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Powered PA w/ sub for bass rig?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by junglebike, Dec 2, 2005.

  1. Dec 2, 2005 #1
    junglebike

    junglebike

    Feb 14, 2003
    San Diego, CA
    I've got a nice Yorkville NX550P PA system that I love. My basses always sounded good through it, but it never had much "slam" -- probably due to the 12" drivers and low freq rolloff.

    Has anyone tried pairing something like this with a powered sub (e.g. the Yorkville NX200P?) Seems this would be the ultimate "clean" rig. You could drive it direct with an active bass, or thru, say, a Radial JDI, or a Sansamp BDDI for a rock gig.

    I did some searching, but couldn't find much, other than people saying the powered cab alone probably wouldn't cut the mustard (which I've found to be the case on all but the smallest gigs).

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Dec 2, 2005 #2
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    I have occasionally played through the PA using subs. My old rig used Mackie SA 1530s for tops and SWA 1501s as subs. It works pretty well for smaller venues, and if you have a decent preamp. I ran an Avalon U5 to the board. It sounded good.

    My current PA rig has EAW JFX 590s on top and SBX 220 subs. This is a totally different thing. While the Mackie subs were 600 watts apiece, I run a PLX 2402 to each of the EAW subs. This kicks major butt, and a bass rig with that PA is essentially a stage monitor.

    So, to answer your question, yes it can be done and can sound good. I'd cross the subs over somewhere between 80 and 100 hz. You and the kick drum will be the only thing in the subs. You do want your bass in the mains, too, so you don't lose those all-important mids for cutting through. Just make sure you get subs with plenty o' power.
     
  3. Dec 2, 2005 #3
    D.A.R.K.

    D.A.R.K. Supporting Member

    Aug 20, 2003
    Virginia
    i toured playing with a jbl m-pro 18" powered sub for awhile...
    has a built-in x-over(at 125hz), phase reverse, and dual power section(for a top box or another sub)...i believe it's rated at 600watts per side, and designed by crown.
    killer, slamming and portable(not light, but comes with decent casters).
    all you need is the top cab and a pre-amp, and your set.
    cheers
    d
     
  4. Dec 2, 2005 #4
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    Oh! Junglebike ... I didn't recognize you.
     
  5. Dec 2, 2005 #5
    junglebike

    junglebike

    Feb 14, 2003
    San Diego, CA
    Yeah, thanks for the tips -- enjoying that J48? Funny -- after I posted the question I remember you telling me you'd run your bass into Mackie PA gear.

    I guess it works for Geddy Lee, too, right?
     
  6. Dec 2, 2005 #6
    thejohnkim

    thejohnkim

    Sep 30, 2003
    NYC
    all i know is that yorkville p800 subs kick major booty with our turbosound mains, much cheaper and even better sounding than the active mackie 18" sub in our experiences
     
  7. Dec 2, 2005 #7
    CetiAlphaVI

    CetiAlphaVI

    May 27, 2005
    Midwest
    I use yorkies in my PA system. NX550p on top and LS700p on the bottom. The 550's are a very warm sounding top, but lack the low end balls a bass requires. Team it up with the LS700p (2*10) sub. This duo makes a very strong PA combo for me. The little ls200p you mention is a 200 watter, and for a subwoofer, this is minimal, let alone only a single 10" speaker. I think you would be disappointed. Go with a bigger sub.
     
  8. Dec 3, 2005 #8
    prockenklang

    prockenklang

    May 22, 2003
    Monterey,Ca.
    I use powered Meyer Sound PA cabinets! Best bass tone I have ever heard!!! :hyper: