I'm in the market for a new set of speakers

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Jeff Romard

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Sep 4, 2006
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I'm just starting the process. My NX55s are working great but they are getting up there, newest pair is 5 Yrs I believe. I'm looking at buying maybe in the spring or early summer next year

Here's the necessities...

I want something minimum 750RMS in the 125-130 Db range.

I want something light....50Lbs or less. Preferably less

I want something from a manufacturer with a good reputation

Money is always a concern but it's not the top concern. I want value for the money I do spend. I'm thinking, but not stuck on, a 3K maximum for 2 tops

Ideas are welcome
 
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Just purchase Yamaha DXR 12s or 15s and call it a day. ...I would say go DSR, but they lack connectivity options on the back.


If you want to import Italian, then go with RCF HD32A They are $999 a speaker.
 
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Just purchase Yamaha DXR 12s or 15s and call it a day. ...I would say go DSR, but they lack connectivity options on the back.


If you want to import Italian, then go with RCF HD32A They are $999 a speaker.

Gonna agree with Ricky, get the DXR's

I love Yamaha gear I've had good luck in the past with anything Yamaha I've had or used. I haven't heard the DRX or DSR line yet but I will look in to it. I'm not a big fan of RCF I never liked the sound there is just something off to my ear with them

Since JBL just updated the PRX line to the 800 series you might be able to find some PRX712 or 715 at a really good price.

I like JBL too. I have JRX tops and subs and the only reason I quit using them was I got tired of the weight. Not just the speakers but my amp rack weighs close to 90 Lbs also
 
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I love Yamaha gear I've had good luck in the past with anything Yamaha I've had or used. I haven't heard the DRX or DSR line yet but I will look in to it. I'm not a big fan of RCF I never liked the sound there is just something off to my ear with them



I like JBL too. I have JRX tops and subs and the only reason I quit using them was I got tired of the weight. Not just the speakers but my amp rack weighs close to 90 Lbs also
I think the listed weight for the DXR's is 46lbs
 
My wallet appreciates Yamaha,,,,, good equipment ,,,, good prices good performance!

I like 12 inch tops,,, better than 15's. Better mid bass response! Matter of fact I run a 3 way stack,,,, I am getting ready to build me some 5 or 6 inch tops,,,just because I already have some full range speakers with 15's ,,, but I find when I use them with subs,,,, the woofers in the 15's or 12's are not that strong in the midrange area! Especially with a three way stack,,, the large drivers on my tops are just sitting there! Most 2 way tops have a mid range hole in the spectrum! Just run some noise through and look at them on a RTA ,,,,, it will look like a smile !!! So the bigger the tops the more mid range you may miss out on!

Like with all of mechanical workings,,,,, ther are exception,,,, and I know this! So please don't reply with the abvious exclusions! That's why I use most,,, and some.


I even have an outboard motor. 60 hp ,,,,,best outboard I have ever owned!
I wish they made cars!
 
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I listened to the new Pioneer XPRS line at the DJ Expo and was floored by the sound they were getting out of a 12 with no sub. They're just past your ask of 50 lbs. at 50.9 for the XPRS 12. And, they're more power than you're asking for. So perhaps a bit overkill, but man they shredded.

Pio was A/B testing them against the QSC KWs. I use K series tops over a KW sub... and I couldn't believe how bad the QSCs sounded comparatively.

Would a guest ever realize that difference, maybe not... but I will probably pick up a pair of these the next time I'm replacing my mains.
 
I listened to the new Pioneer XPRS line at the DJ Expo and was floored by the sound they were getting out of a 12 with no sub. They're just past your ask of 50 lbs. at 50.9 for the XPRS 12. And, they're more power than you're asking for. So perhaps a bit overkill, but man they shredded.

Pio was A/B testing them against the QSC KWs. I use K series tops over a KW sub... and I couldn't believe how bad the QSCs sounded comparatively.

Would a guest ever realize that difference, maybe not... but I will probably pick up a pair of these the next time I'm replacing my mains.
Yikes. These are 1200 bucks. At pro audio star!!!!! They look sweet! I am impressed with these,,,, I would like,to hear them!
 
I listened to the new Pioneer XPRS line at the DJ Expo and was floored by the sound they were getting out of a 12 with no sub. They're just past your ask of 50 lbs. at 50.9 for the XPRS 12. And, they're more power than you're asking for. So perhaps a bit overkill, but man they shredded.

Pio was A/B testing them against the QSC KWs. I use K series tops over a KW sub... and I couldn't believe how bad the QSCs sounded comparatively.

Would a guest ever realize that difference, maybe not... but I will probably pick up a pair of these the next time I'm replacing my mains.

QSC K Series is old sound. They came out in 2008 I think? Became real popular by 2010. KW sounds better, but for the price there are better sounding speakers out there.

Alto TS2 series provides a clearer, crisper sound than K series and it costs about 1/2...just my opinion.

