18" Sub Preference (Mackie, EV, or other)

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My only issue, if you want to call it that, with the EV Live X subs is that it only have one input/output. I use Bose L1's most of the time and like the stereo inputs to the sub and then out to the L1's.

Thanks for your opinion Jon.
 
Well, I went ahead and purchased an entire EV Elx system, consisting of 2 - EX118p and 2 ELX112p.

I must say, I was very surprised at the sound. Very warm and very precise, to say the least. I was worried about the subs (rated at 700 watts) being able to produce enough. There was PLENTY of low end.

I will give a full review after I use the system live today at a wedding. I just wanted to give a quick post to say that these are the real deal! And, at a very attractive price point.
 
Used my EV Live-X ELX118P last night and I was NOT happy at all with it!

The first hour or two of my wedding went well. Nice volume, sounded great. When it got to the dancing portion of the wedding, this is when the sub started, what I would call, a serious downward spiral.

1. I noticed an abnormal amount of limit lights on lower volume dance music. My gain from my NS6 was not excessive so I thought that I may have a bad cable. So, I swapped XLR's with a new spare and same thing.

2. After about 2 hours of dancing, the sub's volume was getting softer and a burning smell started emanating from the sub.

I received a request from the bride for Baby Got Back and had very little low end. My dilemma is simple... do I have a bad sub? I can try it out today since I purchased 2 or should I return these and get possibly the QSC KW181?

Perhaps my greatest concern is headroom. I never like to see clip/limit lights. As a wedding jock, I don't play it too loud but like that extra reserve in case I need to push it slightly.

Any thoughts? Should I jump ship with the EV subs and go QSC or JBL?

I AM keeping the EV ELX112 tops... no problems with those.

Thanks, sorry for my rant.

Scott
 
Return the subs asap and go with the qsc's or Yorkville subs. I'm sorry to hear about your bad experience with the EV stuff. I was never a fan of the elx line. It's ev entry level stuff. Just like the k series and jbl jrx stuff. A nice combo would be a set of RCF 312's for tops and qsc kw, yorkville ls 801p or RCF 18 powered sub.
 
John, the Yorky subs look good but the 120+ pounds doesn't. Looking for something in the 70-90 pound range.

Where did you read about the EV tops and the problems they are having? I have read about no problems on the tops.
 
I have been using the evlivex18" powered subs for almost a year now and they have provided nothing but Bass in your Face results.I run them at 1 oclock on the volume set , and they kill.I have plenty of head room to go.People can't take it.You guys must be running your gear way harder than I do.Never had a problem.Hope this helps.
 
djmm, I have your identical setup, although I picked up a second set of the 112p as backup or extra coverage. After two gigs of about 50-75 people I have no complaints. I ran all units at 2-o-clock gain and my mixer at 3-o-clock towards the end of the night. I would occasionally walk across the dance floor to hear how things were sounding and even dialed it back a couple of times so as not to overwhelm the room (both rooms were country-club style reception/bar rooms, maybe 100x100 with 20ft ceilings). No smell or clipping. Sorry to hear these let you down. I also really like the light weight. Had to carry these up and down a flight of stairs.
 
bizzyb53, thank you for your comment, however, I was not pushing these hard at all. Are you saying that you do not see any limit lights? If you re-read my post, you will realize that I was reaching limit lights with very light dancing. In fact, I reached a limit light or two during cocktails. Obviously the music was slightly more than a whisper during this time frame. I actually made a video with my iPhone to show that it was during cocktail hour and the limit lights were clearly on.

A few more details... we went to pack the sub back into the box today and we noticed what looks to be a repair tag on the outside box. Hard to tell since the "tag" was written in all Chinese. The box was definitely opened at some point. One sub box had clear tape on the outer box and the other (the one with the "tag") had "EV tape" on it to seal it shut.

After researching further, there are SEVERAL other complaints that say exactly what I am experiencing. Possibly a bad batch of sub? maybe.

Irregardless, I was able to find a great price online for a QSC KW181 and I am having Guitar Center match that price, since I need it rather quickly. I will be picking it up in the morning.

Thanks again for all of your help... will certainly post my results of the QSC in the next few days.

Scott
 
Steve... agreed! I LOVE the look and also the lightweight. Possibly a bad sub but not willing to take the chance at another wedding.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
 
djmm said:
Steve... agreed! I LOVE the look and also the lightweight. Possibly a bad sub but not willing to take the chance at another wedding.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Click to expand...

I really like the setup and of course just after placing my order, I uncovered all the thermal and limit light posts you've now uncovered. I'm crossing my fingers. The price was right, but I know you usually get what you pay for. I've read only positives about those QSCs.
 
djmm said:
Used my EV Live-X ELX118P last night and I was NOT happy at all with it!

The first hour or two of my wedding went well. Nice volume, sounded great. When it got to the dancing portion of the wedding, this is when the sub started, what I would call, a serious downward spiral.

