We stack four 15" together on each side, with the four tops stacked on top of them. That setup is loud enough for even larger venues and outdoors. In fact a touring norwegian top 20 band used to use this set as their main PA for 5 years. It is quite something. Not the highest quality brand in the world (it's a noname) - but it gets the job done. The amps are Crown and Peavey. We use an amp rack - just because it is easier to maintain and cheaper. Also you save a lot of weight on the cabs that way. And patching is a breeze. For instance if one unit cuts out, bridging another unit to drive more cabs is a fast operation.

But active has it's advantages to...

DocZ

doc-z,

Thanks for your input. Some answers for you.

Bass and guitar do have their own amps (which they use as stage monitors) AND they do run out of the PA/Mains as well. I find myself 'fighting' with the bass player all the time on PA levels ...

Typically, the band has been playing for about 300 people but the forthcoming event is for 350 ~ 500 at a Hilton hotel conference room (and consequent events will be of such nature). Usually they play for dinner 8-9pm which is when the 'softies come in, then around 10pm to midnight (talking, chatting, meeting with friends and ofcourse hopefully the dance floor (right infront of the group) should be filled up, rigth after they officially open the floor with a hot number.

The idea is also to have 2 main speakers that we can use as stand-alones (with no Subs) for smaller veuues of say 100-200 people, which is why I was thinking of the 3 Way Power speakers too. The subs should come out only for the bigger/larger gigs!

Now, would a 3 way system resolve your issue (of 15" not throwing out the Mids fast enough - eg the QSC KW 153?) I did notice 'slow response in Mids' with the QSC 152s (which are gone by the way) and had to compensate a lot with the EQ on the mixer.

Leezone, as we play similar types of music, we might actually have similar taste in speakers ... (again - might). Have you heard the QSC KW series? The K series sounds rather 'thin' for me so the fact that they use the same "K" Series amps in the KW series (just with wood and not plastic) is still keeping me away from these too - although the weight is down considerably.

Why do I feel like the HPR 153i is calling out now?

Also no mention of the "JBL PRX600 series" (2 EON G2 -15"s which have a very good and 'clean' sound by the way) are what they use for Monitors!

Keep the suggestions coming. Ofcourse I will have to actually go and listen to them, but it would help to narrow down the list a bit.

Looks like we have to go up to $3000.00 now and include Subs (have to sell the K12s so if anyone is interested, let me know 2 new units with barely 5 months of use and 5.5years warantee left I believe.

Leezone,

Looks like the QSC KW181s might be the way to go (when one factors in everything) or the JBL PRX618S-XLF which has some great low-end coverage and seems to be able to operate alone (for a start) ... thought the Italian FBT and RCFs are worth considering as they are great in 'sound'!

Lee, when you say that I like the RCFs, you didn't mention which series, they make about 4 series of speakers, I'm not a fan of the lower series, but the top 2 series sound great.

I think my overall favorite would be the FBTs , but they are not cheap, but sound amazing. I think the FBT and RCF subs sound great.

I can look into the QSC subs if you like. Also another contender has been the new Yamaha series of DSR wood box speakers, with a 2" diaphragm horn, they sound great

The acoustic coupling effect is true on subs, I would always stack them side by side, instead of on-top of each other, once you reach a certain height, you will create a standing wave from the higher sub when the wave hits the floor, it will actually start to cancel out the lower subs waveform.

If you take your subs and always try to put them against a wall that will also increase the "coupling effect" and also help in making sure you don't accidentally create another standing wave from the space between the back wall and the subs.

...which brings me to the question...

Same manufacturer, same series, similar specs, which is better

* 2 - 15" Subs

OR

* 1 - 21" Sub?

In my opinion 2x15" will give you a lot more punch, while 1x21" will give you more sub bass (<50hz)

For rock music type music I'd go with 2x15", and for electronic music I'd go with 1x21".

But that is my taste. I like to emphasize the low mids / high lows, because that's where the punchy thump is.

DocZ

i'm liking the KW181 as they are lighter than my Mackie SRS1500

i think the RCF and FBT are over 100lbs, not practical for 1 man operation, i can handle the 83 lbs KW181

that's 5lbs lighter than my OLD Mackie SRS1500 15" sub,
and 400W More powerful.
i'm always clipping my subs, which means i need more power :-)

the only thing that sucks IMO, is the new screw on stand,
many times i have to play or DJ on the floor, with these poles, my QSC tops would hit the audience right in the ears...
i want sound OVER, and would rather not use extra stands
my existing sub poles are adjustable which i like,
wish QSC would make longer or adjustable poles

Frankie, do look into that KW181 for me please...

QSC makes some great stuff, your weight figures are a little off. Send me an email and I'll get you a price on the QSC


http://www.rcf.it/en_US/professional-speaker-systems/sub-series/sub-718-as 89 lbs

http://www.fbt.it/ENG/PAE/PRODOTTI/SPEAKERS/ProMaxX/ProMaxX-15/index.asp 72 lbs

http://www.qscaudio.com/products/speakers/kw_series/ 88 lbs

RCF specs say 700w amp, but then say 1,000 W power
which is it? or is this continuous/peak?

and then FBT says 1200W and it's JUST a 15" woofer ???

is this 1200W peak or continuous?

i have a hard time believing that this 15" can put out more db/watts vs the 18"