pair of prx635 + PRX625 no subs?

[kringle77]

I currently run a pair of powered JBL prx635 tops and one prx118s-xlf sub. Sounds great but I find myself missing the punch to the body at any volume sound of my old rig. A pair of EV dual 15 eliminator tops and pair of mackie S-410s subs. That system was heavy and had crappy dispersion compared to the JBL's but boy did it punch. I've seen a few local acts that are only using a pair of dual 15's on small boxes for alittle height and they always sound good, have that familiar punch and no bottom end mud that is common in the horrible sounding clubs in my area.

I always preffered the sound of my bass in the FOH when using 2-way cabs where as everthing else sounds better through the 3-ways. Im flirting with the idea of running the jbl 3-ways sitting on top of the the prx-625 dual 15 cabs instead of using subs. I may be able to get that wall of sound thing going on again and actually like my bass through the pa sound again.

So, would I be setting myself up for more problems? Would the bottom end lack?

[projectMalamute]

In my experience the PRX stuff is reasonably pretty sounding but not especially powerful. They sound nice, especially for horns and jazz bands and stuff like that, but they don't punch.

I ran two of the three way tops and two of the subs (500 series, so the generation before yours, I don't think the new ones sound all that different but I haven't spent a lot of time with them) in a 300 or so capacity room for a few months and was never thrilled, especially with the low end. When the subs stopped working we had Mackie's in for loaners and they were a good bit more powerful. Kinda one-not-bass-y but made for a better rock kick drum. Then we replaced the whole thing with an EAW rig and the difference was pretty striking.

I wouldn't be buying more PRX series stuff if the goal is a more powerful rock band type PA. I'd also be wary of 2 way tops without a full size, 2" exit compression driver. In my experience two ways with a medium format horn are DJ caliber stuff and sound like it.

Weren't you looking at SRX double 12 tops? Those and a couple double 18 boxes would kill for a rock band.

[kringle77]

I was going to get the srx series but had a band change and didn't want to haul the extra gear. At tonights gig I ran the 635's but moved the highpass in the driverack from 100hz down to 45hz and it made a big difference. I then just slightly turned the sub on. It sounded really good tonight. In a larger room where the tops are farther apart and the single sub is on one side of the room, I have noticed thinner sound on the sub-less side. ( no kidding huh? ) Thats where a pair of 2x15's on each side would be nice, to really fill things out.

By the way, this series of JBL's is louder and sounds better than the old ones. I would agree that they are not the punchiest sounding flat, but with the driverack I can get the that sound. They are very clean and smooth on there own but need some eq for a more aggressive sounding mid range, which I rather like for rock.

[TimmyP]

When I think punch, I think a system that has an overabundance of 70Hz-to-100Hz instead of real low end. If it hits you in the chest, it's crap - it should be hitting you in the gut.

[kringle77]

Yeah, it's crap.....unless it sounds good. Everyone explains sound alittle differently I guess.