What route should I take to increase the loudness on a speaker set-up?

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

djoutlaw

New DJ
Jun 17, 2008
225
0
I have had this question on my mind for quite some time and would like some advice on what route to take. Here is my set-up: two 15” tour x tops and two 18” tour x subs powered by one cp 3000 amp.

Without much thinking the first idea that came into my head is to get larger/louder speakers such as an rms of 1000W / 4000W peak, two to four dual 15” tops and one to two dual 18” subs. As I thought about it, this plan wasn’t going to happen any time soon due to no trailer to haul the equipment and the speaker weight is very heavy for one person to move.

The other realistic options are:
1. get a more powerful amp (Q1212, CP 4000, Behringer 4000) to run all four speakers
2. use two amps; one to run top and the other for the subs (need a drive rack?)
3. get two more speakers (two 15” tour x or two ZX5) (need a drive rack?)
4. get a single or dual 18” sub (would need another amp; maybe drive rack)
5. use option three and four together

So my question is, how would you increase the loudness?
 
djoutlaw said:
I have had this question on my mind for quite some time and would like some advice on what route to take. Here is my set-up: two 15” tour x tops and two 18” tour x subs powered by one cp 3000 amp.

Without much thinking the first idea that came into my head is to get larger/louder speakers such as an rms of 1000W / 4000W peak, two to four dual 15” tops and one to two dual 18” subs. As I thought about it, this plan wasn’t going to happen any time soon due to no trailer to haul the equipment and the speaker weight is very heavy for one person to move.

The other realistic options are:
1. get a more powerful amp (Q1212, CP 4000, Behringer 4000) to run all four speakers
2. use two amps; one to run top and the other for the subs (need a drive rack?)
3. get two more speakers (two 15” tour x or two ZX5) (need a drive rack?)
4. get a single or dual 18” sub (would need another amp; maybe drive rack)
5. use option three and four together

So my question is, how would you increase the loudness?
Click to expand...
I would start with option #2. However it would also depend on your crowd size. Your speakers/equipment should have enough headroom for the intended event/space/amount of people otherwise it can get to be blaring.
 
Increasing amp power dissipation to a existing system won't increase loudness. A given speaker cabinet can only produce so much SPL.

My recommendation would be to bi- or tri-amp with an active crossover feeding amp channels that are designated for each frequency setting.

Options 2 and 3 would help. More speaker systems bi- or tri-amped will give your system more SPL. :)
 
Fred Wright said:
Increasing amp power dissipation to a existing system won't increase loudness. A given speaker cabinet can only produce so much SPL.

My recommendation would be to bi- or tri-amp with an active crossover feeding amp channels that are designated for each frequency setting.

Options 2 and 3 would help. More speaker systems bi- or tri-amped will give your system more SPL. :)
Click to expand...

What Fred said, except that with a CP3000S you are not giving your speakers the maximum power they can handle, so increasing the amp will also help. Bear in mind that EV amps have a 30% headroom too, which is a real bonus. Please.... do NOT use the Behringer amp... regardless of the specs may say, it is my belief that the EP4000 produces less power than a CP3000 and it does so a less cleanly. I don't see that as a step forward. I would get an EV DC1 processor, add a CP4000 to run the subs and run your tops off of the CP3000s. At that point, that system should be running at peak performance. Plus, you would have the ability to double the loudspeakers on those amplifiers if you needed additional coverage, etc.

Ben
 
ahoustondj said:
I would start with option #2. However it would also depend on your crowd size. Your speakers/equipment should have enough headroom for the intended event/space/amount of people otherwise it can get to be blaring.
Click to expand...
I was thinking about option two; now to find the amps that will work--any suggestions.
 
Fred Wright said:
Increasing amp power dissipation to a existing system won't increase loudness. A given speaker cabinet can only produce so much SPL.

My recommendation would be to bi- or tri-amp with an active crossover feeding amp channels that are designated for each frequency setting.

Options 2 and 3 would help. More speaker systems bi- or tri-amped will give your system more SPL. :)
Click to expand...
I was looking at getting the Peavey sp3, but the zx5 is the same as the sp3 in watts but better in the spl and in weight department.
 
NLFX Pro said:
What Fred said, except that with a CP3000S you are not giving your speakers the maximum power they can handle, so increasing the amp will also help. Bear in mind that EV amps have a 30% headroom too, which is a real bonus. Please.... do NOT use the Behringer amp... regardless of the specs may say, it is my belief that the EP4000 produces less power than a CP3000 and it does so a less cleanly. I don't see that as a step forward. I would get an EV DC1 processor, add a CP4000 to run the subs and run your tops off of the CP3000s. At that point, that system should be running at peak performance. Plus, you would have the ability to double the loudspeakers on those amplifiers if you needed additional coverage, etc.

Ben
Click to expand...
I'm not familiar with the dc 1 processor, is it similar to a drive rack? It also looks very high tech, is it easy to use? Is there an alternative to the dc 1 processor and the cp4000?
 
djoutlaw said:
I was thinking about option two; now to find the amps that will work--any suggestions.
Click to expand...

djoutlaw said:
I'm not familiar with the dc 1 processor, is it similar to a drive rack? It also looks very high tech, is it easy to use? Is there an alternative to the dc 1 processor and the cp4000?
Click to expand...

Listen to what Ben recommends. He won't steer you wrong. He knows the specs of the EV products and how to match them to their appropriate products/counterparts.
 
djoutlaw said:
I'm not familiar with the dc 1 processor, is it similar to a drive rack? It also looks very high tech, is it easy to use? Is there an alternative to the dc 1 processor and the cp4000?
Click to expand...

The DC1 is higher tech than a Driverack PA... and because of that it is also a LOT easier to use. It has a very intuitive computer GUI so you can program it from a computer (and save a backup of your settings on the computer).

Ben
 
Seriously, go with Ben's recommendation on this and your system will operate safely at peak performance.
 
Optimize your system as already suggested, bi or tri amped with amps optimal or better for the speakers (I prefer to have amps capable of putting out what the speakers peak rating is) then to increase your volume when needed just double the speakers!

More amps the better!
 
NLFX Pro said:
The DC1 is higher tech than a Driverack PA... and because of that it is also a LOT easier to use. It has a very intuitive computer GUI so you can program it from a computer (and save a backup of your settings on the computer).

Ben
Click to expand...
That is high tech!
 
Thunder said:
Optimize your system as already suggested, bi or tri amped with amps optimal or better for the speakers (I prefer to have amps capable of putting out what the speakers peak rating is) then to increase your volume when needed just double the speakers!

More amps the better!
Click to expand...
I have yet to bi- or tri-amped so I will need to look into that more deeply. As for amps I just follow the general rule of 100% - 200% of the loudspeakers rms
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back