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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 => SR Forum Archives => LAB Lounge FUD Forum Archive => Topic started by: james page on January 22, 2011, 05:26:43 PM

Title: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: james page on January 22, 2011, 05:26:43 PM
I need a pair of speakers for wedding ceremonies, and the occasional "we need another speaker in this room" scenario etc.
I'm looking at the 310A because I like the price/size/quality equation. Anything else i should be looking at, new or used?
Thanks,
JP
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: Pete Bansen on January 22, 2011, 11:45:17 PM
Mike Pyle was nice enough to demo a pair of the 310A's for me last year in Reno.  Great sounding speakers and an excellent value.
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: George Friedman-Jimenez on January 23, 2011, 09:13:57 AM
If you give more details about your needs, we can be more helpful. For example, only spoken voice or voice and music, type of music, all recorded or some live, range of how many people, expected room sizes, other speakers you use (number, type), rest of your rig, EQ available for these speakers or not, etc.
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: Tom Williams on January 23, 2011, 09:23:12 PM
I've got to say that I do love the little 310A. Prices are usually

good and they sound great for a 10". One thing that is happening

at the moment is RCF are changing over to the 4 series (410 415

422 etc...)and they are coming with a 10 year warranty here in Aus.

As warranties go it's a pretty good one. And just to show I'm not a

guerrilla advertiser or an RCF fanboy you should defiantly look

into the QSC K10 also, it has all the inputs you could need for

those wedding ceremonies, and occasional "we need another speaker

in this room" scenarios
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: james page on January 24, 2011, 03:27:09 PM
George Friedman-Jimenez wrote on Sun, 23 January 2011 14:13

If you give more details about your needs, we can be more helpful. For example, only spoken voice or voice and music, type of music, all recorded or some live, range of how many people, expected room sizes, other speakers you use (number, type), rest of your rig, EQ available for these speakers or not, etc.


Sorry I wasn't more specific. They would be used infrequently- just an extra pair to have around for the odd job. (Like the CEO decides at the last minute he wants to make a toast in the lobby). So it could be voice, recorded music and occasionally live music. Usually they would not be EQ'd.

I think the 310 would fit the bill for me. Just wondering if I might be able to expand my search and find something used.

Since you asked, I have a pair of ART 522 that I use with a sub for mains. I have 3 ART 325 that I use for monitors.


JP
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: George Friedman-Jimenez on January 24, 2011, 11:50:59 PM
I have both the ART310A and the EV ZXA1. If only low or moderate SPL is needed, the ZXA1 sounds more clear in the midranges for voice, and better for recorded music than the 310A and is much lighter. The ZXA1 has a 100 Hz HPF option, the 310A has no built in EQ. The 310A to my ear has a hyped bass and treble that often need some EQ, especially if it is near a wall or a corner. Out in the middle of a big room, the hyped bass may actually be an advantage. The ZXA1 usually needs no EQ in my limited experience. That said, the 310A has much more SPL available, probably 6-8 dB more for most material and even more with the bass and treble rolled off a bit. It is also a much more robust cabinet in its physical build. I would call the ZXA1 almost delicate, it does not look like it will take half the physical beating the 310A would take, so a good padded or hard case would be important. I have not yet heard the QSC K10, but you may want to go demo that. For your needs, it may be better than either the 310A or the ZXA1.
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: Alan Roberts on January 25, 2011, 11:19:40 AM
I have both the 310A and the ZXA1. The 310A is a great little all-purpose speaker, lightweight and sounds great for almost any small gig. I would agree that it's more stout in construction than the ZXA1. It's got a solid top handle and a real top hat pole socket on the bottom, instead of one being molded into the cabinet itself. It definitely has more output than the ZXA1, but I think I prefer the EV for pure sound quality. However, the 310A really shines when used with a sub, high-passed around 100Hz.

My wife and I did an A/B with the 310A and the QSC K10 about two years ago, and the RCF won hands down for sound quality. Currently I use the ZXA1 more often because I frequently have jobs that simply don't need the power of the 310A, many of which are speech only and benefit from the smaller size and overall looks of the ZXA1. I also use them for monitors occasionally for small acoustic acts. One last thing about the ZXA1: it gets noticeably warm, almost hot on the back after a couple of hours of moderate-volume use.
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: james page on January 30, 2011, 06:37:16 PM
Tom Williams wrote on Mon, 24 January 2011 02:23

 One thing that is happening

at the moment is RCF are changing over to the 4 series (410 415

422 etc...)and they are coming with a 10 year warranty here in Aus.




Anybody heard the 400 series? Are the 300 series still available?
JP
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: james page on February 03, 2011, 12:29:33 AM
FWIW I ended up with a pair of 312A. Found a deal too good to pass up. Must be closing them out. Although I loved the compact size of the 310 I'll feel a little more comfortable with the 312 when I use them as relay speakers in a large room.
JP
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: Tom Williams on February 07, 2011, 02:25:20 AM
If you are feeling adventurous you should have a look inside your

312's. There is a shroud that covers the amplifier section, I have

seen these things poorly secured (by someone working on them, not

out of the factory) or missing entirely. They keep the main board

rigid, without it you could flex PCB and then you are in a world of hurt.

(Still not an RCF fanboy)
Title: Re: RCF ART 310A or something else
Post by: james page on February 08, 2011, 10:22:23 PM
Tom Williams wrote on Mon, 07 February 2011 07:25

If you are feeling adventurous you should have a look inside your

312's. There is a shroud that covers the amplifier section, I have

seen these things poorly secured (by someone working on them, not

out of the factory) or missing entirely. They keep the main board

rigid, without it you could flex PCB and then you are in a world of hurt.

(Still not an RCF fanboy)


So I'm assuming this would not apply to new ones?
JP