Best Powered Speakers

XMK Entertainment 10:50 PM - 24 January, 2013

Hey guys. I know there's probably a ton of posts on this topic, but I'll post another one, as I can't find one in search.

So...
What are the best powered speakers in your opinion. I've been looking at the EV ELX 112p and 115p, JBL PRX 615M, and QSC K12. I just want to hear what you guys think about these. I do DJ gigs (50-200 people) and some Live Sound gigs (100-300 people). What do you think will be best for me, and what do you use?

p.s. I'd love to hear your guys stories "special situations" with them

Thanks,
XMK Entertainment

dj_soo 11:56 PM - 24 January, 2013

These seem nice:

www.turbosound.com

Dj Nyce 12:44 AM - 25 January, 2013

this is about subs, but they cover tops as well...
serato.com

the best 15" is the ev zxa5. close 2nd is the qsc kw152

for 12" the qsc k12 and kw122

some people are partial to the yorkville and yamaha flavors. the jbl prx and ev elx series are in a lower class than the ev zx and qsc k/kw series.

out of the ones you listed i would only do the k12's. keep in mind that you stil would need sub.

ancientyouth 4:10 AM - 25 January, 2013

Quote:

These seem nice:

www.turbosound.com

Lol
This company makes good powered stuff too

www.meyersound.com

pdidy 7:29 AM - 25 January, 2013

some of the best powered speakers can cost as much as $5000 ea. so it would be easier to help you knowing what your budget is first.

ejthedj1@mac.com 9:46 PM - 13 November, 2013

I've used both QSC K12s and RCF 312As and both have delivered excellent sound. For larger venues and audiences, I don't see how you could go wrong with the K12s paired with a Ksub. If you want the flexibility for both the smaller & larger venues and you don't require much too low-end sound, you'd be well served investing in of RCF 722As. At 1500 watts each, these bi-amp beauties can cover most mobile gigs.

DJ Remix Detroit 9:49 PM - 13 November, 2013

Quote:

K12s paired with a Ksub.

fuck a ksub... that thing is garbage compared to the kw181

ejthedj1@mac.com 9:56 PM - 13 November, 2013

Quote:

K12s paired with a Ksub.

fuck a ksub... that thing is garbage compared to the kw181

I would say "garbage" but do agree the KW181 with it's single 18" woofer sounds markedly better that the K-Sub with it twin 12" woofers

ejthedj1@mac.com 10:15 PM - 13 November, 2013

There's really lots of great powered speaker options on the market today. You want to consider of course, the sound reproduction but also portability and durability as well. Here is a link to an excellent powered speaker buying guide: www.sweetwater.com

One of the more interesting new products out there are the PreSonus StudioLive 315AI Powered PA Loudspeakers. You can get info on these via the following link:
www.sweetwater.com

DJ GaFFle 10:26 PM - 13 November, 2013

$1500?!?!? That's pretty hefty pricing. I'm looking at the specs on those Presonus 315Ai's now.

DJ GaFFle 10:27 PM - 13 November, 2013

Ahhh... it's a 3-way design. This could be interesting...

(nm)

DJ GaFFle 10:40 PM - 13 November, 2013

Oh crap...

3-way design
Wireless/wired capability
Guinness (EAW) design influences
Realistic weight (not focus on being feather light at the expense of cabinet integrity)
Full-featured DSP w/ time correction (Guinness influenced which usually means great sound)
Locking IEC power cables ... I would prefer to see Powercons
Pole Mounts!!! ... you don't get many 3-ways with this simple feature

Joee 8:32 PM - 14 November, 2013

Quote:

some of the best powered speakers can cost as much as $5000 ea. so it would be easier to help you knowing what your budget is first.

this right here……

10 months has past seen he asked…..what did you buy?

Crump 4:49 PM - 8 June, 2015

Hi guys sorry to revive an old thread, but seeing if much has changed since 2013?.

I need advice on the best 15". Looking for good bass, clarity and obviously loudness for gigs up to 100 people. Ideally plug straight in via XLR from my Rane mixer.

A friend who runs a speaker hire company reccomended Mackie thumps but they are total crap so it's back to the drawing board.

Any help much appreciated!

