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mackie 15" powered subwoofer

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by Arrrrrgh, Jul 14, 2003.

  1. Jul 14, 2003 #1
    Arrrrrgh

    Arrrrrgh

    May 8, 2002
    Hello all

    Anyone use a Mackie 15" powered subwoofer to augment their existing system ?

    I currently have a mackie 1400i amp with a 2x10 eden and a 15 eden. It sounds great, but sometimes im lacking in the low end. At larger gigs I always have the big PA to help out, but sometimes some rooms (like the cement block floor bars) just suck up the bass, including the bass drum.

    These mackie powered subs look like a great deal, I just have never heard of them being used for bass.

    Thanks for any advice..

    Richard
     
  2. Jul 15, 2003 #2
    redneck2wild

    redneck2wild

    Nov 27, 2002
    Memphis, TN
    I tried one with a 15 at a local music store and I was disappointed. The sub sounded like it had a hump in a certain area - three notes popped out more than the others. The low notes on a 5 were also on the weak side. You might be able to EQ the hump out and boost the ultra lows (with an EQ also).
    I also tried out a powered mackie with an 18. It provided much better lows, had a smoother sound and was considerably louder. The 18 is much larger and heavier than the 15 but it does sound better. This is typical when a company sells Subs with 15's and 18's - the 18's usually sound better and hit deeper notes than the 15's.

    Another idea might be looking at other Cabinets with 18's and replacing the 15 that you have. If there is a Guitar Center in your area, you may be able to try out different 18 Cabinets. The local GC here has several PA subs with 18's ranging from a cheap Behringer(around $200) to explensive Double 18 JBLs.
     
  3. Jul 15, 2003 #3
    Monkey

    Monkey Supporting Member

    Mar 8, 2000
    Ohio, USA
    My band is using a 18' Mackie powered sub (2 for big gigs) right now. The bass and kick drum are running through it and it sounds great. I recently got 2 Aggie GS112's, and between them and the sub, I am in low-end heaven.
     
  4. Jul 15, 2003 #4
    Petebass

    Petebass

    Dec 22, 2002
    QLD Australia
    To me these powered subs are designed to be an amplifier for the kick drum. So I'm not surprised at this comment.

    From memory the Mackie version is a bandpass sub, meaning the speaker doesn't fire directly into the listening area. Instead it fires into a second chamber which then passes the sound out to the listener. The advantage of this design is that it's very efficient in the desired frequencies, but they tend to work within a narrowish band. It's my guess that those frequencies were probably chosen to compliment the kick drum rather that the broader range of frequencies that a bass guitar is capable of.
     
  5. Jul 15, 2003 #5
    jerry

    jerry Too old for a hiptrip Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 1999
    I have a Mackie 15 sub that I use for the P.A. in one of the bands I play in.......for grins I tried it out with one of my 2/10 cabs...kinda sucked;) My Bergie 2/12 goes way lower! The Mackie powered subs are made for P.A. use, even in the specs it only goes down to about 40 hz.