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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: The Classic Live Audio Board => Topic started by: Tom Fortier on March 26, 2014, 08:36:02 PM

Title: VT-20
Post by: Tom Fortier on March 26, 2014, 08:36:02 PM
Does anyone have any experience with the JBL VTX VT-20 boxes? I currently run a 4888 rig and was thinking about an upgrade or simply expanding on what I already have. Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Art Welter on March 27, 2014, 03:38:53 PM
Tom,

No personal experience with the VT-20, but the 110 degree dispersion may be a bit wider than you would find useful.

Art
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Tim McCulloch on March 27, 2014, 03:40:17 PM
Tom,

No personal experience with the VT-20, but the 110 degree dispersion may be a bit wider than you would find useful.

Art

If those are "JLB degrees" it's really 90 at least above 3k, based on my VerTec experience.

Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Thomas Bishop on April 02, 2014, 01:44:42 AM
As of about a month ago the presets weren't finished for the VT20.  I heard them with what they had, but I can't comment on the sound since the processing wasn't complete.   And, although I didn't whip out my protractor, I was impressed by the wide coverage pattern. 
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Edward Gonzalez on May 03, 2014, 07:11:19 AM
Does anyone have any experience with the JBL VTX VT-20 boxes? I currently run a 4888 rig and was thinking about an upgrade or simply expanding on what I already have. Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The company I work for just purchased 56 V 20. They sound amazining. The rigging is great. They transport 4 tall on a cart.
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Jens Droessler on May 05, 2014, 04:30:04 AM
The D2 drivers are real beasts. They can deliver a lot more high end than the usual suspects, especially above 10kHz. I haven't heard the V20, but the V25 is really an improvement compared with the VerTec. The V20 is a size previously not offered in the VerTec range. So it depends on what you're trying to replace...
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Tom Fortier on May 05, 2014, 02:21:17 PM
The D2 drivers are real beasts. They can deliver a lot more high end than the usual suspects, especially above 10kHz. I haven't heard the V20, but the V25 is really an improvement compared with the VerTec. The V20 is a size previously not offered in the VerTec range. So it depends on what you're trying to replace...

I would be replacing a Vertec 4888 rig. How do the V20s compare?
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Tom Fortier on May 05, 2014, 02:22:54 PM
The company I work for just purchased 56 V 20. They sound amazining. The rigging is great. They transport 4 tall on a cart.

How do they compare to the Vertec 4888? SPL etc..
Thank you
Tom
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Tim McCulloch on May 05, 2014, 09:16:03 PM
I would be replacing a Vertec 4888 rig. How do the V20s compare?

Shiny.  New.  Better horizontal coverage.  Better top octave.  Better rigging.  Probably louder, too.

Get a demo rig, you're about to spend 200 large...
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Jens Droessler on May 06, 2014, 05:47:42 PM
I don't know aout louder: It's smaller, smaller speakers, power handling seems the same. It would be surprising if it was louder by the module.
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Raul Suarez on May 06, 2014, 08:08:45 PM
I don't know aout louder: It's smaller, smaller speakers, power handling seems the same. It would be surprising if it was louder by the module.
Word is that it has the output of a 4889, without quit the same low end extension.  The compression driver has 10 db more output on the top end than even the VTX-25 driver.  The coverage is very even without the large changes at 1k that the other guys new products have.  Very easy to rig and transport.  Low rigging weights for situations that have weight limits. 

Raul Suarez
Third Ear Sound
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: David Sturzenbecher on May 07, 2014, 07:59:51 AM
I heard from my rep that the output went like this....

4888 < VTX20 < 4889 < VTX25

I do know that the VTX25 and 4889s look almost identical in EASE... As do the 86s and 87s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Maidson Pierre Louis on May 16, 2014, 10:09:44 PM
Today i was on the phone with a JBL sales man in NJ. He told me that the VT20 is the same output with the VT4888.

True or False ?
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Angelina_White on July 10, 2018, 09:32:41 AM
I don't know aout louder: It's smaller, smaller speakers, power handling seems the same. It would be surprising if it was louder by the module.

I am thing to purchase it. Can I go for it?
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Ray Aberle on July 10, 2018, 10:31:14 AM
I dunno, can you?

But really.
- Can you afford it?
- Are you turning away clients because you don't have another medium format line array system (or are you cross renting more than once or twice a month)?
- Does the V20 system overall meet your needs?
- Do you like how it sounds?
- Do its weight, rigging, and transportation specs meet your requirements?
- How did it sound when you demo'd it? (Yes, I'm being repetitive, but this is pretty important!)
- Do you have, or are you willing to purchase, the associated I-Tech HD amplifiers to power this new system? What about subs? Do you have VTX subs, or will you be willing to purchase a pile of S25s (probably) to complement the V20s? Harman is a bit picky about making sure their VTX rigs "Out In The Wild" sound how they're supposed to, with the right power and processing.

