Live Sound & Production

[heath_eld]

Hey there guys,
Sorry to do a topic thats been done to death...

I'm looking to move to an active FOH system and for reasons of price, brand and sound quality i've narrowed it down to these two (having ruled out QSC K, Yamaha DSR). Maybe RCF is still on the list but that will be subject to a different thread.

I've researched and listened to both products to death - unfortunately cant see them next to each other and i havent heard them out.

The price difference now is significant ($3558 for EV Vs about $5500 for JBL down here in aus). I started intending on going with the JBLs and just wanting to try out the EVs. But my listening hasnt really found much difference. The JBL sub wins easily, but if anything i prefer the EV tops. The EV subs are lighter which i would love every gig. I think the EVs look better. (although i will give that the JBLs feel better built).

I've already got a PA, and i intend to buy once, cry once - the price difference is obviously significant but i will spend the extra if theres a significant difference. I'm not one of those guys who is saying "i have a gig on the weekend i have to buy it now".

The shop assistants in both stores said it was a matter of personal preference. I guess my question is shouldnt these products be in a different class? Most reviews on the internet seem to debate which one of these sounds better, and say slightly one way or the other.

I'm also aware that listening to a CD in the shop is not the same thing as working with a band. Would that be a different story?

Cheers

Heath

[agedhorse]

What would the (typical) resale value be between the two brands?

AU is a bit different, the market is anything byut free trade so you are paying a significant penalty that may vary depending on country or orgin and the way the importer handles the product lines.

I would probably recommend staying with the JBL all around provided you can get much of the difference back upon resale. (That's my hunch, that it would be a wash on resale, so you are just "hiring (or renting) the difference".

[mrcpro]

I'm also aware that listening to a CD in the shop is not the same thing as working with a band. Would that be a different story? Cheers Heath

Yes it would! But I'm sure you know that. I have not even seen the Live X series yet let alone auditioned them (so FWIW!) but based on things I've picked up from users they seem to struggle with loud bands and DJs. That is so much money... is there any way you could rent both for an afternoon, take them outdoors somewhere, and crank them up side by side?

[monthlymixcd]

Should you need to rent additional speakers to augment your system for larger gigs... which of these two would be easier to find locally? If you're like me you'd want the same stuff...

[agedhorse]

Yes it would! But I'm sure you know that.

I have not even seen the Live X series yet let alone auditioned them (so FWIW!) but based on things I've picked up from users they seem to struggle with loud bands and DJs.

That is so much money... is there any way you could rent both for an afternoon, take them outdoors somewhere, and crank them up side by side?

Maybe a rent with a credit to buy?

[heath_eld]

What would the (typical) resale value be between the two brands? AU is a bit different, the market is anything byut free trade so you are paying a significant penalty that may vary depending on country or orgin and the way the importer handles the product lines. I would probably recommend staying with the JBL all around provided you can get much of the difference back upon resale. (That's my hunch, that it would be a wash on resale, so you are just "hiring (or renting) the difference".

Hard to say - obviously the JBLs would sell for more on resale, but in both cases selling second hand gear here (or most places) is a losing proposition. The EVs would give you less to lose is the other factor. The EVs are still significantly cheaper in the US, too, arent they?

[heath_eld]

Yes it would! But I'm sure you know that. I have not even seen the Live X series yet let alone auditioned them (so FWIW!) but based on things I've picked up from users they seem to struggle with loud bands and DJs. That is so much money... is there any way you could rent both for an afternoon, take them outdoors somewhere, and crank them up side by side?

Thats the sort of feedback i'm looking for - i read one post that says "Live X is awesome, sounds better than JBL" then another that says the opposite. In that regard, its like almost every piece of gear out there, theres not much middle ground. I know whitesol on here uses them and likes them - i guess thats my question - is it just a Ford Vs Holden (Chevy to you guys) debate? The JBLs feel like they are more pro - and they come across as being marketed to a professional market. One of the things i've noted about the EVs is that most posts about them (outside HC) are written by DJs - and although in some ways DJ use is similar, its also quite different to live sound.

[agedhorse]

Typically, DJ's quality goals is not as high as pro audio. Some ma, but as a whole not so much.

