New DJ Needs Help Selecting Speakers...

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DJ4LIFE

DJ
Dec 30, 2019
7
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Which type of speaker will give me less trouble in the long run Powered or Active?

Has anyone tried the Rockville Brand Speakers? If I choose the Passive speakers do you have any suggestions about a good amp to purchase?

Once connected do I have to plug the amp right into a power source or run it through a mixer?
 
Welcome to the board. I'll be moving your thread to the gear forum I'm sure a few will chime in soon.

Please take a minute to introduce yourself in the introductions thread

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I know this is a forum - but because a bunch of us have been here a long time, we like to know who we're talking to .. so if you have not yet, please take a moment to introduce yourself.
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DJ4LIFE said:
Which type of speaker will give me less trouble in the long run Powered or Active?

Has anyone tried the Rockville Brand Speakers? If I choose the Passive speakers do you have any suggestions about a good amp to purchase?

Once connected do I have to plug the amp right into a power source or run it through a mixer?
Click to expand...
You’ve got to give a lot more information on what type of events you do & plan to do. What you have to transport them and what type of budget range do you have. Then we could give a better recommendations.
I have heard of Rockville, not a manufacturer that I would use. I tend to use larger named brands (EV, JBL & etc) which have a long history of lasting. Powered or Passive depends on what & where you use them. I have both. If I am playing in rain or high 90’s you can bet I’m not using my powered stuff.
 
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Active tends to be easier to use because you're getting an amp matched with the speaker right out of the box. Also, you have instant redundancy with a pair. So if one of your speakers dies on you - you should still have a second one up and running. Otherwise you need to buy an extra amp to have a back up if one blows.

Hard to suggest what you should be using without knowing more about your plans and budget. But my main mantra buying gear in this business is "Buy once, cry once." It's not always practical for everyone, but I normally try to buy the best gear I can in hopes that it lasts me a long time of reliable use.
 
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I typically recommend powered to newbies. There is less decision making involved and a lower level of knowledge is needed.

Be realistic about the needs of your early events. How big a room? How many people? What kind of music? All of this will turn you towards one product or another. Consider how much room you have in your vehicle to haul your gear as well and how much lifting you will be doing. Large speakers aren't for everyone. Sometimes you want to go with a sub and smaller satellite speakers or maybe a column speaker that can break down into smaller/lighter parts.

Don't spend money an cheap crap. If you are just starting out, you may wish to rent higher quality gear until you can afford some yourself.
 
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Powered/Active speakers are the best invention since Hot Pockets...

Unless you are doing gigantic proms/festival stage type stuff...you are pretty secure with active speakers... as stated above...if one dies...u can still limp through for a bit while you grab back ups...or simply make it through the evening...

if renting is a possibility... rent for the first few months... get a feel for your needs....guage the average amount of people your events have... if you average no more than a couple hundred...you can get by with a lot less and rent extra for future BIG events

cc
 
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With active speakers, there are less connections..
which helps reduce the chances of something failing.

And with new technology, powered speakers are smaller, and almost as light as non-powered.
 
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djcrazychris said:
Powered/Active speakers are the best invention since Hot Pockets...

Unless you are doing gigantic proms/festival stage type stuff...you are pretty secure with active speakers... as stated above...if one dies...u can still limp through for a bit while you grab back ups...or simply make it through the evening...

if renting is a possibility... rent for the first few months... get a feel for your needs....guage the average amount of people your events have... if you average no more than a couple hundred...you can get by with a lot less and rent extra for future BIG events

cc
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice DJCrazy Chris. Yes, I agree renting is a possibility for me. I was thinking about renting speakers before I purchase them to get a feel for everything first, before I purchase them. Yes, at first I was looking at passive speakers, but it seems as if they are more hectic on the back end more gear to carry and connect. Passive speakers add more connections to exterior amps those I am not willing to deal with at least not when I first start out.

Thanks for giving such great advice!
 
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Ausumm said:
With active speakers, there are less connections..
which helps reduce the chances of something failing.

