Well i was going to get a pair of k8s then i heard about ev's new powered speakers. heard great things about ev but i have never owned one. the zxa1 is rated at 800w, weighs 19 pounds and map of $499. now thinking of going this route. opinions? mackie srm450 vs qsc k8 or the new ev zxa1? just sold my matrix 1000, got tired of carrying that sub. sounded good but looking for something more compact. plan on adding a sub to whatever tops i buy later on, but not anytime soon so im lookin for something that will put out descent low end.

thanks

so gaffle which route would you go mackie srm450v2($600) or ev zxa1($500)?

Dj Dub, do you run your k8s with subs? if so have you done gigs with them without subs? just wondering if i could get away with not having a sub with k8s on small-medium size venues 100-200 people. weddings, medium size ballrooms, etc. im pretty sure it will not have the same low end as my matrix 1000, but im hoping that the k8s or the zxas will give me a descent low end for it'll be while till i can afford a sub.

The Mackies, with a 12", will have a more full sound only because it's a larger driver. Not a apples-to-apples comparison.

I'd choose the ZXa1s, they make a better product. I'm not a fan of CHackies (Chinese-made Mackies).

Subs are not that expensive try to look at Community Speakers the VLF212 sub in particular very compact with 2 x 12" in woofers 900 watts.

... if you CAN'T afford a sub right now or will never buy a sub, I'd would suggest the Mackies or an alternative speaker with at least a 12" or 15" driver. You'll look really silly trying to DJ an event with some 8" speakers (w/o a sub).

If you CAN see yourself purchasing a sub soon, go for the higher quality EVs.

Thanks for all the input. btw, according to some people mackies have a reputation of clipping/overheating, at least the v1 but were they really that bad? found a local guy selling a pair(not v2) with stands for $600. good deal? he claims it wasn't used much and from the pictures the speakers look like they are in great condition.

I feel a K8/EV shootout coming on soon.

I just went EV's for $850... Will report back when they arrive...

? it/s $500. and the evs have not yet come out so i can't hear it. I just would really like to do which one is louder hehe. that's a big plus for me since i do alot of mobile parties also

hopefully you have heard the 450v2 before so u can compare them evs to the 450v2 -.-

Well I already have the 450's V1 and use them along with some yorkville subs as my main system (bigger events I use the subs). The EV's are for my VCI and when I do small parties, open houses, get-togethers, etc... Also I can use them as a second set-up for when I do a wedding in one spot and a reception in another...

Didn't realize BB has the unpowered versions of the EVs right now. They're so ridiculously small!

Well i was going to get a pair of k8s then i heard about ev's new powered speakers. heard great things about ev but i have never owned one. the zxa1 is rated at 800w, weighs 19 pounds and map of $499. now thinking of going this route. opinions? mackie srm450 vs qsc k8 or the new ev zxa1? just sold my matrix 1000, got tired of carrying that sub. sounded good but looking for something more compact. plan on adding a sub to whatever tops i buy later on, but not anytime soon so im lookin for something that will put out descent low end.

thanks

My previous post did not post so here it is again...



Today I bought one ev zxa1 to compare to the mackie srm450 v1's that i own and here is my quick review. First, i love my mackies. They are built like a tank and have never let me down at a gig.  They are loud and sound great. But they are big, heavy.

Now on to the review.  

Weight
The zxa1 is  more than half the weight of the mackie and that is important to me.  I play in a small bar where the srm450 is a pain in the a$$ carrying up stars.  The ev will be no problem at 20 pounds.  

Venue
The srm450 is almost too loud for the size of the room i dj in.  And i admit, a few times I have driven people out of the bar because of the high sound pressure levels.   the ev spl is 123db  and the mackie is 127db - so it isn't a huge difference  however the mackie has the bass thump that gets the dance floor moving.

Sound  
On the high end Comparing side by side,  The mackie is slightly louder but the ev clearly has better highs. Very crisp and loud and clean.   If i had to explain it, it sounds like there is a sheet over the srm450 compared to the zxa1.  But if you think about it, a sheet does not dampen the sound that much.   

