I read some posts some time about these speakers, and I've read some of you are currently using(I hope so) Mackies SRM 450.

I'm thinking about trading my PA system(2 JBL TR 125 with a Yamaha CP2000 Amp.) with a pair of Mackies SRM 450.

Can I have some feedback about the mackies by their users, please?

What would you recommend instead of these Mackies? Are they better then the JBL EON? What about another brands?... Of course I want a as portable as possible system but I'm also considering those systems using a woofer and two "top" speakers. Anyone uses these kind of PA?

Can anyone please tell me the main differences between the sound of the Mackies, and the sound of my PA system, if possible?

Thanks in advance.

Luis Santos

[This message has been edited by Luis.Santos (edited 01-12-2003).]

Luis,
I use a pair of Mackies SRM450 since a few years now. Before this set I had JBL EON15P's. (JBL EONs sound 'powerless' comparded to the SRM... IMHO)

Pro 450 :
Sound is excellent, huge & wide throw, bright sound, also unbelievable low.
I built myself a 15" folded bin-sublow cabinet, modified (low-pass filter) a VERY OLD (30 years !) but solidstate Yamaha mono 150W amp, to add some real-sub-low. This Yammie is beer-resistent and still playing.... and heating my cabinet.

Con 450 :
Weight.

Some of our friends prefer EV's (100Sx ?) because of the lower weight, but EV's have less Audio Power

We (Wietse & I) love our SRM's and heard nothing better or more compact.

Roel

[This message has been edited by Roel (edited 01-12-2003).]

Barbetta Sona 32c....Lightweight...
15" Speaker..Air cooled..Love em!
www.barbetta.com

Luis,

I'm currently using an HK Audio LUCAS compact PA system ( 15'' sub that has the power amplifiers & crossovers inside + 2x 8'' satellites). The HK big advantage is compacity and the excellent ratio quality/price. I used to work with two bi-amplified speakers (Mackie/RCF). While there had excellent sound and quality, the power was not enough for a room of 200/300 people. Also, extra low greatly improves the overall sound, which I find also very clean for vocals.

When looking for top quality PA's, many portuguese musicians prefer Dynacord equipment. Dynacord is a german company that is part of EviAudio, which also includes EV. By the way, Dynacord speakers are built with EV components. Their systems are reputed for a clean linear sound.

There are two interesting alternatives to Mackie, easy to find here, and apparently with good technical support. One you know already, Montarbo. The other is an italian compan, FBT ( http://www.fbt.it/ ), relatively unknown in the USA. Their powered speakers, MaxX2A, MaxX4A have excellent specifications (very very powerful, good SPL, very low weight) and a reasonable price.

-- José.

If you considerer high-end systems (amp+speakers) and you can read french, have a look here: http://www.ziggysono.com/htm_effets/enceintes.html

-- José.

I 100% agree with Roel here. The Mackie SRM450's are an EXCELLENT choice. The ONLY drawback (to me) is the weight (and ergonomic balance). I initially purchased the Mackies and LOVED the sound, but just couldn't deal with lugging them around. I ended up trading them in for the lighter (and much easier to transport) Electro Voice: EV SxA100's. The EVs are not quite as awesome sounding as the SRM450's (less emphasized bass and narrower dispersion) but still great sounding speakers with a natural sound, especially suitable for acoustic sets (pop-jazz) where heavy duty rock bass is not required. Another thing about the EVs which should be noted is that they produce a slight hiss, but this is only noticeable when you are up real close to the speaker, and when the room is dead quiet. Never a problem in a live performance situation, but could be annoying in the studio. For studio work though, you should be using near field monitors anyway, another topic.

Scott

Luis, to quote Jose

"There are two interesting alternatives to Mackie, easy to find here, and apparently with good technical support. One you know already, Montarbo. The other is an italian compan, FBT ( http://www.fbt.it/ ), relatively unknown in the USA. Their powered speakers, MaxX2A, MaxX4A have excellent specifications (very very powerful, good SPL, very low weight) and a reasonable price.

-- José."

I had the FBT MaxX4A bi-amplified speakers they are very good sounding, but I started to
have some trouble with one of them after using it for 6 month's.
It started to get a high pitch hum in it, you only hear it when the speakers were idle, but it
was very annoying.
I traded them for the Yamaha MS400 bi-amp speakers, they handle the high's & low's as
good as the FBT's, & the mid range better. I have had the Yamaha's for 18 months now
with no trouble, & they sound great. They have the 15" sub woofer instead of the 12" so they
are a little heavier.
Enjoying the 9000 PRO
Denny

I also agree with Roel.
I have had the Mackies now for about a year and really love them. The sound is awesome and clear.
I auditioned several PA's side by side before purchasing the Mackies. The difference was pretty obvious.
The weight doesn't bother me as much and unlike Scott I found them very easy to carry around.

If weight is not a big problem, go for it.

Eric

Well... each of my JBL TR125 is a passive speaker and it's about 27kg!... So it wouldn't be a problem carrying a active speaker like a Mackie SRM 450 since it's only 24kg!...

I already asked this, but can the Mackies SRM 450 handle big rooms, with 300, 400 people?...

[This message has been edited by Luis.Santos (edited 01-12-2003).]

Luis,

300 to 400 people are not a problem at all as long as they want 'normal' music-volumes.

Once we had problems using only 2 SRMs :
We were playing outdoor, on a stage IN THE MIDDLE of > 3000 (!!) people. Not even a SRM cabinet has a 360 degrees covering, so the audience positioned in our back had a much lower volume...... we decided not to do gigs like these anymore.

A huge loud dancing disco-crowd (that wants hardcore or house) needs several kW's.( about 10 kW ?)

You can always connect an extra set of SRM's
when needed (they have an IN and OUT XLR)

Roel

[This message has been edited by Roel (edited 01-12-2003).]