Upgrading P.A

frankspencer

Hey there I am a wedding DJ nationwide work with a top band for over three years. At the moment my rig is one 1200 watt amp with two 300 watt tops and one 800 watt setero bass bin. Thing is i want to upgrade but dont want to get rid of this system as it is great for pub gigs etc. was looking at two behringer powered tops and powered bins.whats your views on behringer for dj work?

unclebill98

Each to their own but I'd not touch them for such an important part of a set up.

Best active stuff is made by RCF and Mackie.

sweetie

playing big venues for weddings I would agree with unclebill about rcf and also recommend db tech, qsc, ev active stuff is excellent. you must have struggled in some of the bigger places with what you have? Always good deals to be had on adverts too.

frankspencer

sweetie wrote: »

playing big venues for weddings I would agree with unclebill about rcf and also recommend db tech, qsc, ev active stuff is excellent. you must have struggled in some of the bigger places with what you have? Always good deals to be had on adverts too.

actually my current p.a never has any trouble in big rooms yes its goin almost at peak but sound is still clear and never have i had any failings..
RCF i know is excellent but expensive...I am looking for a setup that can punch out 2000 watts rms

unclebill98

Don't get hung up on watts.

For example a 1000w active box can hit 136db, where a 750w can hit the same, both RCF made.

Picking a PA is a mind field, due to more than mis leading specs from all makers.

I'd first really decide what's wrong with your current set up and what your likely to get out of upgrading.

What's the issue weight, size, sound, db output etc etc.

Adding a 2nd sub and coupling them together can make a difference to even the smallest rigs.

frankspencer

it can do a pub no probs but when I do weddings i am driving the amp and system at full..was thinking of keeping my bass bin KME 800 watt stereo sub.buying another bin and two bigger tops and a more powerful amp. Overall I feel my rig lacks it in the mid/hi range.
any views?

unclebill98

What size sub are you using?
when you say stereo sub, I assume you connect to the sub and the sub x/overs into the tops?

frankspencer

its a 15 inch sub by kme
what I mean is yes the crossover is inside the sub so i connect to tops directly from sub.
I just need something that gives more punch at weddings in a ballroom etc
thanks for getting back to me:D

unclebill98

What is the budget?

frankspencer

about 2k

The_Honeybadger

frankspencer wrote: »

about 2k

If you are going brand new that won't get you a top end system, why not get two good subs like the db 15's or RCF 705's for your 2k and upgrade the tops later when you have more funds. If your tops are ok for now that is what I would do.

Alternatively get two new tops and one sub for the moment, and add a second sub later. You should get two DB 402's and a DB Sub 15 for around 2k. RCF's would be around the same price IIRC. Anything by those or JBL, EV, QSC or FBT should be well built and within your price range. Carry two subs to the weddings where you need the power and use one in pubs. Don't get too worried about how many watts they are, it's SPL that really counts, and test before you buy if possible.

You could always try to pick up a bargain second hand, but good quality used gear is hard enough to come by in my experience.

frankspencer

mickeyk wrote: »

If you are going brand new that won't get you a top end system, why not get two good subs like the db 15's or RCF 705's for your 2k and upgrade the tops later when you have more funds. If your tops are ok for now that is what I would do.

Alternatively get two new tops and one sub for the moment, and add a second sub later. You should get two DB 402's and a DB Sub 15 for around 2k. RCF's would be around the same price IIRC. Anything by those or JBL, EV, QSC or FBT should be well built and within your price range. Carry two subs to the weddings where you need the power and use one in pubs. Don't get too worried about how many watts they are, it's SPL that really counts, and test before you buy if possible.

You could always try to pick up a bargain second hand, but good quality used gear is hard enough to come by in my experience.

is db what gives you more scope or watts?
i can stretch my budget if needed considering I have 1200 watt amp is that normal for large gigs or is that range the top or sub can cover?

The_Honeybadger

frankspencer wrote: »

is db what gives you more scope or watts?
i can stretch my budget if needed considering I have 1200 watt amp is that normal for large gigs or is that range the top or sub can cover?

