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Author Topic: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?  (Read 13809 times)

Mike Holtzinger

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Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« on: October 04, 2018, 07:20:10 AM »

 I'm looking at powered boxes in the sub $400 range, and they all appear to be about the same. Alto, Eon, ZLX, Mackie Thump, Behringer etc. Is there a box IN THIS PRICE RANGE that stands out?
 I'm interested in 12" as they'll be used for a loud Bar band as monitors. So I'd like to hear from those of you who have actually compared some of them.
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Luke Geis

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2018, 08:14:19 AM »

The words loud bar band is going to make a cheap monitor a tough buy. The issue is that cheap speakers typically aren't that loud and furthermore are not as stable against feedback as higher priced units.

I was pretty impressed by the EV ZLX, and while it sounds pretty good and is fairly stable, it is not very loud. The limiter shuts it down right about the time it is getting to the apparently there stage. If you ask for more it just limits and gets closer to feedback never really getting louder. Mackie needs to be dropped from your list as well as ANY Behringer option. There is a coaxial Alto option that has gotten some love, but again isn't very loud. QSC just came out with a new CP line which is basically a slightly dumbed down K series box, but it doesn't get too loud.

I would put my money on the EV ZLX and QSC CP series as being the best you can get for the price, but I don't think they will be loud enough for what I would consider a loud bar band. You can get them pretty readily at Guitar Center. You can try them out and return them if they don't perform. 
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Robert Piascik

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2018, 08:52:57 AM »

I own a EV ZLX15P and pretty much hate it so you’re gonna get a variety of opinions. For $400 per you could get something better used.
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David Allred

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2018, 09:09:21 AM »

I'm looking at powered boxes in the sub $400 range, and they all appear to be about the same. Alto, Eon, ZLX, Mackie Thump, Behringer etc. Is there a box IN THIS PRICE RANGE that stands out?
 I'm interested in 12" as they'll be used for a loud Bar band as monitors. So I'd like to hear from those of you who have actually compared some of them.
Define loud.  Is the stage loud?, house loud?, both loud?  Again, define loud.
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Mike Holtzinger

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2018, 09:28:12 AM »

Define loud.  Is the stage loud?, house loud?, both loud?  Again, define loud.

 Stage is probably louder than the house. We're currently using a pair of old JBL MR805 15" wedges (300w?) up front and on each side we have some Behringer B212 actives on tripods. The drummer has ears. We'll keep the ears and Behringers, they're actually fine for side fills. I'm looking for 3 wedges for the 3 of us up front. The middle wedge will also serve as my guitar (direct) monitor.
 FOH is SR812p's over SR828p's. It can get loud.
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Taylor Hall

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2018, 09:35:52 AM »

Sounds to me like stage volume with existing amps is your real problem, not needing louder monitors.

If you're already prepared to drop $4-500 a monitor, would it not be more worth your while to get IEMs for all band members instead?
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Jon Dees

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2018, 09:45:46 AM »

If you were in my area you could get used boxes off Craigslist in this range. I would suggest some patient craigslist trolling.


Stage is probably louder than the house. We're currently using a pair of old JBL MR805 15" wedges (300w?) up front and on each side we have some Behringer B212 actives on tripods. The drummer has ears. We'll keep the ears and Behringers, they're actually fine for side fills. I'm looking for 3 wedges for the 3 of us up front. The middle wedge will also serve as my guitar (direct) monitor.
 FOH is SR812p's over SR828p's. It can get loud.
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Scott Olewiler

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2018, 10:07:02 AM »

Sounds to me like stage volume with existing amps is your real problem, not needing louder monitors.

+1 to this. You're trying to solve the wrong problem. If the stage is already louder than the house getting louder monitors is just going to make everything worse for the audience.

Tell the band it's time to grow up, act more professional and turn down.

Good luck with that BTW   :)
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Gary Weller

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2018, 10:15:27 AM »

Drum shield and plexi shields for any offending amp if you can't get them to turn down. Or get them to "shoot their amps across the stage as opposed to behind them pointing out front. They'll make each other turn down or play quieter then.
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Mike Holtzinger

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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2018, 10:26:18 AM »

Drum shield and plexi shields for any offending amp if you can't get them to turn down. Or get them to "shoot their amps across the stage as opposed to behind them pointing out front. They'll make each other turn down or play quieter then.

+1 to this. You're trying to solve the wrong problem. If the stage is already louder than the house getting louder monitors is just going to make everything worse for the audience.

Tell the band it's time to grow up, act more professional and turn down.

Good luck with that BTW   :)

 This ain't my first rodeo and I understand completely. That's why I'm leaving the Marshall at home and playing direct with an Amplifire pedal. But I still want to upgrade the old JBLs to powered.
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Re: Cheap Monitors...anything stand out?
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2018, 10:26:18 AM »


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