I have a dilema that I need awnsering. I have been using a set of Celestion (QX Series) Tops and bins for the last 2 years powered by an Ecler 1400watt amp and although I am more than happy with the sound and volume, the problem I have is the wieght of them (25kgs each), and if I am setting up on the first floor of a club it can be quite tiresome. I am thinking of part exing my set up for a set of Mackie SRM 450 powered cabs. Does any other dj on the forum use powered cabs. If so how good are they, how do they compare. You're advice is much appreciated.

This is out of my ball park but i am sure someone will help ya soon

There have been several discussions on the MACKIE's over the past few months. Just type "mackie" into the search facility and select "Since the beginning" on the time period to search within. This will provide you with every post which contains the word "mackie" .

Personally, I wouldn't use any form of powered speaker since if an amplifier failed, its internal and not simply a case of plugging into the other channel to "limp" through the night. With both the Amplifier and Speaker being combined you lose any emergency flexibility if either was to fail. Although this is just my Practical and personal opinion

JBL do an extremely light speaker.. cant remember the series but I am sure someone on here will know the ones I am speaking about.... but as with anything... they do cost a packet!
25kg..... come on, get those muscles in gear!

Hi

I use srm450's and they great. Never had a problem with them.

They're extremely practical if you're concerned about the amount of space they take up, also they weigh 21kg and very portable.

I know several people that also use them alongside the mackie base bins and they really kick ass.

Darren

If they are sealed cabs, couldnt you replace the air thats "locked" inside them for Helium...

But seriously...Whilst there dont seem to be any question over the sound quality of the Mackies, I have heard on this forum and from a couple of DJ's, who I bumped into at PLASA (Paula's Lasagne And Special Ales? ) 2003, that they do seem to run "hot", when being used for medium to large venues. Obviously running 2 x pairs at a medium level instead of 1 pair loudly, would get you around this, but it might not be budget-worthy.

Also, I discovered a new consideration to the powered Vs Traditional speakers debate, and for a change, its a nice easy concept, with little or no maths involved.

As we (all?) know, you shouldnt run audio cables alongside/near/over power or lighting cables, yes?

Well, sort of...its perhaps more accurate to say that you should avoid running low-level/line-level audio cables near power/lighting cables. EG: Mixer to Amp, or Mixer to Equaliser/Crossover etc..etc.. These cables normally carry low-level signals eg: 775 millivolts upto 1000millivolts...(oh, thats a volt then), maybe a little more.

The cables between a seperate amp, and seperate speakers however are obviously passing several hundred watts, rather than just 900milliwatts, or so. Speaker leads carrying such wattages are not affected by interference from an average power/lighting lead.

However, the low-level/line-level, even if they're screened/balanced wont need much local interference from a nearby lighing/power lead, to affect a percentage of those millivolts, which are then amplified.

Remember too, that on a powered speaker system, its these "low level/line level" cables from your mixer, which will be covering the 8~20++ feet each way, from your mixer to the speakers.

At a pub gig I visited (as a punter) recently, the entertainer there had powered speakers which (as with most pubs) he'd hadnt had the room to put in "logical" locations. Hence his low level wires were running around the back of fruit machines, over the top of the cigarette machine and wall-light fittings, past "in-use" power sockets etc..etc.. Inbetween songs, there was a definate buzz (and I dont mean "atmosphere".

OK, his speakers weren't Mackie... his had little blue LED's behind the grills, and I think the name/picture of a cat on the side, and he did a good job, but I couldnt help thinking that his PA would have delivered less buzz had the cable routes been travelled by a highpower speaker cable, rather than the mixer output leads.

Perhaps this is something else to bring into the powered Vs traditional desision process.

Gary - you can usually get around this problem by using high quality screened balanced cable, and the balanced outputs of your mixer. Assuming that your mixer and the chosen powered speakers have balanced ins / outs it shouldn't be a problem.

Van Damme Cable is often recommended for long runs of signal cable in applications such as this although a long run of this cable is likely to cost you half as much as the Mackie Cabs again! . But if you pay a small fortune on speakers then why use bell wire, or your old lawn mower cable to link them together!.

If you run in unbalanced output using poor quality or unscreened cable between Mixer and powered speakers then your cable is going to act like an aerial - picking up every bit of RF Intereference in the building. This means Hum, Clicks, Beer Chillers switching on even Radio mic or Taxi transmissions breaking through! (Yes it does happen!) are going to degrade the output and quality from your P.A!. If you use any form of powered speakers, then use balanced outputs throughout, high quality SCREENED cable, and avoid running the signal cables alongside mains wiring or over electrical appliances!. Oh...and keep your mobile phone away from them as well

they're the ones crispy - EONs..... loverly speakers!

Maybe im having a "blonde" moment here... but why do many DJs feel the need to use bass bins unless they are doing a very large gig? Surely most average gigs if you have a decent set of speakers you dont need to lug bass bins around - I cant believe the amount of djs I have heard/felt doing a wedding for 120 peeps with total overkill on the sound front! Im not talking clubs or gigs where you have 500 plus - but on a personal level, as long as I have ample clear sound, I dont want to vibrate the punters out of their seats by using bass bins! Also, I have tons of customers come up and say that it is really nice to hear the music - not feel it for a change!

ahhhhh.... the male ego factor! Mind you a good pair of speakers with great bottoms with do wont they!

Thanks for all your sugestions.

I have used a pair of JBL eon 10, powered, brilliant little speaker even survived a fall out of the back of the trailor one night, Long story,

But yeh brilliant little speaker and packs a hell of a punch in my opinion for the size

For small venues I use 2 HZ PE300's, for meduim or larger venues I add the HZ SB500 Bass bin, all powered.