And with new technology, powered speakers are smaller, and almost as light as non-powered.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree it seems like the active speakers are very popular for DJ's. It's not a bad idea to bring an extra speaker as well. Thanks for the advice.
 
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DJ4LIFE said:
Yes, I agree it seems like the active speakers are very popular for DJ's. It's not a bad idea to bring an extra speaker as well. Thanks for the advice.
Click to expand...

As with ANY piece of gear, bringing a backup (or two) is a great idea.
I have a separate set of powered speakers for wedding ceremonies...
which I also use as backups.
 
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You'll get a lot of advice about brands. The great news is there are a number of great brands.

I'd try meeting up with other DJ's, seeing equipment, seeing how heavy vs the sound quality.

For me, great sounding light speakers are very important. I move these things A LOT. if they were a pain to move around and set up, it would suck.

Some think bigger means better. Some think loud bass is the most important thing. While bass is vital, too much bass can distort the sound. Great clear sound is what's important to me.

Listen to people that will tell you what they like about their gear and see if that works for you.

Ignore people that trash other brands.

But you need to understand what features are important to you. This can be difficult when buying gear initially.

Don't review equipment by spec sheet. Cheap geaar is usually full of fantastic specs on a sheet.

I'd much rather buy used great gear than new cheap gear.

Take your time.
 
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I recommend seeing, touching and listening to speakers before purchase. Sometimes you don't have them available. Before I decided to buy the RCF Evox 8 vs. 12, I knew I wanted the RCF Evox but nobody had them in my neighborhood or nearby. So, on my upcoming trip to Maine (have friends that we visit annually, I decided to make a slight detour to Edison, NJ to the RCF USA warehouse. It wasn't much distance out of the way, maybe 40 miles, cause we often use the NJ Tpk or Garden State Pkwy.
Called the warehouse while in Maine before trip back to NC (now live in Florida). They have a show room in the warehouse. A sales rep said to come on down. Made an appt. and stopped on way back to NC. I was able to listen to both the RCF Evox 8 and 12 systems. At the time I was interested in small storage and travel footprint. Evox 8 had all in self-contained carrying unit; Evox 12 required poles to be carried separately. The sound of the Evox 12 was more powerful than the Evox 8 and heavier. I ordered the Evox 8's while at the factory and they were shipped direct to NC to my house. If I had it to do over I most likely would have purchased the Evox 12's. At the time, I knew I was going to be downsizing and relocating to Florida within a year or two. As it were, I ended up selling my Yorkville 18" LS801P (1500 W) subwoofer and both Yorkville 15" NX15's (720 W). Sad! Sad! day when I sold that system.

RCF is Italian made and expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for. Take care of your equipment. Buy protective covers and handle them with care.
 
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Ausumm said:
With active speakers, there are less connections..
which helps reduce the chances of something failing.

And with new technology, powered speakers are smaller, and almost as light as non-powered.
Click to expand...


