Seeking recommendations for 15" Active PA speakers

Simon Barz

Simon Barz

Freshman
Dec 15, 2017
8
1
3
Nashville, Tennessee
www.channelaudiogroup.com
Hey guys!

I'm in the market for a new pair of high-quality active loudspeakers (12"-15") that can handle some abuse for AV hire use.

Typically my rentals are for smaller events up to 250 people. Budget isn't an issue, and I'm willing to spend more for the extra quality and durability.

I'm considering the QSC KW152's, does anyone have any experience with these?

Open to all recommendations!
 
Look at the RCF ART series, they all sound good the models with the large format compression drivers really sound good.
I have a pair of the ART 310's and the ART 732's.

What I also consider a plus with the ART's is that they do not have a lot of knobs, switches and menu selections for people to mess with. All they have is a mic / line switch and a level control.
 
Mike Caldwell said:
Look at the RCF ART series, they all sound good the models with the large format compression drivers really sound good.
I have a pair of the ART 310's and the ART 732's.
Click to expand...

Now that's what I'm talking about - larger format compression drivers. It seems a lot of box makers are moving in the opposite direction and going to smaller diaphragms with smaller exits. When I finally upgraded my monitors from my 20 year old original RCF made Mackie SRM450s, I went with JBL SRX812p and 815p boxes because I got them for a very reasonable price, they sounded good, and they had 1.5" exit compression drivers with a 3" diaphragm behind them. They have a lot of grunt and were a noticeable upgrade. A lot of the boxes I'm seeing in the SRX price range have gone to <2" diaphragms and sometimes smaller than 1" exit throats. This seems wrong to me. The QSC K.2 have a 1.4" diaphragm compression driver.
 
Hello Greg.

I think it's fair to say that not all small format 1"exit 1.5"ish voice coil compression drivers are created the same and there are a few that have some meat to them but not even the "meaty ones" can compare to a large or even a medium format 1.5 x 3 compression driver.
In the case of my RCF 732 example they use a 700hz crossover in that box getting a lot of what matters in to the pattern control of the horn, and for everyone following along I know that horn patters do change with frequency but still!

I was just looking up some info on speakers for a possible project and was kind surprised to find that the JBL SRX series with their 1.5 x 3 compression drivers are using a 1900hz crossover in many of those boxes both passive and active.
I know they can do a lot of tricks in the DSP but 1900hz?


Back to the original question.....for a 15 inch powered speaker look at the RCF ART 735, 1.5 x 3 high frequency driver.
You can step it a notch to the RCF ART 745 that has a 2 x 4 high frequency driver.

In the molded plastic box speaker market the RCF ART models are the only ones I know of that have large format compression drivers.

I find myself using my 12 inch ART732's more than I thought I would, keep in mind I build 95% of the speakers I use.
 
Last edited:
Simon Barz said:
Hey guys!

I'm in the market for a new pair of high-quality active loudspeakers (12"-15") that can handle some abuse for AV hire use.

Typically my rentals are for smaller events up to 250 people. Budget isn't an issue, and I'm willing to spend more for the extra quality and durability.

I'm considering the QSC KW152's, does anyone have any experience with these?

Open to all recommendations!
Click to expand...
mackie bro. mates got a few, dam strong, warm and reliable
 
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