This is exactly why I want to upgrade and go 12s and will also get a 18inch sub. Like you said you lose clarity with the 15s and they're not punch as the 12s.
New to DJ forum, need help with speakers
- Thread starter Ninjatzuu
- Start date
So, it seems people agree they all sound good.
There's an alternative way to evaluate your speaker choices. Let's start with your prior experience:
You dropped a speaker and now it doesn't work. I'm assuming from your post that you're not personally able to make the necessary repairs to restore it? It also seems you got a number of years of use out of them before the accident occurred?
This is a valid consideration when making your choice. If this is for paid work, then your gear is actually a tool and has to be rugged enough to survive the predictable accidents and rough handling that comes from a work environment - elevators, rolling carts, lift gates, stairs, stages, trucks, roadies, or any point along the way where it could be banged, dropped, crushed, or abused.
It's not unusual to find a road case that costs much more than the gear it contains (think flat screen TVs.) This is the same reason why some speaker builds are substantially more expensive when you look beyond the sound and power ratings.
Personally, I have a very good track record handling gear - but, I'm not perfect. Last year I dropped PTZ camera from a clamp that had no safety lock while working from a 12 Ft ladder. Fortunately, it was a very good PTZ camera and still worked just fine without even a scratch. That's important because it wasn't my camera, and I would not have been responsible for any damage that occurred. (When you employ someone to assist you on a gig there is a presumption that your gear is adequate to the work environment, which includes foreseeable accidents and safety devices.)
While DJ gigs may only involve a part time assistant, friends, family, or yourself alone - the principle remains. Sh** happens, and you want to account for that upfront when you buy your gear.
There's an alternative way to evaluate your speaker choices. Let's start with your prior experience:
You dropped a speaker and now it doesn't work. I'm assuming from your post that you're not personally able to make the necessary repairs to restore it? It also seems you got a number of years of use out of them before the accident occurred?
This is a valid consideration when making your choice. If this is for paid work, then your gear is actually a tool and has to be rugged enough to survive the predictable accidents and rough handling that comes from a work environment - elevators, rolling carts, lift gates, stairs, stages, trucks, roadies, or any point along the way where it could be banged, dropped, crushed, or abused.
It's not unusual to find a road case that costs much more than the gear it contains (think flat screen TVs.) This is the same reason why some speaker builds are substantially more expensive when you look beyond the sound and power ratings.
Personally, I have a very good track record handling gear - but, I'm not perfect. Last year I dropped PTZ camera from a clamp that had no safety lock while working from a 12 Ft ladder. Fortunately, it was a very good PTZ camera and still worked just fine without even a scratch. That's important because it wasn't my camera, and I would not have been responsible for any damage that occurred. (When you employ someone to assist you on a gig there is a presumption that your gear is adequate to the work environment, which includes foreseeable accidents and safety devices.)
While DJ gigs may only involve a part time assistant, friends, family, or yourself alone - the principle remains. Sh** happens, and you want to account for that upfront when you buy your gear.
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I could replace the speaker and like you've stated I've used the speakers for few years but the incident have me a reason for upgrade and perhaps now looking at quality by purchasing a 12 inch speaker as opposing to getting another 15.
I have a pair of EV EKX15s and a pair of EV ETX18SP's. If I was to do it over again, or make another purchase, I would definitely buy a pair of EV 12s. I agree they look better in smaller venues but still have the output I need, especially if I can use a sub or two or hide one under a table.
Honestly, depended on my budget. I would be pleased with either.
I have the 12" yamaha dxr - the mid option. They rock. I have 4, and 2 mongo etx18" subs for when I do school dances.
I have yet to get them to distort, overheat, break or even limit. Get the covers - i have 2 regular covers and 2 'outdoor' covers so I can run the speakers outside if it were to sprinkle or similar.
I've used them at home with just my phone (hey, i don' thave a bluetooth speaker..I DO have these..overkill? sure!) when working on my car or when friends come over.
I have yet to get them to distort, overheat, break or even limit. Get the covers - i have 2 regular covers and 2 'outdoor' covers so I can run the speakers outside if it were to sprinkle or similar.
I've used them at home with just my phone (hey, i don' thave a bluetooth speaker..I DO have these..overkill? sure!) when working on my car or when friends come over.
