Two 15's or Two 12's + Sub?

[DJ Forbes]

Just as the title states... I've finally decided on a speaker line, EV EKX's. Originally, I was going to go with two 12's over two 18's. Then I heard the 15's and was impressed with the bass they did provide in a small bar (75 person bar). I'll be using them for small bars like this, private parties, charity events, and eventually weddings. Trying to be budget minded and stretch the funds as far as I can. I haven't been able to hear the 12's in person, and not sure I will before I purchase them, unfortunately. Do I need two subs to start out with small events? Is one 18 between two 12's enough? I do like the sound clarity of the 12's a little more over the 15's... but I like to have bass for the songs that need it. I like the sound of the 18" subs, so I'm pretty set on those. I just want the best sounding and most useful tops I can get... and I understand sound preference is all over the place...

 

[ittigger]

If you can afford it, I say 2 12's and 2 18's. You can always start with one 18 and get the other later. 'Small' events may not need a sub. As for expansion, typically, the math works out to 2 subs for every top. As a bonus, if you cluster subs (2 or more together), you get +3db per pair clustered. I would not do 15's and 18's - the 15's are going to be muddier than the 12's. That said, EV does pair the ETX35 (3 way cabinet with double 15's) with dual ETX18's - with internal programming.

My powered sets are all 12/18. I have some passive ZX1's (8" tops) and also a pair of passive Peavey SP2's (15" Black Widow + horn).

 

[SEDJ]

Im using 2 EKX 15sp, my main reason for going with 15's was weight savings, I really like how they sound, but they don't like be driven hard and limit easy. I would like to get 18's at some point.

 

[ittigger]

Im using 2 EKX 15sp, my main reason for going with 15's was weight savings, I really like how they sound, but they don't like be driven hard and limit easy. I would like to get 18's at some point.

If they're like the ETX's, the limit is more of a pre-limit.

 

[SEDJ]

If they're like the ETX's, the limit is more of a pre-limit.

So I need to explain that, I end up turning the input up to about 7 so that makes them limit/pre quickly .

 

[djtaso]

Just as the title states... I've finally decided on a speaker line, EV EKX's. Originally, I was going to go with two 12's over two 18's. Then I heard the 15's and was impressed with the bass they did provide in a small bar (75 person bar). I'll be using them for small bars like this, private parties, charity events, and eventually weddings. Trying to be budget minded and stretch the funds as far as I can. I haven't been able to hear the 12's in person, and not sure I will before I purchase them, unfortunately. Do I need two subs to start out with small events? Is one 18 between two 12's enough? I do like the sound clarity of the 12's a little more over the 15's... but I like to have bass for the songs that need it. I like the sound of the 18" subs, so I'm pretty set on those. I just want the best sounding and most useful tops I can get... and I understand sound preference is all over the place...

If you want versatility then a pair of good 15” tops is what you go with. If you want the best sound, you’ll usually get that from 12” tops and 1 or 2 subs depending on the size of the room. You know the events you do, and if the rooms will need 1 or 2 subs. If you feel you need only 1, but later on decide you need more power, it’s easy to add another.

 

[tunes4046]

I personally run 9 inch tops and 15 inch subs for most of my shows Bass Boss

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

As it has been said find out first the kinds of events you plan on doing and then decide what to buy. When I played in the Private Place Lounge or Ashanti's I only used my Yamaha 15's tops and that was good enough. For certain events and venues a sub will be overkill. Others you will need at least one sub. My first pair of subs were that I remember were Yamaha DSR 18's. I eventually bought some different ones because they were only good for small events and didn't have super hard hitting base. I now have 2 Cerwin Vega Earthquakes and 2 Yorkville 801p subs.

 

[DJ Forbes]

This is the reason I'm so torn on this. Being new, I'm not 100% sure about the venues I'll be playing. I've been to several of them as a videographer and saw dj's that used a mix of everything. I recall the first time I heard a setup with k12's over 18" subs....I really liked the sound. That's what "I thought" I wanted. Then I worked with one of my mentors at a local small bar and he used two ZLX 15's and it was plenty for that area on that night.... and there was loading/unloading/moving subs, which was nice (even though it's only like 15 feet from the truck to the setup area).
If I'm going to MC a charity event, or doing a carshow outdoors and playing 90's-2000's pop music, I'm sure the two 12's would be fine, right?

 

[sonic-vision]

If I'm going to MC a charity event, or doing a carshow outdoors and playing 90's-2000's pop music, I'm sure the two 12's would be fine, right?

Ekx 12,s outside, you'll be impressed. There louder than you might think. My first experience ,I ran them into clipping & didn"t realized the volume I was getting from them. I think the 12"s have great throw and I'm more than pleased.
I did add side fill & used the ekx for the main show area which is long and narrow.150 feet long or more .

