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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 Subwoofer Forum => Topic started by: Kurt Stephens on January 20, 2011, 11:41:16 AM

Title: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Kurt Stephens on January 20, 2011, 11:41:16 AM
One of the considerations for my next active sub is the VRX918SP -

what kind of personal experience do you guys have with it? Reliability?

SPL-wise what can you compare it to?
versus the KW181 how big is the difference? How bout the HPR181i?

Would a single one be a good match for a pair of K12's?
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Tim Talbot on February 08, 2011, 06:00:17 PM
Great sub but i would go for two subs rather than just one.... headroom is key :)
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Rob Spence on March 06, 2011, 08:24:44 PM
If you can get a real good price for a VRX, maybe it is a good deal but remember that a lot of what you are paying is for the fly rated hardware on it. I have a pair of KW181s with a pair of K12s and am happy.
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Kurt Stephens on March 15, 2011, 03:17:43 PM
If you can get a real good price for a VRX, maybe it is a good deal but remember that a lot of what you are paying is for the fly rated hardware on it. I have a pair of KW181s with a pair of K12s and am happy.

Yeah a VRX918SP without the fly hardware would be nice - even still though I am considering it (from back at the beginning of February yes).

I have the funds to buy the VRX - but only if it is the best sub out there under $2000.

Any other options to pair the K12's with? The PRX618S-XLF I've heard overheating problems with and it seems pretty inferior to the VRX in most ways.






Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Rob Spence on March 20, 2011, 12:17:53 PM
I did a spreadsheet of powered subs and posted it back in the old forums. I have an updated one.

I tried to include it here but the new forum doesn't take PDFs like the old one did. Fooey!

It is available here
http://www.soundforums.net/live/threads/1008-Powered-speakers-and-subwoofers?p=8088#post8088

Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Bob Kenton on March 20, 2011, 02:56:09 PM
Ive used a pair VRX-SP subs a couple of times. Ive never really heard the KW sub other than one single 5 minute setting at GC.

A few quick observations taken from Robs stats.
Dimensions are almost identical, weight is very close with a few pounds less in favor of the KW.
You do get casters on the KW, add another 75.00 bucks for the VRX.
The VRX has a 80hz and a 110hz crossover point. Only in the 80hz setting does the sub have a 80hz high pass out. Set at 110hz the sub output is in full range. Will your tops (K12's) drop down to 80hz? I think the crossover point in the K12's is 100hz. I maybe wrong on that.
Im not sure what is going on in the KW sub, 100hz low pass and full range out?

The KW has L&R inputs and outputs, VRX has one of each. No real issues with that other than its a bit easier to use when a single sub is deployed.

The VRX has a Powercon out which is nice. The KW is quite a bit cheaper too. Ive found the VRX for 1500.00 and less a couple of times and even at that price the KW wins.

Output wise the VRX did fine for my needs when I used them. On paper the KW has more output, would be great if a side by side comparison could be done with these subs.

Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Kurt Stephens on March 20, 2011, 05:37:02 PM
I did a spreadsheet of powered subs and posted it back in the old forums. I have an updated one.

I tried to include it here but the new forum doesn't take PDFs like the old one did. Fooey!

It is available here
http://www.soundforums.net/live/threads/1008-Powered-speakers-and-subwoofers?p=8088#post8088

Yes I have read your spreadsheet from the old forums but thanks for the reminder. I will have to take a took at the updated one.
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Kurt Stephens on March 20, 2011, 05:45:07 PM
Ive used a pair VRX-SP subs a couple of times. Ive never really heard the KW sub other than one single 5 minute setting at GC.

A few quick observations taken from Robs stats.
Dimensions are almost identical, weight is very close with a few pounds less in favor of the KW.
You do get casters on the KW, add another 75.00 bucks for the VRX.
The VRX has a 80hz and a 110hz crossover point. Only in the 80hz setting does the sub have a 80hz high pass out. Set at 110hz the sub output is in full range. Will your tops (K12's) drop down to 80hz? I think the crossover point in the K12's is 100hz. I maybe wrong on that.
Im not sure what is going on in the KW sub, 100hz low pass and full range out?

The KW has L&R inputs and outputs, VRX has one of each. No real issues with that other than its a bit easier to use when a single sub is deployed.

The VRX has a Powercon out which is nice. The KW is quite a bit cheaper too. Ive found the VRX for 1500.00 and less a couple of times and even at that price the KW wins.

Output wise the VRX did fine for my needs when I used them. On paper the KW has more output, would be great if a side by side comparison could be done with these subs.

This is really such a hard decision for me. I think every day I change my mind on it - and I've been doing research for this purchase for almost a year!!

Everything you listed I've taken into consideration. The price really isn't my main concern - I have the funds for both - it comes down to deciding which is really the better sub. On one hand I think it is foolish to pay for flyware I'll never use, and extra for casters when the KW already has them - BUT - if it is better performing then it is all worth it. I have heard strong opinions both ways.