Yes and no. There are pro's and con's to both. Passive speakers only need one wire to each speaker. Powered speakers require 2 wires to each speaker. One XLR from the mixer and one 110 to power them. So with powered speakers you have to run a 110 to each speaker plus an XLR. If a powered speaker goes down It's a usles box that can't be used until you fix the amp. In a passive system if the amp goes out, you can simply switch to another amp and the speaker can still be used. As for weight. a passive speaker is lighter and the newer power amps are much lighter then the older style amps of the old days. Power amps come in 2 channel or 4 channel and even 8 channel models. So one 4 channel amp can run 2 tops and 2 subs with a single amp. With the lighter power amps you can put more amps in a rack case and still lift it without a forklift. But if a powered speaker goes down you only loose that one speaker, UNLESS the DSP part of the speaker goes out and doesn't send signal to the other if you dasy chaining them in mono.
Used passive gear is much cheaper then powered systems if budget is an issue. With powered speakers you are stuck with the onboard amp that comes with the speaker. With passive speakers you can choose what ever brand and size amp you like.
With powered speakers you will need longer XLR cables and longer 110 cables to each speaker. With passive you can use short XLR cables and long speaker cables.
Many powered speakers have DSP issues and there reliability is not as good. But with with onboard DSP it will eliminate xovers needed for passive systems with tops and subs. But the down side is to make adjustments you have to do it at the back of each powered speaker. With passive you can make adjustments from one unit located in your mixer rack.
Small systems with 2 tops and one or two subs a powered system is simple but so is a passive system. With a large system, my choice is passive.
To say one is easier and or simpler is not a true statement.
Shop GC used section and compare cost of used gear. If you but quality equipment, chances of a piece of gear failing are lower with passive systems.
Search problems with powered speakers and you will fine many cases where powered speakers fail for one reason or another.
Also with powered speakers you have to turn the speaker on and off at the back of each speaker.
Like I said, there are pro's and con's with both. So choose the rite system for your needs.
Dynacord has lightweight PRO QUALITY power amps with up to 8 channels with built in DSP so one amp can run tops,subs and monitors with a single amp in a 2U unit. And they are not as expensive as you might think.
A properly set up passive rack system is actually faster to set up then a powered system is.
 
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oldschool said:
Yes and no. There are pro's and con's to both. Passive speakers only need one wire to each speaker. Powered speakers require 2 wires to each speaker. One XLR from the mixer and one 110 to power them. So with powered speakers you have to run a 110 to each speaker plus an XLR. If a powered speaker goes down It's a usles box that can't be used until you fix the amp. In a passive system if the amp goes out, you can simply switch to another amp and the speaker can still be used. As for weight. a passive speaker is lighter and the newer power amps are much lighter then the older style amps of the old days. Power amps come in 2 channel or 4 channel and even 8 channel models. So one 4 channel amp can run 2 tops and 2 subs with a single amp. With the lighter power amps you can put more amps in a rack case and still lift it without a forklift. But if a powered speaker goes down you only loose that one speaker, UNLESS the DSP part of the speaker goes out and doesn't send signal to the other if you dasy chaining them in mono.
Used passive gear is much cheaper then powered systems if budget is an issue. With powered speakers you are stuck with the onboard amp that comes with the speaker. With passive speakers you can choose what ever brand and size amp you like.
With powered speakers you will need longer XLR cables and longer 110 cables to each speaker. With passive you can use short XLR cables and long speaker cables.
Many powered speakers have DSP issues and there reliability is not as good. But with with onboard DSP it will eliminate xovers needed for passive systems with tops and subs. But the down side is to make adjustments you have to do it at the back of each powered speaker. With passive you can make adjustments from one unit located in your mixer rack.
Small systems with 2 tops and one or two subs a powered system is simple but so is a passive system. With a large system, my choice is passive.
To say one is easier and or simpler is not a true statement.
Shop GC used section and compare cost of used gear. If you but quality equipment, chances of a piece of gear failing are lower with passive systems.
Search problems with powered speakers and you will fine many cases where powered speakers fail for one reason or another.
Also with powered speakers you have to turn the speaker on and off at the back of each speaker.
Like I said, there are pro's and con's with both. So choose the rite system for your needs.
Dynacord has lightweight PRO QUALITY power amps with up to 8 channels with built in DSP so one amp can run tops,subs and monitors with a single amp in a 2U unit. And they are not as expensive as you might think.
A properly set up passive rack system is actually faster to set up then a powered system is.
Click to expand...

Had I been smart years ago when Dynacord had the system similar to RCF Evox, I would have purchased it. Since then, they no longer have that system available. I'm happy with the Evox 8 system which is adequate for 150 to 200 people room.
 
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Dynacord 4 channel amp with built in DSP in a 2U rack space would eliminate a outboard EQ and x over, compressor, and limiter.
You can go from mixer to amp to speakers without any other outboard gear.
One laptop, one mixer one amp 2 subs and 2 tops. Plus you can make all adjustments to control speakers at the amp instead of each powered speaker. One wire to each speaker from the mixer/amp rack and one 110AC to the rack. What could be simpler.

