I am in the process of buying myself a nice big PA system since it is not worth renting any more.
I am considering this package here.
2x LX215 700W dual 15in speakers with Peak USA1600 amplifier

Do many people know much about Wharfedale?
I know they used to be made in the UK or something but some say they have gone down in quality.
Has anyone had dealings with Peak Audio either?

I am also considering this system, it is more expensive and less powerful but JBL is pretty secure.
2x JBL JRX125 speakers with Stanton A.1800 amplifier

I am going to do a side by side comparison next week but you can't tell much in terms of durability/build quality by looking at a speaker and listening to it.

Thanks for the help.

___________________


Sign this petition!

Are you really sure you want an amp and passive speakers? It might be better for bigger rigs where you have a larger vehicle and can deal with the extra equipment and cabling setup work, but for most people with smaller requirements the self-powered speaker is the trend.

It could be easier later to sell the self-powered speakers at a good price if you want to upgrade or whatever, since more people want that type of gear.

the warfedales will shift some air with thier dual 15" cones.

warfdale were always associated with quality hi-fi speakers. they lost their appeal in the last decade so i guess are diversifying into the pa field more now.

if i were you i would not deal with jbl at all. especially the jrx stuff. it is very cheap and harsh sounding due to poor quality drive units. the warfdales you mention will be better... just make sure you have at least 300-400watts(rms) of power per speaker (so a 2x400wrms amp). otherwise those 15" cones will be very uncontrolled and non punchy. 'peavey' and 'qsc' power amps are great value and are respected names in the mid range amplifier bracket and they will definately manufactre a model to suit your needs.


instead of going and buying brand new gear though, you should look at second hand stuff if you can. as long as the second hand speakers sound good upon demostration they should be ok.

___________________
*** Sig edited -> no banner ads in sig
----------------------------------------
http://img404.**************/img404/2794/deresionbanneryx4.jpg
www.deresion.com

Thanks for the replies.

I have been looking for second hand gear that is in my bracket but it doesn't seem to come about very often here.

Unless those Wharfedales won't fit in any of the cars in my family I feel pretty set on getting them.
I can't seem to find a peavey amp powerfull enough that is near 700watts each channel @ 4 ohms.
There is actually the Peavey CS2000 but that is way out of my price range.

Ill keep looking but the peak audio amp seems fairly nice. Anyone got any horror stories about them?
Ill keep an eye out though.
Cheers

___________________


Sign this petition!

the thing to look at on amps is firstly the power ratings (and at what percetage thd they provide the power.) now if the amp is giving you 700watts rms @ 0.1% thd then its gonna be better than if the rating is 1% thd. the next most important thing i find is the damping factor. the higher the number the better. so a damping factor of 1000 is very controlled and punchy bass but is usually found on the best amps.

a damping factor of 200 is fine. but most will quote this @ 1khz.

now, a damping factor of 200 @ 200hz is much better than at 1khz and gives a proper idea of how controlled the sound will be.


dont be afraid to look at battered old looking peaveys. they are very well made and will perform forever. 400watts rmx per side is more than enough power for 2 15 inch speakers per box. try the cs range. maybe the cs800... this gives about 400wats @ 4ohm i think. and these were very popular back in the day.

___________________
*** Sig edited -> no banner ads in sig
----------------------------------------
http://img404.**************/img404/2794/deresionbanneryx4.jpg
www.deresion.com

Thanks for the replies richg, very informative and very helpful.

Although those Peavey amps look very nice and I would love to get my hands on one it seems that they don't pop up very often and I definitely wont be able to buy one brand new.

Currently the competition is...
Don't worry about the prices too much, I just put them in for some extra perspective.

Stanton A1800:
•$799
•600W/ch @ 4 Ω : (1kHz) < •Distortion (SMPTE-IM): 0.01%
•Damping Factor (400 Hz): 280

Behringer EP2500:
•$620
•650W/ch @ 4 Ω : 20Hz - 20kHz @ 0.1 THD
•Distortion < 0.02%
•Damping Factor @ 8 Ω > 300

Peak Audio USA-1600:
•$650
•800W/ch @ 4 Ω : (1kHz) < •THD 00.1% @ 500 W +500 W 4 Ω
•Damping Factor 1KHz @ 8 Ω > 400

The amp will be going into 2x LX215 700W dual 15in 4Ω.

___________________


Sign this petition!

Last edited by T-Soma on Apr-05-2007 at 18:10

just looked at some info on these amps you list.


the behringer is definately a no-no. i have seen inside these amps. they have a very small power supply and the control they give to speakers is awful. these amps clip so easily.


between the peak and stanton i would go for the stanton. the stanton is more expensive, but if stanton could sell it for cheaper then they would. the stanton has a honest damp factor of 280 @ 400hz - and this is a lot better than a damping factor of 400 @1khz for the peak. the stanton is gonna be way more useful at controlling those big old 15" cones that sit in the warfdales.

if you can then keep an eye out for an old peavey/qsc but out of the three you mention, the stanton seams to be the one i would go for.

___________________
*** Sig edited -> no banner ads in sig
----------------------------------------
http://img404.**************/img404/2794/deresionbanneryx4.jpg
www.deresion.com

thanks for the help richg.
Hopefully ill be able to make a post next week in the setup thread with pics of what I get.
Very informative posts, I have actually learnt lots.

___________________


Sign this petition!

In you price rane of amps is the QSC RMX series. I would take one of them over the amps you have listed.

Yamaha also makes some very good inexpensive speakers called the club series. Get the version with the textured finish they are much more profesional looking.


http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA...D560500,00.html

This amp has recently come up and if I can get it for a suitable price it looks like a very good choice.

QSC PLX-2402
•$700-$1,000
•700W/ch @ 4 Ω : 20 Hz–20 kHz 0.05% THD
•Distortion (SMPTE-IM & Typical): < 0.01%
•Damping Factor: > 500

If I am lucky and can get my hands on one of these second hand then it will be a done deal.

___________________


Sign this petition!

get it if you can. the qsc plx range is a completely different beast compaired to all mention so far. you see the damping factor is higher than the others and this will probably be @ a 200-400hz region. and the specs will be more accurate too.

___________________
*** Sig edited -> no banner ads in sig
----------------------------------------
http://img404.**************/img404/2794/deresionbanneryx4.jpg
www.deresion.com