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[Bob Faulkner]

I'm back to looking for a single 18" sub for smaller events. Something to work with my RCF NX45a cabinets.  I'm actually needing just a single sub.

Would like to stick with RCF.  Was considering the 8004-as or 9004-as.  My experience with RCF has been very positive.  In addition to the NX45a cabinets, I use NXL-23A for FOH (flying) with HDL-10A for the stage dwellers.

A few years ago, I picked up a JBL PRX718XLF to handle smaller events.  The sub did great with 30hz to 50hz, but severely lacked any punch.  It was very disappointing to use; however, I did use it as a cardiod for a pair of SRX728 subs... the band said it worked great.  As a FOH sub for smaller events, the JBL just didn't "hit" well.  End up selling it to a DJ. 

Looking to see if anyone has experience with either the 8004-as or 9004-as.  I'm trying to avoid another PRX718XLF issue.  The sub would be used for live music... blues, jazz, occasional rock and would need to cover about 100 people. 

[Sean Anderson]

Bob, I'm not sure about the RCF subs you mentioned but I use JTR captivator 212p with my NX-45s and they work great together. That said, there is no highpass out on the JTR so you would need an external crossover.

[Heath Eldridge]

8004 is an excellent sub.

9004 is billed as an upgrade but I have never even seen one in the flesh.

[Bob Faulkner]

Thanks for the responses.

hmmm... not sure how I missed this.    The 9004 and 8004 are essentially the same speaker.  The 9004 has RDNET, the 8004 does not.   

My apologies. 

At this point, I do not need network enabled speakers.

JTR is still on my list, but would like to pursue the RCF line first.  Anyone use an 8004 as the only sub for an event?   

[Douglas R. Allen]

Thanks for the responses.

hmmm... not sure how I missed this.    The 9004 and 8004 are essentially the same speaker.  The 9004 has RDNET, the 8004 does not.   

My apologies. 

At this point, I do not need network enabled speakers.

JTR is still on my list, but would like to pursue the RCF line first.  Anyone use an 8004 as the only sub for an event?

I have a pair of yorkville ls801pb's' that are not the sub the RCF's are but are similar in output spl. I've used one outside with 2 smaller tops for a sit down outside show and in a building with larger tops show. Both fun low key shows. The outside one was going well but was quickly rained out and the inside show was fine for the small turn out.  The real question I guess would be what size venue/cap person show are you doing? 1 sub for 75 or so "true dancers on the floor" may be fine depending on music but you can only get so much with one sub. What kind of shows were you thinking of doing?

Douglas R. Allen

[Bob Faulkner]

I have a pair of yorkville ls801pb's' that are not the sub the RCF's are but are similar in output spl. I've used one outside with 2 smaller tops for a sit down outside show and in a building with larger tops show. Both fun low key shows. The outside one was going well but was quickly rained out and the inside show was fine for the small turn out.  The real question I guess would be what size venue/cap person show are you doing? 1 sub for 75 or so "true dancers on the floor" may be fine depending on music but you can only get so much with one sub. What kind of shows were you thinking of doing?

Douglas R. Allen

The events where it would be mostly used are outdoor bars/venues, any place that has a about 100 person capacity.  Would be used 100% of the time for live sound (blues, country, moderate rock, etc...) - no EDM or anything like that.  Volume levels would not need to be too high.  It's the same places I used the PRX718 at (and was disappointed each time).  Not looking to blow people away, just something that fits well. 

Since the selling of the PRX718, I've been using one of my SRX728S subs with a 1600 watts amp.  It's overkill for the smaller events (power and size).

[David Morison]

Thanks for the responses.

hmmm... not sure how I missed this.    The 9004 and 8004 are essentially the same speaker.  The 9004 has RDNET, the 8004 does not.   

There are a few other differences - a marginal increase in power, slightly different HPF/LPF frequencies, a flared vent vs straight etc. I suspect a ferrite driver in the 8004 too, as I can't see them putting neo in and not saying so in the marketing materials.
If you haven't already, I'd suggest downloading EASE GLL Viewer and looking at the freq responses in that rather than just the graphs shown on the spec sheets, you get to see a bit more about how the various processing options play out.
FWIW,
David

[Geert Friedhof]

One BIG difference: The 9004 is more expensive to buy, and it requires an expensive front lid with castors, while the 8004 uses normal ones on the back. The cover is more expensive too.