[Zeromus-X]

We own both. We use the JBL PRX612M for mains and the EV ELX112P for monitors. We have run shows using the ELX112Ps as mains and had no problems. The PRX cabs aren't angled properly for monitors, IMO, and the matching subs aren't as good as the PRX XLF sub, which we wanted to keep consistency for weddings and corporate type things. In the end, my opinion is that you will not be $2,000 happier with the PRX rig. If there was that big of a difference, we'd own a full ELX rig. I'll also note that we bought both because we couldn't justify the PRX tag for the monitors. When we heard them, to our ears, there's not a big difference at all, and I was going to send my PRX cabs back for the EV ones to save some money and so that we'd have more options available to switch mains and monitors out. However, the ELX didn't have fly points, and the PRX does, which was a major selling point. (We're not flying the cabinets anymore, so I guess that doesn't matter much now.)

[heath_eld]

Typically, DJ's quality goals is not as high as pro audio. Some ma, but as a whole not so much.

yeah. And what sounds good playing a CD is not necessarily going to give nice clarity in a live setting.

[heath_eld]

We own both. We use the JBL PRX612M for mains and the EV ELX112P for monitors. We have run shows using the ELX112Ps as mains and had no problems. The PRX cabs aren't angled properly for monitors, IMO, and the matching subs aren't as good as the PRX XLF sub, which we wanted to keep consistency for weddings and corporate type things. In the end, my opinion is that you will not be $2,000 happier with the PRX rig. If there was that big of a difference, we'd own a full ELX rig. I'll also note that we bought both because we couldn't justify the PRX tag for the monitors. When we heard them, to our ears, there's not a big difference at all, and I was going to send my PRX cabs back for the EV ones to save some money and so that we'd have more options available to switch mains and monitors out. However, the ELX didn't have fly points, and the PRX does, which was a major selling point. (We're not flying the cabinets anymore, so I guess that doesn't matter much now.)

Appreciate the thoughts - You do prefer the JBL though? Is it just preference or is it actually a better product? Cheers.

[bigjd]

I have a complete EV ELX system and couldn't be happier with the way I chose to spend my money. Sounds good for my band,if I really need a bigger system then somebody else will provide it. Doing a good sized out door party tomorrow with it and I have no fear that it will do the job well. And I did try operating it with the built in xovers and I like it through th DRPA better

[twostone]

Holy crap over $3k for EV subs :eek: and over $5K for JBL's ? is that for a pair or just a single sub?

[heath_eld]

Holy crap over $3k for EV subs :eek: and over $5K for JBL's ? is that for a pair or just a single sub?

hang on thats the set of 12s and subs... 2 of each.

[twostone]

Oh okay, so what are you planning to mix with this active rig? and how big are the rooms? also how's the pay on your music scene?
Might consider the return on your investment.
.

[heath_eld]

Oh okay, so what are you planning to mix with this active rig? and how big are the rooms? also how's the pay on your music scene? Might consider the return on your investment. .

95% of my paid work is for a function/covers band playing typical dance classics through to modern top 40. I also mix for my church and use my own gear. So its all real music (no electronica). I mix off a soundcraft fx16, shure mics etc. I've got a pair of mrx which will be monitors now. Return on investment.... Hmmmm... I earn about $220 a night. I dont have all that much work but i dont really chase it. I know that there are groups out there charging a lot more for sound services. If i stopped upgrading, my business would be much more profitable... Essentially i spend my earnings on gear... What can i say? Gear slut... Lol.

[heath_eld]

Went with the ev... Tops only at this stage with subs to follow. Happy with it but i'll obviously have a better picture after some live use. I figured worst case if im not happy they become foldbacks like for zeromus

[twostone]

Went with the ev... Tops only at this stage with subs to follow. Happy with it but i'll obviously have a better picture after some live use. I figured worst case if im not happy they become foldbacks like for zeromus

Well there ago they can dub and wedges, anyway just a heads up the poly plastic coating they spray on them is paper thin and scratches really easy so baby them if don't don't get covers for them.

[heath_eld]

Well there ago they can dub and wedges, anyway just a heads up the poly plastic coating they spray on them is paper thin and scratches really easy so baby them if don't don't get covers for them.

Planning on getting some. The shop didnt have them or even know the product number.

[twostone]

Planning on getting some. The shop didnt have them or even know the product number.

Well good luck with new speakers and I'm with Age about Djs reviews I just pass them off because their not dealing with mics scatter all over the stage and instrument blasting away at the vocal mics. Nothing personal against Djs just a different gig then live music.