Maybe this will help someone. I bought these powered speakers to use as a small PA, a quick setup practice system, monitors for my electric drum kit, or maybe to branch out to doing some...gulp....DJ work.
These used to be branded Tapco. Mackie re-branded them and charged more for them (well, they did!)
I made a "best offer" on ebay and won them for $600.00. For that, I got the speakers, 2 Gemini ST-03 speaker stands and (2) 25' XLR cables with shipping included. Everything arrived the same day and without damage.
I only have an iPod as a sound source, run through my Mackie 16ch. board and an ART 31band eq. I have read about a distortion that occurs at very low volume (just as the music becomes audible) and these speakers had it. Sounds like an FM station that is out of range. As soon as the volume increases it clears up.
I ran these for most of the day (outdoors, in the country) at pretty loud volume with no issues. They sounded clean and clear and had plenty of low end. I did not max them out but I kept them where the clip light would occasionally blink. I would guess they would do for an indoor gathering of about 100 people by themselves. They weigh 36lbs and are easy to handle.
I would have to say that they met my expectations as to quality/sound/value. Would be nice to have 1/4'' or phono inputs along with the XLR's though! I give them a thumbs up.
http://www.mackie.com/products/th-15a/
The sad thing is for alot of musicians that is the biggest factor in deciding what to buy. Then they wonder why they can't get paid decent money.