I own the 8004 and have used them hundreds of time outside with HD and TT tops, and think it's a great sub. It's a pro sounding sub.

[Tim Hite]

One BIG difference: The 9004 is more expensive to buy, and it requires an expensive front lid with castors, while the 8004 uses normal ones on the back. The cover is more expensive too.

I own the 8004 and have used them hundreds of time outside with HD and TT tops, and think it's a great sub. It's a pro sounding sub.

The 9004 with the caster board actually protects the grille and you can truck pack 2 high if you need too.

I agree the 8004 is a great sub, I think the 9004 is better and worth the extra money.

[Geert Friedhof]

Another thing that might be important:

The 9004 doesn't have an built in crossover. It does have high- and lowpass filters. So you have to use a top with highpass filters, or an external crossover. The 8004 has a 90 or 120 Hz crossover.

I considered trading my 8004's for 9004's in 2019, but for me it wasn't worth it.

[Bob Faulkner]

Thanks again for the responses.

Looks like I'll probably be leaning toward the 8004 (though, JRT was on my list).  The 9004 does offer more things, but it does cost a lot more (especially for network capabilities, which I would probably not use... especially for how/where the sub would be used).

Thanks,
Bob

[John Schalk]

You might want to take a look at the RCF SUB 8003-AS II.  It's one step down in their line-up from the 8004, but it was refreshed a while back and has the newer input panel.  It's smaller than the 8004, so it might be a better fit for your type of events.  Of course, it has less output too, but per RCF's website the 8003 II is 135dB versus 136 for the 8004.  The real world performance difference is probably greater than that though.

[Bob Faulkner]

You might want to take a look at the RCF SUB 8003-AS II.  It's one step down in their line-up from the 8004, but it was refreshed a while back and has the newer input panel.  It's smaller than the 8004, so it might be a better fit for your type of events.  Of course, it has less output too, but per RCF's website the 8003 II is 135dB versus 136 for the 8004.  The real world performance difference is probably greater than that though.

Thanks.  Will do.

[Dave Batistig]

Bob, I'm not sure about the RCF subs you mentioned but I use JTR captivator 212p with my NX-45s and they work great together. That said, there is no highpass out on the JTR so you would need an external crossover.

I use the SUB-8004 with the NXL-44A on top, per side, in rooms up to 500 people for not only my own 80s band, but also many other rock and country acts. Very solid performance from this rig.

[Douglas R. Allen]

I use the SUB-8004 with the NXL-44A on top, per side, in rooms up to 500 people for not only my own 80s band, but also many other rock and country acts. Very solid performance from this rig.

I looked at that system 4 years ago or so. Although I went a different solution to go as light as possible how is it putting the tops on the sub pole? A one person job? I bet it sounds great regardless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqKfExViupo

Douglas R. Allen

[Luis_Marquez]

Thanks for the responses.

hmmm... not sure how I missed this.    The 9004 and 8004 are essentially the same speaker.  The 9004 has RDNET, the 8004 does not.   

My apologies. 

At this point, I do not need network enabled speakers.

JTR is still on my list, but would like to pursue the RCF line first.  Anyone use an 8004 as the only sub for an event?

Bob

I have no experience with any rcf speakers but my brother is looking into a very similar setup. Nx-32 over 708 or 8004. They demoed a 708 and liked what he heard. He might go with the 8004. Check out this video. Might be what you are looking for. https://youtu.be/u1_W_KsVlQ4

I’ve done some research and seems no way 8004/9004 are the same. The 708’s ,8003,8004 use different flavored ceramic magnet drivers. 9007 has neo magnet 21” drivers so I highly suspect 9004 also use neo drivers different sized amp modules especially priced significantly.

[Matt Greiner]

I purchased a pair of the 8003's for smaller gigs, mainly indoor bar gigs (300-400 size rooms) and they are amazing.  Other bands/providers will have 4 KW181's or 4 SRX818's and I think my 2 RCF 8003's perform better for half the real estate.  I'm sure the specs are less than the 8004's and 9004's, and I also believe the cabinet design is slightly different.  If I remember correctly, the 8004's have the front grill that is flat and matched the rest of the higher lineup.  The 8003's have the same front look as the lower RCF line.