1. I noticed an abnormal amount of limit lights on lower volume dance music. My gain from my NS6 was not excessive so I thought that I may have a bad cable. So, I swapped XLR's with a new spare and same thing.

2. After about 2 hours of dancing, the sub's volume was getting softer and a burning smell started emanating from the sub.

I received a request from the bride for Baby Got Back and had very little low end. My dilemma is simple... do I have a bad sub? I can try it out today since I purchased 2 or should I return these and get possibly the QSC KW181?

Perhaps my greatest concern is headroom. I never like to see clip/limit lights. As a wedding jock, I don't play it too loud but like that extra reserve in case I need to push it slightly.

Any thoughts? Should I jump ship with the EV subs and go QSC or JBL?

I AM keeping the EV ELX112 tops... no problems with those.

Thanks, sorry for my rant.

Scott
Click to expand...

Scott,

I have and use these regularly with no issues. Typically, I run the subs at the 3rd line up, which is plenty of bass. If you had them cranked wide open, that could be the cause of some of the issues. My tops are generally at 3:00 on the top knob and 12:00 on the middle knob. Subs are like 10:00. Above 10:00 and you may start seeing the limit light, depending on the signal you're sending to it. Hope this helps.

The 'smell' could be that paint smell. It lasted for like 2 months!

Mike
 
Mike,

If I turn the gain on the sub all the way up with SIGNAL ATTACHED but no volume, I get limit lights.

I ran them at high noon and got clip lights on cocktail music. I cut them back to about 9 and lost my clip lights until I played dance music. I am running from my Numark NS6, with the gain set at high noon as well.

Irregardless, they are going back in the morning.

Picking up the QSC as well.

In 24 years in the biz, never had a sub limit so quickly. Disappointed in EV/Bosch on this one. Yes, these are made in EV's parent company, Bosch's plant in China.

Scott
 
Scott,

Hopefully this helps: My setup is Serato Itch (Vestax VCI-300) into a Pioneer DJM-3000 via RCA. The Pio's EQ's are off on this channel - EQ's are controlled on the Vestax (on board EQ is generally 1:00-2:00 high, 10:00-11:00 mid and 1:00-2:00 low - may vary based on song). Vestax master is about 3:00 but I ride the slider for channel volume. Gain on the mixer is about 1:00 - I keep my eye on the channel volume (and adjust as needed). From the PIO, the cables run out XLR to the subs, then off to the tops (which are "with sub" selected). Subs are at 3 lines up usually and I rarely EVER see a clip light although I can force one by upping the EQ or by upping the volume. I know when you power them on, the clip light stays on for a few seconds. I don't think I've ever been above 12:00 with them and honestly, don't think I've needed them that loud. If I do, I'd double up with another sub. Tops are at 12:00 (middle knob) and 3:00 (top knob)

24 years in the biz here too. I use a few rules in the biz:

Rule #1, You Get What You Pay For (having said that, these were an awesome buy and they are rockin'. I have had *knock on wood* no issues with these and have been told at times that I'm running too much bass). I honestly think you get more than what you get from the QSC K Series for a few less greens. Like I said, I own the K12's and the Live X 12's - heck of a price difference for 2 "similar" pieces of equipment.

Rule #2, The Best Is Just Barely Good Enough. As history shows time and time again, the best thing is only best until the next best comes along - so invest in the best that you can afford, hoping that it will be a long time until it's no good anymore.

Mike
 
Scott,I think you got a bad batch.Did you try them out before the wedding?I have never seena clip light at 12 oclock or 1 oclock settings.I ran them in clubs and all kinds of events.All I here is to much bass!
 
I have nothing against EV, however this is not the first time I've heard of the issues you experienced. I have a pair of every speaker in the QSC HPRi lineup except for the HPR151i 15" subs. In the 3 or so years I've had this gear, it has been rode hard and loud numerous times, without EVER a problem. That's my 2 cents for ya.

Best,

Paul
 
The only issues I have heard with them - are the ones going thermal in the sunlight. I haven't heard of anything like what he's experiencing. Cam has also been a big EV Live X user (among other things). Any input here Cam? Ben, any input from your side of the house? There's an EV guy here too I think - any input from him?
 
Yes, I had a two days to try them out at home but only for short times. They worked fine for 25 minutes or so. In fact, I made my original post based on the fact that they sound good.

Also, there is/was a slight burning or paint smell coming from the cabinet. Not sure which but it smelled electrical to me. And also, it had that service tag on it.

Let me also say that I am in NO WAY bashing EV. But, if you can only put the gain on the sub to "3" and anything after that you get limit lights, as some guys have described... that seems like an issue. Sure, there is a ton of bass at "3" but what about when you need more. What if you have to go to "5" on the dial? You just don't have any headroom left.

Like I said, I LOVE EV and Cam and I are friends so I do hope he chimes in, cause he really knows gear.

Thanks for the great discussion. Hopefully, today I will be talking about the QSC KW181 and how nice it is.

You get what you pay for, as stated. I went the inexpensive route and am not happy.
 
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