wsg
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 3
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 4:14 pm Post subject: Nostalgia Trip: Help Needed on Small PA Speakers
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A year or so ago, with the help of this board we assembled a nice-sounding, compact PA system for live jazz/blues gigs being played at low-moderate volumes in medium-sized rooms and small outdoor parks. Designed for a working band and primarily for vocals, it's portable and easy to use.
BACKGROUND
Although many of you won't agree with all of our choices, we're happy with this system. Briefly, we designed it around running 2-4 EV S-200 speakers (i.e. unpowered and more compact than current designs and good power handling at 300 wts. continuous/600peak at 8ohms), a lightweight QSC PLX 3002 (3000 wt.) amp to power them with decent headroom, the EV S-200 speaker equalizer unit to boost the bottom end of the speakers' 12" woofers, a Lexicon MPX500 for efx, a Rolls mixer (i.e. probably not the best quality, but the only single space rack-mount mixer we could find) and with sincere apologies to the members of this board, a BBE 482 to boost the overall sound. We sometimes run 4 Peavy unpowered 16 ohm Mini-Monitors (circa 1990) as well. And in case anyone needs to know, we use fairly high-end Beyer TXG 580 vocal mics.
REASON FOR THIS POST
After months of enjoying this system, one of our EV speakers blew. In weighing our options regarding whether we recone it or consider alternatives, I thought I would solicit some opinions from this board.
Again, compact size is a must. The EV's are heavy but slim in size and have decent power handling, plus they offer the ability to boost their bottom end through the EV processor. Their main drawback is some low level hissing which may actually be a function of the system itself. Any comments on this point would be appreciated as we are running heavy gauge cables with Neutrix connectors.
QUESTIONS
In exploring our options, I seem to remember JBL offering a mini speaker system in the late 80's/early 90's at around the same time that EV was selling these EV S-200's. They were somewhat smaller than the EV's and had their own signal processor unit. Does anybody remember them? And how did they compare to the EV's in terms of sound quality, power-handling etc.?
Also, e-bay research led me to the Bose website where I learned all about the 802 series speakers. According to Bose, these are superior to conventional horn and tweeter type speaker systems, especially for a compact set-up and when used in combination with Bose's 802 processor and mini subwoofer units. I still find it hard to believe that eight 4 1/2" speakers can produce as much richness of sound as a 12" woofer and tweeter system. Does anyone have any first-hand experience in using these? Also, rated at 240 watts continuous/320 peak, will we notice the difference as compared to the 300/600 rating on our EV's?
Finally, in reviewing the Bose site, they also rave about their Cylindrical Radiator system which is designed to make conventional 3-way PA systems obsolete by replacing monitors, mains and amplifier with single on stage units. Has anyone heard these in live applications? And how would they compare to the above options for compact speaker systems or to any other options that you may suggest? Also, how would the old Dawn speaker systems measure up?
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In answering our questions, please keep in mind that although many of the sound professionals reading this probably view the Eon series speakers as compact vs. the equipment they are typically working with and may be biased toward larger rigs, these are too bulky for our needs as a working band of older musicians who appreciate the control of owning and operating our own system. So kindly formulate your responses in view of the S-200's that we are currently using.
Thank you, in advance, for your assistance. And thank you for reading through this lengthly posting.
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TimmyP
Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 87
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 6:35 pm Post subject:
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If you have been happy with the speakers, fix the blown one and stick with them. Delete the bass EQ to (to ease the burden on the 12s) and get a sub. The JBL MP18 isn't too bad. A single Peavey QW218 would be preferable to most any pair of single 18s though. Also delete the BBE (unless it proves to be useful as a channel insert)
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Tim Padrick
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Another Dave
Joined: 01 Nov 2003
Posts: 71
Location: Pocono Northeast
Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 7:31 pm Post subject:
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At first I thought you meant the SX200 EV.
Is the S200 the one with the square-ish horn that was also sold in the package called The Entertainer? I believe it is.
I have used these as monitors a few times, and they are OK.
The Bose 802 is extremely inefficient and needs huge amounts of power. They are also terribly expensive. I don't feel the cost justifies the performance. I have used them extensivly in the country club circuit, and find that they are usually owned by people who love marketing hype and have lots of money. I am sure that the new cylindrical things will do well in the same market.
You can use the "revolutionary" idea of replacing both mains & monitors by simply standing in front of your EV speakers.
Repair the EV speakers.
If you have way too much money, and want to spend it on something really good, get a Nexo PS10 setup.
Later,
Another Dave
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wsg
Joined: 15 Apr 2004
Posts: 3
Posted: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:48 pm Post subject:
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Thanks for the helpful advice. The EV's are decent speakers, especially when placed side-by-side (2+2) to utilize the "acoustic coupling" effect. And the two responses received so far seem fairly positive about these. Although there's some hiss, it's probably the system itself, unless anyone has any other information to offer on that point.
The ones I'm referring to by the way are the S-200's (circa 1990), not to be confused with the lower-end Entertainer model also being offered at that time or with the current SX-200's which EV tech support admits is essentially the same speaker in a bulkier, trapezoidal cabinet.
We'll probably just recone the speaker and avoid the Bose options. Does anyone have any info. on the mini JBL's I was referring to (circa 1990 with processor unit) though?