were happier.
Some people hear with their eyes!
So when I replaced the T12's, I asked Jeff if he could do what is basically a pair of Triple 12's, with the noesis horn instead of the T12 Coax.
He did (he already had a home audio version) They sound great, and look right on top of orbit shifters.
The Noesis 3TX look like toys on the orbit shifters. No real difference in sound though!
Also, I like not using poles to mount my tops and I strap lights on top of my tops so it works better for me.
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I can't tell from the pic but do the bigger cabinets have real handles and what the weight? Perhaps with the extra room, Jeff could make a powered version?
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