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Post by John Bell on Jan 7, 2010 9:44:11 GMT 1
Has anyone used or heard the new Mackie HD1531 Powered PA 3-Way High Definition loudspeakers in action? www.mackie.com/products/hd1531/index.htmlI am thinking of using a pair at this year's Chinnor Bike Dayz gig, to replace my SmartSound Mid/High cabs and still use the rest of my rig. (4x 18" subs and 2x 15" full range). Chinnor is getting quite successful and my current rig is being pushed to the limit. Rather than purchase 2x new passive cabs and yet another amp, I thought that this might be a better option. I could also use them on their own at small gigs, with my Mackie CFX16 MKII mixer. Even less gear to set-up. Cheers, John. |
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Post by John Bell on Jan 8, 2010 9:23:22 GMT 1
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Post by John Bell on Jan 19, 2010 15:45:09 GMT 1
Mackie have now released the new HD powered subs, to go with these HD full range cabs. www.mackie.com/products/hd1801/index.htmlIf I had the money, I would seriously consider selling my current rig and replacing it with 4x hd1801 & 4x HD1531. It would be a lot less hassle, to be free of the power amps and speaker cables and the built-in limiters will keep them safe. |
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Post by John Bell on Apr 29, 2010 14:19:47 GMT 1
After reading the many disappointed Mackie customer's comments on the Mackie forum and the KVR forum, concerning the Tracktion 3 software, mixers amps and speakers, I have been put off from purchasing any more Mackie products.
I am now looking at the powered JBL PRX series FOH speakers.
The JBL MRX512 monitors that I have, sound and look good and the PRX 515's should sound and look good with my current FOH set-up, by replacing the SmartSound SP112's.
If they are as good as the spec, I may sell my SmartSound LP115's and purchase 2 more. John.
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Phil
Senior Engineer
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Post by Phil on Apr 30, 2010 22:56:58 GMT 1
Hi John, Are the Smart Sounds eminence loaded? I think you mentioned that to me when I first joined a couple of years ago. I know in this industry its usually down to the badge that gets the money, but how about upgrading the drivers? I have had some success with B&C drivers. The DE250 is a nice 1" comp for the price its lovely at about £110. Infact im building a whole system soon from B&C.. A certain speaker manufacturer (beginning with the letter M  )uses B&C for the majority of its stuff. Phil |
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Post by John Bell on May 4, 2010 20:06:36 GMT 1
Hi Phil, yes the Smart Sounds are eminence loaded, with the exception of the StageLine compression drivers in the LP115's and LP5M monitors. The SP112's do have eminence compression drivers and they sound better than the StageLine's.
I was looking into powered speakers to eliminate the need to buy another power amp for the big rig and to have a more compact, pub gig set-up.
As you can see by my gear list in GIG PICS: OUR RIG - show us yours, I have been gradually expanding and improving my rigs over the years, to the point where there is now quite a lot of different manufacturers gear.
At least the LED stage lighting has reduced the power requirements by half, but I still have some power hungry class A-B amps.
Cheers, John.
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Post by John Bell on Sept 23, 2010 17:47:33 GMT 1
Hi Phil, where did you get your DE250 B&C compression drivers from?
I am looking into replacing the IMG Stage Line compression drivers in my LP115's.
Cheers, John.
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Post by John Bell on Dec 9, 2010 8:59:52 GMT 1
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Post by John Bell on Mar 25, 2011 10:28:43 GMT 1
I am now seriously looking into purchasing 4x 3way (15" low, mid horn & comp) powered PA cabs, to sit on my 4x 18" subs. They can't be too heavy, as my gig van can only take 1.5 tonnes. However, I will no longer use my existing 15" and 12" cabs for bigger gigs, so that will help a bit with the weight. I want to really enjoy this year's CHINNOR BIKE DAYZ 2011, instead of squeezing the last db out of my current rig. The best that I have found so far are the Mackie's www.wembleypacentre.com/Catalogue/PA-Centre/Speakers/Mackie/Mackie-HD1531-3-Way-15-1800W-Active-Speaker-HD1531Is this the way to go? Any other suggestions? Cheers John. |
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Post by John Bell on Mar 29, 2011 9:04:15 GMT 1
I just had this response from Wembley PA Centre..... "Hi John, I've just contacted Mackie and they've informed me that it's an 8 week turn around for those right now unfortunately. They're a special order item and not readily available." I didn't see that on the Mackie web site. Danny, at wembleypacentre.com has recommended the new Yamaha DSR215's as an alternative. uk.yamaha.com/en/products/proaudio/speakers/dsr_series/dsr215/?mode=modelThey would certainly shift some air on top of my 18" subs. Great frequency response at -3dB, 55Hz-18kHz and max SPL of 138dB. I will go to Wembley and have a listen. Cheers, John |
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a1dl
Just looking
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Post by a1dl on Mar 31, 2011 20:29:18 GMT 1
John, both the Mackie and the Yamaha boxes you're looking at are 90deg horizontal dispertion, If you are planning on buying four, I'm guessing you're thinking two per side, so you really want a box with a narrower horizontal pattern.
Also, circa £1,000 is a lot of money for a music shop grade box that plays to 126dB... with that amount of hard-earned to spend, I would look at investing in some secondhand pro boxes, which will sound much nicer, play a lot louder and depreciate very little if you want to sell them in a few years time.
Just my 2p :-)
Tony
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Post by John Bell on Apr 1, 2011 8:28:52 GMT 1
Thanks Tony, I was concerned about the overlap, even if I set them up as I do my current mid/high's, with 2 facing forward and 2 angled towards the middle of the audience.
That's why I wanted to here a demonstration at Wembley PA Centre.
I do like the idea of self contained, speakers, power amps and DSP processing. Space and weight in my gig van is also limited.
My set-up time at the moment, along with the stage lighting rigging is far too long.
Do you have any suggestions on where I should look for good condition, second hand pro gear, as I don't do ebay.
Cheers, John.
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Post by John Bell on Apr 5, 2011 19:31:33 GMT 1
I contacted Harman.com regarding suitable power amplifiers for running 4x JBL MRX515's, as they are 70/70 dispersion and I do like my MRX512 monitors.
Their mid and lower price recommendations were, 2x Crown XTi2000’s or 2x Crown XLS2000's, both running 2x cabs each in 4ohm mono bridge mode. (2000w program)
They are quite feature rich and the whole package would be just over £3k from digital village (dv247.com)
John.
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Post by John Bell on Apr 13, 2011 19:52:17 GMT 1
I finally went for the 4x JBL MRX515 cabs, 1x Crown XTi2000 & 2x Crown XLS2000 amplifiers, as these were in stock and more XTi's could not be delivered in time.
All light weight but good quality gear.
I will use the XTi to power my existing SmartSound LP115 cabs, after I have changed out the comps for B&C's and replaced the HPF's with proper cross-overs.
That will give me 4x subs, 2x full range and 4x mid/high cabs for Chinnor and future biker rally gigs.
The JBL's will also make 2x excellent pub-gig rigs, when used with 2x subs and 2x monitors each.
John.
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)uses B&C for the majority of its stuff.