Joee 4:51 PM - 8 June, 2015

Quote:

I need advice on the best 15". Looking for good bass, clarity and obviously loudness for gigs up to 100 people. Ideally plug straight in via XLR from my Rane mixer.

at there price point there pretty hard to beat

www.guitarcenter.com

Joee 4:56 PM - 8 June, 2015

^ by the way that price point is $650, they can be found cheaper than there list price

Rebelguy 5:12 PM - 8 June, 2015

Quote:

A friend who runs a speaker hire company reccomended Mackie thumps!

That person really isn't your friend if he's recommending Mackie Thumps. JK

Crump 5:18 PM - 8 June, 2015

Quote:

A friend who runs a speaker hire company reccomended Mackie thumps!

That person really isn't your friend if he's recommending Mackie Thumps. JK

Ha yeah right.

He has taken A LOT of drugs to be fair.

Crump 5:20 PM - 8 June, 2015

Quote:

I need advice on the best 15". Looking for good bass, clarity and obviously loudness for gigs up to 100 people. Ideally plug straight in via XLR from my Rane mixer.

at there price point there pretty hard to beat

www.guitarcenter.com

Thanks Joee, will check em out

Crump 5:42 PM - 8 June, 2015

Quote:

^ by the way that price point is $650, they can be found cheaper than there list price

Cheapest you can get a pair of DXR15 in UK is $1700!

Any alternatives?

Joee 5:51 PM - 8 June, 2015

Quote:

Cheapest you can get a pair of DXR15 in UK is $1700!

those are list prices out here they list for $1,600 ,but you have local shops that sell them cheaper

i guess you would want to check you local music stores & not the big chains?

I've actually purchased from this store before it's in the UK isn't it www.thomann.de

i don't remember paying much extra for shipping

Crump 6:09 PM - 8 June, 2015

Thanks Joee

I see another thread that rates the DXR15 too. I suppose paying twice as much than the Mackie is because they are twice as good ha ha haaaa.

BTW if I were to add a sub to the 2 DXR15's further down the line what would you recommend?

Joee 6:20 PM - 8 June, 2015

Quote:

BTW if I were to add a sub to the 2 DXR15's further down the line what would you recommend?

we actually did a speaker shoot out over the weekend serato.com & i think the QSC KW181 was a good match for the DXR series

Taipanic 7:26 PM - 8 June, 2015

RCFs are probably cheaper in the UK than anything brought in from US or Japan.

Djc Jimenez 11:19 PM - 10 June, 2015

Quote:

I need advice on the best 15". Looking for good bass, clarity and obviously loudness for gigs up to 100 people. Ideally plug straight in via XLR from my Rane mixer!

Isn't the RCF ART 745-A the best option right now?

Rebelguy 11:44 PM - 10 June, 2015

Quote:

I need advice on the best 15". Looking for good bass, clarity and obviously loudness for gigs up to 100 people. Ideally plug straight in via XLR from my Rane mixer!

Isn't the RCF ART 745-A the best option right now?

Unless you have a lot more money to spend.

Djc Jimenez 12:01 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Just out of curiosity, could you mention 1 or 2 models that are better than the RCF?

Djc Jimenez 12:01 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Unless you have a lot more money to spend.

Just out of curiosity, could you mention 1 or 2 models that are better than the RCF?

pdidy 12:54 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Unless you have a lot more money to spend.

Just out of curiosity, could you mention 1 or 2 models that are better than the RCF?

well that's something we Generally have no real reason to discuss because it's far above our pay grade.

Joee 1:05 AM - 11 June, 2015

best speaker is very subjective

but i'll throw one in……………

for the money in it's price point ($650 to $700) the absolute best 15" two way IMHO

the yamaha dxr15

pdidy 1:13 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

best speaker is very subjective

but i'll throw one in……………

for the money in it's price point ($650 to $700) the absolute best 15" two way IMHO

the yamaha dxr15

true but it's debatable. What's not debatable and is no question better ?

dj_soo 1:20 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Thanks Joee

I see another thread that rates the DXR15 too. I suppose paying twice as much than the Mackie is because they are twice as good ha ha haaaa.

