Looking for some speaker advice...I’ve already read all the old threads.

I’m looking to buy a pair of new powered speakers for home use and for parties and think I have it narrowed down to either the JBL EON-15 G2 or the Mackie SRM 450. They are both right around the same price (I found both for $1200/pair).

I went around to some shops this weekend and checked them out – both seem pretty solid with great sound. From what I was told, the Mackies probably have a better quality sound (though they use 12 inch speakers) but the JBLs are louder and have more power and more bass. People at the stores had their personal preference (a couple preferred Mackie, a couple preferred JBL). The JBLs sounded like shit at one store (very very muddy/muffled sound) but I don’t know if they were messed up (they sounded good at another store). I will be using for trance and prog house.

Does anyone have any personal experience with these speakers? Anyone else choose between these 2? Also, is it worth looking into used speakers? Should I be looking at any other speakers in this category?

I’d appreciate any info! Thanks.

I prefer the Mackie's myself. The first generation of Eon's started to sound muffled after they were broken in a bit. And the internal amp tended to get a little hot. The new versions have this in a lesser measure, but I've still witnessed some newer Eon's perform sub par after some time. Compared to the JBL's, the Mackies are way more clean, and can stand a serious beating. I know some people who have SRM's for quite some time, and they still sound like new.

Ok, you get less bass extension, but the sound is cleaner and more consistent. If you bring them to a party, you don't have anything to be ashamed though. And if you really need it, you can couple it to a/some SWA series woofer. That combination really is a killer. But frankly, for small to moderate parties, you don't really need that.

Similar speakers are from RCF ART series(which is really a part of Mackie too) and FBT. Those are worth checking too.

all the pro audio people who i talked to over the summer said that mackies are better than the jbls becuase i was looking to rent a pair for a small party

I just picked up a pair of SRM450s about a month ago. I love the quality of the sound that comes out of them. So much better than my Eon Power15. The only thing that I've had problems with is overheating. So far I've played two parties with the Mackies and both times they were plenty of sound and sound great the whole time. But, both times I've had at least one overheat. The first one (a few days after I got my speakers) they both overheated, but the basement was hot. The second one only one of them overheated and I'm thinking that because it was too close to a corner heat was being trapped in that little area. I'm going to be attaching a cooling system to cool the heatsink on the back. They sound great, but just beware of that.

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Thanks for the help. It sounds like the Mackies win. A couple questions - are they literally overheating or is this the automatic shutoff the Mackies have when they are out of the normal operating range?

Also, is it worth looking at used Mackies or is that a bad idea with speakers in general?

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure it's the protective thing shutting them down temporarily because they've reached a certain temperature (obviously to prevent possible permanent damage). It'd probably help if I actually figured out how loud I'm really playing them...I don't really have any idea how hard I was pushing them. I like to play loud

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Watch the peak led mainly on the back of the SRM, it should blink occasionally (on the very loudest parts of your music), and with blinking I mean for a very short period (not on every beat, or not constantly on, it's a speaker, not a christmas three). And be sure you provide enough space at the rear of the speaker, so the heat can dissipate.

Even then, if you already are at the peaking point on SRM's, that's already horribly loud, especially for people near it.

I have the JBL's and I only bought them cause the Mackie's were 300 more dollars. I'm very satisfied and my monitors having them over one year, have not overheated once. I played out at a party for a good 4 hours, with it up very loud and it provided great sound. Theres nothing better that I own personally, that is a better a investment. I just have one. Just one, yes. Its all you need and the sound is so clear. On the back of the speaker, there is a "peak" light. It lets you know when your speaker gets to loud so you don't overheat. If my JBL's would overheat all the time, I definately wouldn't like them. So judging by everyone's comments, the JBL's win.


Steve

I have to put in a vote for the JBLs, but my top suggestion is if possible that you go listen to the two of them side by side. I did, and although I love Mackie clarity and I give them lots of credit, the JBLs just sounded better to me. The Mackies sounded more harsh and the low end was lacking. The harshness would be somewhat less in a room full of people, but the JBLs seemed smoother and lower. The clarity of the JBLs is excellent, and mine have been run for 6 loud hours straight, and my friends (same speakers, 2 years old) ran for 10 straight, full volume with zero problems. If you plan on pairing them with subs later, the Mackies might work out better after being crossed over so they run the mids, generally 12s will do a little better on vocals and midrange than 15s. I was surprised though that when I listened to the JBLs they seemed "warmer" even through the low midrange. Best of luck, either one seems like a good speaker.

-- nathan

I've worked with both but I would go with the MACKIEs.
It doesn't put out as much bass as the JBLs but I think the MACKIEs have a superior all around sound.

Hook it up with a couple subs and you'll rock the house.

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[ ALL THIS B!TCHIN` IS MAKIN` ME SKRATCH! ]

mackies 500%

Thanks for the help guys.

I went to Guitar Center last night and tested out a mix cd of mine on both speaker sets. The JBLs definitely have more bass/low end, while the Mackies have a cleaner, tighter kick sound. The tighter kick may be good for the type of stuff I spin. Would the tighter kick make mixing more accurate as well?

I asked about the overheating thing and they said it was a problem on some older Mackie units that has been corrected. (This guy was all about the Mackies, but you never know considering their commission, etc.)

I think I'm leaning towards the Mackies...I'll do a little more research and hopefully decide soon.