Mackie HD1531 - any good?

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THere are some pro sound guys over at prosoundweb.com that have been very impressed by the performance of the HD1531s. THey mention that they are most likely the best mid-level powered boxes made. They don't deteriorate when limiting kicks in (I've witnessed this) and they do sound great. I've compared them to my EV ZXa5s and they are clearer, louder, and go lower BUT they weigh more at 96 lbs.
 
Rick they are likely a very decent unit but my issue outside the weight would be the fact that they obviously wont be pole mounted and if not you might find issues with elevating the tops portion above the audience asides hitting the table in front of you right at guests ear level. Sometimes the venue and setup location wont allow you any other choice.
 
This is what you want: http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/general/Product.aspx?PId=363&MId=3

3-way sound, super high output: 135 dB Peak, built-in Crown amps and they weigh only 60 pounds! Oh and they're only $999.00! Oops, I left out the best part... They are not Mackie Made in China crap! These are Hecho en Mexico baby, in JBL's own factory!
 
I have similar boxes to these, i have the Mackie 1530's, they're GREAT, but as stated the problem is you do not have the option to pole mount them. They are the ONLY Mackies i'm even willing to use, and that's saying something. I have no problem running them along with my EV Subs, and we have sent just the Mackies out to do some house parties without even taking subs. Nice boxes :)
 
Those Mackie 1530's are heavy...137# if my memory serves me correctly. I had a pair of originals. I found that they didn't "throw" as far as I wanted. Yes, a great sound. I ended up putting them on a milk crate with a plywood top attached, kind of like a "graduation" hat. Made a black skirt and attached with velcro for each milk crate; painted the plywood top black. I actually traded them UP for a the pair of Yorkville NX750PB (750 watt) speakers. The mackies were 3-way; 100w, 100w, 300w.
 
??? Some of ya'll are mistaken... The Mackie HD1531 ARE pole mountable: Look towards the bottom of this link at the pole mounted 1531 picture or just get the spec manual

"From backyard BBQs to the most professional install, the HD1531 can be integrated into any existing system thanks to a wide variety of placement options. Standard M10 eyebolts convert the HD1531 into a professionally flown system, with twelve integrated fly points for vertical or horizontal rigging. It is also pole mountable, either on a standard tripod or mounted over a subwoofer. And of course you can simply stack them on your subs or place them on stage. Whether stacked, pole-mounted or flown, you can count on the HD1531 to be stable and sturdy. "
 
maestro said:
This is what you want: http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/general/Product.aspx?PId=363&MId=3

3-way sound, super high output: 135 dB Peak, built-in Crown amps and they weigh only 60 pounds! Oh and they're only $999.00! Oops, I left out the best part... They are not Mackie Made in China crap! These are Hecho en Mexico baby, in JBL's own factory!
Click to expand...
I hate Made in China crap too but Mackie and EAW seem to have put their foot in this line of speakers.

I compared the 2-way ZXa5 against the QSC HPR153, QSC KW153, Mackie HD1531 and Yorkville U15PB. It wasn't an apples-to-apples comparison as all the competition were 3-way boxes but rather, a solutions-to-solutions test.

In terms of clarity (mids & highs), I'd rank them as:

#1 Mackie HD1531 (even into limit, they sound good)
#2 Yorkville U15PB (the mids and highs sound great but not loud enough especially in comparison to what the lows can do)
#3 QSC KW153
#4 HPR153
#5 EV ZXa5 (very loud though)

... keep in mind that you'll be hard pressed to find a powered 2-way top that'll compete against a quality powered 3-way top in terms of clarity.

In terms of overall LOUDness or output, I'd rank them as:

#1 Mackie HD1531 (even into limit, they sound good)
#2 EV ZXa5 (the highs get harsh but you're waay louder than most other powered boxes... especially competing 2-ways)
#3 Yorkville U15PB
#4 QSC KW153
#5 QSC HPR153

In terms of low-end extension (how deep the bass response), I'd rank them as:

#1 Yorkville U15PB (the bass is fierce on these)
#2 Mackie HD1531
#3 QSC KW153
#4 EV ZXa5
#5 QSC HPR153

In terms of overall ergonomics, size, etc., I'd rank them as:

#1 EV ZXa5 (only 52 lbs., pole mountable but only 1 handle... dumb)
#2 QSC KW153 (well balanced w/ pole mount but still tall & heavy)
#3 Mackie HD1531 (nice EQs w/o too much sensitivity to hurt yourself, pole mount & heavy)
#4 Yorkville U15PB (wide and heavy w/ pole mount)
#5 QSC HPR153 (no pole mount, 118 lbs... get it outta here)

The verdict isn't out on the JBL PRX635s... No reviews yet and no stores really have them. They look to be a nice value, pole mountable and their 60 lb. weight is VERY nice but they only have a 1" high driver which seems very suspect especially when you expect to get loud with the volumes. The PR625 seems like a better option if you want to get loud for larger crowds. Too bad it doesn't have a pole mount.
 
