Best powered monitors/speakers?

BartmanPDX · #1 10-16-2008, 12:23 PM

I was wondering what people's thoughts are concerning the best powered monitors currently available.

I'm particularly intrigued by the JBL PRX 512Ms:

But I'm also interested in the Yorkville NX55P:

There are also interesting models from Mackie and EV, though some of the EV ones are kinda pricey (way more than $1k each).

Anyone have some thoughts or opinions on these? There's no way I'll get to try them out in any meaningful fashion, so comments are appreciated!

Obviously, it would be useful if the speakers were suited to both monitoring and PA, to maximize versatility in using them with our existing equipment (older powered JBLs). The JBL PRX 512M has a switch for use as monitor or main which is intriguing but makes me wonder . . .

4Mal · #2 10-16-2008, 02:09 PM

Are you replacing the EON's in the SNO setup or supplementing them ?

BartmanPDX · #3 10-16-2008, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Are you replacing the EON's in the SNO setup or supplementing them ?

Probably a little of both -- they would work as better monitors, but we might use them as mains in certain clubs.

**baba** · #4 10-16-2008, 02:47 PM

Purely on rep of current products, I'd go with the Yorkies. Haven't used either.

Hit up the lab lounge on prosoundweb for this one.

Passinwind · #5 10-16-2008, 03:27 PM

Bart, ping TB'er Dirk Diggler (my nephew BTW). He picked up a pair of those JBLs not long ago, and he lnows plenty about live sound. Personally, I'd probably lean towards the EVs or Yorkies on reputation, but I haven't used any of these save the Mackie 450s and 1530s, neither of which would be a top choice for monitors for me.

BartmanPDX · #6 10-16-2008, 05:07 PM

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I got to listen to the JBLs and the Mackies at GC today.

The JBLs sounded like home speakers, albeit really loud ones. They had a laid back, hi-fi thing going. The Mackies were much more "in your face" and punchy. The treble was a little harsh though.

Two VERY different sounding speakers. I think I'm going to have to do a lot more listening before pulling the trigger.

SteveC · #7 10-16-2008, 05:15 PM

I was looking for powered monitors when I thought I'd use a Pod. I agree on the Mackies - very harsh.

There's a 3-way on a budget thread that has a Carvin cab poeple seem to like...

4Mal · #8 10-16-2008, 06:04 PM

Bart - another option would be going passive and power amp. I prefer that for monitors. IEC electrical connectors don't lock and I've seen the power cable kicked out of a powered monitor when the clumsy guitarist tripped over the extra cable ... If you wanted to try it - I have a set of 1x12 horn neo boxes and an extra RMX 850 in a case and cables you can borrow. Mine came from Loudspeakers Plus and were a little over $400 the pair. I wanted small and light and punchy. The 15" version I believe comes with Pole Mount as std.

BartmanPDX · #9 10-16-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

Bart - another option would be going passive and power amp. I prefer that for monitors. IEC electrical connectors don't lock and I've seen the power cable kicked out of a powered monitor when the clumsy guitarist tripped over the extra cable ... If you wanted to try it - I have a set of 1x12 horn neo boxes and an extra RMX 850 in a case and cables you can borrow. Mine came from Loudspeakers Plus and were a little over $400 the pair. I wanted small and light and punchy. The 15" version I believe comes with Pole Mount as std.

Yeah, I had thought about that, but there are some downsides to passive monitors -- the power amp has to go in the rack, which is already pretty heavy. Also, powered monitors have amps that are optimised for the speakers. We also just bought a dbx DriveRack PX for the band that is for powered speakers.

We're using powered monitors and speakers right now and everything is going well, though I couldn't help noticing that both the Mackies and the JBL PRX speakers sounded considerably better than the EONs we're using now.

lpxerodin · #10 10-16-2008, 11:10 PM

I own a pair of Mackie SRM450 v2's and let me tell you, they are fantastic. It was well worth the investment. Clear, loud, and simple. They're undeniably amazing!

fokof · #11 10-17-2008, 09:39 AM

RCF without any hesitation. ( ART series )
http://www.rcfaudio.com/VediMacro.ph...peakerSystems/

I also really like the JBL VP series
http://www.jblpro.com/installedsound...vp7212MDP.html

F-Clef-Jef · #12 10-17-2008, 12:20 PM

I love my Mackie SRM450's.

fokof · #13 10-17-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Mal

IEC electrical connectors don't lock and I've seen the power cable kicked out of a powered monitor when the clumsy guitarist tripped over the extra cable ...

A simple solution; before plugging the AC, do a knot around the handle with the IEC cable.

I've seen lots of 1/4" passive montors unplugged by accident too.....

5StringPocket · #14 12-25-2008, 11:49 PM

I've been thinking about getting a pair of powered cabs to use as mains lately and wondered about speaker cables versus power+signal cables as well. I agree that properly sized, routed, and secured cables should make this a non-issue. Size and weight savings make a good argument for powered cabs. I've talked with some friends who run sound and have good things to say about the Yorkville (good performance for the price) and Electrovoice (just plain good) systems.

