Today I stopped at GC to pick up a cable and saw that they had just received the SRM350s. This is a speaker that has had a fair amount of hype so I was excited to check it out.

We A/B the speaker against a JBL EON10 G2. Fair comparison... both ~ the same size, same price, and both with a 10" speaker, tho the JBL weighs 23 lbs and the 350 ~ 33 lbs.

IMO, the SRM outperformed the JBL, in terms of overall high fidelity sound quality, by a notch or 2. We also compared the Yamaha MSR100, which ran a distant 3rd, IMO.

I must add that considering price, size, and convenience along with performance, the MSR100 is hard to beat. But again, I was only considering sound quality, which at best is very subjective. What I personally look for is much the same as what I would look for (actually LISTEN for) in stereo speakers... a good smooth spectrum of high fidelity sound that has little coloration, but good clean highs and solid, not mushy, bass.

I was impressed enough to purchase the 350. I will giving it a good A/B comparison against the EON10 and EV SxA100 over the next few days.

The horn in the Mackie is the truest of them all. I like the high end response best in the 450s.

Uncle Dave,
You once said if you had a separate mixer
and power amp, you would prefer the unpowered
Mackies and a powered subwoofer.
What model subwoofer would you recommend?

For the last few days I've been testing the SRM350 and really like it. I've had it in my living room sitting next to my SxA100 and EON10G2... playing and singing (SD1 & Senn 855), running midis, mp3s, and spending a fair amount of time listening to comparisons, I am convinced that the 350 is an excellent speaker choice.

Only downside, it has slightly less volume than the other 2 speakers. On the plus, it has better clarity/fidelity. Within the next few days, I should be comparing it with the new EV SXA360 and possibly Barbetta Sona 32.

[This message has been edited by GlennT (edited 09-16-2004).]

Don't overlook Sona 31C. It's smaller than the 32C, but it sounds absolutely fantastic. I have Hank The Lurkers 31s in the club. The only advantage I can see to the 32s is that they have a longer throw and are better for extremely large areas.
DonM

Actually the SRM350 has a higher dB (SPL) rating than the JBL EON10G2 does. And the ElectroVoice SX100 just squeaks (sorry Squeak_D ) past the SRM350 in maximum sound output. But you have to realize that the SX100 has a 12" woofer vs. the SRM350's 10" woofer so you are not really comparing apples to apples. But I agree with you Glenn that the JBL EON10G2 and or the ElectroVoice SX100 would make great choices for Speakers also. Plus with the ElectroVoice SX100/+ you save around $200 per speaker vs. the Mackie SRM 350's.

But the ElectroVoice SX100/+ is a passive Speaker, am I correct? So the Mackies, being an Active Speaker, cost more because they are Bi-Amped. Which is only natural that they would cost more because of the built-in Amplification system. Soooo, to that I say, - touché.

Best regards,
Mike

I think 10s to 12s is a fair comparison, and in most cases a ten (in the right enclosure )will out perform a twelve inch speaker.

10s give a defined, tight, full bass, while 12s tend to splat. My sb120 used to do plenty of splatting whenever I played modern music at any decent volume for a party.

Personally,if there was no Bose system - my rig would be 2 eon10G2s with the ROland subwoofer from the KC series.

Yes you are, but my mistake... I should have identified my EV as SxA100 (the A stands for active). My comparisons include only active speakers.

Do you mean the Roland KCW-1 powered subwoofer?

Hi Glenn,

How much less volume does the SRM350's put out compared to the SxA100's? How large a venue including # of people do you think the SRM350's can handle and still sound good.

The new Mackie SRM350's certainly sounds appealing especially for it's size and weight, and knowing from our private conversations in person, how much you appreciate a smooth natural unhyped sound. I'm really anxious to hear your comparison report of it to the Sxa360's. - Scott

Scott...

The SRM350 has only a very slight decrease in volume output compared with the SxA100. So slight it really shouldn't be refered to as a 'downside'. On the other hand, the increased fidelity is also by a small amount, that is, subjectively speaking IMO.

Therefor, the 350 will work well where ever the SxA100's works, for most small and medium sized venues.

As I said, the SRM350 is an excellent speaker... but then, so is the SxA100. With all it's pre-release hype, I might have been expecting more. I'd give the new Mackie only a slight edge over the Sxa100. It's smaller size and weight (32 lbs vs 43 lbs) may appeal to some.

Equally important (at least to me) is the ergonomic shape & weight distribution of the speaker. One of the things that appeals to me about the SxA100, compared to the Mackie SRM450, is its ergonomic shape & better distribution of weight (balance) while transporting, as well as the better placed built in carry handle. The SRM450 is not only heavy, but because of its slick slippery surface, difficut to manuever. How is the SRM350 in these regards?

