Re: Peavey SP-2G vs JBL PRX615 vs EV ZLX
I've listened to the JBLs and the Peaveys in the same space at the same volume, I'd pick the JBLs over the Peaveys no hesitation but I'd never go so far as to say the JBLs sounded Good, just 'better'.
Today I heard a pair of ZLXs in action (granted, not at terribly loud volume). They sounded pretty bloody nice actually. So, considering my venue for the most part just has DJs and the bulk of the sound reproduction revolves around music play back, perhaps worth going for the not quite so loud speaker that sounds flat?
Has anyone used the ZLXs? (15 inch of course although considering there will be no shortage of sub underneath, should I finally try a 12 inch speaker?!)
There are many things to consider when listening to loudspeakers. Sounding good and being accurate are often very different things.
It depends on what you want to do with them. For musical playback (ie prerecorded music over which you have no control of the mix) then "sounding good" should a first choice. ANd different people have very different opinions on what "sounds good". Some like a deeper bass-some more treble-some actually like the "icepick in the head" sound.
For live (over which you DO have control over the individual channels) I prefer a ACCURATE speaker-so that that it will accurately reproduce what you are doing with the mix.
And as you have state-the SPL level at which you listen can make a BIG difference in what they "sound" like.
The only way to do an accurate side by side is to use the same program material-in the same space-listening at the same location-and preferably with the speakers in the same position-which is of course impossible-but it DOES affect the overall sonic signature that you hear. Different reflection paths due to the different locations can often change somebodies opinion-depending on a number of factors.
It all comes down to "what are we doing for THIS job". The next job may be entirely different and require a totally different tool or approach.
But in general-I have found that the more accurate a speaker is-the more overall it is liked. Rather than having a sound of its own. But some people like some speakers for exactly that reason- "it has that "bite" I like" for example. While other find that "bite" to be quite irritating.
I actually had a house guy tell me once (when I brought in a different system for a band)-"Well your system sounded really good-but it did not "hurt" enough inbetween the eyeballs". Well thank you-I guess that is a good thing?
Different strokes for different folks.
