What to Choose?

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
SpinCin

SpinCin

Mac Daddy DJ
Mar 15, 2008
312
260
Chicago
www.angelswithanedge.com
I NEED to upgrade!
Have poked around the board for some help - now I'll just outright ask.
I typically do wedding receptions up to 130 guests. Rooms vary in size.
I'm looking at the RCF ART312 & 315 & the EV ELX112 & 115.
Which speaker is going to be the most appropriate for what I do?
:triconfused:
 
SpinCin said:
I NEED to upgrade!
Have poked around the board for some help - now I'll just outright ask.
I typically do wedding receptions up to 130 guests. Rooms vary in size.
I'm looking at the RCF ART312 & 315 & the EV ELX112 & 115.
Which speaker is going to be the most appropriate for what I do?
:triconfused:
Click to expand...
Given what you have posted, I will choose the ART 315 instead of the 312 or the EV ELX115 instead of the ELX112. You have more flexibility with a passive speaker than an active speaker. Why? Because with a an active you have to run two cables per cabinet one for signal and one for AC. I believe that is why so many chaps are limited to setting up powered speakers so close to each other. The AC Receptacles may not be convenient if you want to spread them out.

My suggestion is that you add a 15" or preferably 18" sub to the mix from the corresponding manufactured and Brand. It will give more body to the sound and you can gain more volume if needed without blasting people with two speakers in the air. (Bass notes are better propelled when it comes from a sub on the ground versus from a speaker in the air). You will also need a two way electronic crossover or Speaker management system such as a Driverrack. Plus two amps. You will then have a nice rounded system that will sound great. Just my two cents.

I would not dream of doing any gig for more than 50 people without some kind of sub, even if it is a 15" sub. The room and acoustics has a lot to do with it, not just the amount of people attending.
 
Houston,
Thank you & the 12 vs 15 vs passive vs powered has all been rolling around in my head. I lean towards powered & then think some more & lean towards passive, then think some more & lean back towards powered. I am after versatility & a lighter load.
 
SpinCin said:
Houston,
Thank you & the 12 vs 15 vs passive vs powered has all been rolling around in my head. I lean towards powered & then think some more & lean towards passive, then think some more & lean back towards powered. I am after versatility & a lighter load.
Click to expand...
If your load is on wheels, what do you have to lift? You will have more versatility with passives
You can go a gig in the sun without having to worry about overheating.
If the speaker goes you still have the amp.
If the amp goes you still have the speakers.
You don't have to have your speakers right next to you just to be able to see clip lights, with passives you can see the amps.
You have more control over the final sound output with passives.
However, if you are just a Push Play, "I have two Speakers on sticks which is all I need" DJ, then go for actives.

Please note, there are actives and then there are really active speakers.
 
Houston,
You have just helped me make up my mind. If I am trying to lighten the load, the EV ELX115s at 51 lbs. are not what I am looking for.
And after reading your post, passive is absolutely the way to go. And I do not want speakers that I have to "baby"
Thank You!
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
How does one "baby" powered speakers?


My RCF rig was pounding last night.....
Click to expand...
That is good info - thank you! I need to know that I can play top 40 music (at reasonable levels of course) & not have to worry about overheating & or blowing it out. Do you really have to run a power cord to each speaker?
 
s
SpinCin said:
Do you really have to run a power cord to each speaker?
Click to expand...
Yes! Because it has an onboard amplifier that needs AC Power as well as a sound signal. This is one of the main reasons you see guys setting up speakers at each end of their booth/table because it is too much of a hassle for them to move the speakers farther out and have to look for power outlets (Lil kids can go and pull them out) or to run two cables.
 
Using active cabinets as a reason to lower the weight load has become a moot point. With today's Class D power amps, you don't have as much weight in the rack case to lift. They're not the boat-anchor amps we remember.

I've been preaching passive FOH systems for years. You can have "Max Headroom" with a passive rig. :)
 
ahoustondj said:
s Yes! Because it has an onboard amplifier that needs AC Power as well as a sound signal. This is one of the main reasons you see guys setting up speakers at each end of their booth/table because it is too much of a hassle for them to move the speakers farther out and have to look for power outlets (Lil kids can go and pull them out) or to run two cables.
Click to expand...

I smell BS again.......

