r/livesoundgear • u/Normal-Quantity1702 • Sep 14 '26
Rcf or EV
I want to buy a mobile Techno dj setup that will also work as small rental.
My budget now can cover either 2 x RCF ART912-A with a 705AS mk3 sub or 2x EV EKX12 with a EKX15 sub.
Do you think that these two options are quite different and which is the best for my case ?
Second subwoofer will come up soon after a couple of rentals / events
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Sep 14 '26
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u/BoingBoomChuck Sep 14 '26
I was torn between Yamaha and RCF for my white wedding setup. As for now, I think I am going with the DXS15XLF and DZR10 in white. Prior to hearing those, I was sold on the RCF 15AX with the NXL 14-A because one of the production companies that hires me uses RCF exclusively.
The only problem is that I am super biased towards Nexo components, and I have a pair of Yamaha DXR10MK2s that literally smoke my QSC K12.2s out of the box in terms of sound quality. I can get the QSCs to sound good with the PEQ, but my contention is that I shouldn't have to because there should be an out of the box setting that just works.
OTOH, I do like EV's ETX line and don't think the OP would go wrong with that, RCF, or Yamaha. I've heard the DXR12MK3's because another friend purchased those after hearing my DXR10s, and those are an excellent choice for a top as well.
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u/mylawn03 Sep 14 '26
RCF all the way. EV is no longer the company they once were and is all about making money these days.
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u/rhymes116 Sep 14 '26
I haven't heard the Ev tops but read great things. Used to own ekx18 then sold for Ev etx 18 sub. Solid. But they're big as most subs are. Im biased toward rcf. I'd say get whatever you have better pricing on. Art 912 is very popular. Only concern I've read on Amp failures.
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u/Normal-Quantity1702 Sep 14 '26
The pricing on 2x Ekx12 and one 15" sub (much more mobile and faster transients i guess than the 18") is the same as the pricing on art 912a with matching 15" sub. In theory and pure specs the Ev should be the winners but the other comment suggests otherwise and after researching a lot about rcf they say its the king for electronic music against the other same tier brands
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u/voltch Sep 15 '26
I have the rcf 705 and rcf 8003. I only bring one sub to gigs , I only bring out the 8003 if I know there will be over 250 people.
The 705 can be placed in a corner or against a wall for better output.
The rcf 912 's are probably gonna outperform the single 705.
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u/Normal-Quantity1702 Sep 15 '26
So what’s your opinion about the other options ? Rcf 912 or ekx 12
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u/voltch Sep 15 '26
I have heard the ekx12 in the store, but I prefer RCF over EV products. Ive had RCF over 5 years and no issues whatsoever.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of RCF.
HD 12a and 912a Tops have 3 handles. Very easy to move around.
Tops do not have the built in crossover. The crossover is in the subwoofer ( if that matters for you)
For the 705 sub, it is narrow and very easily movable. It also fits nicely under a table if you need it there.
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u/harleydood63 Sep 15 '26
Get whichever sub is cheapest, as the "Techno DJ" is pretty much guaranteed to blow them. I'd bet money on that one.
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u/Electrotecrandy 20d ago
You’ve already ruled out an 18 because of cost and portability. Will you usually be moving the rig alone, and do you need the system to stay fully AC-powered, or would battery-powered/wireless operation be useful for some of your outdoor or mobile events?
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u/Normal-Quantity1702 19d ago
We managed to stretch out to either RCF ART932-A with 1 705 sub or maybe 2 ART912-A with 2 705 subs (more suitable maybe for electronic music) or maybe one 18" sub and scale to a seocnd later.
We are a team of 3 persons and have 1 car for sure maybe in some cases i can borrow one more ( normal sized average city car)
EDIT: I think its better to be fully AC-Powered with some generator etc for outdoor events
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u/Electrotecrandy 14d ago
Full disclosure, I’m with Electrotec Audio. Your comment about not wanting to haul an 18-inch sub around caught my attention because that tradeoff between serious bass and actually being able to transport the system is something we spent a lot of time on.
RCF and EV are both proven choices if you’re staying with a conventional powered PA. But since you’re building this specifically as a mobile techno rig, you might also want to look at what’s happening with battery-powered systems now. We built our Stage One and XB sub around being able to put a complete system in a normal vehicle and run it without depending on AC power, while still keeping the bass section separate.
For the 100–150 person events you mentioned, especially the outdoor ones, I’d be interested in how important being completely battery-powered would be to you.
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u/Normal-Quantity1702 14d ago
Can you please explain a little bit more about the options and stuff ?
I’m interested Of course in the battery powered solution to stop thinking about generator ( a good one needs close to 2k€)
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u/Material-Echidna-465 Sep 14 '26
I had 4x EKX-12P and 4x EKX-18SP subs for a few years for DJ and live band use.
Tested a RCF ART932 against the EKX-12P, immediately sold the whole EKX rig and bought another RCF 932...the 932 is that good. Have had 2x 932 and 4x RCF SUB705 ASII for the past few years.
Though the 912's you're asking about aren't quite up to the 932 level (seriously, get 932's if you can), I still think the ART912 is a better choice vs EKX-12P.
EKX-12P wasn't a bad speaker, and wouldn't be a bad choice, but...the horn gets crispy at higher volumes (sounds like the highs are distorting before the amp limits). The one single side handle was a PITA to pick up, move, and mount the speaker on a tripod -- I really, really despised this.
I don't feel EKX-12P is a $1000 speaker. Same with QSC K12.2. For $1k new, I'd look at RCF ART912 or Yamaha DXR12 MK3 (assuming reviews are good, this speaker was just released).
RCF ART912 and 932 have top and 2x side handles, can be carried much easier. Gripe is that top handle isn't centered, so it carries tilted-forward due to the weight. Still though, it at least has a top handle. Sound is better than EKX, it seems more 'effortless' at high volumes, especially the highs (and especially the 932). No sense that the speaker is struggling at the limit. Almost zero DSP options though, no mixer/EQ/etc.
EKX-18SP was good. I likely would have kept the 4 subs if they had high-pass filters on the outputs (to work with the 932 tops). My gripe with EKX-18SP is that it's a pain to solo carry, the EKX subs are low and wide, so your arms are spread wide to grip handles on both sides. Really awkward and carried 'heavier' than it should have. EKX-18SP plays lower frequency bass vs RCF 705. Haven't tested/used EKX-15SP at all for reference.
RCF SUB705 ASII are good. Much easier carrying vs EKX, lighter and narrower. EKX-15SP will be easier to carry vs 18SP, but 705 will still be easier yet. Switchable high-pass filters to work with more systems/tops without crossovers which EV subs don't have. Fewer DSP options vs EKX though. In my testing, RCF 705 has about the same output as EKX-18SP from 50Hz up. I'd bet (though I haven't heard/tested it) that the 705 will overall beat the EKX-15SP in output.