Seeking the Right PA/Monitor Speakers

thombo · #1 11-23-2010, 07:07 PM

i considered reserecting an old tread, but the most informative ones were in the amps section, and i am curious about PA/monitor speakers.

i currently have a mackie srm 350 v2 PA speaker that bumps out 121 db. i use it as a rehearsal monitor, and was planning to get a twin to potenially use them as mains. the problem is it isn't quite loud enough as a monitor w/ an 810.

i am contemplating moving up to either a 127 db speaker (mackie srm 450 v2), or 129 db speaker (harbinger hp 112). i am wondering if either of these are worth it,. i am considering both volume, quality (esp. w/ the harbinger), and fidelity in that order. is it worth moving up? experience with these products?

if i understand this, a 6 db addition would add about half of the volume on top of what i already have, while the 9 db increase would be almost twice as loud?

NOTE: i match my volume to my bandmates. i admit we are too loud. my atempts to get them to turn down have gone unheard (haha...). i do wear earplugs.

Wes Whitmore · #2 11-23-2010, 07:35 PM

I'd just get something that matches. Those all seem about the same cab to me though. You will need to replace the 350 with another floor monitor if you make it a main, so why not work on getting a pair of main speakers that put out the kind of volume you are looking for. Don't buy speakers based on calculated Max spl figures though. Most of those figures are bogus...

musicman7722 · #3 11-26-2010, 06:08 AM

the powered qsc stuff is amazing. I own a pair of 12's plus the sub. My drummer uses one of the 12"s for his monitor which he puts his electronic drums and monitor send through. Holds bass dang awell too. We use the sysytem for rehersal and some gigs when our FOH isn't needed.

thombo · #4 11-26-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicman7722

the powered qsc stuff is amazing. I own a pair of 12's plus the sub. My drummer uses one of the 12"s for his monitor which he puts his electronic drums and monitor send through. Holds bass dang awell too. We use the sysytem for rehersal and some gigs when our FOH isn't needed.

yeah, they would be on my list, along w/ FBT's, but they are way out of my price range right now... saving for a wedding. i am looking used or cheap new.

TimmyP · #5 11-26-2010, 06:33 PM

Forget the numbers - you have to listen to them.

Max SPL ratings are most always calculated - the true output is usually much lower. Additionally, just because something can do 129dB does not mean that it will do so with a sound quality that anyone would care to listen to.

thombo · #6 11-26-2010, 07:15 PM

i listened to the harbinger hp 112's today, and they sounded pretty good. i'm really leaning toward those because of the price, and more abundant lows when compared with the srm hp 450's (maybe b/c of the bigger box?), but i am concerned about the quality.

also, as my issue with the srm 350 is volume, it is difficult to assess whether anything will be loud enough in the store.

musicman7722 · #7 11-29-2010, 06:28 AM

I also work in a duo with a guitar and drum machine. My Partner picked up a very nice "Pyle" self powered 12" speaker. it is very much like the last generation Eonss and I have been very impressed with it. it holds bass and drums quite well as well as vocals. Very affordable as well.