martinbass7750 Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Hi All, I'm hoping for some opinions on Mackie gear here. I currently use a pair of SRM450's with a mackie CFX12 MK2 desk. I'm happy with the sound. But as I've just updated my bass rig to get it smaller and lighter, I'm thinking about doing something similar with the PA. Best option would be to get someone else to provide it but as that won't happen I'm looking at alternatives to the SRM450. One option is the SRM450 V2 - each cab is 40 lbs (rather than 52 lbs for the 450 V1). Does anyone out there have experience of the V2 - i.e. is the weight saving noticeable? (I'm sure it is), is the sound the same? (or better?) Or are there any other active cabs at 400 watts rms that are 40 lbs or less and sound as good or better than the SRM450 without pushing the price up too high? Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 RCF ART310A - Sonically easily a match for the SRM450s, lighter and smaller. I paid about £380 quid each a few months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 The RCF ART310A ("A" for active - note there is a cheaper passive version) is a 350 Watt speaker with a 10 inch drive. This is more equivalent to the Mackie SRM350 (which is also available now in a lighter "V2" version). Both units are very high quality, lighter and cheaper than the SRM450. They might be worth considering. [url="http://www.mackie.com/products/srm350v2/"]http://www.mackie.com/products/srm350v2/[/url] [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/8711-rcf-art-310-actives-pair-.html"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/8711...ives-pair-.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) [quote name='BOD2' post='504460' date='Jun 3 2009, 09:38 AM']The RCF ART310A ("A" for active - note there is a cheaper passive version) is a 350 Watt speaker with a 10 inch drive. This is more equivalent to the Mackie SRM350 (which is also available now in a lighter "V2" version). Both units are very high quality, lighter and cheaper than the SRM450. They might be worth considering. [url="http://www.mackie.com/products/srm350v2/"]http://www.mackie.com/products/srm350v2/[/url] [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/8711-rcf-art-310-actives-pair-.html"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/8711...ives-pair-.html[/url][/quote] Thanks for your answers guys. Aren't RCF associated with Mackie? I have a feeling they design or manufacture the drive units for Mackie. The RCF310A's look like they are discontinued, although there is still some stock around. EDIT *** not discontinued, apparently their most popular speaker *** I also looked at the SRM350 V2, but wasn't sure I'd get the same sound and coverage as with an SRM450 (or V2). Another option would be to keep the 450's and buy a pair of RCF310A's or SRM350 V2's for smaller gigs. I could use them as monitors for larger gigs! Oh dear, yet more gear to cart around Edited June 4, 2009 by martinbass7750 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted June 4, 2009 Author Share Posted June 4, 2009 So after the suggestions here I did some research and spoke to a couple of dealers. The RCF ART310A is very highly regarded out there, so I've ordered a pair. Price seems to have gone up a bit (£409 each was the best I found) but I did get the zip up bags thrown in, and the RRP on those is around £70. Power and SPL is very similar to the SRM450's, whereas the SRM350 is down on power and SPL. I just need to decide now whether to keep the SRM450's as backup, or sell them! I also found out the relationship between Mackie and RCF. RCF designed and built the original SRM450 for Mackie. Mackie bought RCF. Mackie 'absorbed' the designs. Mackie then put RCF on the market, and a management buyout sorted it. Mackie moved production of the SRM's to China. dB Technolgies is now a sister company of RCF. Just in case anyone wanted to know! Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stewart Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I don't think you'll be disappointed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinbass7750 Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 [quote name='Stewart' post='505264' date='Jun 4 2009, 09:09 AM']I don't think you'll be disappointed [/quote] I used the ART310A's at rehearsal last night - certainly a match soundwise for the SRM450's. Probably not as good for kick drum etc, but great for vocals. I'm not convinced they go quite as loud, although on paper they should do as the max spl is the same. The cases aren't quite as handy as the Mackie ones. They stay on the cabs which is nice, but the Mackie ones have a side pouch which I keep the mains lead and XLR leads in - the RCF bags don't have that. I'll hang on to the SRM450's for a while until I've gigged a few time with the ART310's, but initial impressions are good. Out of interest, there's some opinion out there on the www that prefers the V1 SRM450's to the V2 SRM450's - apparently V2's are stronger in the mid range which can give more feedback issues, so more careful EQ is required. I've never had any problems with the V1's, they are great speakers IMHO. Thanks for the advice, Cheers Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.