Glenn, I'm surprised to hear you say that the SxA100 only puts out 'slightly more' volume than the SRM350, considering the fact that the Sxa100 is: 430 total watts (350 LF+80 HF) vs 195 total watts (165 LF + 30HF) total watts on the SRM350.

As before, I'm anxiously awaiting your review and upcoming comparison report of the EV 360's to the afore mentioned.

Scott

Transporting the SRM350 would be a breeze. It has the same sort of built-in side handle as the EV and balances well.

As far as specs, there are different methods of specifying watts. If both speakers were measured the same way... extended/continuous, it's more like 200 vs 190 watts. Specs can be so misleading, that's why subjectively listening wih YOUR ears using YOUR equipment is so impt.

I've just recently added the EV SxA360 to my active speaker comparison line-up. In short, it excels over the other 3 speakers (see above) in most every regard.

The SxA360 is housed in the same case as the SxA100, but weighs 36 lbs compared to the 100s 43 lbs. EV makes a few other speakers using the same cabinet.

One of the first things noticed with the 360 is much more volume/power. In order to compare all speakers for musical sound quality/fidelity alone, I had to set the 360 at half volume while the others at full.

The 360 provides an excellent, very smooth presence over the entire musical spectrum. A friend helping me audition these speakers kept emphasizing the 'fullness' of sound with the 360. The sound is very natural over the entire range... nothing harsh or boomy, no distortion at full volume.

It must be emphasized that the SxA360 is selling for over $1100 by most vendors, which is at least double that of the others I've compared it against... and that my testing is strictly subjective, which is a very personal matter.

For now, I am resisting the purchase ot this speaker, only pending it's head-to-head comparison against the Barbetta Sona 32C, which hopefully will happen within a few weeks. I will purchase one or the other.

Glenn

Glenn, I've auditioned both of these speakers (though not side by side) and already know which one's the clear choice for me. The ONLY reason I haven't upgraded yet is because of current budget constraints.

- Scott



------------------
http://scottyee.com

so would I.price ,quality,weight-power ratio,resale value,smoother highs-for the price- wise 10" g2 has no competetion except for YKville with costs more.

Glenn,

Have you tried the Barbettas yet? Just curious.

Gary

Gary... nope, but I plan to do so within the next few week.

Scott & Others... I can't emphasize how impt it is (at least for me) to compare speakers side by side, same time, same place, same equipment. Even tho it's inconvenient, it's the only way I can truly hear all the detailed distinctions.

Glenn,

I couldn't agree more. That's one of the reasons that I traveled thousands of miles over the past four years to hear other performers using various sound systems with the same keyboards I was using at the time. There were also times when I hauled my keyboard and mic to music stores, hooked up and spent a half-hour or more going through the styles with different sound system set-ups. Technological advances in sound systems have changed the way a lot of us do things, and I sincerely believe that in the very near future, the systems will be less expensive, smaller and provide sounds that are far more crisp, distinct and solid than any time in the past.

Good luck on whatever you decide upon,

Gary

That's the one ! 200 watts and very EZ to transport. Built in crossover, high pass outputs and both 1/4" AND XLR jacks.

Glennt,

What do you think about the low end on the EV SXA360, since you compared it with another speakers?
Did you feel the need for a sub, while using the SXA360 with a high volume?

Thanks.

Luis Santos

The low end on the SxA360 is excellent... very tight, clean, solid.

For those that love the Roland KCW-1 (10', 200 Watt and 22 Kgs), I recall that the HK LUCAS sub is also 10', 250 Watt RMS, 16 Kgs, includes
the power amps for the satellites (2 x 60 W) and has mixing capabilities. http://www.hkaudio.com/Portable/Active/lucas_xt/specs.php

-- José.

I have heard the SRM 350 in a side by side with the JBL EON10 G2 and the Mackie had more HF details and clearer mids. The SRM350 uses a B&C HF driver, like FBT and Yorkville. The SRM350 LF driver is by Eminence. I want to know how the 10" SRM 350 compares in sound side by side with a FBT MaxX2A 10". I have heard them sepratley but not side by side. If I recall correctly the FBT sounded duller.


[This message has been edited by alfredo (edited 09-27-2004).]

Glenn, have you heard the FBT MaxX2A?

[This message has been edited by alfredo (edited 10-08-2004).]

Any update?


[This message has been edited by alfredo (edited 10-10-2004).]

Anybody heard the alleged buzz?

Sorry, Alfredo. No, I haven't heard the MaxX2A. Have you, what are your impressions?