Initial test
Prior to the first gig I hooked the zxa1 directly to my vci 300 and pushed the hell out of it. With the speaker gain on zero and the vci300 totally Maxed all the gains and redlining... It barely clipped.  Some heavy bass tracks it did clip more often.  There was some speaker cabinet noise rattle but it still sounded good for an 8 inch speaker.  I've done that same test with the mackie and the srm450 sounds great at first but will eventually start to distort as the amp heats up.  This can easily be avoided with a fan blowing on the heat sink fins.   

Power rating
What i cannot understand is ev says these are 800 watts with 30 percent headroom meaning it peaks at 1100 watts -- and yet there are no fans or heat sinks like the mackie.  This is bullish-t.  I Really have trouble believing this is 800 watts rms.  Even more disturbing, what will happen to the ev after pushing it for 5 hours at max volume - will it hold up or thermally shut down?  The specs say it draws max 0.6 amps at max. A little math shows it can't be 800 watts

P=I x E
P=0.6amps x 120 volts

So Power = 72 watts drawing from the mains?   The mackie says on the power plug 320 watts!

The ev has a Class D amplifier with a high compression driver but i can't see it being true 800 watts.  Someone please correct me?  Maybe I am not comparing apples to apples?

Build quality
I like the case of the mackie better. Definatley more solid and will hold up longer  The ev is light and the plastic is not as durable as the mackie.  It will scratch and dent easily. I highly recommend padded cases.
       
Which one
Overall the mackie is better for large outdoor venues and wins on the low end.   This may be the right sized speaker for my venue.  If i were build a club i would get 8 zxa1s, and a few amplified subs.  They don't dominate the room and make a great speaker to blend in.   

Other uses
the zxa1 makes a hell of a dj booth monitor. Small, light, loud.  All you would need is an adjustable booth monitor level control. 
   
Future
If it works out i am going back Monday and getting a second zxa1. Still will keep the mackies for larger gigs.  That is unless i get a powered sub, then the mackies are history.  The zxa1 is the perfect gig speaker -only if- you had a powered sub.  By themselves they are good for small rooms.  

Tonight i will put it though a 5 hour torture test to see if it lasts at max volume.  Look out for my follow up post!

Wirelessdj

I want a small lightweight sub to match. What do you recommend?

Ehhh, in the past i had two sx200's and one ev sb120 -- and i wasn't impressed. What i found was most of the time i would leave the sub at home because the sx200's sounded fine without it.

My previous post did not post so here it is again...



Today I bought one ev zxa1 to compare to the mackie srm450 v1's that i own and here is my quick review...

well I just found this posting and I can add my $0.02 worth.

I just djed a gig with 2 SRM450v1's as mains and the EV zxa1 as my monitor. As for the amplitude in db's for the gig needed the 450's were just fine, and as a monitor the EV did its job well. Since I could not reach the full potential in db's for the monitor, I took it home to give it a run for its money. At about 100 db's @1m, the cabnit did fine. at 105db's @1m, the woofer started to bottom out and distort. The cabinet sounds great and for small gigs like house parties or for monitors in your studio, they would work fine. If you need to play at high spls for more than 60 people, you may need a larger cabinet.

A good thing is that if you could add an eq and roll off at say 90-120hz, add a sub to the set up, it could be a really good way to go with a small rig that is light weight and highly portable.

After I used the EV's, I found out that they have a Roll Off stitch on the back for use with a sub. I used that when I need to push high SPL's so the woofer doesn't bottom out. Im going to pick up 5 of them in a few weeks. Now to find a good 12" sub to match!!

EV SB2a looks like the way to go!!

+1... I had a chance to get a couple a long while ago for $800 (pair). I shoulda jumped on them. I always want just a lil extra bass at weddings than just 2 EV ZXa5's.