Cyndi - Run passive...so when an amp fails, you are "done" unless you carry 2 or 3 amps in your rack. Oh.... and by the way, with all the processing equipment; eq''s, dbx. (all of which is unnecessary with a powered rig)..etc. your rack is going to weigh 100lbs...so good luck moving that around....I think I can deal with 2 extra power cords... They do run 25 - 50 feet too, in the event you choose to spread your speakers. i choose not to; not out of laziness, but out of keepingt my set up compact and clean....
 
compact and clean is a good thing Steve but have you ever analyzed the sound you are providing for the room or quality of even coverage to the whole of the room and crowd when planted in some locations you have been set up in? Even when getting put in a tough spot I maximize location and optimize sound and lighting in the room 99% of the time. I run powered sort of and see a 50 to 50 benefit for either. Likely cause I sit on both sides. Powered sub and passive tops.
 
Jon Tuck said:
compact and clean is a good thing Steve but have you ever analyzed the sound you are providing for the room or quality of even coverage to the whole of the room and crowd when planted in some locations you have been set up in? Even when getting put in a tough spot I maximize location and optimize sound and lighting in the room 99% of the time. I run powered sort of and see a 50 to 50 benefit for either. Likely cause I sit on both sides. Powered sub and passive tops.
Click to expand...
Jon,
Steve will argue with a brick wall!yorofl:yorofl:yorofl: With that kind of thinking you can tell he knows nothing about acoustics and having to balance a room. Without a good EQ one is greatly limited. He pushes play, sound comes out of the speakers and he is happy. I won't be surprised if he goes direct from Computer to powered speakers with nothing in between. I have seen those too.
I also have one powered Peavey which I use mainly as a floor monitor for Karaoke of for myself at bigger gigs.
 
ahoustondj said:
Jon,
Steve will argue with a brick wall!yorofl:yorofl:yorofl: With that kind of thinking you can tell he knows nothing about acoustics and having to balance a room. Without a good EQ one is greatly limited. He pushes play, sound comes out of the speakers and he is happy. I won't be surprised if he goes direct from Computer to powered speakers with nothing in between. I have seen those too.
I also have one powered Peavey which I use mainly as a floor monitor for Karaoke of for myself at bigger gigs.
Click to expand...

Man - it's beginning to smell big time here - Texas size. This from a guy that uses a Boombox and recommends home "rock" speakers for a ceremony

Houston - you're right....I know little about acoustics and "balancing" a room. I leave that to the self professed "professor". I rely on my 30 years of doing this...I think its served me well... My focus is providing balance on a small dance floor; keeping the music there...so that folks can talk comfortably off the floor. I pride myself on a compact footprint....I've never had anyone in 30 years complain my sound was compromised by the manner in which I set up....this week end I got a compliment from the owner of one of the largest corporate decorating services on how neat and compact my set up was...In fact I was asked by the bride whether I was going to spread speakers all over the place. She was really concerned about the "look".

Jon: If someone feels the need "spread them"...Great; that works for you. I choose to do it my way; that doesn't make me lazy or unprofessional or stupid....

If someone chooses to use passive; hey - whatever turns your crank. To insinuate that someone uses a powered rig becuase they are lazy.....well again; if it smells like bs.....
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
To insinuate that someone uses a powered rig becuase they are lazy......
Click to expand...
Whoever insinuated that you are lazy? Those are YOUR words my friend. Have you been hallucinating again? :tribiggrin::tribiggrin::tribiggrin:
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
To insinuate that someone uses a powered rig becuase they are lazy......
Click to expand...
Whoever insinuated that you are lazy? Those are YOUR words my friend. Have you been hallucinating again? :tribiggrin::tribiggrin::tribiggrin:

Steve LeBlanc said:
My focus is providing balance on a small dance floor; keeping the music there...s
Click to expand...
Yep, some swim in pools while others swim in the ocean. LOL You won't find too many minnows in the wide open ocean.
 
...and some choose to continually yammer on.....yet defend their use of consumer grade gear. What kind of spread to you get with those 4" speakers in that Bose boombox???

"This is one of the main reasons you see guys setting up speakers at each end of their booth/table because it is too much of a hassle for them to move the speakers farther out and have to look for power outlets (Lil kids can go and pull them out) or to run two cables. "
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
...and some choose to continually yammer on.....yet defend their use of consumer grade gear. What kind of spread to you get with those 4" speakers in that Bose boombox???

"This is one of the main reasons you see guys setting up speakers at each end of their booth/table because it is too much of a hassle for them to move the speakers farther out and have to look for power outlets (Lil kids can go and pull them out) or to run two cables. "
Click to expand...
Calm down Steve. We have medication for your type of ailment. You can get a cold brew or a potent smokie and if that does not work we can call the guys with the straitjacket. :tribiggrin:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back