currently use 2 RCF active tops (712A) and have a single active bin (902AS) Now IMO they do sound very very nice run at sensible levels however when i need to up the anti the tops leave the bin standing.

Now a second matching active bin would be an improvement but at £1k each are a bit pricey especially when i dont think they are that good. My "1000w" bin soon clips and i have even looked at the larger 15" version (905AS) and the 700w versions (705AS)

Now the 15" bins move a lot more air but im not sure they are any better wthout doing a direct A/B

so im thinking of selling the 902 and going passive on the bins. I think i could get some quite nice passive S/H bins for £1k and again a decent S/h power amp. I have a few tastier gigs coming up this year and could really do with something

So regarding the numbers - i assume my "1000w" active bin is purely the maximum amp rating and bears no resembelance to the output and a typical 500w passive bin would be more or less the same.

anyway i would like to hear some views on the subject to point me in the right direction

cheers

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I eat kebabs when i'm sober!

Look at the SPL specifications rather than the amplifier power as amplifier power is irrelevant here.

A 12" sub always seems a little too small to me - 15" gives quite a bit more cone area. You could add another 3dBSPL by exchanging your sub for a dB Technologies Sub15 or 4dB if you went up to a Sub18.

James.

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JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net

Edited by James Perrett (12/01/12 11:52 AM)

Just spend a lot of your free time checking for bargains on t'internet if you want the best deal. They do come up (usually not on eBay...)

I got two of these: http://www.alfelectronics.co.uk/fbt-verve-18s-pa-subwoofer-826-p.aspand one of these: http://www.pro-technical.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/4183/QSC_CX_11 02_Amplifier
for a little over a grand altogether. That's some serious bass for a grand. They're all in great condition, and there's plenty of headroom left in that amp. Subs could probably handle more than what I currently give them too...

So yes you definitely could! If you're prepared to travel a bit and plow through ads/phonecalls/emails, and have the patience to hold out until something good comes up, then Gumtree can be a real goldmine!

I certainly think passive is the way to go as it could be a staggered upgrade starting with a single bin and a S/h or borrowed amp with the view to adding when funding allows.

I was offered some martin audio cabs today....which i had to decline.

Db technologies do a passive version with RCF drivers (500w 132db) which is kind of appealing. just short of £200 more expensive than the normal Db tech bins (500w 130db) which raises the question, is that extra 2db worth it?

Looking round i have found a stack of 500w rms bins for varying sums all stating different max spl ratings - how can i weed out the rubbish. some are very expensive with lower spl ratings, some just state an "efficiency" rating

cheers

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I eat kebabs when i'm sober!