Hi Tony,
I get where you're coming from. You have a specific need predicated on two variables: It's a single 18" powered, and the AC supply must be able to handle a universal input voltage (we'll disregard cable input types).
(Before continuing...
PLEASE accept this as a genuine attempt to help you here. I'm not trying to tell you how to run your business, or what other factors you should be considering in your purchase. But, I can see where the discussion went, and the responses given.)
However, one of the most common fallacies on the forums here are instances where someone buys a bunch of (commonly) un-related equipment, and posts, "Here's what I have, how do I make it work together?" Their approach SHOULD have been, "Here's the end result that I would like to reach. Please help me determine what pieces I should purchase to best achieve that result." Those threads inevitably end up with an upset OP, who is frustrated because they're not being told how to make their (usually totally incompatible) pile-o-stuff work, but instead are being bombarded with posts either explaining why the pile-o-stuff won't work, or asking pointed questions to try and "pry out" the details from the OP as to what their intended result is. "I just need to make this pile-o-crap WORK. I can't afford to buy MORE stuff to add to it," even if that is the only way to proceed.
Your initial post had just the two specifications that you needed to meet. You asked for "recommendations." Now, when someone asks for recommendations, those would be based on what sounds the best, or has the best usable output levels- all of these things that when you were asked for your intended purpose of the subs, you blew those questions off. You circled back to:
The clients that pay the biggest bucks to rent my gear typically ask for 18" drivers. I have tried to be very specific about what I need, and deliberately excluded multiple other factors that are of little benefit to me. Again, the only important thing is switchable /auto voltage for a 1-18" sub. I am not interested in 1-15 or 2-18 subs or other wonderful contraptions. I am very specific about my requirement.
The removal of factors such as sound quality from your request brings me to one conclusion, and this is why you're getting the response you got- you are unwilling to do what Nathan did, and simply do a "Google" search for the appropriate terms. Find powered 18" subs, check their spec sheets, see if they handle universal voltages. The responses you received were from industry professionals who, before giving a recommendation on a particular model, wanted to know more of your intended purpose. That directly impacts the available responses! If you say, "it needs to sound good up to 150dB(A)," and other factors (price, ease of moving, etc) are irrelevant, then you'll get certain responses. If it needs to be "bullet proof for rentals, but the output doesn't need to be as high for one, because you'll be sending out 4 at a time" then other options (those recommendations!) will be presented.
To be candid: The reason that the ProSoundWeb requires the use of Real, Full Names when participating is because, unlike
other places on the internet, we all stand behind what we say. Even when a discussion goes down into the weeds, a certain level of professional decorum is maintained. So, at the same time, if Ivan, or Don, or Nathan, make a
recommendation of something that will meet your needs (and this also typically means something we've *personally* used, otherwise, how could it be a recommendation?!?), our professional reputations are on the line here. If I tell you to get JBL VRX918SPs (what I use & prefer - and DOES meet your specifications, as it is a single self-powered 18" sub, with universal voltages by means of a switch to go from 115V to 230V), and for whatever reason it doesn't meet your needs, now you're going to think less of me, even though I made that recommendation
based on the information originally presented.I appreciate that you have very specific requirements in your search, but since the aforementioned "Google" search could yield the same results, may I suggest that you start with that? And then, once you have a list of speakers that meet your basic requirements, then revisit this thread. "Here's what I have to choose from- my typical rentals do THIS, THIS, or need THIS, what are your thoughts or have people used any of them?" Then, people won't need to ask as many questions, you know the base list already meets your absolute requirements, and you're going to get better responses in the form of true recommendations from people who have actually used the speakers they recommend.
I'm happy to help in any way I can- I never like seeing people get frustrated on these forums, but it's usually a simple mis-understanding about the reason(s) people ask the questions they ask (in response) -- we're professionals, willing to help people make the best buying decisions possible!
-Ray
