Classic passive mains still kickin butt!

[sm49341]

Im sure i've moaned on a few posts about wanting to go to using some QSC K12's and their partnering subs. Mostly for weight concern. And no doubt crisp and clear. Our old passive EV mains (purchased new in 1988) are tough to load. And wide, they hog stage space.
But I must say, these old boys really get the job done. Over the 4th we played an open lake gig where the audiece was s flotilla of boats, some up to 200 yards away anchored on a sand bar, and about 150 degrees surrounding. We power the 18" subs with a Carvin 3800, and the mains with Carvin 2500. Being outdoors we were really able to open them up. Late in the gig during a song I walked out front and couldnt believe the volume, the crisp highs and kidney pounding thump. I was like, you know what? I can lug these around for this kinda sound. I hate the width and weight of these but it seems it really gives the sound something to push off-i dont know how else to say that.
These were the premium speaker back in the day, and the power amps were far smaller. And they still sound awfully good today.
I just wanted to give a shout to the passive pa crowd. These speakers are still plenty relevent and just as capable if not more. To sum it up, He's not heavy, hes my brother.

 

[walterw]

(still, if you don't mind big and heavy and have the amps to push 'em sure. the older boxes were typically lower power but made to get loud with that lower power, the amps of the time weren't that strong.)

 

[4Mal]

Renkus Heinz trap 40 tops on EAW la400 subs, EV led sleds kick hard...

 

[frnjplayer]

View attachment 1171150 View attachment 1171150 View attachment 1171151 View attachment 1171152 View attachment 1171153Renkus Heinz trap 40 tops on EAW,lav-400 su
C View attachment 1171154

Please get some black straps to hold that rig together

 

[4Mal]

Gee, I thought yellow was kinda sporty!

Actually, before I do that trick again, I'm adding 2 sets of painters scaffolding and yeah, I'll rattle can it to something dark. As no doubt it will be yellow or gray.

 

[two fingers]

Please get some black straps to hold that rig together

My first thought too. That's tacky.

 

[4Mal]

I can also deploy 4 kw-181's and up to 4 k12's as foh. The EAW/Renkus rig is much, much louder and cleaner and doesn't filter between the tops. The tops are 40x60. Wooden horns with very tight pattern control. 2 6.5" carbon fiber mid drivers and 2 compression drivers on a manifold firing into the horn. Renkus Heinz had it going on from a design perspective way back there. This rig is 4 way and time aligned using smaart.

 

[4Mal]

My first thought too. That's tacky.

But it was safe... and in the space I really need the extra dispersion... with just 2 tops I can get away without strapping. But then I'm 60 x80 rather than 60x120 and this was a shallow, wide amphitheater above a beach. I'll sacrifice cosmetics for sound quality and safety any day...

 

[DWBass]

You would have needed several of the K-Subs to match those EV's for an outdoor event like yours. Not the bees knees folks think they are. Fine for indoor events though.

 

[frnjplayer]

But it was safe... and in the space I really need the extra dispersion... with just 2 tops I can get away without strapping. But then I'm 60 x80 rather than 60x120 and this was a shallow, wide amphitheater above a beach. I'll sacrifice cosmetics for sound quality and safety any day...

It appears that it was totally safe which scores big points. The black straps aren't important, they're just a little thing that says pro instead of weekend warrior. At no extra charge

 

[Geri O]

Please get some black straps to hold that rig together

Although I'd prefer black, I prefer not killing audience members with toppling PA stacks, regardless of the color.

 

[Geri O]

Regardless of how rad the latest, greatest stuff is, none of that crap operates itself.

I've heard a few V-Dosc rigs suck because of the moron driving the rig.

 

[monkeyland]

Gee, I thought yellow was kinda sporty!

Actually, before I do that trick again, I'm adding 2 sets of painters scaffolding and yeah, I'll rattle can it to something dark. As no doubt it will be yellow or gray.

Baker scaffold works well

 

[4Mal]

That looks like what I'm thinking of.

 

[monkeyland]

That looks like what I'm thinking of.

I lightly sanded and rattle canned the whole thing. The paint still scrapes off showing the yellow underneath but it's easy enough to touch up when desired. I left the outriggers yellow since they stick out it just seemed like my insurance agent would like that.

 

[brianrost]

I just wanted to give a shout to the passive pa crowd. These speakers are still plenty relevent and just as capable if not more.

The most important thing for me is they are paid for. I have thought about buying some good lightweight powered cabs but when I consider how long it would take to pay it off (the current rig was paid off many years ago) it doesn't make any sense.

 

[4Mal]

My powered QSC stuff rents well, deploys easily for a one man gig, is seemingly reliable and the ROI was short... that said, it can't keep up with the 'passive' rig in terms or output or sound quality. My mode is sound company, not band for this stuff though. For my band, the K series stuff goes every time...

 

[thekyle55]

If it sounds good, it is good. It doesn't matter if it is active or passive.