Compact Portable PA System

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Ok cool. Thanks Steve. I've only seen the bose speakers at an ADJA event a couple months ago. I think when I go to the next one i'm going to ask the guy who brings them some questions. I'm still interested in hearing about the EVOX 8's too. I like the idea of having power that's PORTABLE! What I have now is good I just want to know if a line array would be better.
 
Everything is a tradeoff ... the reason I bought the EVOX 8 was a need to cut back weight. Not that my JBL PRX tops or Yamaha subs are super heavy, but for me, I was willing to trade some performance for something easier on my back (at least for most gigs). I do plan on keeping a slightly larger system with a 10" or 12" top over maybe a pair of 15" subs .. that's my next project.
 
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They have worked out great .. I've used them on both inside and outside gigs .. and even as mains for a 6 piece rock band. Don't go as low as I'd like (though I knew that), but pack up small and light .. which is the tradeoff I wanted. The EVOX weigh about 40% of what my Yamaha/JBL combo weighs and takes up about the same space as just the older subs.

I use them for most things now .. though I will probably sell my Yamaha DXS12 pair and maybe the JBL PRX612s and go with something like the RCF 705-AS II subs and either a smoother 12" (like the RCF HD32) or a nice 10".
 
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steve149 said:
They have worked out great .. I've used them on both inside and outside gigs .. and even as mains for a 6 piece rock band. Don't go as low as I'd like (though I knew that), but pack up small and light .. which is the tradeoff I wanted. The EVOX weigh about 40% of what my Yamaha/JBL combo weighs and takes up about the same space as just the older subs.

I use them for most things now .. though I will probably sell my Yamaha DXS12 pair and maybe the JBL PRX612s and go with something like the RCF 705-AS II subs and either a smoother 12" (like the RCF HD32) or a nice 10".
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I agree - i've found myself using my RCF Evox 8 at about 90 percent of the weddings i've been doing. Very rarely is there a wedding i don't think the RCF will handle. I'm extremely happy with them
 
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Used my Evox 8 system one last month in conjunction with my RCF ART 200As and ART 800A subs. It was a very large event center with carpeted flooring and medium high ceilings. It was the event where I was troubled with sound getting to the back of the banquet room (I'll post pictures of the space later.) I tied into the overhead event center sound system for Cocktails and Dinner, but not for Dancing.

I was surprised at how well the two systems (RCF and RCF Evox 8) complemented each other. The 15" subs of the RCF gave me the extra Low end that I needed for dancing. The tops carried very well to the back third of the room where many of the dignitaries stayed once the dancing began.

There were probably 300-350 guests attending, but once the "program" was finished many soldiers and their wives left. Probably 100 guests remained the rest of the evening.

I did sound checks with just the Evox 8 system, RCF System, and both together. The Evox 8 tops were much louder than the RCF tops, but the RCF 15" subs were obviously deeper than the Evox 8 12" sub. I did push the Evox rather hard during dancing because the "red" light came on a few times and the limiter kicked in reducing the sound slightly, but the RCF tops and sub carried it. I backed off the volume slightly and the Evox 8 came back to full life.

This past Friday night (12/4) I did a Holiday Party with just the Evox 8 system. Approximately 150 guests. The system was awesome...smaller venue and less people. Pictures to follow at a later date.

Food for thought! If I had purchased the Evox 12 (15" sub), it would have done the Military Event with the RCF ART 200A & 800A sub just fine. I doubt the limiter would have kicked in at the volume I was playing. I know the weight of the Evox 12 vs. Evox 8 isn't that much more to lift, but you do have to carry the pole and head in a separate bag, so it isn't as compact. There's always a trade off.

Bottom line...Evox 8 will also do 90% of the weddings that I have done this year.
 
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My opinion is the same as most here. For 90% of the Wedding I do (100 to 150 guest) the Evox 8 does a great job.

Now with that said, I love the system so much that my plan next year is to add some more low end to it. I will be looking at some 15's subs to just set the Evox 8 system on top of. I will also build my own custom cables to go to each stack, 2 XLR sends and 1 12 gauge power with a splitter on the end to power both systems. I will use my Drive Rack to manage the crossover point. This should do all I need.
 
prodjay said:
My opinion is the same as most here. For 90% of the Wedding I do (100 to 150 guest) the Evox 8 does a great job.

Now with that said, I love the system so much that my plan next year is to add some more low end to it. I will be looking at some 15's subs to just set the Evox 8 system on top of. I will also build my own custom cables to go to each stack, 2 XLR sends and 1 12 gauge power with a splitter on the end to power both systems. I will use my Drive Rack to manage the crossover point. This should do all I need.
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I just ordered a similar set of cables to be made up ( CBI Introduces Powered Audio Cables ). 30' with 2 XLR and power. Wasn't sure what I wanted on the speaker end, so I ordered it with a IEC (non-molded) connector, but may replace or extend that with an edison outlet as well. The cables are data compatible, so I will use them also for EVOX plus DMX lighting.
 
prodjay said:
Steve, My plan is to buy 35' xlr cables from Monoprice and use a 12 gauge power cord.

