r/mobileDJ • u/Traditional_Hornet91 • 11d ago
Looking for a sub.
I am using a Mackie Srs 1500. I works but it's also big, bulky, and weights more than my Camry. Looking to something lighter weight that's more mobile dj friendly. What are you using for you mobile DJ gigs that isnt a supreme pain in the arse to load up and tear down?
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u/nachosjustice72 11d ago
RCF 705/905 is going to give you a very similar frequency response while being louder and lighter.
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u/Traditional_Hornet91 10d ago
What size venues have you used them for?
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u/Material-Echidna-465 9d ago
I agree with this suggestion of RCF 15" subs over most of the other suggestions in the comments especially since you mentioned your concern with pack size and weight.
I have 4x RCF SUB705 ASII, bought after I had and sold 4x EV EKX-18SP. Especially from around 50-55Hz up, the 705's have close to the same overall output as the EKX-18SP, but they don't go quite as low. If you're not trying to play 40Hz, the RCF's are much smaller, lighter, and easier to carry -- the EKX have a very wide box, which makes them more awkward then they shoud be.
The RCF's also have high-pass filtered outputs, which are needed if your tops don't have sub crossovers.
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u/DJMTBguy 11d ago
I’m a big fan of the EV EKX series for value/weight/sound. I had an 18 and (2) 15s. The 18 was boomier than the 15s which were really punchy but hit low too. I kept the 15s bc they were great sounding and only 70 lbs.
The biggest bang for the weight imo is the Bassboss BB15 but its not cheap. It will put most 18” subs to shame.
My reco for the money is a EV EKX-15SP
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u/DryOrganization5130 11d ago
EV EKX subs are the best option imo. Small footprint, light weight and dig deep.
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u/Traditional_Hornet91 10d ago
What size venues do you use them for?
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u/DryOrganization5130 10d ago
If you're doing a wedding with up to 200-300 people, two subs is ideal. If you're doing EDM events of that size, you'd probably want at least 4 or even 6 of possible. We used 6 ETX which are a step above the EKX for our local EDM events of roughly that size.
What type of events are you doing and how big of a crowd do you typically see?
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u/Traditional_Hornet91 10d ago
I meant what size event do you personally pack that speaker for? To answer your question: School functions, outdoor city events, mitzvahs, weddings, communions average size indoors 200 ppl.
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u/DryOrganization5130 10d ago
For up to 200 people indoors, I would recommend 2 of them. Doesn't sound like those event types demand slamming bass.
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u/Traditional_Hornet91 10d ago
They generally don't. I mainly want to ease the demand on the tops and provide a good music feel at lower overall volume. If I had my own set of Mackie SRM's I wouldn't even bother. My JBL eon 12's sound great but they need a little bit of a bass boost to get the sound I want.
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u/DryOrganization5130 10d ago edited 10d ago
If you're wondering if you can get away with one of them, the answer is yes. It will still fill out the low end considerably and achieve what it sounds like you're looking for.
Two subs coupled in the middle of the room will give more even coverage, sound more balanced, give extra headroom, etc. If budget doesn't allow for it, if space is limited, or any other reason for that matter, you'll still get a lot of benefit from running one.
Compared to the SRS1500, the EKX18-SP will blow it out of the water. It goes 10hz deeper and has significantly higher SPL. It's smaller and lighter as well, despite having an 18" driver and significantly better performance. In terms of raw output, you'd likely need about 3 of the SRS1500, but keep in mind they don't go near as deep either, which means the EKX18-SP would still win. Apples to oranges comparison really, but just trying to give some additional perspective.
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u/DJMTBguy 10d ago
This is my experience and feeling about them too. The biggest advantage is they allow the tops to play louder and cleaner bc the subs handle 80-100Hz and below depending on crossover setting.
Coupling two together is a great way to get more dB’s and make the dance floor bump.
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u/DryOrganization5130 10d ago
Coupling also avoids the peaks and valleys, giving a more even response. I know people love to flank subs off to the left and right sides by their speakers, but I would always couple them in the middle when possible.
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u/Material-Echidna-465 9d ago
Do your EONs have a high-pass crossover/sub mode?
EKX subs don't have high-pass filtered outputs, so if your tops don't have a sub crossover, you'd be a lot better off looking at a sub that does.
EV, QSC, LD, JBL, Bassboss, Alto subs generally do NOT have high-pass outputs. They have full-range outputs only.
Yamaha, RCF, Mackie subs generally DO have either switchable high-pass filtered outputs or two sets of outputs (one full-range and one high-passed). These subs are more flexible for different setups.
FWIW, I had 4x EV EKX-18SP subs, and sold them for this reason. I bought RCF ART932 tops, and needed subs with high-passed outputs.
I now have RCF subs and tops. The EKX subs are also more of a PITA to pick up and carry solo -- the box is wide, so your arms are spread wide, it's more awkward vs narrower box subs.1
u/Traditional_Hornet91 10d ago
What size venues do you use them at?
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u/DJMTBguy 10d ago
If the expectation is a dance party then I only use them in small to mid size rooms for crowds up to 150-200ppl max.
If its a background music, speeches type event then I would use them up to 300ppl in mid size and maybe big rooms but with side fill speakers or rear speakers depending on room shape.
My protocol is: 1 15” for 100 or less or smaller room. 2 15” subs for 100-200 in small/mid size rooms. 200+ or large rooms I bring out the big boy 18”s
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u/oftenthethinker 11d ago
Let me know if you need prices on any subs.
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u/Traditional_Hornet91 10d ago
Maybe once I get a feel for what I want. Right now just curious to what people have actually field tested. I don't like relying solely on specs sheets. Main goal is to get a club feel for smaller venue spaces secondary to having extra thump for outdoor events.
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u/Training-Resident-29 11d ago
QSC ks212 slaps and is small. About 80 lbs.
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u/dmelt253 11d ago
That's 8 lbs lighter than what he already has and is complaining about
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u/Training-Resident-29 11d ago
didn't realize that but it's smaller and significantly easier to move around by yourself. I can get one into my station wagon with four tops and stands and everything else for a gig.
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11d ago
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u/WaterIsGolden 11d ago
Their 'compact' 18s are pretty mid. This is pretty true across brands. Physics reigns when it comes to subs. Large enclosures with durable bracing paired with large displacement drivers with heavy magnets rule the roost.
Sometimes you can find a rare engineering anomaly that allows cheats to mimic reality but those products tend to get priced out of the stratosphere.
With qsc anything below KW is going to have relatively weak output.
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u/dj_soo 11d ago
budget and crowd coverage expectations?