x

Active Subs, cheap vs expensive

Home 2023 › Forums › Digital DJ Gear › Active Subs, cheap vs expensive

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • September 1, 2014 at 8:11 am #2050637
    jclsmit@gmail.com
    Participant

    Yeah, a mate of mine has the Behringer and they are loud. Ive just heard and read big things about the JBL and the Crown amp, but for double the price would buying two Behringers not be the better option? With the Gemini GVX the bass gets a little lost at outdoor events (crowds of 80 – 250pax) and the Gemini needs replacing soon.

    September 1, 2014 at 8:49 am #2050649
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    The Behringers are loud I give you that, sound wise they are very bad.
    The PRX are really nice.
    And no 2 times bad is still bad.

    September 1, 2014 at 2:13 pm #2050656
    TJ
    Participant

    Listen before you buy!

    Most of the time more money means more music.
    But sometimes you will find a hidden gem of a make you have never heard of.
    Or you will realize, that the cheaper option is good enough for you 🙂

    September 1, 2014 at 2:41 pm #2050661
    jclsmit@gmail.com
    Participant

    Yeah, thats been my thinking but of late Ive been pondering about the cost gap between the entry level brands and the premium brands. I will give the JBL’s a listen before I decide anything. Unfortunately in South Africa we are very limited brand wise, all you can find here are JBL, HK, Yamaha, Peavey, Gemini, Behringer, Wharfedale and Samson. Anything else is very difficult to find, or at least Ive been struggling. The HK’s aren’t too pricey though and they also seem to be a premium brand.

    Thanks for the comments so far.

    September 1, 2014 at 2:59 pm #2050663
    TJ
    Participant

    Well, choosing from above, wharfendale gives you an good value for the money. JBL, Yamaha are a bit overpriced in my oppinion; you get a speakers that is allmost as good as Yamaha, some even better, but cost half the price…
    Behringer, gemini are on the low end and I would not recommend it.

    September 1, 2014 at 3:30 pm #2050664
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    JBL mostly very good.
    HK gems but expensive sometimes, but you get very good quality and service.
    Yamaha is absolutely excellent and they know it, hence the price. I have NEVER had any piece of Yamaha gear that did not perform as advertised or better.
    Peavey very good value for money. They are solid performers with good build quality and sound. They will not get the same highend sound as some HK and Yamaha models but will outperform any lowend brand by a long shot. Again excellent value for money.

    Gemini has a huge quality control issue. Some units are OKish and some are rubbish of the same series. However they will never be as good as any of the above brands.

    Behringer I have yet to see any device from them that did not hurt me physically to listen to.

    I have never used Wharfedale or Samson so I will not judge those, but I did not hear too many good things to convince me to try them over the brands I mostly use (Mackie, Yamaha, HK).

    So if the HK are not too pricey in your part of the world, I can recommend the brand without a doubt.

    September 2, 2014 at 2:45 pm #2050783
    David J Holgate
    Participant

    Well i can chime hear about Peavey which i used for 15 years before changing to Mackie. The parts are easy to come buy, woofer replacement is easy. So if you blow a woofer you can eaxy replace it. I use to keep 2 basket replacement on hand just in case if one gets blown. Crossovers can also be replaced. The only thing is the weight of the subs, they are heavy. Most subs are heavy because of the cab and the magnet in the speaker. JBL are a good speaker, but parts are expensive. Gemini is ok but you be replacing parts sooner on them. Good luck with your upgrade.

    September 2, 2014 at 3:01 pm #2050784
    jclsmit@gmail.com
    Participant

    Haha, good to know. I prefer quality sound and if the Behringers are lacking Im gonna stay away. Never heard Peavey so didn’t even think to consider them and yeah, my Gemini system was constantly going in for repairs thus Im ridding myself of them. JBL are extremely expensive but Ive heard them and know the quality they produce. HK have the following line available locally:

    http://www.purpleonline.co.za/Speakers-48/HK-PR:O-18-SubA-100

    Im assuming these are more quality than the Peavey’s? I just notice its rated 600W as opposed to the JBL PRX718 XLF at 1500W. Thats more than double the power and they look a lot more sturdy. So many things to consider aaarghhh! Im gonna have to listen to them all myself before spending my hard earned savings…

    Thanks for the help guys, you rock!

    September 3, 2014 at 2:43 pm #2050797
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Listen to them. While power is importand HK usually writes continuos power on their units not peak power, so that HKs will give you true 600W. Also with HK they usually have excellent speaker efficiency, meaning that the power to dbA ratio is one of the best in the industry. So you can usually use 15-20% less power with HK than with cheaper brands and still have the same volume output.
    I have not used that specific model but I guess the previous generation and those woofers will hurt your lungs and still sound crystal clear with very linear response and excellent cutover to the main speakers.

    September 8, 2014 at 3:00 pm #2053591
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Yep. Let your ears be the judge. And amplifier power and/or total amounts of dB’s dispersed is only one (and not the most important) specification. Loud music sounding bad actually makes matters worse.

    For me the Mackie HD-series was a great choice. I have the 1221s (2x) with an 1801 (1x) which comfortably will serve a 200-250 people crowd with floor vibrating bass.

    To each his own. Just know that there are no cheap shortcuts to great sound.

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
  • The forum ‘Digital DJ Gear’ is closed to new topics and replies.