BTW if I were to add a sub to the 2 DXR15's further down the line what would you recommend?

they are more than twice as good

Rebelguy 2:45 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Unless you have a lot more money to spend.

Just out of curiosity, could you mention 1 or 2 models that are better than the RCF?

RCF TT5-A
JBL VP7215
Meyer UPQ-1P
EAW JF29NT
Fulcrum Acoustic FA15ac

pdidy 2:50 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Unless you have a lot more money to spend.

Just out of curiosity, could you mention 1 or 2 models that are better than the RCF?

RCF TT5-A
JBL VP7215
Meyer UPQ-1P
EAW JF29NT
Fulcrum Acoustic FA15ac

Ok I agree now put the prices next to them just for Lafs and giggles......Lol

Joee 11:36 AM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

best speaker is very subjective

but i'll throw one in……………

for the money in it's price point ($650 to $700) the absolute best 15" two way IMHO

the yamaha dxr15

true but it's debatable. What's not debatable and is no question better ?

Rebelguy beat me to it www.kpodj.com

Rebelguy 12:57 PM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Rebelguy beat me to it www.kpodj.com

The interesting thing is that the TT5-A is one of the cheaper ones of the group I mentioned.

RCF TT5-A $3470.00
JBL VP7215 $4190.00 and up
Meyer UPQ-1P $6000.00
EAW JF59NT $3375.00
Fulcrum Acoustic FA15ac $4200.00

Joee 12:58 PM - 11 June, 2015

^you know i like my rcf…….lol

DJ GaFFle 1:10 PM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Rebelguy beat me to it www.kpodj.com

The interesting thing is that the TT5-A is one of the cheaper ones of the group I mentioned.

RCF TT5-A $3470.00
JBL VP7215 $4190.00 and up
Meyer UPQ-1P $6000.00
EAW JF59NT $3375.00
Fulcrum Acoustic FA15ac $4200.00

I'd go for a RCF TT2-A. That TT5-A is almost 100 lbs!

Taipanic 1:35 PM - 11 June, 2015

Not to mention various lines from Nexo, Presonus, FBT, Turbosound, etc...

Rebelguy 2:53 PM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Not to mention various lines from Nexo, Presonus, FBT, Turbosound, etc...

I don't believe that Nexo makes a powdered 15 inch cabinet. They all require the use of their processor and amplifiers.

I didn't list Presonus and FBT because that would be a lateral of not a slight step down from the 745.

All the new Turbosound cabinets are just rebranded Behringer so they may be out of the running.

Rebelguy 2:57 PM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

Rebelguy beat me to it www.kpodj.com

The interesting thing is that the TT5-A is one of the cheaper ones of the group I mentioned.

RCF TT5-A $3470.00
JBL VP7215 $4190.00 and up
Meyer UPQ-1P $6000.00
EAW JF59NT $3375.00
Fulcrum Acoustic FA15ac $4200.00

I'd go for a RCF TT2-A. That TT5-A is almost 100 lbs!

I'm actually interested in the TT1-A. It's rated at 55Hz-20k which is better than other companies 12inch cabinets and some 15inch cabs as well. Plus it's ONLY 60lbs.

DJ GaFFle 3:38 PM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

...
I'm actually interested in the TT1-A. It's rated at 55Hz-20k which is better than other companies 12inch cabinets and some 15inch cabs as well. Plus it's ONLY 60lbs.

Yeah... I'm sure they're bonkers on sound quality but taking the next step up to the 2-A, you'll have a cabinet that goes 5Hz lower and 3db louder. The down side is it's 14lbs heavier and about $500 more expensive each. When you're spending this kind of money, you need to insure you're getting the best of everything (within reasonable weights and sizes). I wonder how an RCF745A or ZXA5 sounds vs. an RCF TT1-A.

6 3:48 PM - 11 June, 2015

I wouldn't buy anything with the word TURBO in it that has nothing to do with turbo.

nm

DJ GaFFle 5:51 PM - 11 June, 2015

Quote:

I wouldn't buy anything with the word TURBO in it that has nothing to do with turbo.

nm

This "was" my mentality until I came across this their lineup: soundforums.net

Pole mountable and 137dB from a 3-way powered PA speaker... InSaNe!

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