That new Pioneer line sounded very nice. I only listened for about 90 seconds, but the price is hefty. I have always purchased Pioneer speakers for car audio over the years. In Car Audio they are the performance/Value brand as their products are typically lower price than JBL, Cerwin Vega, Boston Acoustics, JL Audio, Kenwood... Pioneer speakers are probably the most sold speakers in car audio. ...Same goes for their head units. Anyway, the new Pioneer speakers sound very nice, but I still endorse Yamaha knowing their track record as far as professional loud speakers go.

If the budget is there, I say Yamaha. If keeping the budget under $400 per speaker, and finding the lowest weight speaker and not needing multiple connectivity options is important, than I recommend Alto TS2 series :)
 
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Just purchase Yamaha DXR 12s or 15s and call it a day. ...I would say go DSR, but they lack connectivity options on the back.


If you want to import Italian, then go with RCF HD32A They are $999 a speaker.
I have the DSR speakers myself and I don't know what you're talking about lacking connectivity. I have several options on the back of mine. He did say 50 pounds and under. So those are out since they are heavier then 50 pounds. At least the ones I have. I can't speak for the newer model. I second the DXR line. RCF is no joke either.
 
Love my RCF HD12A's. Slightly less power and a 1.5" compression driver instead of 3" compared to the HD32A's. Pros: They are crystal clear and sound better the louder you crank them. Cons: they NEED a sub--they don'the have enough low end oomph--and they have absolutely no connectivity options. Just a single XLR in and an XLR + TRS loop out. I use them for my main setup with a sub, but for remote cocktail/ceremony applications using an iPod, or a streamlined setup with no sub, I fall back on my K12s. I agree the K12s are 'old sound' but they have enough bass to stand alone and clients don't know the difference anyway.

Now I need to go check out these Pioneers...
 
RCF HD32a .. best under $1K 12" top I've heard (if you want to stay with 12s). Others have been mentioned .. QSC KW122, Pioneer XPRS .. Those are the top contenders in my book. If you want POWER, then I might go with the ETX12p or maybe the SRX812 .. both hammer.
 
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If I were re-buying today I think I'd be leaning towards the Alto units. Bang for the buck, I don't think there's anything close to matching up. They're incredibly light weight, cheap and they sound good.

Wow, only 28lbs! I am seeing, though, that there are multiple reviews across different sites that state the tweeters died after only a few uses. I wonder how prevalent of an issue that is. Nonetheless, looks like they can be had refurb/B-stock for as low as $229. Might pick one up and try it out on a cocktail hour...
 
Wow, only 28lbs! I am seeing, though, that there are multiple reviews across different sites that state the tweeters died after only a few uses. I wonder how prevalent of an issue that is. Nonetheless, looks like they can be had refurb/B-stock for as low as $229. Might pick one up and try it out on a cocktail hour...


My set of Alto TS212s are refurbished models. They came with a full Alto Warranty, and an inspection certificate that a Tech cleared them for use. They work fine. One of the speakers had some scuff marks at the top part that meets the grill, but that was it. They sound perfect.

My TS215s and 212s both sound great, and I'm very happy with the purchase of both sets thus far. I got the 212s for $450 for the pair.

You can't beat 12 inch speakers weighing 28 lbs each, and 15s weighing 33.6 lbs each. Overall, best bang for buck speakers out there.
 
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Wow, only 28lbs! I am seeing, though, that there are multiple reviews across different sites that state the tweeters died after only a few uses. I wonder how prevalent of an issue that is. Nonetheless, looks like they can be had refurb/B-stock for as low as $229. Might pick one up and try it out on a cocktail hour...

I have no idea as to the reliability on the tweeters. The set we used a couple of months back still had the stickers on them. They did sound superb. Very evenly balanced and plenty of air on top. Ricky has been using them for a while and I haven't heard him complaining of breakdowns. The weight is incredible and for that money, you can buy a spare set and still have money left over.
 
I think we need a forum where folks can talk up the magical benefits of cut rate products ...
 
I think we need a forum where folks can talk up the magical benefits of cut rate products ...

Are they truly cut rate products, or are the other products priced too high in relation to the actual production cost of the product?

A few things to note: The DJ Biz Product industry has grown much more main stream than it was 10+ years ago. Technology is advancing, and therefore prices are coming down. It's happening on everything.

Another note: People in general have less expendable income today than years ago, and the DJ Community is not immune to that consensus. As time marches on, more DJs will look at what's more important. Splurging dollars on equipment, or Saving as many dollars as they can while still purchasing equipment.

The DBX Go Rack is a perfect example. It was priced at $99 for like a year. Nobody really talked about it, and they probably didn't move many units. All of a sudden a sale of $29 occurs, and DJs everywhere flocks to buying it. They are looking at the purchase as a deal, and they just saved $70. Most didn't think they "needed" the unit when the cost was $99 either. Speaking for myself...I never would have purchased it had the price stayed $99.

If a low priced product works well for what it is intended to do, then it's more likely DJs will purchase it over the much higher priced products out there. The fact is that the lower priced gear is not junk any more, and is MUCH, MUCH better than it was 20 years ago due to tech advance.

As far as another forum for cut rate products, it probably would get a lot of action from DJs checking it out. Ultimately it would probably make the DJ Gear forum real quiet as all the enticing product purchase ideas would reside in that forum.
 
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