Just some thoughts...
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on July 10, 2018, 10:42:12 AM
I dunno, can you?

But really.
- Can you afford it?
- Are you turning away clients because you don't have another medium format line array system (or are you cross renting more than once or twice a month)?
- Does the V20 system overall meet your needs?
- Do you like how it sounds?
- Do its weight, rigging, and transportation specs meet your requirements?
- How did it sound when you demo'd it? (Yes, I'm being repetitive, but this is pretty important!)
- Do you have, or are you willing to purchase, the associated I-Tech HD amplifiers to power this new system? What about subs? Do you have VTX subs, or will you be willing to purchase a pile of S25s (probably) to complement the V20s? Harman is a bit picky about making sure their VTX rigs "Out In The Wild" sound how they're supposed to, with the right power and processing.

Just some thoughts...
I "am thing" that Angelina is a spammer.
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Ray Aberle on July 10, 2018, 11:11:45 AM
I "am thing" that Angelina is a spammer.
I was thinking that as well. I can see the URL is for a legit company, albeit with a website that's out of date. Someone from that area would know better whether or not they're actually a player.

However, for the benefit of someone playing along at home, I figured putting out the various considerations any company should be weighing in their purchase process wouldn't be a bad thing! :)

-Ray
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Steve Ferreira on July 10, 2018, 01:30:45 PM
Don't these new shinny rigs need a minimum cabinet purchase?
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Mike Pyle on July 10, 2018, 01:48:45 PM
Don't these new shinny rigs need a minimum cabinet purchase?

... plus amplifiers.
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Steve Ferreira on July 11, 2018, 01:02:51 PM
... plus amplifiers.

Correct. By the time everything is said and done it's an easy $500k purchase.
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Ray Aberle on July 11, 2018, 01:54:16 PM
And those are both what I meant by "Do you have, or are you willing to purchase, the requisite amplifiers that go with this system?" (And then again about subwoofers.)

Wheelin-and-dealin you can probably keep it to about $250k. There's some eBay listings right now for V20/S25 packages, all inclusive, with amps, flybars, and vertical transporters, that could allow someone to step up to the V20s for $125k or less, but keep in mind... you can have the best PA in the world, but if you don't know how to deploy it correctly, it'll sound like shit.

-Ray
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Benjamin Krumholz on July 11, 2018, 04:18:30 PM
How do they compare to the Vertec 4888? SPL etc..
Thank you
Tom

Technically the 4888 is a larger box than the V20 rig.. That is why JBL developed the A12. The 4888 is still one of my favorite boxes for 3-6k people for a LOUD rock show.. I have done some BIG shows with only V20.. You can do Arena 270 with no problem with 48-60 V20..

For Ballroom shows the V20 is really a nice box.. No problem going 8 boxes on a 1/2 ton point. Very low profile and the rigging is a dream.. But other than that I would rather have the 4888 for larger higher impact shows.. If your shows are under 5k people and you have some nice subs you should have no issues with V20. Great for indoors or out but for long throws you may run out of gas is you are trying to do 200+ ft throws. 

Just my opinion..
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: brian maddox on July 11, 2018, 04:32:02 PM
Technically the 4888 is a larger box than the V20 rig.. That is why JBL developed the A12. The 4888 is still one of my favorite boxes for 3-6k people for a LOUD rock show.. I have done some BIG shows with only V20.. You can do Arena 270 with no problem with 48-60 V20..

For Ballroom shows the V20 is really a nice box.. No problem going 8 boxes on a 1/2 ton point. Very low profile and the rigging is a dream.. But other than that I would rather have the 4888 for larger higher impact shows.. If your shows are under 5k people and you have some nice subs you should have no issues with V20. Great for indoors or out but for long throws you may run out of gas is you are trying to do 200+ ft throws. 

Just my opinion..

Yeah, like you would know....  :)
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Riley Casey on July 11, 2018, 05:46:00 PM
Still pretty sure my 4888s with Lab amps and BSS366 v4 processing are the best sounding Vertecs in the wild.  ;D

snip ...

Technically the 4888 is a larger box than the V20 rig.. That is why JBL developed the A12. The 4888 is still one of my favorite boxes for 3-6k people for a LOUD rock show...

snip
Title: Re: VT-20
Post by: Tim McCulloch on July 12, 2018, 02:51:58 AM
Still pretty sure my 4888s with Lab amps and BSS366 v4 processing are the best sounding Vertecs in the wild.  ;D

Our 4889/ITech HD V5 rigs sound pretty good, Riley... but I'm a little biased. ;)