When looking at speakers look at the max spl (sound pressure level) rather than watts. If it doesn't state the max spl that is usually a bad sign. Do you want to continue using your current amp, I prefer active systems myself if it's for mobile work. What amp exactly do u have?

My tops are rated 128db spl and they just about manage large venues with a pair of subs. Alot of the new active stuff would be at around 130 or so, the cheaper you go the more the figure drops usually. Best to road test any speakers before you buy if possible though, as spec sheets can be misleading

1200 sounds small for large venues, in any case you said it was running flat out at gigs. Regardless of watts this tells me it's too small for the job you need it to do. Is it running both the sub and tops, that would really put it under pressure.

frankspencer

It is running both subs and tops but I never have the amp clip or overload never get punters asking me to turn it up either. I know myself that it is not up to the job,I was looking at active 15 inch tops with 128/9 spl and 18 inch bins with the same spl?
would that be any good to fill a large function room?

The_Honeybadger

frankspencer wrote: »

It is running both subs and tops but I never have the amp clip or overload never get punters asking me to turn it up either. I know myself that it is not up to the job,I was looking at active 15 inch tops with 128/9 spl and 18 inch bins with the same spl?
would that be any good to fill a large function room?

Thats plenty, given the gigs you do if it was me I'd be looking to get something like this and sell the existing system. If you are doing weddings the 15" subs would be plenty. The 15's will be much easier to carry around also, same with the 12" tops. That system should be able to handle most wedding venues in the country. There are of course countless other options so have a browse on thomann or a similar site to see what you like.

frankspencer

that looks very impressive and not too expensive either..say there is a great punch out of that?
I was looking at two behringer active 18inch bins and behringer b812NEO tops what you think?

The_Honeybadger

frankspencer wrote: »

that looks very impressive and not too expensive either..say there is a great punch out of that?
I was looking at two behringer active 18inch bins and behringer b812NEO tops what you think?

The db system would be much better quality, behringer make budget gear and their stuff can be hit and miss, personally I woulnt touch their powered speakers, but that's just me. I'm sure there are plenty who'd say otherwise, but at the end of the day you get what you pay for. That db tech system would have loads of power for weddings, is lightweight and looks well IMO. So do the jbl, fbt, rcf and other equivalents. They will also hold their value, whereas a behringer system is practically worthless once you take delivery of it due to their reputation as a cheap product. Whatever you get make sure you buy bags to protect against moisture damage and scratches etc.

frankspencer

I suspose I am still in college even though I am gigging all over the country money is still tight I can get a good price on my current rig I would be able to buy db set up. To me the behringer stuff i mentioned seems to have the power and price I would looking for. I store all of my gear bar stands etc in my house.

Got a call today about H.K actor rig about 12 years old allowed rent it for free if i get it serviced once a year...seems too good to be true i think

The_Honeybadger

Yeah of course it's tempting to go with the cheaper option. The berries will do the job I'm sure, but if you can stretch to something better do. It'll pay off in the long run. I don't see any advantage in holding on to your current setup if you buy a new system so u could sell it to make up some of the difference. It's your money though.

Hope you've a suitable transport arrangement for that aktor system, they're massive aren't they? Wouldn't fancy lugging that in and out of hotels a few nights a week on my own lol. Best of luck whatever you decide

frankspencer

I have a van put the actor in it last week everthing fitted fine. If i buy something I will sell my current setup for sure..currently I noticed very few djs use a quality system compared to bands who mainly use dynacord ev etc good stuff haha

sweetie

frankspencer wrote: »

I have a van put the actor in it last week everthing fitted fine. If i buy something I will sell my current setup for sure..currently I noticed very few djs use a quality system compared to bands who mainly use dynacord ev etc good stuff haha

some of us djs have better systems than many bands though! The actor is a great sounding system but the size and weight of passive version will take a lot of time moving it and setting it up by one person compared to a three or four box active system. If you are playing after bands mostly then time will be at a premium. I've just sale agreed an excellent rcf sub and may have another available soon if you are interested. Those db opera tops mickey recommended have gotten great reviews recently at a lower price than the rcf, qsc, ev equivalent.