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

This is the reason I'm so torn on this. Being new, I'm not 100% sure about the venues I'll be playing. I've been to several of them as a videographer and saw dj's that used a mix of everything. I recall the first time I heard a setup with k12's over 18" subs....I really liked the sound. That's what "I thought" I wanted. Then I worked with one of my mentors at a local small bar and he used two ZLX 15's and it was plenty for that area on that night.... and there was loading/unloading/moving subs, which was nice (even though it's only like 15 feet from the truck to the setup area).
If I'm going to MC a charity event, or doing a carshow outdoors and playing 90's-2000's pop music, I'm sure the two 12's would be fine, right?

I say do this if you have the money to spend and if you don't then don't do this. Buy the tops first and if you want to have subs to with them, that's fine. Just get a good feel for events where you don't need to use subs and ones that you do. Depending on the event and size of the venue you won't be able to get away with just using 2 tops.

My friend was doing a couple of big dances where he had to use subs or it wouldn't be enough with just even 4 tops. I did an event in the room he does in Jersey City and had to use at least one sub. I had no choice because that room is hugh! My guess is you can have an event there with 400 people attending. What I'm saying is some events we use subs and others it wouldn't work at all because it would be too much for that event.

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

Let me say this first. For someone just getting into this business, your gear selections are great. Now let me suggest this. Start of with your gear purchases carefully and slowly please. What I mean is just buy stuff for now to get you started and build from there. You should have events to do before buying all this gear you want. As time goes on and as the events you're doing become bigger, then add gear to your setup. Trust me. No need to have all this nice gear and no events to use it at or can only use at certain events while the rest are not being used or getting much use at all. Been there done that. Don't get me wrong please. If that's what you want to do then go ahead. You may be looking at getting the gear now while you have the money to spend and may not have it later. My suggestion is to buy items as you see the need to buy to help with an event. Having subs are great but only if you can get use out of them. You did say you wanted to start off doing small events and work your way up to bigger things.

 

[DJ Forbes]

You're correct Mix.... and too often I get a little ahead of myself. I was trying to keep my speaker purchase around 3k... and with that I initially looked at ZLX 15's and EKX subs. I do like quality sound though.... so keeping with that budget, maybe I'll just start with two ETX 15's. That should be plenty for what I'm doing at first.... then maybe add a sub down the road if the need arises.

 

[rickryan.com]

Im using 2 EKX 15sp, my main reason for going with 15's was weight savings, I really like how they sound, but they don't like be driven hard and limit easy. I would like to get 18's at some point.

dbx 166XL

Most compressor/gates provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating that swallows t...

dbxpro.com

Trust me on this, put a good quality compressor (overeasy mode) before your speakers and you'll be amazed at how much more headroom you'll have (and without audio pumping).

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

You're correct Mix.... and too often I get a little ahead of myself. I was trying to keep my speaker purchase around 3k... and with that I initially looked at ZLX 15's and EKX subs. I do like quality sound though.... so keeping with that budget, maybe I'll just start with two ETX 15's. That should be plenty for what I'm doing at first.... then maybe add a sub down the road if the need arises.

Don't feel bad. I have gotten ahead of myself too. That's my addiction.

 

[sonic-vision]

dbx 166XL

Most compressor/gates provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating that swallows t...

dbxpro.com

Trust me on this, put a good quality compressor (overeasy mode) before your speakers and you'll be amazed at how much more headroom you'll have (and without audio pumping).

Rick ,Don't let all the tricks out of the bag! LOL

 

[SEDJ]

dbx 166XL

Most compressor/gates provide less than musical compression, coupled with gating that swallows t...

dbxpro.com

Trust me on this, put a good quality compressor (overeasy mode) before your speakers and you'll be amazed at how much more headroom you'll have (and without audio pumping).

I have one of those DBX Go Racks and have just messed around with it , never used it at a gig though, but when just messing around with it I did hear a noticeable difference with it.

 

[rickryan.com]

I have one of those DBX Go Racks and have just messed around with it , never used it at a gig though, but when just messing around with it I did hear a noticeable difference with it.

The Go rack is a piece of junk, my opinion. A good quality compressor is what will make the difference. Biggest thing, the 166xs has an "over easy" mode that makes it more like a mastering compressor. No pumping/breathing and it tames the transients right down, giving you a big increase in headroom.

 

[Jeff Romard]

This is the reason I'm so torn on this. Being new, I'm not 100% sure about the venues I'll be playing.

What would you need at the biggest one you may be playing? Figure that out and you have your answer. You can scale down if needed you can't scale up if you don't have the gear

 

[MIXMASTERMACHOM]

What would you need at the biggest one you may be playing? Figure that out and you have your answer. You can scale down if needed you can't scale up if you don't have the gear

Je

What would you need at the biggest one you may be playing? Figure that out and you have your answer. You can scale down if needed you can't scale up if you don't have the gear

Jeff made a great point. If you don't have the right gear you shouldn't do the event. Some will not have enough gear to use and to try to make up for what they lack and pushing gear beyond what it was intended to be able to handle and can easily damage things.