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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Mike Sullivan on April 06, 2014, 01:10:11 PM

Title: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Mike Sullivan on April 06, 2014, 01:10:11 PM
If you've seen my other topics, you've seen I'm switching for a slightly bulky (for one person) QSC KW rig (KW153 over 2 KW181 per side) to something more lightweight for my bar gigs and small outdoor festivals.  I had been contemplating a system with 2 RCF ART722's over 4 SUB 718as speakers, but after some more research and thinking, I've been looking at the RCF HD32a and the SUB 8004as, with a single one of each per side.  The tops would be almost half the weight of the KW153, and the subs are slightly heavier than the KW181, but they give a nice professional look and I've been told the 8004 would outrun the KW181's.  Has anyone used either and can comment on them?  Mostly live sound gigs, pretty much small bar bands and some small to medium outdoor festivals (plus depending on how these sound I may end up purchasing the 8006 with a bigger rig for my larger stuff)...they will be paired with ART 312a monitors (or possibly HD12a's at some point.

And yes, I have seen the video reviews on them, it seems a lot of people like the HDL32a over the ZXA5 and the PRX600 series speakers.
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Andrea Litti on April 07, 2014, 05:19:14 AM
I recently purchased a couple of RCF Sub 8004's. They go lower and sound louder than the 8003's I previously owned. I've actually used one 8004 in small venues where two 8003's were required for the same job (bands and dj's I usually work with). Recently one of the subs though suddenly stopped working, I guess for a probable factory defect, so I have to send it out to RCF for repairing.

If you've seen my other topics, you've seen I'm switching for a slightly bulky (for one person) QSC KW rig (KW153 over 2 KW181 per side) to something more lightweight for my bar gigs and small outdoor festivals.  I had been contemplating a system with 2 RCF ART722's over 4 SUB 718as speakers, but after some more research and thinking, I've been looking at the RCF HD32a and the SUB 8004as, with a single one of each per side.  The tops would be almost half the weight of the KW153, and the subs are slightly heavier than the KW181, but they give a nice professional look and I've been told the 8004 would outrun the KW181's.  Has anyone used either and can comment on them?  Mostly live sound gigs, pretty much small bar bands and some small to medium outdoor festivals (plus depending on how these sound I may end up purchasing the 8006 with a bigger rig for my larger stuff)...they will be paired with ART 312a monitors (or possibly HD12a's at some point.

And yes, I have seen the video reviews on them, it seems a lot of people like the HDL32a over the ZXA5 and the PRX600 series speakers.
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Mike Sullivan on April 07, 2014, 12:26:45 PM
I recently purchased a couple of RCF Sub 8004's. They go lower and sound louder than the 8003's I previously owned. I've actually used one 8004 in small venues where two 8003's were required for the same job (bands and dj's I usually work with). Recently one of the subs though suddenly stopped working, I guess for a probable factory defect, so I have to send it out to RCF for repairing.

Have you ever compared them to, say, the QSC KW181 or JBL PRX 618XLF's?  I use the KW181's now, and I'm trying to lighten my load for small shows.
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Renard Hurtado on April 09, 2014, 02:54:13 PM
Hi there,

I am also very interested in the performance of this RCF sub, can you tell me more about this SUB .

Does it go louder and deeper then the Yorkville LS801P ?

Compared to the old 8003, is there really such a noticeable difference ( I know price was its $900 or so more expensive.

Regards,

Renard from Curacao
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Andrea Litti on April 09, 2014, 03:08:18 PM
I've never heard the Yorkville and QSC subs, the company I mainly work for has four JBL 618 XLF's, which are roughly equivalent to the RCF 8003's, but the 8004's beat the JBL's both in output and low freq extension... I'm really impressed with the performance of this sub
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Renard Hurtado on April 09, 2014, 03:55:36 PM
thanks for your reply.

I am waiting for the Electro-voice ETX subs to come out in order to decide if I am going the RCF route or the EV-ETX route.

Renard from Curacao
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Mike Sullivan on April 10, 2014, 07:07:00 AM
I've never heard the Yorkville and QSC subs, the company I mainly work for has four JBL 618 XLF's, which are roughly equivalent to the RCF 8003's, but the 8004's beat the JBL's both in output and low freq extension... I'm really impressed with the performance of this sub

Good to hear.  The XLF's are almost even with the KW181's, they do have a bit more of a punchier output.

thanks for your reply.

I am waiting for the Electro-voice ETX subs to come out in order to decide if I am going the RCF route or the EV-ETX route.

Renard from Curacao

From what it seems, the ETX is looking to compete with QSC KW and JBL PRX.  Whether they stack up well is yet to be seen.
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Renard Hurtado on April 10, 2014, 10:26:03 AM
Mike,

Thanks for sharing your experiences so far.