Most of the gigs I do are small/medium sized formals/bar gigs but the SPL demand is usually pretty high for the event and I play dance-oriented pre-recorded music. Max real-world SPL is definitely a concern. I don;t trust those paper specs at all - the boundary conditions were different I'm sure. I think the VRX was measured in full-space, and the KW calculated.

I haven't heard the KW at all yet - but have really liked the VRX when I've used it (haven't pushed it though yet).

I can also trade in my K12's and get PRX612M's to better aesthetically match the VRX - and a speaker management system would be nice as well if I go for the VRX.
Title: pdf files
Post by: Mac Kerr on March 20, 2011, 08:08:21 PM
I did a spreadsheet of powered subs and posted it back in the old forums. I have an updated one.

I tried to include it here but the new forum doesn't take PDFs like the old one did. Fooey!

This forum does not allow pdf files for the same reason the old forums did not, they are a common vector for malware. If you found a way to post a pdf on the old forums, it was not directly.

Mac
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Bob Kenton on March 21, 2011, 01:27:20 AM
Just a quick thought, have you checked out the new Yamaha DSR118? Pretty much the same size as the others your considering.
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Kurt Stephens on March 21, 2011, 02:01:26 AM
Just a quick thought, have you checked out the new Yamaha DSR118? Pretty much the same size as the others your considering.
yes I have taken a look at it digitally - but I have yet to hear it or even see it in person. Doesn't seem to be many solid reviews of it yet.

Even still - I can't really see it outclassing the VRX or even KW.
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: chuck clark on May 21, 2011, 11:25:10 PM

Great sub but i would go for two subs rather than just one.... headroom is key :)

+1 What Mr. Talbot said.  Relax. Are you EVER going to fly these? You more likely ARE going to roll them in and out of almost EVERY gig. The sound difference between these in not big. In fact it is questionable if the casual observer would notice the difference.  Both are high quality drivers w/ a good trade off of efficiency and extension and perform well. Kind of a chevy vs. ford comparison which some will get worked up over but not really all that much difference in performance. Having 2 instead of 1 will make a much bigger difference. Feel better? Remember to have fun. Go with your gut.
Chuck
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Stephen Snipes on April 23, 2012, 01:30:28 PM
I own 2 VRX918sp and have done an A/B with the HPR181 and the KW181.  The main 2 things I have noticed is that both QSC clip before the VRX.  I had to turn the QSC down and I was still able to keep feeding the VRX more.  I do like the fact that the KW cost less b/c I want to invest in more VRX but I can almost get 3 KW for the price I'm getting 2 VRX (price including covers, poles, & wheels).  The thing I find interesting is that on paper you would think the QSC are louder however I have not noticed that the 2 times I was able to A/B them.  Every single time I use my VRX someone compliments on how hard they hit and how clean they sound.  I plan to get 2 more but I want a total of 8 since JBL recommends 8 for gigs of 1000.  Biggest drawback I see to doing 8 is that most places I go to don't have the power that I would require to run the 8 along with the EV ZXa5. 

BTW when I did the A/B I used 4 ZXa5 with 4 HPR181 at one event then 4 ZXa5 with 4 KW181 at another.  At both I had the VRX setup just so I could do the A/B test.   
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Kurt Stephens on April 23, 2012, 02:03:41 PM
Thank you for your comparisons.

Ive been using my VRX for a while now and really enjoy it. I use HPR181s and KW181s from time to time as well, and though I have never compared them directly, it does seem to me like generally the VRX can just handle more output, in addition to playing lower.

I'm looking to pick up a second in the near future.
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Greg Harwood on April 23, 2012, 08:03:03 PM
You'll be happier in the long run with the VRX subs IMHO.  They're a slightly more professional sub and most likely have a little better components inside.  I believe, like others have said, the VRX will provide better performance because of this.  Nothing wrong with the QSC product, but the JBL will edge it out.  If you have the funds, I'd say go ahead and get 2 VRX and enjoy.
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Stephen Snipes on May 03, 2012, 10:45:21 PM
About to pull the plug and purchase 2 more this summer for a total of 4 :-)
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Jordan Wolf on May 06, 2012, 05:00:52 PM
Every single time I use my VRX someone compliments on how hard they hit and how clean they sound.
Do you have any external processing for them, or are you just going straight Line In on the subs?  What tweaks (delay, EQ, etc.), if any, have you found beneficial to the using the subs as part of your rig?
Title: Re: VRX918SP SPL comparisons
Post by: Stephen Snipes on May 09, 2012, 08:38:34 PM
Do you have any external processing for them, or are you just going straight Line In on the subs?  What tweaks (delay, EQ, etc.), if any, have you found beneficial to the using the subs as part of your rig?

for most of my applications setup time is pretty much minimal so it is used more as a plug and play system.  If I'm renting the system out to another DJ then I use my Mackie ProFX 8 so I can have control of the ultimate volume but other than that I don't use any processing.  Once I get all 4 and another set of tops I plan to add the DBX Driverack to it and set settings for the venues I go to the most.