I plan on using something like This to cover it all.

Cable Ties and More
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Techflex sleeving (or their version) is tough on the hands. I have some heavy duty HDMI cables that are covered in it and the braid works like sandpaper when it's pulled over things.

This CBI cable (or the similar ProCo cables) are made as one cable. The techflex is great for small bundle runs, but I'd be careful on long runs.

I went with these better cables as the American Audio version I have (1 power and 1 XLR) SKAC25 broke somewhere in the middle and I want to minimize the chance of that happening again.
 
steve149 said:
I just ordered a similar set of cables to be made up ( CBI Introduces Powered Audio Cables ). 30' with 2 XLR and power. Wasn't sure what I wanted on the speaker end, so I ordered it with a IEC (non-molded) connector, but may replace or extend that with an edison outlet as well. The cables are data compatible, so I will use them also for EVOX plus DMX lighting
Click to expand...

Let me know when you get them and what you think about them. I may just order some myself.
 
Ron said:
Steve, did you ever find your 15" subs?
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Found .. maybe, purchased .. not yet. I'm leaning toward the new RCF SUB 705-AS II. It was light, and pretty decent, based on the limited time I heard it at the DJ Expo. Only concern is it may be a smidge too light, as I intend to pole mount the tops above it and would like to use 12" tops if needed and not sure the 50 pound weight will counterbalance a 35 pound top. Honestly, won't do anything until spring, so I'll keep looking, but that RCF seems to fit my needs. Pricing seems to be around $950 .. it was under $800 at the show, so I would hope to get it somewhere in there.

RCF - SUB 705-AS II
 
prodjay said:
Let me know when you get them and what you think about them. I may just order some myself.
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Realized I never responded. The CBI cables are very well made .. Neutrik and Leviton connectors. Might replace the IEC plug with an outlet as I bought some small Hosa whips that have would get me a spare outlet behind the sub to plug a small LED fixture in to (or a separate top if I use it with a different system than the EVOX).

IMG_0622[1].JPG
 
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I just jumped into this discussion, but I've been considering an EVOX system... should I go with the 8 or 12?

Here's what I currently own:

- Bose L1 Model 1 system with 2 B2 subs. The sticks are 10 years old and I use this system at 90% of my gigs.
Pros: The look and Bose name.
Cons: 8 pieces to set up/transport, and they're fragile. Electronics are at floor level and have taken a beer bath at least 3x thanks to careless dancers.

- EV Live-X system (2 ELX112P tops and 2 ELX118P subs).
Pros: Great sound and I can drive 'em pretty hard. Manageable size/weight and relatively modular, should I need just 1 sub or no subs at all.
Cons: Flaky finish, questionable build quality, and that inappropriate-at-weddings smell.

If I purchase an EVOX system, it would be replacing the Bose as my go-to system. I'm leaning towards the EVOX 12s, unless there's a reason I shouldn't (and haven't considered).

Your thoughts?
 
The 12 is closest to the full L1 .. the 8 is probably closest to the L1 S. For me, my audience size is generally under 150 people, so the 8 is more than sufficient for most things. With the 8, the top stores conveniently in the back of the sub .. in the 12, it's 2 separate cases. If you do events with more than 200, definitely go for the 12 .. the 15" sub hits better and you get more volume out of the tops.

I think the 8 will be close to your EV system .. thought the ELX118 subs probably will outdo the 12 in the EVOX 8.

I am planning to replace my Yamaha sub with a 15" sub to go with my 12" tops .. I will probably evaluate at the time whether to just add a EVOX 12 to the stable instead and sell off those pieces.
 
I had pretty much decided to get a pair of EVOX 8's... within the next month. Now I'm reconsidering. I don't normally do huge events, but if I wanted to do a larger event, 250-300 people, maybe having the EVOX 12 would be a better purchase for me? My main motivation was size and weight. The 8 would certainly lighten my load and free up some much needed space in the minivan. Not sure if the 12 would reduce my weight and space very much over my current Alto TSSUB15's and TS110A's. My plan was to keep my Alto system (as my backup) and sell my current backup system, 15" JBL EON's. I need to pull the trigger soon though, or I'll just analyze this to death! [emoji2]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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The EVOX 12 is substantially heavier .. 80# vs 50#. Max SPL is about the same (2db difference) but the 12 has a 90 deg spread, whereas the 8 has a 120 deg spread. Because of that, the 12 will throw more energy in its coverage area. For me, my events are smaller .. the wider dispersion of the 8 helps (like the Bose). I would certainly like the option of more bass at times .. thus I'm thinking of the larger setup, but the ease of carrying and packing the 8 is perfect for 95% of what I do.
 
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