I've been running them with some DSR112's, and they outrun them easily.  I understand there is a huge gap/difference in the Nx45a's and the DSR's, so I think the NX45's would match up just fine.

Just my $.02.

[Geert Friedhof]

The NX45 will outrun the 8004's with certain musicstyles,but the 8004's will not start producing horible distortion noises. And i have never had one quit on me.

[Bob Faulkner]

I use the SUB-8004 with the NXL-44A on top, per side, in rooms up to 500 people for not only my own 80s band, but also many other rock and country acts. Very solid performance from this rig.

Good info!

Bob

I have no experience with any rcf speakers but my brother is looking into a very similar setup. Nx-32 over 708 or 8004. They demoed a 708 and liked what he heard. He might go with the 8004. Check out this video. Might be what you are looking for. https://youtu.be/u1_W_KsVlQ4

I’ve done some research and seems no way 8004/9004 are the same. The 708’s ,8003,8004 use different flavored ceramic magnet drivers. 9007 has neo magnet 21” drivers so I highly suspect 9004 also use neo drivers different sized amp modules especially priced significantly.

Thanks for the link.  Yes, the 8004 and 9004 are somewhat different.  The 9004 has things I will never use.  I'm leaning toward the 8004. 

The NX45 will outrun the 8004's with certain musicstyles,but the 8004's will not start producing horible distortion noises. And i have never had one quit on me.

Definitely!  The shows where I would be using the 8004 (a single 8004) would not require the NX45 speakers to be driven hard.  Most music would be (live) blues, country, and maybe rock... sometimes. 

[Scott Holtzman]

I have a pair of yorkville ls801pb's' that are not the sub the RCF's are but are similar in output spl. I've used one outside with 2 smaller tops for a sit down outside show and in a building with larger tops show. Both fun low key shows. The outside one was going well but was quickly rained out and the inside show was fine for the small turn out.  The real question I guess would be what size venue/cap person show are you doing? 1 sub for 75 or so "true dancers on the floor" may be fine depending on music but you can only get so much with one sub. What kind of shows were you thinking of doing?

Douglas R. Allen

Man that's a lot of middle age knees on stage.  Just say no to cargo shorts!

[Tim McCulloch]

Man that's a lot of middle age knees on stage.  Just say no to cargo shorts!

I dunno Scott, that rates pretty low in the "Things Which Cannot Be Unseen" category.  And cargo shorts on performers?  The Fashion Police don't even respond to the 911 calls anymore. 

Just be glad that Spandex® and Aqua-Net are no longer common rock and roll accoutrements.

[Scott Holtzman]

I dunno Scott, that rates pretty low in the "Things Which Cannot Be Unseen" category.  And cargo shorts on performers?  The Fashion Police don't even respond to the 911 calls anymore. 

Just be glad that Spandex® and Aqua-Net are no longer common rock and roll accoutrements.

Next time there is a good thread on Cargo Shorts in Cleveland Musicians I will copy it and send it to you here, it's gets quiet funny.  I am not so convinced it's anymore offensive that 55 year old 'roided up wanna be's in spandex, shirtless with shriveled balls. 

[Douglas R. Allen]

Man that's a lot of middle age knees on stage.  Just say no to cargo shorts!

    I agree. Personally I keep my knees well hidden!  It was a family gathering where the father and son got together to play guitar for the first time in years. Had 50 or so people for awhile later in the evening. Small crowd as expected but raised a few dollars for Cancer awareness.  I believe this was the last show I did as Covid had shut everything down for awhile by this time. Maybe June 2020 not sure. I thought the single sub and 2 tops worked well for this setup. I have a video somewhere I'll have to look for it.

Douglas R. Allen

This was on my $50 "don't care if it gets broke or stolen" work phone. At the end the spl was too much for it and I believe a 100hz lowcut filter kicks in on the phone. The garage gave a weird effect too. Outside the base was fine. In on the dance area it was better but right between walking in and out of those doors it really canceled. I moved the sub to the other side during setup with no change. I just lived with it knowing what was going on. It is what it is as they say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gIj_yhZtCM

[ProSoundWeb Community]