Next step

S

Scott Abrahamson

Freshman
Sep 2, 2012
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Ok, here's the deal, I put my nice little pa together for doing mostly club and small ballroom work, one Eaw La325 over a dual 18 per side all powered by Crown Ce4000's. Each 2x18" sub is on a bridged amp and the tops are on one amp stereo, 1200w @4ohm.

The two bands I work with the most are a 5 piece classic rock and a ten piece Latin jazz band.

The problem is all of my gigs with these guys have been outdoors at wineries and street dances and the La325's run out of steam way before the subs do. I use Eon G2 15's for out fills and that helps, but i am thinking a couple of efficient smaller cabinets per side would be the way to go.

So basically what I need are two smaller more efficient cabinets per side instead of a single Eaw La325 that have better output. I have a Ce4000 available for power.

I have read most of the posts on the Community SLS920 and am intrigued by their performance. Anyone have experience with both the SLS920's and the EAW's? Or a better recommendation? I have a budget of about $1k per cabinet and I am looking for used. The SLS960's look great, but weigh considerably more than the SLS920's.

Thanks!
 
Re: Next step

Instead of higher quantity of speakers, go with 1 higher output/quality per side. Or, if you know you'll need to cover larger and wider events, narrower pattern speakers so you can adjust the horizontal coverage as needed. $1k per cab, even used, isn't going to go very far.

The SLS920's get very loud for their size, but sound quality isn't on par with newer technology. They are also weak in the low-mids. The 960s are better in regard to low mids and get louder. Something from Danley (SH96, -96HO, -46, etc) would work very well, but there isn't much used and it's not $1k/box.
 
Re: Next step

Caleb Dick said:
Instead of higher quantity of speakers, go with 1 higher output/quality per side. Or, if you know you'll need to cover larger and wider events, narrower pattern speakers so you can adjust the horizontal coverage as needed.
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I'll testify to this, for sure. If you need higher output, you just have to buy speakers with higher output. Trying to array a number of cabinets with basically the same output you have now is not going to do anything but cause you to carry a lot more weight and bulk and will require excessive power input for very little gain in SPL. And it's not going to sound that good.
 
Re: Next step

So, you've got about $4k total to spend? That should get you a nice little rig.

I've re-fallen in love with the sls920. I used to have the old rs220's and just could never get them to smooth out. I now own 6 sls960's and 4 sls920's. The 920 is great to about 200hz. Below that they start to thin out. If you don't run them balls to the walls, you can still get that low mid meat out of them. 2 per side has enough to about 120hz IMO. When you really start to lay in to them the mid/high section of the cab starts to out run the 8's. This isn't an issue on the sls960's.

I power my boxes with QSC PL6.0's. 1-2 cabs per channel. I hardly see the -20 lights flash on it, and rarely see -10. I've done a bunch of big events outdoors over the summer and I've never had and issue with headroom. They're good boxes, and for the price, hard to beat. Anything else is going to require a lot more amp power and processing.


Evan
 
Re: Next step

I was able to get a single SLS920 from a local sound company's garage sale cheap. So comparing the SLS920 to the LA325 side by side with swapping speaker cables (80hz xover), the SLS920 was considerably louder and more focused than the LA325.

Given the SLS920 has a sensitivity of 107db 1w/m and the EAW is 100db 1w/m, I wasn't surprised there would be a volume difference, I just didn't realize how much.

I think two over one sub will do just what I need. A increase in output without changing amps, less weight and more portable.

Now I need to find three used SLS920's.

Any recommendations for xover and eq?

Sub are Grundorf GT3600 2x18" 2000w rms 30hz to 80hz

Thanks,
Scott
 
Re: Next step

325s should not be run @ 1200/4 ohm full range. If you've been running them that way you should probably test and make sure they're functioning properly, especially your 7"s.

I would also try properly powering and processing your 325s and make a comparison. According to EAW you should be bi-amping with 1000/4 ohm to the lows and 600/4 ohm to the highs/mids. No more or you risk frying the 7"s and/or the crossovers. It's not a cabinet you want to run 150 - 200% power. I'm able to use mine for decent size outdoor events with no issues.


I have no experience with the Community speakers to offer real life input, but your subs don't look like a good match. They may need some additional lows.
 
Re: Next step

Scott Abrahamson said:
Now I need to find three used SLS920's.
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Or better yet, 3 more SLS920s and 2 SBS22s. The 920 really have no low end. You will either have to run the low pass of your sub higher, or use a bass speaker with them. Two 920s on either side of 1 SBS22 over your subs should rock. You can still get 920s new, SB22s are discontinued.

Mac
 
Re: Next step

Jeff Williams said:
325s should not be run @ 1200/4 ohm full range. If you've been running them that way you should probably test and make sure they're functioning properly, especially your 7"s.

I would also try properly powering and processing your 325s and make a comparison. According to EAW you should be bi-amping with 1000/4 ohm to the lows and 600/4 ohm to the highs/mids. No more or you risk frying the 7"s and/or the crossovers. It's not a cabinet you want to run 150 - 200% power. I'm able to use mine for decent size outdoor events with no issues.
Click to expand...

Yep. And my experience with the LA325 is that it's a very nice sounding box, but can be outrun in the vocal range by a decent 15+horn and has no pattern control to speak of.
 
Re: Next step

Additional output and hopefully to cut down on weight. Maybe, as Caleb suggested, I should look into a higher quality/output box than the EAW I am using.

The issues I am having are output, pattern control, and the weight of the speaker. The EAW is 175lbs and it sucks lifting it on top the subs. I guess it's really not the right tool for the job. I need horn loaded.

So, what is available that is horn loaded and efficient that would be a good replacement for the LA325? The SLS960? Looks interesting and in the price range.

Would SLS920s play well with 960s?
 
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