I picked up an etx12 i think it is, used, then found a second used. The sound great to me. I've used them many times - small and light and adds some bottom end punch, especially with my yamaha stagepas 600 setup.
So I got the big boys, etx18sp...not as happy , they don't sound so musical to me. They are rock solid, much easier to move than their weight would suggest.
Rarely use them for anything but school dances, but will use them for a wedding the 19th, along with all 4 yamaha 12" speakers...the covid crap has venues using tents, multiple locations, it's a bitch.
The sub is to annoy the neighbors more than anything else. LOL I have the brides approval for that BTW.
So I got the big boys, etx18sp...not as happy , they don't sound so musical to me. They are rock solid, much easier to move than their weight would suggest.
Rarely use them for anything but school dances, but will use them for a wedding the 19th, along with all 4 yamaha 12" speakers...the covid crap has venues using tents, multiple locations, it's a bitch.
The sub is to annoy the neighbors more than anything else. LOL I have the brides approval for that BTW.
I really like the 12's. I thought about the yamaha 18's but I believe theyre a folded horn or such, and I had that before in a peavey and really didn't like the sound. The ETX are direct. It's easy, too easy, to get them to limit.
My Yorkville did the same thing until I put an overeasy compressor in the chain (dbx 266). After that, no limit lights and miles more headroom.
I don't know which Yammie's you're referring to but Yammie also makes direct facing cabs. If you use folded horns, you would have a different issue - you would have to delay the tops (and ensure you're crossing at the right point). As to limiting, the ETX line has a pre limit warning to let you know that you're approaching a bad zone (this is not the limit). If you refuse to pay attention, it will also back down the volume before you destroy them (continuing to play at a reduced level instead of clipping, also not the limit). Continue to push it and it will limit / clip. Additionally, if you're signal chain is too hot (if you're overdriving them), then they're working as designed. The mode you're in also changes this limit. As pertains to limiting, the ETX 12's use the same exact software as the 18's. I do see the limit 'tickle' now and then but that's about it. I have also hit the reduced volume level under testing.
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Folded horn subs are much smoother, IMO, than direct/bandpass subs. At the same time, they don't have the punch of the other types, so music type is key. The Yorkville Unity subs I had were extremely smooth, and were perfect for live sound. They were fine for DJ stuff, but a pair of direct 15/18s would be preferable for hard bass (EDM/Rap/etc.). I do miss those subs, but not the 115# weight.
the dxr's.
I got them thru northern sound and light in pittsburgh, pa.
Yamaha usually runs a rebate program in teh 4th quarter - $100 off each speaker, plus NSL is cheaper yet- I believe w/ cover I paid about $560 after rebate for each speaker.
I got them thru northern sound and light in pittsburgh, pa.
Yamaha usually runs a rebate program in teh 4th quarter - $100 off each speaker, plus NSL is cheaper yet- I believe w/ cover I paid about $560 after rebate for each speaker.
I have always bought all my speakers through NSL. I was just curious about outdoor covers.
Everything that I've read from owners of the ETX18sp say that they appear to limit quick, however the light is more of a pre limit light. They say that they will get louder while remaining clean. Are you actually noticing yours sounding harsh, breaking up as soon as the light comes on?
Ever heard these?
LOUD is an understatement...and if it's near/at limit so are the tops...
I'll give it a listen next time..haven't really listened for the bass to break up.
The Yamaha DXR have a limit too...I think I got there once. Only once. And no distortion/break up.
LOUD is an understatement...and if it's near/at limit so are the tops...
I'll give it a listen next time..haven't really listened for the bass to break up.
The Yamaha DXR have a limit too...I think I got there once. Only once. And no distortion/break up.
the first 2 i bought had regular covers for transit.
The second two I ordered covers, figured I get the same ones, but got these weather ones - the front cover can be folded up and a screen remains to keep water/splash off the front of the speaker.
The back opens up into a hooded affair so the connections are protected from any rain/splash.
The second two I ordered covers, figured I get the same ones, but got these weather ones - the front cover can be folded up and a screen remains to keep water/splash off the front of the speaker.
The back opens up into a hooded affair so the connections are protected from any rain/splash.