How does the ev elx118p stand up against the 2 sb2a's. I just ordered one elx118p to add to my 2 zxa1 for smaller gigs and wondering what to expect. Joee i know you have lots of experience with all the ev speakers so chime in :).

you saying that 2 sb2a's go well with 2 zxa5's? do you run the zx5's in top mode or full range? or is it just for a little bass, cause theres no way 2 sb2a's will keep up with even 1 zxa5

The key word is "wedding" . At wedding volumes the sb2as will work nicely with the ev zxa5. The point is to reduce the volume of the the zxa5 so that it works well with the sub, not the other way around.

The key word is "wedding" . At wedding volumes the sb2as will work nicely with the ev zxa5. The point is to reduce the volume of the the zxa5 so that it works well with the sub, not the other way around.

Yea, what he said.

I don't ever crank my ZXa5's up at weddings... that would be too much. I'd have the ZXa5's X'd-over at 100Hz (off the back) and the 2 SB2a's handling all the low end stuff for a nice and very full sound. The SB2a's are small enough to go under your typically draped DJ wedding table and be clustered for better bass response and dispersion. Placement of them would probably be venue and event dependent.

thinking about getting a pair to go with my x5's, but the price there selling for i may as well get the JBL VRX-918-SP

Made in USA... I'll get the EV's. The reason is mainly due to their very small size and light weight. I don't need an 80+ lb. sub; I've already got those.

Are you sure a JBL VRX918SP is in the same $ range as a pair of EV SB2a's? I would guess that the performance is not really a contest between them but portability and the ability to split a pair of SB2a's up would also lean me towards the EV's. For anyone just starting out and building their DJ system up from scratch, I wouldn't recommend them... I'd start with a 18" sub solution.

Wow I posted more than a year ago and still going.... =)
btw, i ended up getting a pair of k8's and a hpr18 sub. more than enough for majority of my gigs. would love to get another pair of k8s in the future but not necessary right now...

the ev's seem to be selling for $800 a each, i can get the jbl for $1,300, it will give me better sound over all i think

1 sb2a won't cut it, thats why you not happy, 2 you might like

I got a sb2a for $399 a month a go to use with a pair of zxa1. I didn't like it as a stand alone so i sold it for the same price. You can definitely find a sb2a for cheaper than $800. I decided to go with a single elx118p to run with my 2 zxa1. Im hoping this set up gives me the sound im looking for to use for smaller events. For larger events ill run 2 rcf 312a and 2 jbl prx718s. I recently came to the conclusion that i should always use a dedicated sub. It really sounds better than not using one imo.

1 sb2a won't cut it, thats why you not happy, 2 you might like

I just ordered 2 K8's for $540 each, still hunting for a sub.

@Mm3
How many people or what's the typical venue size for the majority of your gigs?

I'm using 2x K8s and a KSUB and it's sufficient for 175ppl events, possibly 200ppl.

What kind of music do you play? I play dancehall, which a majority of the time is bass-heavy music. Does the Ksub thump?

What kind of music do you play? I play dancehall, which a majority of the time is bass-heavy music. Does the Ksub thump?

... K8s and KSUB are not for djs like us. they are best for wedding djs who want small systems and dont need it to be loud or bass heavy.

I just recently found an amazing deal on the K10's. for me size is an issue, 8 is the size I want but I like the sound of a 12, so 10 is a happy medium for me.

I know this thread has been chilling on ice for a bit, have you guys heard the new zx1 sub yet?

Hey everyone... I had a question, been a little confused for my new setup.. i have been using passive c300 mackies for last 10 years but want to go the active way now. I bought the FBT Maxx 4a's really great speakers but I had a dj friend who borrowed and blew one speaker and doesn't want to agree on doing so anyhow I couldn't find replacement parts, so no more Italian speakers for me. Meanwhile I bought 2 Zxa1's just because they were small and I wanted something for monitors or small room parties. I used them first time for a small gig about 75 ppl with my jbl 18" powered sub, I was really scared and had my mackies ready in case, i was blown away with the sound never thought of them as something i would use as mains, then recently i had a chance to play them side by side with my mackie's Even though mackie had a more fuller sound I think EV's were crisper and louder.

