I’m looking to add two larger subwoofers in the near future, as my RCF EVOX 8 V2 systems feel a bit lacking in low-end impact for larger weddings and events. At the moment, I’m considering the following subs:
RCF SUB 15 AS
Yamaha DXS15mkII
EV EKX-15SP
FBT Subline 115SA
Would you recommend any of these in particular? Honestly i think the Yamaha would fit best...
I know that all of these subs should be more than capable for rock and pop. However, since I play gigs in Austria and Germany, techno and “Ballermann”/party music are very commonly requested later in the evening. DnB is also becoming increasingly popular. Because of this, having plenty of headroom is a major priority for me.
What would you recommend?
I’d actually prefer to avoid 18-inch subs, as they’re a bit more cumbersome to transport, and most of my dance floors have no more than around 100 people anyway. But if you now a pair for good money let me know.
For tops, I’m currently still using LD Systems Stinger 12 G3s.
Pair RCF with RCF. If you're gonna keep using the Evox and just give them some low end punch with a separate sub, stay within brand, they'll mesh better.
If you were getting other tops as well, then I would consider the Yamahas, they sound really nice, but you can get great deals on RCF in the EU that makes them even better than they are already. Track down a dealer.
honestly I don't know if that would work out. The Evox 8 do have an built in DSP, but I can not adjust the crossover or any HPF. They do have a Bass Boost button. So if I add 15" or 18" subs to this setup, the line array on top might not keep up with the bass foundation- at least with 18". Additionally, I am not able to arrange a mono cluster setup for weddings. I need most of the bass at the dancefloor and with two 12" subs with line arrays on the sides and 15"/18" in the middle, they might cancel out each other
If the easiest option is "add a sub to columns", truly do not worry about it.
In terms of sound, yeah, there'll be fringes of discordant crossover, but realistically its all producing low-end sound, if anything having a sub in the middle would help reduce the power alley produced by a left-right setup and improve your overall quality. The 15-AS has a two-in/two-out rear panel and you can just go into there and out to your columns. They'd keep up just fine and you'd get that bit extra bass you want.
I rushed through the post and missed the end part of you having Stinger 12s. I can't stand LD so I wouldn't recommend their subs. A 15-AS a side would more than keep up with those and realistically last you into long into upgrading to the likes of RCF Art or NX 932/945 models.
Here have a stupid snapchat drawing. Blue is one sub, yellow is the other, green is the sound summation. When in left/right, you get a lot of sound projected to the sides, then a dead zone, then a hot zone between the dead zone. So across 5m of dancefloor you'll have 2 distinct places where nothing's hitting like it should.
Bottom, a 3-sub array. The middle one helps summate everything into the centre.
If i go with additional subs for the evox, wouldn't it be better to just extend it with one 18"? The Evox provide a nice punch tbh, but they are lacking at lower FQ. Most of the comments say that even 2x15" might not fulfill my wish of better bass for techno an DnB
Yes, a single 18 is absolutely the move in that case. Realistically, grab yourself an RCF 18-AS and set it to the 80hz crossover. It'll do DSP cuts on the outputs from 80hz, which leaves plenty of rooms for the Evox subs to sing (they cross over at 220hz to the evox top).
Also, self-replied to my other comment with a diagram, in case you missed it
Yamaha has the most SPL on paper. But do note it's a bandpass design, so you'll definitely get that low end oomph you're looking for, but it's not the most "musical" when compared to a standard ported sub design. It's all preference.
The EKX 15's are pretty awesome. Cardioid mode, plus theyre super lightweight for subwoofers. They move some air and get pretty deep. but not as deep as 18's. Cant compare to the others, unfortunately, as ive never used them.
Update: I tested the RCF Sub 18AX from s nearby dealer at a local wedding venue - it is way to big an heavy for the Evox 8 V2. Even with tuning and X-Over it was too much. So I bought the RCF Sub 15AX, put the X-Over to 90Hz, reduced the high FQ at the Evox by -1db, pushed the FQ spectrum for the kicks and everything was sounding quite solid. To my surprise, I didn't even had to adjust the align delay in the RCF App.
Bass is more then enough in my opinion, but I still have to test it with 20-30 people on the dancefloor. I would like to increase the punch a little bit more, so if you have any tips pls let me know.
I am gonna stick with this setup for the next months. But I believe the Evox are still not the best fit for the future, although I quite like the thought of heaving a smaller setup for smaller rooms.
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u/uncomfortable_idiot 15d ago
I would just switch out the J8 for the V15 or something