Lets just say I wouldnt want that much weight on a tripod nor would I want to lift one onto one. Gaffle where are you getting your info on this side by side testing. Using any thing to measure any of it? Only your ears? What were you saying about EAW? They suddenly got involved with the Mackie plant in China? They are helping design Mackie now?"
 
Gaffle said:
The verdict isn't out on the JBL PRX635s....
Click to expand...

While the 635 is also not in my local GC, I did speak to my friend/rep about their sub. In short, he told me to forget about it. Doesn't cut it. I'm going to have to listen to the ZX5 but also want to hear the JBL as well.
 
The PRX635 has a one inch horn but it's a 3-way so it's fine! The crossover freq's are 460 Hz and 2.75 kHz so you have nothing to worry about other than exceptionally clean sound. Having a horn loaded midrange driver is the best way to go. Here is a spec sheet with drawings (quick view link): http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...Y_2Qq-pIgRGMhQ

If you'd prefer an even higher output in a 2-way cab, they have the PRX625 which puts out a staggering 139 dB Peak. Crossover freq is 1.8 kHz on this can: http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...prgiYqhzGuQ0bQ

Large format B&C compression drivers are one of the world's finest when it comes to high SPL in the upper freq's. These old FBT's can still kick most of the ones listed in terms of clarity and output: http://www.fbt.it/ENG/PAE/PRODOTTI/SPEAKERS/FBTMaxX/FBTMaxX-6a/
Just ask our very own Steve from NB, Canada. Of course they offer the newer Hi MaxX 60a if you have the coin. Both offer a 2 1/2 inch diaphragm, large exit B&C compression driver. Bass output of these is beyond spectacular as well although they are no lightweight at 64 pounds. As far as AC draw goes, I have never tested the 6a but a pair of 4a's cranked running full-range only draw 1.3 amps. :) This line is VERY efficient.
 
Jon Tuck said:
Lets just say I wouldnt want that much weight on a tripod nor would I want to lift one onto one. Gaffle where are you getting your info on this side by side testing. Using any thing to measure any of it? Only your ears? What were you saying about EAW? They suddenly got involved with the Mackie plant in China? They are helping design Mackie now?"
Click to expand...

- I'm getting my info from personal experience and at least 1 hour listening tests per speaker with different source material (pre-recorded 320k bit mp3s... sometimes CDs)

- Nothing to measure it except my ears in side-by-side testing. In most instances, I ran the same music material and had each speaker at the onset of limiting to get my perspective... nothing scientific.

- Both EAW and Mackie are owned by Loud (I think). EAW had a hand in the design and tuning of the HD1531. Yes it's marketing speak but this is directly from the Mackie website:

"The HD1531 is a perfectly tuned system that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. This is only possible due to the hard work and insane genius of the engineering team over at Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW). Not only did they fine tune the system for complete optimization, they also custom-designed the transducers, ensuring maximum efficiency and performance."

For all you PA geeks, here are charts and a more detailed breakdown of the Mackie HD1531 with Smaart analysis: Mackie HD1531 review
 
I went over to GC to talk with my rep/friend. Not talking about how they sound, but just looking at the Mackie it really hits me that these dudes are too short to sit on the floor. Yea, they'll work in a lot of venues but I can see a constant problem of having to try and get these things into the air for coverage. Not a pretty sight with that kind of weight.

They did have the 2-way version of the PRX cab and it claims to be 85lbs (the sticker on the front of the cab). The height does make me think that jacking it up on a stand wouldn't be AS MUCH of an issue but for those times you'd need to, it's too dang tall. And my bud raised a valid point; how well is that lighter magnet going to hold up, over time? FWIW, he did offer me a screamer of a deal, around $850-ish on the mackie 3-ways.
 
Gaffle...my apology for incorrect weight of the Mackie 1530's. I was mistaken. The LS801P 18" subwoofer is 137 lbs...not the Mackie 1530, which are 112 lbs. Still H-E-A-V-Y to lift for one person...and they are not pole-mountable.

I applaud your specification comparison of the various speakers. Great job! A couple of years ago I was actually trying to get a pair of Yorkville U15PB 3-way to replace my Mackie 1530's. The Mackies didn't have the loudness or throw that I wanted. So I compared them to the Yorkville 2-way NX-750PB. Not a good comparison as the Yorkville's were way more powerful and the "throw" was much, much farther. I traded even for the NX750's. Not bad since I had the Mackies for at least 3 years. I still miss the "quality" sound of a 3-way. I probably should have auditioned the U15B's. I would be having the same problem that you and others are discussing this very instant....pole mounting. There would have been no way I could pole-mount the U15B by myself. But, if I had kept the Mackies and purchased two LS801PB, I could have set them on top of the Yorkville subs...maybe. LOL!

I did listen to the powerful ZXA5 and yes, they were loud, but kind of shrill when played that loud.

I'll be watching this thread to see the final outcome. I'm sure there will be others who have heard as good or "better" sounding speakers that have yet to post their opinions. I've heard that the Dynacord Cobra speakers are worth looking at. And, RCF has a Pro line that one should consider, too.
 
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