So now for my main setup i was thinking 4 zxa1's and 4 zxa1-subs for crowds of 300 - 500 and for smaller events i would take 2 a1s and 1 or 2 subs depending on room size? any suggestions other contendors are

PRX by JBL

12" tops and xlf 18" bottom 2 each



QSC K12W and K181w again 2 each



or EV LiveX series.



ur thought?

Hey Mathew, I dont want to buy italian because of bad service anyhow I might go towards ELX-112P's -what would u recommend for subs ... so for a party of 500-600 people u think 2 zxa1'a and 2 112's with subs would be sufficient for like a big ballroom.

You would need 4 elx 112ps tops and 4 subs to do a party that size, period.

True, this system would be the bear minimum you could get away with for 500-600 . But even this system would be it the RED LIMITS all night trying to keep up.

I agree with all of the above...going from 350 to 500 or 600 people is a lot of bodies in one room. I would not recommend tackling anything more than 450 people with 2 112P's and 2 ZXA1's with their matched subs. I use TWO Mackie's SWA 1501 subs for my larger events.

And I am assuming this would be a music type event...not just sound for mics and speaking.

they sound pretty good on there own

zxa5's hit so hard (NH) they sound as if you were using a sub, you can find them for $1,400 brand new

a pair of zxa5's might just be the LAST pair of speakers you'll ever buy

Now THAT's EXACTLY how I like to shop...

Stay tuned...

man johnny you been buying a pair for how long now?...........lol

Man, I got kids goin' to college....

***sigh***

so u guys mean to say only 2 zxa5's would be enough for 500-600 ppl event.

so u guys mean to say only 2 zxa5's would be enough for 500-600 ppl event.

so u guys mean to say only 2 zxa5's would be enough for 500-600 ppl event.

well thats amazing to know that 2 speakers would be same as 4 tops and 2 subs. I might look into it.

well thats amazing to know that 2 speakers would be same as 4 tops and 2 subs. I might look into it.

i dont wanna do over $4000

I was talking to a friend and he told me a set of 112p and 118p (2 tops and 2 subs) should cover 400 ppl and a second same set would cover upto 700 ppl. I think i might go this round ( all this would cost me around 5k, which is still reasonable for 4 tops and 4 subs).. I dont want to get zxa5's cuz then i would be forced to take 50 lb speakers to event the smallest of gigs. and maintainance on such expensive speakers will cost a whole lot too, so i rather buy cheao and not worry. Thanks everyone

@ DJ Ricky aka SikhDawg, Whats your budget ? It cost alot of money to properly provide quality sound for 500-600 people. This is for the more pro level in sound, which is why most mobile djs cant or wont do it.

Maybe you need to start small with just the ev-zxa5s and build up as you earn money from gigs.

As mentioned, I don't think 2 ELX 112P's and 2 ZXA1's with subs will be enough to handle the big 500-600 gig. Especially if you have to run so high that you thermal out...then what? May want to look into renting another pair of speakers (running six tops plus 2 subs)...

[quotethis is your best option, i have zxa5's cost me $1,300 brand new.....thats $2,600 for top, i also have jbl vrx918sp cost me $1,550

where the hell do you buy ZXA5's for $1,300 brand new?

@ pro audio star.....With a lil haggling and cash you can get very close to that # with free delivery an no tax depending on your state.

@ pro audio star.....With a lil haggling and cash you can get very close to that # with free delivery an no tax depending on your state.

@ pro audio star.....With a lil haggling and cash you can get very close to that # with free delivery an no tax depending on your state.

Hold up...Cash, but they're in Brooklyn, so I would just take the trip....but don't they have them in stock? Cuz I'd just load the jawns up and roll out...

