Electro-Voice Evolve 50 - any comments

[jgthatsme]

There have been lots of changes with my band, DJ work, life in general, etc. over the past five years or so. I have a nice PA (all RCF gear) but the subs are feeling a little heavy and I really never used it a great deal. Several companies have come up with something similar to Bose. It seems the leader of the pack is the Electro-Voice Evolve 50. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this system. I know it's not what the big boys would be using but I think it would be suitable for smaller gigs for my band and much of the DJ work I get. Just from looking around on YouTube, there's also the Turbo Sound IP3000 which seems to have greater output but I'm leery of anything Behringer and the bottom sub is around 82 pounds. It'd be better off just using my RCF subs with that kind of weight. Thanks for any insight.

[agedhorse]

Interesting change for EV.

[Dookietwo]

Is it the subs that are the problem or would they be ok if the tops were much lighter?

 

Doug

[madjack]

I'm currently using a pair of Turbosound IP2000s as the foh for a 4 piece classic rock band; guitar, bass, keys, and electronic drums, and 4 vocals. I've had no problems with them and have had them in service for almost a year with regular gigs through the winter season. They handle a 100 seat venue inside with no problem, although I think the bottom would be a little light if the bass wasn't helped by an onstage amplifier. The e-drums, keys, and a guitar are all direct lined with no amps, however. I've also used them for an outdoor street dance, but I supplemented the subs with a pair of Yorkville PS210Ps as I don't think the Turbo subs would carry far enough outside. My wife uses one of the Turbos for her karaoke show in venues up to 100 seats and it works well for her, also. She did have one or two tower speakers start going on hers, but it was taken care of under warranty with no problems.

[jgthatsme]

Is it the subs that are the problem or would they be ok if the tops were much lighter?

 

Doug

 

Definitely not the tops. My tops are RCF ART-522A cabinets. They're an active, 12" bi-amped cabinet putting out a real 750 watts at just under 40 pounds. It's just the bulk and power of everything. Very unlikely to need it at this stage of the game.

 

 

[abzurd]

Look at the RCF Evox12. I think this the best design of these types of speakers.

 

1 - Top connects to sub via good old fashioned Speakon vs proprietary, often plastic, "oh crap something just broke at a gig, now what?" connector.

 

2 - Can be deployed with subs clustered if that makes sense by just using longer speakon cables an speaker stands

 

3 - Traditional, adjustable pole so top height can be adjusted. Most other column arrays that's not possible

 

4 - 4" drivers, as big as I've seen in these types of systems. This is good for those low mids

 

 

[jgthatsme]

Interesting change for EV.

 

Mr. Agedhorse - although I haven't spent much time on this board in the last 5 - 7 years, you are one of a handful of people I clearly remember and honestly thought about from time to time. Your knowledge and experience are vast. You are a sound man's sound man. You are a guru among gurus when it comes to anything audio (perhaps video too). I consider any input you offer, and others should too, to essentially be gospel when it comes to audio. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I was to see a response from you within this thread. I immediately thought to myself "YES - the horseman will tell me it's a great product; go and buy it; or he'll tell me it's a POS; avoid it." Sadly, but nevertheless still appreciated, your input was rather...shall we say benign. I do agree that it's an interesting new item, and there are several similar offerings out there. Unfortunately, the main point of reference right now are things I see on YouTube mostly, but fortunately not exclusively, from DJs. It just seems to get praise, after praise, after praise. I talked to my Sweetwater rep and two other merchants who will sell well below MAP. Everyone just has great things to say about it. My local GC supposedly has one on the showroom floor so I will get there next week to give it a listen (just can't get there this week). Many thanks again for sharing your experience, wisdom, and knowledge on this board!

[abzurd]

Whether a fad, or the future of the small PA, the format has caught on other companies are having success selling these systems EV entering this market is just a "me too" move as they were one of the few companies without a product for this niche (BOSE, JBL, Turbosound, RCF, HK, Peavey, FBT, Fender, etc)

[jgthatsme]

Look at the RCF Evox12. I think this the best design of these types of speakers.

 

1 - Top connects to sub via good old fashioned Speakon vs proprietary, often plastic, "oh crap something just broke at a gig, now what?" connector.

 

2 - Can be deployed with subs clustered if that makes sense by just using longer speakon cables an speaker stands

 

3 - Traditional, adjustable pole so top height can be adjusted. Most other column arrays that's not possible

 

4 - 4" drivers, as big as I've seen in these types of systems. This is good for those low mids

 

 

Yes, I agree Mr. Abz! The Evox 12 is indeed interesting. I looked at it too. I found one review on YouTube which compares the Evox 12 and the Evolve 50. Granted, it occurred in some sort of Mexican Cantina at a CD release party and voting was done by the crowd, many of whom may have downed several Coronas or Dos Equis prior to voting, but the majority felt the Evolve 50 sounded better.

 

I'd like a smaller rig that I can put into the back of my GMC Yukon without beating the heck out of the interior. I'm certain I could fit a small drum kit and a pair of Evolve 50s and maybe a couple small monitors into my truck. I don't think I'd be able to fit a pair of Evox 12s in there. Also, the Evox 12 sub weighs around 60 - 65 pounds. There are a couple excellent reviews of the Evox 12 on YouTube by Trinity sound. During the first review, they say the sub weighs about 35 - 40. I didn't think that was right because the entire unit weighs about 82 pounds. I saw them moving the top speaker around and no way was the top speaker 40 pounds. I contacted them and they said they were incorrect about the weight of the sub. It's more in the 60 - 65 pound range. That isn't terrible but it could be a bit of a pain lifting that into the Yukon and maneuvering my drums, hardware, cymbals and PA gear to make everything fit. I want to tow the trailer less and don't want to buy another cargo van. I know - I want this, I want that...

 

We have a big, outdoor wedding this weekend (350 - 375 people) and then everything we have booked until a few corporate Holiday parties are smaller gigs. I may look to change things around after this weekend.

 

 

[jgthatsme]

Whether a fad' date=' or the future of the small PA, the format has caught on other companies are having success selling these systems EV entering this market is just a "me too" move as they were one of the few companies without a product for this niche (BOSE, JBL, Turbosound, RCF, HK, Peavey, FBT, Fender, etc)[/quote']

 

I may have found my pony. I've been in communication with a big sound company out in Northern California. They have numerous reviews on YouTube and I think they do a very thorough job. The DB Technologies ES1203 seems to be the current leader of the pack in terms of compact, vertical array systems that still pack a good punch. The powered sub has two 12" drivers and weighs a whisker under 65 pounds. Total system power is 1,200 watts RMS, 2,400 peak. It gets down to 35Hz at -10db and 41Hz at -6db. It has a few peculiar things but nothing I find objectionable. I really like RCF gear but as it turns out, DB Technologies is a sister company of RCF and they're also based in Italy. We'll see....