4 Channel amp with DSP

IPX5:4 - 4 x 1250 w multi‑channel installation dsp class‑d amplifier by Dynacord

IPX series are dedicated amplifiers for fixed install application such as e.g. stadiums, arenas, houses of worship, concert halls, theaters and other applications that require high‑power multichannel amplifiers with sophisticated speaker processing. The integrated DSP can run either in 48 kHz or...
www.dynacord.com www.dynacord.com

8 Channel amp with DSP

IPX10:8 - 8 x 1250 w multi‑channel installation dsp class‑d amplifier by Dynacord

IPX series are dedicated amplifiers for fixed install application such as e.g. stadiums, arenas, houses of worship, concert halls, theaters and other applications that require high‑power multichannel amplifiers with sophisticated speaker processing. The integrated DSP can run either in 48 kHz or...
www.dynacord.com www.dynacord.com
 
BlueLineDJ said:
...And ignore Mix.
Click to expand...
Not at all. So far you've gotten some great advice. First if you're looking to buy new, consider how much you have to spend and look for the best speakers you can find for the amount you have to spend. Don't just choose a speaker because of price alone. You can find a speaker that you think will be good enough while saving you money. If you have the extra money to spend go for it.

I suggest as well a pair of powered speakers. If you can find another experienced DJ to go with you when buying speakers please let them go with you. Like it has been said look for speakers that will sound great and you will still be using for years to come. That's one of the reasons I bought the Yamaha DSR 115 tops. I still use them and they sound great after well over 7 years.

Also don't forget to buy bags for the speakers to protect them. Now the speakers I mentioned that we have when I bought them at that time cost me $1,500 for the pair. Since then the price has gone up. I understand you may not be able to afford to spend that much starting out. Just pick the best choice you can for the money you have to spend.
 
Oldschool let me say this about your post. Some of what you said is spot on. However you can't just use any amp with passive speakers. You need an amp that will match up in terms of handling power. You don't want a amp that's more powerful than the speakers so you don't blow the speakers. Also when buying powered speakers it's best to buy high quality name brand speakers like JBL , Yorkville, Yamaha or EV for instance. Do remember thou that all those brands I mentioned have different grades of gear. They have a lower end and a top end. The thing is their lower end will be much better than say Technical Pro.

What I find quality name brand speakers have a reputation to keep up. Other brands like TP, Pyle or Gem Sound are low quality gear that normally won't last long or sound good. Rule of thumb is you get what you pay for most times. Sometimes you might be in need of something because of an emergency and don't have a lot of money to spend. If you can help it try not to have to that unless you have no other choice.
 
One more suggestion and that is try your best not to spend your own money when looking to buy gear. Let the money you make from the business doing events do that for you.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
One more suggestion and that is try your best not to spend your own money when looking to buy gear. Let the money you make from the business doing events do that for you.
Click to expand...
If it's your business, then who's money do you think it is? Additionally, if you are a new business and you need to buy equipment to generate income, then how do you use non-existing 'money made from the business doing events' to buy it?

Who's money do you use to buy equipment .. we know your 'business' has not made enough of its own money to buy everything you have bought (let alone other costs).

MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Also don't forget to buy bags for the speakers to protect them. Now the speakers I mentioned that we have when I bought them at that time cost me $1,500 for the pair. I understand you may not be able to afford to spend that much starting out. Just pick the best choice you can for the money you have to spend.
Click to expand...
Again .. If he's just starting out - how can he avoid using his own money - and use 'money made from the business doing events'? By your very loose figures, this would cost at least $1,600. Again .. If he hasn't made any money from doing events, then how on earth can he buy any of this without using his own money? Additionally (and again), exactly who's money is it .. if it's not his money?

I think you need a new name .. like nascar. You run around in circles covering the same track and not really going anywhere.
 
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