Background:-
We have a small band (6 piece) and use the Ketron AUDYA for drums and arrangement while having a live bass player, live rhythm and lead guitar players plus 2 vocalists. We recently purchased 2 Mackie HD1531 speakers (sound great) and are looking into sub-woofer upgrade. We now have 2 FBT Promax 15Sa (active bandpass subs) which are great and clean ... until you have to cater to a room of over 150 people. Then the bass is lost.

We want to upgrade our sub-woofers to either QSC HPR 181 or Yorkville LS801p but still trying to decide. We do a lot of Reggae, Soca, Zouk ... etc (dance) music. Any advise or suggestion is definitely welcomed. We run our own sound from the stage using a Presonus StudioLive 24.4.2 and portability is a PLUS!

Also some inside information on the type of sub to get for our needs would help. Event types are mostly weddings, graduations ... party where people dance!
* Digital Class D amp (sound tends to fall apart when approaching limiting point)or the warmer Class A/B or H (heavier but warmer sounds especially at loud volumes)?
* Front loaded/Rear loaded horns (e.g the Yorkville/QSC sub) versus the bandpass (FTB - lighter but limited volume so will need more to cover say 500 people).

The Yorkvilles produce a great punch to the chest (but comes with a price in weight), but the QSC appears to be a 'cleaner and tighter' punch (but not as powerful as the Yorkvilles). Yes, we would like to keep it compact though as you can tell, that idea is gradually going out the roof!!

Also - as far as placing subs - is it better to have one to each side of the stage or to avoid 'dead spots' in the room and forgo 'looks', place both subs together on the same side of the stage?

Anyone?

Thanks,

AJ

I play in a live rock band with a drummer using a Roland VDrums drum kit which requires a solid bass response out front for the kick drum so we use a 2 JBL 15 inch subwoofers. One may be fine but we do use 2 of them. But if we didn't have an electronic drumkit I think one would be fine.

We do have the sub woofers separated on each side of the stage but that is more because they hold the poles for the 15" PA cabinets. I believe the correct technical answer is ( and you can verify this with a google search ) is that the position of sub woofers simply doesn't matter. Sub bass frequencies are NOT directional like higher frequencies and placement doesn't affect stereo positioning. Also related to this if you are using 2 sub woofers they provide better bass response when placed together rather than separated.

I was most impressed by a single subwoofer...the Cerwin Vega 21" unit...It was demonstrated at a SamAsh a couple years ago..

We used a 700 watt Yorkville in the band for several years..with good results..

I agree A/B amps are the way to go...

Nigel,

Right on- and thanks for your feedback. What size is your typical crowd?

We have been using 2 subs and depending on the size of the hall we place them together (large) or left and right (small). The problem with placing them separate (left and right) especially in a larger room - is if you walk the room while the band plays, you will notice (using your case) that although bass has no direction, there will be areas of 'cancellation' - where you won't feel the 'kick' as much as others.

Now that we have started doing larger venues, I think the band-pass subs have reached their limits.
I have heard the Yorkville LS801p twice now (both times, just a single unit) and I must tell you, you felt the bass on your pants and on your shirt! Of all the powered 18" subs, it appears to have the largest ports too - which could explain how/why it throws the bass that far out. I have also heard the QSC HPR 181i, however these were a pair and the bass (although not as punchy) was very clean! Now, ideally you would want 1 Yorkville and 1 QSC - but it's not advisable to use 2 different subs with the same signal.

Then finally, there is the decision of going with a 15" or 18" horn. For tight and clean bass reproduction (where you can distinguish notes from the bass player), a 15" sub is recommended (faster response than an 18") but an 18" moves more air and consequently will cover more grounds - maybe altimatly (since we have 15" in the main PA speakers already - go with one 18" versus 2 15"

Fran - when you 'probably used the LS720p' Yorkville - did you experience any muffled sounds at about 80hz? What size crowd did you use it for (what kind of music predominantly)? Nigel comes close with Rock as the effects are similar to what we do...hmmmm ... decisions, decisions ... Thanks guys for your input.

We are playing bars with 50-100 people.