Mackie SRM450V2 - any better choices?

[Jools4001]

I'm in a rock covers band that does stuff from the heavier end of the spectrum. We're just nearing the end of rehearsals, about to go gigging, and need a decent PA system rather than using the rehearsal studio stuff.

Our singer has just put me in the unusual position of spending his money for him to get the PA sorted. Apart from the singer, the rest of the band have been in bands for years, so we've already got enough stuff between us so that we only really need a set of FOH speakers and we've decided to go the active speaker route. We've also decided to buy fewer pieces of decent stuff for the money and make do with less kit until we can add to it over time.

We've got an initial budget of up to £1300.

Around here, the Mackie SRM450 is a sort of de-facto standard for bands like us doing bars and smallish venues (up to 150-200 people). I've also used these in previous bands (albeit quieter ones) and I think they're OK for what we'll be doing.

However, you can get a pair of these with stands for about £950, so that leaves a chunk of change.

At the moment, the mixer we have belongs to me (as part of a divvy up of a previous bands equipment). It's a solid semi-pro mixer, but it's a Yamaha 24 14FX so it's got about 16 more channels than we actually need and it's a big old piece to lug around.

So, the choice comes down to getting something like the Mackies and using the change for something like a Soundcraft 12 channel mixer, which has the advantage that the singer will then own the core of a PA rather than just a pair of active speakers and it will be better scaled to this bands needs or...

Use the big Yamaha mixer and spend the lot on FOH active speakers, so are there any active speakers for an extra £350 that will offer enough benefits over the Mackie's to go this route

Like everyone else we want the biggest bang for our buck

BTW: a bit of a dumb question perhaps, but on paper the spec of Mackie Thumps looks very similar to SRM450's yet they're about half the price...there's got to be a reason for that but since I've never heard any, can someone enlighten me?

[kevin1988]

Hey i also have mackie srm450v1 so i have no idea which is better mackie srm450v1 or mackie srm450v2.I think you should try some new companies product.I think you are interested in music so you can also Watch 2011 Muchmusic Video Awards Live and Daytime Emmy Awards 2011 Live.

I'm interested to watch both events because i love music.

[MuzikMan]

As many of us know the Mackie SRM series speakers set the bar for portable active speakers for working bands years ago. These days that bar has been raised by the QSC K series IMO. There are also great options from JBL (PRX series), RCF (ART series), and EV (zxa series and the new Live X series).

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by Jools4001

I'm in a rock covers band that does stuff from the heavier end of the spectrum. We're just nearing the end of rehearsals, about to go gigging, and need a decent PA system rather than using the rehearsal studio stuff.

Our singer has just put me in the unusual position of spending his money for him to get the PA sorted. Apart from the singer, the rest of the band have been in bands for years, so we've already got enough stuff between us so that we only really need a set of FOH speakers and we've decided to go the active speaker route. We've also decided to buy fewer pieces of decent stuff for the money and make do with less kit until we can add to it over time.

We've got an initial budget of up to £1300.

Around here, the Mackie SRM450 is a sort of de-facto standard for bands like us doing bars and smallish venues (up to 150-200 people). I've also used these in previous bands (albeit quieter ones) and I think they're OK for what we'll be doing.

However, you can get a pair of these with stands for about £950, so that leaves a chunk of change.

At the moment, the mixer we have belongs to me (as part of a divvy up of a previous bands equipment). It's a solid semi-pro mixer, but it's a Yamaha 24 14FX so it's got about 16 more channels than we actually need and it's a big old piece to lug around.

So, the choice comes down to getting something like the Mackies and using the change for something like a Soundcraft 12 channel mixer, which has the advantage that the singer will then own the core of a PA rather than just a pair of active speakers and it will be better scaled to this bands needs or...

Use the big Yamaha mixer and spend the lot on FOH active speakers, so are there any active speakers for an extra £350 that will offer enough benefits over the Mackie's to go this route

Like everyone else we want the biggest bang for our buck

BTW: a bit of a dumb question perhaps, but on paper the spec of Mackie Thumps looks very similar to SRM450's yet they're about half the price...there's got to be a reason for that but since I've never heard any, can someone enlighten me?

Look at the difference in SPL level. The thumps are 113db long term the 450s are 124dbs. On paper the 450s are twice as loud.

