They sound great with a little RMS 35 watt per side stereo powered mixer with no reverb. The bass and drum sound is going to be hard to beat with any 12" speaker I think. If it weren't for the cables and having to keep up with a nanoverb etc., I wouldn't even look at anything else.

I wonder how they'd sound with a Mackie or other very good powered mixer. Of course I haven't tried anything but the Samson. It had good reverb and the over all sound was very good, but it was pretty weak for supposed to be 200 watts and it looked pretty rough.

Who here uses the powered mixer and speakers set-up? Which powered mixers do you recommend?
Boo

What? You've given up on the EV SxA100 self powered monitor idea? If $ is the problem, spring for just one self powered speaker and run mono till you can afford it a mate. I really think the self powered PA speaker route is best for light weight portability, quick setup, and quality sound, which it sounds to me what you want. In addition, for the type of acoustic jazz I know you play, the SxA100's are perfect, very smooth response from top to bottom, without the overly accentuated bass some speakers have which is't appropriate for straight ahead jazz. Hey, the sooner you get it, the sooner you can start making $ making music. - Scott

Boo,

I use a Samson SD8 stereo powered mixer (275 watt per side, built-in effects, 8 pannable channels) with Peavey 15" speakers. I know that Samson equipment is often frowned upon, but it sounds good to me. The one problem for me is this - I was trying to use my YST-MS50 speakers for monitoring, but it seems that the monitor signal is only Mono, which means that I only hear the left channel through the stereo speakers. I end up having to hook into Aux out and pick up a full mono signal, which also does not work too great.

Nonetheless, I would side with Scott on the size and weight issue - it would be much easier to transport, use, and set up a pair of powered speakers with a small un-powered mixer if needed. With my system I need to spend at least 40 minutes to set up (and hook up) the speakers, the amp and the monitor and do a sound check. With powered speakers I could likely cut the time down to 15 minutes. So I am shopping around to replace my system with a pair of biamped speakers, from EV (SXA), JBL (EOns), Mackie (SRMs) or Peavey (Impulse P-series).

Regards,
Alex

Don't do it boo.....get the EV's...watch the pendulum...you're getting sleepy...sleepy...sleepy...your arms are getting tired of carrying big heavy clumsy speakers...there's no more room in the back of your pacer..(remember those?)now, run to your nearest dealer and buy one of those things and enjoy it...light weight, great sound for jazz/acoustic, even hi fi cd's sound great. Only needs help with the big deep bass...Good Luck..Brian

C'mon, Boo, join the EV SxA100 club! You'll be thanking us later!

Angelo

If my son can book a trip to Toledo (I assume Ohio) with his 18 wheeler and I can get the store to hold it until he picks it up I will make the deal. It's $299 + taxes. They won't ship.
Boo

I got an offer from Zzounds for $475 plus $3.99 shipping. $299 plus tax sounds a lot better eh?

Anyone compare the EV's to the JBL G2's? I'm considering getting two of those someday when I grow up. I currently use a Fender KDXSF200 Stereo Keyboard Amp which only has 160 Watts.

Al

Boo, where in Toledo (the store) have you found SXA100 for $299? It's a really good deal!!

Thanks
Shiral

Have you guys used Yamaha MS400?

Shiral,

Someone on the forum told me $299. They must have made a mistake. I called the store today Mars Music of Toledo and they want $349 plus shipping.

I've read and heard too many nightmare stories in the newspaper and 60 minutes where people thought they were getting a ggod deal then it fell through and they couldn't get their money back in a bankrupt deal.

If I were someplace where I could walk in and pick them up for that price I'd do it. Can you imagine me paying for them on the phone and my son getting there and being told another salesman sold them to somebody else. With shipping they'd be $400. I have an offer from Zzounds for $478 that includes shipping.

If I don't get them this week so what, they will only go down in price as time goes on.
Boo

HI: danb
Yes I use the MS400 very very good.
They are 15" just love em.
I got them about 15 month ago & have
approximately 1100 hrs. on them & no
trouble at all yet. ( knock on wood )
But they cost a little more than the EV's
& a little heavier.
Denny

EV sxa100 for $429.00 and free shipping.
Check it out. http://www.worldmusicsupply.com/ShowItem.cfm?Item_detail=SXA100

Boo, Thanks! It looks like there are better deals out there given the risk involved.

Shiral

Boo,
As you know I have Peavey TLS5's also. When I use them, I have a 1000-watt digital power amp and Mackie 1202VLZ mixer hooked to them.
They sound great, particularly considering the price. I haven't used them much lately, since I have a couple of other setups also.
DonM

I contacted World Music Supply. They won't ship them for free. They want $60 shipping.
Woodwing and Brasswind is the best deal. $900 including shipping for a pair of SxA100's.

I'm trying to see if they will sell me one to try for myself first. Like everyone says, "you have to try them for yourself."