Anybody using Alto Truesonic Powered Mains?

[Gravedigger Dav]

Looking for some budget priced powered mains. I see a pair of the TSA115A for a good price (compared to new price).
Any info on these or suggestions in this price range either 12 or 15 would be appreciated.

 

[RoadRanger]

They are not horrible.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

They are not horrible.

LOL thanks for the encouraging endorsement.

 

[DWBass]

Nothing wrong with Alto gear. Seen a few bands with complete systems (including subs) and they sounded amazing. Folks need to stop slagging gear that doesn't have a top name brand. I have an Alto power amp powering my preamp/power amp rig. Nothing but compliments every time I play. It's been extremely reliable and runs cool.

 

[Cazman]

Agree. For the money, a great value. All of our stage monitors are Alto's. We do run Yamaha DXR's for our mains, simply because they were the sonically smoothest to our ears....and we had the extra $$. If the money was an issue, we would have had no regrets with the Altos.
Cheerios.

 

[Handyman]

I know lots of guitar players into modeling gear use these things instead of traditional guitar amps.

No experience using them as intended in PA system though.

 

[modulusman]

Not sure how much you can get the Altos for but JBL is blowing out the PRX 700 series speakers right now since they are being discontinued.

 

[zac2944]

I've got a pair. Work well as mains when doing vocals only in the PA for small bag gigs or a small party. They are not K12s, but for the price they work well as you would expect.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Not sure how much you can get the Altos for but JBL is blowing out the PRX 700 series speakers right now since they are being discontinued.

Thanks for the suggestion. I can get a user pair for $475 which is less than 1 JBL on sale. If I had the money, the JBLs would be on my short list.

 

[Bullitt5135]

There are a bunch of Alto speakers on the GC used site...you might be able to beat $475 for a pair of the TS115A's. Are you running subs? If so, the TS110a might suffice for some gig scenarios -- cheaper, lighter, smaller.

FWIW, my buddy spends A LOT of time demo'ing speakers ranging from low-end to hi-end. He speaks highly of the sound quality and value of the Alto speakers. One of these days, I'm going to replace my monitors with the TS110a.

There's a long discussion of the Alto TS series on the Serato forums.

 

[RoadRanger]

They are not horrible.

Just to clarify they sound fine but come up short on SPL vs more expensive speakers. Plenty good enough for monitors and even mains if you're not one of them stoopid loud bands that seem to be the common thing these days .

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Don't need the SPL. We aren't that loud. Even our drummer knows how to control his volume.

 

[RoadRanger]

I've yet to hear a biamped powered speaker that wasn't good enough for reasonable volume gigs - even the Harbingers one of my friends has. Just be careful - the lowest end powered speakers are NOT biamped.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I've yet to hear a biamped powered speaker that wasn't good enough for reasonable volume gigs - even the Harbingers one of my friends has. Just be careful - the lowest end powered speakers are NOT biamped.

Thanks for the input. Whether I get this pair or something else remains undetermined, but I do have better info now for making a decision. We really don't play that loud at all.

 

[cultrvultr]

I use the alto 10s as monitors or mains for really small stuff. They sound ok but have no low end. I just use a sub or my bass amp with them. but are pretty great for the price. I think they are much better than the harbinger and Mackie thumps which are about the same price.

Alto just came out with a V2 which is supposed to be even better.

 

[Big Hoss]

I've yet to hear a biamped powered speaker that wasn't good enough for reasonable volume gigs - even the Harbingers one of my friends has. Just be careful - the lowest end powered speakers are NOT biamped.

Wait, what? Somebody here on Talkbass not talking trash about Harbinger? Amazing!

FWIW, I have had both Alto Truesonic and the Harbinger V2112s, the Altos (TS115a pair) were pretty awesome for their price point. Simply put for any reasonable volume gig, either would work, and do it well. The Altos were better built, and sounded better maxed out or close to it, but I never run my gear hard. I'm not some 16 year old in a death metal band so I don't need to push it hard...

 

[Big Hoss]

Don't need the SPL. We aren't that loud. Even our drummer knows how to control his volume.

Where did you find this Unicorn drummer at? We need one!

 

[BassFishing]

Our band uses TS115 tops with the ts15 subs. Small light weight subs that take less floor space than the speakers stands. This system sounded much better than the mains by themselves. But as everyone else says good bang for the buck. Never had an issue been gigging 2 times month. I did get a driverack PA to help speed up the eq'ing process. We paid $400 used for the tops on CL. I also have the Mackie thump15 (newer model), got those from Mackie direct refurbed for $400. I think the Altos build quality is better, but with eq the Mackies sound just as good IMHO. Subs help too I would love better equipment, but when gigs are paying 300-400 I rather spend my money on bass gear

 

[Bufalo]

I just picked up four of the TS212's for monitor use with my band. Have a big-stage gig on Saturday which will be their test drive, hoping for a good report on Sunday.

 

[ErnieD]

Our new 3pc band, bass, acoustic guitar & Cajon player, will be using our Alto's first time Sept 2nd, first gig. Drummer had 2, TS-10"s and 15" powered sub. I first bought a JBL-EON 110 powered speaker, sounds pretty good. After hearing the drummer's Alto's I thought they sounded very good. So I next bought two, Alto TS212 powered speakers, will be using those two, with his 15" sub, as mains at that first gig.

For the extra money I paid for that single JBL EON 10", I feel the Alto's are very close in sound and quality. I really liked what the Alto 212's sound like when I ran em first time a few weeks ago with my loud, blues-rock band. This was outside at a uber-hot, humid pool party. Band was in a covered area. My two Alto's were on stands out in direct 100+ degree sun, they didn't skip a beat. And I ran music from my Android ph thru them during our breaks. So they worked all day long, no down time. I liked the great "make an offer" price I paid for the Alto's on Ebay.

I bought the Mackie ProFX12-v2 mixer to use with them. All bought new so all covered by warranty, should any issues arrive.