One speaker that has peaked my interest is the
Electro-Voice ZxA5-90
Freq. Response1(-3 dB): 58 Hz - 18 kHz
Freq. Range1(-10 dB): 50 Hz - 20 kHz
Max Calculated SPL: 133 dB
Horizontal Coverage: 90°
Vertical Coverage: 50°
LF Amplifier Power: 1000W
HF Amplifier Power: 250W
LF Transducer: DVX3150, 15in (300mm) Driver
HF Transducer: ND2-16, 1in. (25.4mm) exit Neodymium
Compression Driver
Crossover Frequency: 1.5 kHz
Input Connector: XLR and 1/4" TRS Combination
Output Connector: XLR
Power Requrement: 110-130 VAC, 50-60 Hz, or 220-
240VAC, 50-60 Hz
Enclosure Material: Polypropylene Structural Foam
Suspension: Enclosure has locations for 5 SingleStud
Attatchment Plates and 10 Forged
Steel Eyebolts - 2 on Top, 2 on Bottom,
2 on Side, and 4 on Rear of Enclosure
Grille: Polyester Powder Coated, 16GA
Galvanized Steel
Dim (H x W x D): 27.26" x 17.57" x 16.16"
(692mm x 446mm x 411mm)
Net Weight: 50.5 lbs (22.9 kg)

Seems like a pair of these lightweight powered 15" 2-ways could be a slammin small system. We adjust guitar and bass amps to match the drums and need a system to run vocals, kick drum, drum ovhd mic, and possibly keyboard through. We play a variety of classic, alternative, and southern rock with some blues and are hoping this could take care of venues up to about 250 people. Anything larger and we'd just rent a system. Anyone have experience with EV speakers or other good recommendations not already mentionned in this thread?

Thumpologist · #15 01-01-2009, 09:40 PM

My band use a whole JBL Eon system. Funny thing is we have them set up on 18" JBL bins that are set behind us. No feedback what so ever and were pushing some power with the bins. We also use another Eon 15" as a monitor for the drummer. NO problems and so easy to set up and tear down. We will never go back to anything thats not powered. For the price they are more reasonable than the Mackie I feel.

Deacon_Blues · #16 01-02-2009, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumpologist

My band use a whole JBL Eon system. Funny thing is we have them set up on 18" JBL bins that are set behind us. No feedback what so ever and were pushing some power with the bins. We also use another Eon 15" as a monitor for the drummer. NO problems and so easy to set up and tear down. We will never go back to anything thats not powered. For the price they are more reasonable than the Mackie I feel.

I use a pair of RCF ART 322A's in that same way whenever possible, behind us on the sides and relatively loud. No feedback problems for me either, and I really like the sound of those those RCF's.

Funny what someone above said about Mackies being harsh. I remember A/B-ing an active Mackie speakier (don't remember the type, it had a 12" driver) with a JBL EON G2 (15" driver), and we found the Mackie to be slightly smoother than the JBL. I liked the JBL more because it sounded meaner with a louder high midrange that makes it easy for the vocals and other instruments to cut through and be heard in the mix. That was at least 5 years ago though.

It could be worth to check out FBT as well. I've only listened to a pair of them once several years ago, but I don't remember how they sounded and didn't compare them with anything else either. They should be pretty good though, I remember they weren't bad at least.

1954bassman · #17 01-02-2009, 07:50 AM

I have been using powered speakers for 10+ years. The E/v's are worth the extra bucks. I also used jbl EON10's for floor monitors for several years, and they also sound great. I have heard Mackie (450's?) as mains, and also liked their sound, as well as QSC, and Yorkville.

I use the E/Vs with the e/v processor for mains, and they always sound incredable. I also have the powered E/V subs.

After saying all of this, you should consider Aviom IEMs system. Consistant sound, night after night. Zero feedback. No heavy amps - or - speakers. Greatly reduced set-up time, greatly reduced soundcheck time. Greatly redeuced soundman stress.

Not only all of this, but even cheaper in the long run, plus everybody gets a personalized mix of their own. In fact, you can use the Aviom with powered floor monitors, if you cannot see IEMs as a viable solution.

One Drop · #18 01-02-2009, 11:37 AM

Anyone have any experience with the Dbx monitors?

Their Opera 402 15" PA tops sound fabulous to my ears, much cleaner and pleasanter than the JBL Eons or Mackies mentioned above. They also take up less space on stage and tilt back well; we use them as PA speakers, or as monitors when there is in-house PA. I bet their wedges are great, too, but I've not heard them in person.

Ricky Daion · #19 01-04-2009, 12:53 AM

Personally I would avoid monitors with plastic boxes. We've used EV's for the last 4 or 5 years and they have a great warm tone. EV SxA250's to be exact. 350 watts to the woofer and 80 watts to the tweeter. We a/b'd them with mackies, yorkies, JBL, and Samsons and the EV's were hands down the best sounding for monitors or FOH imo.

Vinny D · #20 01-04-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky Daion

Personally I would avoid monitors with plastic boxes. We've used EV's for the last 4 or 5 years and they have a great warm tone. EV SxA250's to be exact. 350 watts to the woofer and 80 watts to the tweeter. We a/b'd them with mackies, yorkies, JBL, and Samsons and the EV's were hands down the best sounding for monitors or FOH imo.

A big +1

While I like the sound of many plastic boxes I also provide sound for a few bands (including my own) and you have to realize that every one out there steps on there monitors

I also recently purchased a EV SXA250 to use as a monitor for the drummer of a band I just started working with and I have to say it is one of the nicest sounding powered cabs I have heard to date. The horn driver that EV uses is very smooth, right up there with the RCF ART325a/525a series which I consider to have the best sounding horn driver in there price range.

If I where to re-do my current monitor system I would go the active cab route, it would eliminate a second power amp rack that I currently have to use and it easily allows for multiple monitor mixes provided your mixer has enough aux. outs.