Karaoke Forums

I have been watching the action on eBay for several weeks now, hoping to get a pair of Mackie SRM450s at a good price.  Now, I'm not sure if the Mackie is actually better than the DB Technologies 412, which happens to be made by the same Italian factory that makes the Mackies.  Then there is the Carvin PM15A which reportedly beats the likes of JBL Eon G2, and Mackie SRM450.  Whether this is true or not, I can't really validate it because it is hard to get unbiased reviews on speakers.

Last Saturday, I walked into a small store (not one of those chain stores) that rents out professional PA equipment, and asked if they have any used Mackie SRM450s.  A lanky guy with long braids (a reggae band member) who owns the store explained to me that the Mackie is overpriced and does not have the same sound quality as the DB Technologies.  He also told me that the two speaker brands are actually made at the same factory in Italy, but Mackie is more expensive because it is being marketed more agressively.  Looking at the specifications of the Mackie and DB 412, it looks like the Mackie has more power, but both speakers have almost identical Max SPLs.

Which brand should I buy?  Mackie, DB, or Carvin?

Cheers,

JD

Same thing happened here Somebody said jbl was overpriced and talked him into some italian speakers I think they were DB technology They sucked.. He sent them back and got eons.  Tell him you want a demo and listen to all of them.  There is nothing wrong with a SRM450 If he cant give a demo Id shop somewhere else..

Yorkville NX 550s for 12" or NX750 for 15".

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Mackie user here.  Have no complaints.  Have had them since 2000.  I have 3 450's, a 1500 & a 1501 sub.  Also the CFX12 Mixer.  The only thing that i have given thought to replace them would be the new L1 Bose system.  But would probaly want to use one of my subs with it.

Kelly

Thank you for your insights.

He did offer to have me audition the DB speakers when I am ready.  I told him that I needed to research the speakers first because I have never heard of them.  Besides, I didn't like the looks of the DB 412.


Funny that you mentioned Yorkville, because I was also looking into that brand.  Those speakers look awesome, but I have not really heard them.  The guy also recommended that I buy a Yorkville LS700P because it puts out a lot of bass and it is a lot smaller.

Do not waste your money on the Bose L1.   There is a KJ around here that has them.    It sucks big time.    I have two Bose surround Sounds systems, a 7 & a 5, in my livingroom.   That is where Bose L1 belongs.   It's not made to do professional karoke in a bar setting.  

We use the 700s as our subs.  They are awesome.  Combined with the 550s the sound is great.  We may be getting the 750s in the future but right now everything works great and sound better than the comparable Mackie system.

Check my gallery for the set up.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Bigdog,
I think mroctober might disagree with you.

Kelly

I personally don't care for the Bose sticks myself.  They are great for what they are intended to be used for - personal monitors for on stage.  But the ones i've heard that were being used as full PA systems, they didn't pack no punch & he couldn't turn the sound up loud enough to be heard over the crowd noise.

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If it was the choice of these 3, the Mackie 450.  The Carvins are good, however their powered line is still relatively new.  They do make a hell of a power amp & speaker but just haven't heard the combo yet.

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Mr. October plays to a captive audience, unlike us.   His crowd is there specifically to be entertained by him.   Not too much crowd noise to over come.   He doesn't have to worry about drunks screaming into it.   It's a very controlled situation.


I still wouldn't use them.   A local KJ uses them.    Everyone complains about his sound.   Go ahead and buy them.  

I'll see ya on the way down.    :wave:

Never mind.  Best not to say what I had in mind.

Kelly

Well he works for Guitar Center & sells them, i'm pretty sure they were being used correctly.  They just didn't float my boat.

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Wasn't referring to you Lonman.  I value your judgement.  Just get tired of other peoples holy than thou attitude.  Always appreciate your  info.

Kelly

Oh I hear you.

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Thank you for your recommendation, Lonnie.  

By the way, I still have Carvin 1584s and they sound really good, especially for vocals.  However, I'd rather have the powered monitors for smaller gigs because they are lighter and smaller.  The Carvin PM15A is half the price of the SRM450 and Eon G2, and it has a 15-inch woofer and equalizer.  Unfortunately, it is hard to find a place that carries Mackie and Carvin so that I can listen to those speakers side by side.  

It appears that the SRM450 is made in USA, Italy, and China.  Would you buy the one made in China?  Does it matter if it is not made in USA?

JD

I love my SRM450's.  They also make great monitors.  I recommend these speakers highly.  They do tend to scratch easily.  Get carrying cases to minimize excessive "road rash"

Cheers

I hope to add to the confussion........

Don't forget to check cabs that are 'voiced' for prerecorded music playback like Peavey's DJ series....The handle amped voices just as well as reqular live PA cabs, but you can hear the difference when playing CDG's thru them compared to full pro live band cabs like the Mackies, or whoever.

Don't forget, we KJ's 'adapt' pro stage cabs to our use....That stuff is intended for live bands.....So keep your options open and include DJ cabs in your possible selection.

On the 450's, preference would be the USA models, that is if you can get them.  Otherwise I heard of problems the first year they switched to China, although not so much anymore.  The problems seem to have been corrected.  As far as sound between the USA & China models, i've heard both sets side by side & there is no distinguishable difference.  
I'm surprised you can't find places that carry Mackie, I can understand Carvin, they are direct order only.

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Thanks again, Lonnie.  

What I really meant was that I could not find a place that carries both Mackie and Carvin so that I can compare them side by side.

I did stop by a local Carvin store today, and listened to a pair of PM15As.  I was impressed with the sound coming from the PM15A, especially with one SW1801BA.  Since I happen to have the 1584s, I asked the salesman to try the speakers with DCM2000 and one SW1801BA.  All I can say is "WOW!!!".  The subwoofer is what I have been missing after all.

By the way, I am also now looking into the Yorkville NX55P.  So far, I have been impressed with the specs of the NX55P.  I wonder if the 550 watts is RMS rated?  That's the nice thing about the Carvin amps and powered speakers... the rating is RMS watts, unlike some brands where they exaggerate the power rating.

Anyway, I will call the small store which offered me the DB Technologies 412, and see if they have the NX55Ps so that I can listen to them too.

JD