Active or Passive ?

[weeo]

Hi All
I'm downsizing / upgrading my PA. I'd like to hear some views/ opinions on which to go for.
I have a decent set of speakers, but my power amps are too heavy for me to cart around.
So my dilemma is should i buy lightweight amps or go for active speakers.
Do active speakers sound as good as passive ones, can they handle midi bass ok ?
I'd appreciate any help or advice
Thanks
Eddie

[frankie]

Nov 10, 2013 20:49:16 GMT weeo said:

Hi All
I'm downsizing / upgrading my PA. I'd like to hear some views/ opinions on which to go for.
I have a decent set of speakers, but my power amps are too heavy for me to cart around.
So my dilemma is should i buy lightweight amps or go for active speakers.
Do active speakers sound as good as passive ones, can they handle midi bass ok ?
I'd appreciate any help or advice
Thanks
Eddie

I guess active is the way to go.Some sound like a Jap disco so check out what others use.
I was told with using amps the heavier the amp the better the quality.I will look at using a mixer and active speakers myself when I get sorted.

[weeo]

I'm not convinced that Active speakers can handle midi bass.Having said that, i saw a friend of mine using Mackie actives and sound was OK.
It was only a small venue and he uses mp3,but it sounded ok.

[oliver101]

I use JBL active speakers and JBL subs, with a total wattage of 1600watts, and I think they give pretty nice bass response, but the proof of the sound is with the people in the audience. The weight of the speakers is manageable and it means that as you said earlier, you dont have to carry power amps around. If it is a very small venue I don't take the subs.

Ian

[weeo]

Thanks Ian.
I've read mixed reviews on the JBL EONs ,having said that, i've read mixed reviews on Mackies and Behringer actives so i'm still undecided.
I've never played a gig without bass bins, so i'm maybe going to have to get used to life without them as i dont want to be shifting heavy bass bins. Are the JBL subs heavy ?

Thanks for input
Eddie

[oliver101]

No very light, as the cabs are made of polycarbonate (I think)> They are light than the tops as they dont have the extra amp for the horns in them. I have the Eon15G2 + the matching subs, not the new ones, the new ones look backbreakingly heavy. The band I play in go through them, we mike up both guitars, a kick drum mike and an overhead on the drums, and 4 microphones for vocals and they take them all nicely for the size of venues (up to about 300 people). We dont stick the bass guitar through them though, as the bass players rig is a double speaker Trace Elliot set up.
The only thing I have to be careful of with the Eons is at times I have to back off the treble as they can get a bit harsh in lively sound areas ie big empty high roofed buildings.
As for reliability they have never missed a beat in the 7 years I have had them, and I have never run them past about three quarters power. If you want to hear them in a live situation, we have a few videos of the band using them on Facebook. Go to Facebook and find 'The Whoppers'. The videos were taken with just a hand held phone so bear that in mind when listening to the sound.

Ian

[Sequenzzer]

Personally for me,most of my jobs/gigs are small to medium size rooms,and I am sold on the B-52 1000V2 Matrix system...Been using it for several years,and it is very reliable. This is a really nice compact unit that houses all the electronics(crossovers/eq/compression) in the sub itself to drive the 400 W sub,AND also to power the two satellite 150 W speakers into 4 ohms as well...You just plug in your left and right inputs,hook up your outies to your satellites,and away you go.You have SEPARATE controls for each speaker,and also for the sub.When you are all done,both satellites fit into the crevice on the front of the sub to tie down with a cable,and you can wheel it all away in one shot. The power is not mindblowing,but most of the venues I play people end up asking me to turn it down more often than not. The only con is the sub (because it has all the circuitry inside to drive the whole system) has a little weight to it,but the sub has wheels for one,and compared to other 15" subs this is somewhat lighter...I was definitely sold on the sound quality especially the BASS...Everything is tailored electronically automatically for those speakers already,so clear and precise,you know that kind of bass you just feel good hitting in the middle of your chest? Notched up,it will move the wallflower people from the wall to the middle of the dance floor without them even knowing it. I've only moved it to maximum a few times in the times I've had it..They have a 2000 system as well,carrying a 600 W sub and two 300 W satellites if you want more power,same type of setup as in the 1000 series...I eventually will move to this system if the need arises,and my gigs warrant it.

Take a look...I give this system a musician Augmented G Chord for "Great" in my book for my needs.

www.b-52pro.com/products/Matrix2000.html

[weeo]

Hi Mike and thanks for your input. This looks like a good system,but unfortunately, it doesn't look like they're available in the uk yet.
I've been doing some research on this and i think i'm going to buy a couple of the new lightweight power amps and stay with the speakers i have.
I probably will use active in future but for the moment, and because i have a residency, i'll just wait.
Ian, i checked out "THE WHOPPERS " Good band, but very dodgy trousers lol

Eddie

[frankie]

Go stereo,you wont regret it.

[oliver101]

Eddie,

Thanks for what you said about the band, the trousers started off as a joke about 5 years ago, we did a bad taste gig and after that people just expect me to wear them. I have 3 pairs of them, 1 zebra pair, 1 beetlejuice pair, and a pair of red and black striped ones.

Good luck with the new power amps, let us know how they perform.

Ian

[weeo]

Thanks guys, i'll keep you posted.

Eddie

[Jacqui]

I know you have probably decided now, but I use some small Wharfdale Active speakers for my day gigs, and they sound great in small venues, and have good bass, but I've been told the 12" or 15" are excellent... also for my bigger gigs in clubs in the Evening, I use 12" RCF speakers Passive speakers, no Bass bins and often musicians come up and say what a great sound they have, plenty of Bass if you need it.

Jacqui

[weeo]

I Haven't committed yet Jacqui so I'll check these out, you never know

Thanks
Eddie