Why di you choose to buy the 8004sub instea of the NXS25-A sub or the NXS21-A sub ?

Renard from Curacao
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Mike Sullivan on April 10, 2014, 02:02:40 PM
Mike,

Thanks for sharing your experiences so far.

Why di you choose to buy the 8004sub instea of the NXS25-A sub or the NXS21-A sub ?

Renard from Curacao

I haven't purchased it yet.  Right now, the reason I'm choosing an 8004 is the price range..I'm trying to sell my current system to pay for the entire system, and the HD32a over the SUB-8004 is in a range where I can easily sell my equipment.
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Renard Hurtado on April 10, 2014, 02:48:53 PM
Hi Mike,

It seems the 8004 sub is more expensive then the NXS25 or the NXS21, at least that is what I have been told.

RGDS.

Renard from Curacao
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Mike Sullivan on April 10, 2014, 03:37:49 PM
Hi Mike,

It seems the 8004 sub is more expensive then the NXS25 or the NXS21, at least that is what I have been told.

RGDS.

Renard from Curacao

I've been told it's a little less expensive option, and it's supposed to sound better all around.  But hey, I've been wrong before.
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Renard Hurtado on April 10, 2014, 03:55:27 PM
Mike,

Let us know, when you have any of them under your belt, Both the ND32A,the NX25A , the NXS25 , the NXS21 and the 8004 have my interest.

Happy purchasing !


Renard from Curacao
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Mike Sullivan on April 10, 2014, 11:04:07 PM
Mike,

Let us know, when you have any of them under your belt, Both the ND32A,the NX25A , the NXS25 , the NXS21 and the 8004 have my interest.

Happy purchasing !


Renard from Curacao

Will do.  I think the HD32a and the 8004 is still going to be my combo of choice.  And if I like the 8004, I'll probably end up buying 8006's for my big system.  I wonder how many 8006's it'd take for a full hang of HDL20a's haha
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Rick Alan on April 15, 2014, 12:02:55 AM
I us 2 RCF NXL24 & 2 RCF Sub 8004.  I am very happy with this setup.  The Sub 8004 dominate any other single 18 on the market, period. The NXL24 get up and go.  Indoor at 60x40 audience plus stage at sound check I took it to just below soft clip to see how hard I could push the system and I had to turn it down because it was painful and not just HF but also LF.  The sub will shake your sole.  At a recent outdoor event they sound amazing.  The outdoor event was easy listening 3 peace country and rock bands.  At the end of the night there was a club DJ thats was amazed at what was coming out of 2 single 18's.  From 40 yards away sound great with equal HF & LF coverage.  I am looking to get 2 more NXL24 to stack and 2 or 4 more Sub 8004 for larger events.  I have a feeling I can rip some faces off with this rig.  Sorry have not had time at events to run SMAART to show everyone. 

Rick

Disclaimer: i'am RCF dealer

Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Caleb Dueck on April 15, 2014, 12:24:44 PM
The Sub 8004 dominate any other single 18 on the market, period.

Like a Danley TH-118?

We're very satisfied RCF dealers, but their subs and built-in DSP, and line array prediction software, could use some tweaking.

I designed a local system, TTL33A's, but with DBH subs.  We had some other RCF subs in for demo, but none made the cut.

RCF is an excellent company and value, but will agree to disagree about having the best subs.

Typed on a virtual keyboard. 

Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Rick Alan on April 15, 2014, 06:35:34 PM
Like a Danley TH-118?

Sorry…. The Sub 8004 dominate any other [powered] single 18 [front loaded] on the market, period.
Title: Re: RCF HD32a and SUB-8004as
Post by: Peter Morris on April 16, 2014, 10:07:55 AM
Like a Danley TH-118?

We're very satisfied RCF dealers, but their subs and built-in DSP, and line array prediction software, could use some tweaking.

I designed a local system, TTL33A's, but with DBH subs.  We had some other RCF subs in for demo, but none made the cut.

RCF is an excellent company and value, but will agree to disagree about having the best subs.

Typed on a virtual keyboard.

FWIW I have a couple of their 8003’s which are quite good. I felt the cabinet’s construction was a little ordinary and added extra bracing which made a noticeable improvement.  The 8004 is noticeably better and louder than the 8003.

As I understand RCF new 8004, 8006 & I suspect the new 8005 are very good subs, offering much better performance than their predecessors.

If you step up to their pro touring range, the TTS 36a and the TTS 56a although more expensive also have excellent performance.

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/rat_sound_invests_in_rcf_subwoofers/