Plus the OPEN BOX is the one's listed at 1449.00.
This^^^Joee
Are you saying the NEVER BEEN OPEN JOINTS can be haggled down to the 1300?

This GUY right here ^^^^^^^^ is the MAN!!!! Props to you buddy.

why am i the man?......did you get them?

pdiddy you were right about PAS and I'm on the west coast.
DJJOHNNYM_vSL3 stopping dicking around, do yourself a favor and call PAS, you will not regret it. Mang no one came close on price for either the zxa5 or the ls801pb. Damn right, skippy!

5 years my paper work says

Anybody in Montreal want a demo model ZXa5 for $499? www.ebay.ca

Anybody in Montreal want a demo model ZXa5 for $499? www.ebay.ca

i try to tell people proaudiostar is where its at, but nobody want's to here it, they would rather shop at agi & spend more money

No PAS for me as I live in my. Sales tax on large purchases add up really quick! Lol. I usually find better deals elsewhere for that reason alone.

Yea its fuked up if u in NY an im 10 min away from them, I got a new jersey delivery address just for that reason. Fuck tax

i see what he did, man why does that ls801p have to be so big & heavy, i would have bought 1 or 2.... i'm never gonna find a 70lbs or lighter sub

got me thinking about you saying you crossed over a zxa5 and used it like a sub, i'm gonna buy 4 more zxa5's to use 4 as subs and two for tops.......lol

i wonder how well this would work.........lol

^ make friends with someone right over the NJ border :) worked for me.

I see the 516 area code. I'm in nassau county also. If you are ordering a G or more worth of stuff then it's worth the short trip..

Well placing my order next week for (2) zxa5s @PAS. Now my only decision is to either get the ls801PB for $1249x4 (NEW) or hold out and get (2) Yorkville LS2100P!!!!!! Dang decisions decisions.
Thanks Joee and pdiddy.

Can you corner load POWERED subs, and have them still the same sound effect as having passive subs corner loaded?

Absolutely, powered speakers receive the same benefits in regards to speaker placement as passive. The fact that they are individually powered has no effect what so ever. Quite often passive speakers are powered by multiple amps and even different models but this too has no negative affect.

Be careful with active subs that aren't fan cooled. When corner loading active subs that aren't fan cooled it increases the risk of thermal shut downs/overheating. Try to add a small fan ESP if you know you are gonna be pushing the subs or it's a big crowd.

^^^^^^^ www.djmb.net

.."The next day I called JBL about my problem and they said the speakers needed more air circulation or else it will shutdown otherwise you need to get a small 5in house fan."
Oh hell no, I would have sent them rite the fuck back...lol

Most of the overheating discussion started with the jbl PRX600 line which jbl likely has fixed at this point.

some djs like to hide their subs under their tables covered by skirts which completely cut off all air circulation causing the sub to overheat and fail

Hey Ricky,

I would strongly suggest TWO ELX-112P's for your main setup. I use my ZXA1's for ceremony and cocktail sound production. I will also use them wirelessly (with special gear) as satellite speakers to fill up a BIG banquet room.

The ELX-112P's are solid enough for weddings of up to 200 people without a SUB and up to 350 with a SUB. I have had mine for over a year now and get compliments on their sound all the time. My only real complaint is their design, while attractive, will make them looked heavily used in a short time if you are not careful with them....order protective covers and handle carefully.

As as alternative, RCF makes a mean speaker called the 312A that is quite impressive and the plastic cab makes it a little more road worthy and will hold up.

bringing this thread back as I'm interested in getting a pair of small-size powered speakers to either use at small parties (w/ sub) or as satellites for larger venues, or as monitors for my current rig (2 K12s, 2 Yorkville LS701Ps).

The pricing of EVs is very attractive but the coverage and power on the K8s still seems a cut above. Consider that I will rarely max them (although for some dance parties, I may push them as monitors) I'm still edging to the EVs...

There are now a few more competitors on the market too tho so just wondering what people are thinking in terms of the RCF ART 408As or the Yamaha DXR8s...