[Jools4001]

Thanks Muzik and Modulus Men, it's nice getting proper informative info so quickly

[Medford Bassman]

We use a set of 450v1 for vocals only. We place them on top of yamahas 2x15 and subs.

I have noticed when only running vocals with their downfiring horns, they can cover quite a large room.

[uhdinator]

JBL PRX612m 1000w each. Compact too.
Or QSC K12 for more $$$

[BigMac5]

I switch from a pair SRM450v1 to a pair RCF ART 722-A. No comparison the ART 722-A are in a different league, but they cost a lot more $$$.

[MuzikMan]

Even the QSC K10 should be able to do anything that the Mackie SRM450 v2 can, while sounding better IMO.

[MuzikMan]

If the budget needs to be low, I would take a serious look at the EV ELX112p. I haven't tried them yet but the buzz is good.

[Jools4001]

Originally Posted by MuzikMan

If the budget needs to be low, I would take a serious look at the EV ELX112p. I haven't tried them yet but the buzz is good.

Funnily enough, on the strength of your earlier post, I scoped out all the other manufacturers you suggested (plus a couple more like Hughes and Kettner etc).

There must be some sort of disparity between the relative prices of all of this equipment in the US and over here, because the JBL stuff that looks equivalent on paper comes in at a whopping $1000 over the Mackies. The QSC K8 is at the top end of the budget at £1300, the K10 is £200 over ($300), the RCF ART 722 is also $600 ($1000) over the top - the 'biggest' RCF ART 7 series within price is the 710A.

I looked out the EV ELX12P earlier today and they look very tempting. They are on budget, albeit at the top end, so that's what I've recommended to the singer to try out - with the QSC K10 as next on the list

There is a bewildering choice out there but I think that at this sort of price range the difference between manufacturers is going to come down to personal preference...and we've got to stop somewhere. As always with this kind of decision it's easy to get sucked into the "Ahhh, but this is only $100 more" and get sucked into a price spiral.

Thanks again for everyone's help - except the guy spamming his events

[Never_grew_up]

What about monitors? I'd probably use the existing mixer & put the extra $ into powered monitors.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by uhdinator

JBL PRX612m 1000w each. Compact too.
Or QSC K12 for more $$$

I'm using the PRX 612Ms, and they sound fantastic. Loud, too, at a kilowatt per cab. I also have a pair of the PRX 512Ms at 500 watts a speaker, and they're great, too.

[G-Unit 01]

We use the HK Pro 12 Actives with the 18 inch active sub.
It sounds excellent, the top end is better then most I have heard.

[Jerry Ziarko]

Save a bit more and get the QSC K12's. Great speakers with some very nice low end thump.

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by MuzikMan

If the budget needs to be low, I would take a serious look at the EV ELX112p. I haven't tried them yet but the buzz is good.

I own a pair and would buy again

[MNAirHead]

Its really not cheap as you will eventually get powered subs and a driverack px

[Low Class]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I own a pair and would buy again

+a zillion!!! The ELX112p's are incredible cabs!!

[philter25]

My band is using the QSC K12s as mains and they are fantastic. They provide enough thump and have good bass response for a speaker without a dedicated subwoofer. We usually dont run bass through the PA, but on the rare occasions we needed to, you can change the preset EQ settings on the speaker. And they have more than enough power and sound much cleaner than the Mackies.

Another option, which Ive also used, is the JBL Eons. You might be able to get a set of the older ones used. The 15" JBL Eon G2s are pretty good as mains, have good thump, and also I think sound clearer than the mackies. These will be a cheaper option and allow you to get a mixer...... or a good set of monitors. The new JBL 515XL's are pretty great also.

Another option, if you are playing large places and need to constantly runn bass through the PA, is to get K8's or K10's and get the matching KSubs. Although thats more pricey.

In terms of sound quality, Id go:
QSC K12
JBL 515XL
JBL Eon G2 15
Mackie 450s.

I wont comment on the other speakers as I dont have experience with them.

[Low Class]

I have the new EV powered cabs. I bought 2 ELX112p's, 2 ELX115p's, and one ELX118p, and spent almost HALF of a comparable QSC system would cost. And the best part is they sound BETTER. My freind has a QSC system was practically crying when he heard my EV system. The difference in wood cabs vs plastic makes a big difference in sound and the whole system weighs LESS than the QSC.