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Topic: Should I buy EV Zx5 to replace Sx200s?

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Hi all,

So I was DJing in a marquee last night with my EV Sx200 (the older model of the Sx300) and a pair of SB122 subs, with a QSC powerlight 2.0 powering the Sx200s (650 watts per side) and and mackie M3000 powering the subs in bridge mode (a lot of watts, can't remember exactly). And a Dbx driverack PA doing the crossover, EQ, compressor, etc. Anyway, the sound was kind of flat and I was thinking that maybe I could get a better sound and I've read some good things about Ev Zx5. Here's my 3 options that I can think of.

1. Do nothing. There's nothing really wrong with my setup. Next time get there earlier and play with the EQ a bit more (boring!)

2. Buy a pair of Zx5s. I'm hoping that with these I wouldn't need my subs, and I'm not sure I'd be able to fit the Zx5s and subs in my car anyway. I'm hoping that the powerlight amp will get enough out of the zx5s for most gigs, but if I had anything massive I could just use one amp for each speaker in bridge mode.

3. Buy the Dbx measuring mic so I can get the driverack to EQ my current rig and make it sound better (even more boring than the first option!).

I think I'm just looking for an excuse to buy some bigger speakers. I've got a few gigs coming up that'd help to pay for this stuff, but I don't have the money right now.

What'd you lot reckon? Any advice greatly appreciated. :)

P.s. It's mainly for small to medium sized mobile discos, mainly weddings in posh hotels, marquess, etc. Mainly events of up to 200 people. I've got a quality set up already, but I'm always on the hunt for more power and more bass out of a set up I can fit in the back of a car.
 
Posted Sun 23 May 10 @ 9:13 am
Hi Andy,

This is the big thing were all trying to find, anyway the problem with EV is that the sub that goes with the ZX5 is to heavy for anyone to lift and you wont be able to use the SB with the ZX5's because the SB's are smaller and that would look stupid.

I have a few quality setups at the mo, by the way I do the same events as you. I'm currently smitten on either using a pair of FBT Verve 152's for small event or FBT Himaxx40's & FBT Maxx 9s subs for slightly bigger events.

If I want to go mad I can setup two amps and use Verve top n bottoms.

You would be worse off I think simply going for the ZX5's seen as you currently have top and bottoms even though there 12's.

Maybe time to look to a different brand that offers matching top's and bottoms that you can lift.
 
Thanks for that info, I was only looking at the Zx5s because I've seen a good quality second hand pair for £900 in my local dealer and they normally cost £1500. I've checked the reviews on the internet and apparently these make you go "wow!"

I feel that the bass response on the Sx200s isn't really great, even with the subs doing 160hz and below, there's no kick in the kick drums. Perhaps the best thing would be some better 12" tops so I can keep using the subs I've got. I'll have a look at the FTBs.

But also there's the lure of less trips to the car if I can get away without subs because I have bigger speakers.
 
Just out of interest, how come you don't put the verve speakers with the subs for larger gigs, surely if you've got something big you'd want to take your biggest (and hence loudest?) speakers?
 
Ooops! They were on buy it now on ebay, so I just bought them anyway before they could get away.

I'm thinking that I'll use them on their own most of the time, but I'll try them with the subs just to see if they add anything or not. If they do I'll just put them out of the way somewhere so they don't look too conspicuous.
 
I have the EV's and while they rock and do have nice bass, if you want "thump" sorry you are going to need subs.... I suggest maybe buying a bigger car, a mini van or something so you can haul the gear you want to buy.

Will the work for a crowd of 200 and people be happy? Yes,,, people being happy most of the time comes from your performance and personality as a DJ.

I have seen a great DJ kick butt with a pair of 12" speakers on a stick.

90% of the time, all that bass we want, is exactly that,,, bass that we want. The client wants a great DJ who knows how to make their event special.
 
Thanks, yeah, you're right. Until last year I was that guy with just 2 12"s on sticks (rocking the party of course!)

I'll see how they compare and how much bass they have. It'll be interesting to see how they sound. My EVs are the only "pro" speakers I've used whilst doing mobiles, apart from the occasional outing with some mackie srm 450s. I'm assuming for £1500 new without an amp they should kick some 12" mackie's butt!
 
It\\\'s all very well saying about a DJ that gets by with 12\\\'s because of his personality but sometimes it\\\'s just not gonna work, you do need great sound as well especially if you want to get paid well.

I do use the verves (tops n bottoms) but only at really big events as you need two amps and a speaker lead for each cab, where as the other FBT setup has a built in crossover in the sub as your SB\\\'s do.

Although I have a transit van I\\\'m going to get a bigger car too, looking at one of these.



EV do an 18" sub (Force I Sub) with a crossover but no 15" by the looks of it.



By the way EV do an active sub, can't remember the model but let me tell you it's the heaviest sub I've ever come across (two man job)
 
Well a trailer and some 18" subs could be on my wish list soon!

To be honest, that's the reason I thought I'd get these, they're a good starting point for a much bigger system, I can upgrade to a bigger amp in time, look at subs and all that business if I need to, I just need to stop getting carried away for now!
 
At the end of the day you got an alright deal so no harm done, I would be getting some sub's now so that you can sell your SX and Sb system.

PS, What amp you got?
 
Nice car btw!

I've got a vauxhall astra currently so I'll see when I get these exactly how much room I have left.

I've got a qsc powerlight 2.0 hv currently running the tops (650w continuous each side 8ohm stereo) and a mackie m3000 for the subs (2400w continuous in bridge mono @ 4 ohms). When I was researching some people mentioned kv2 and dynacord subs, but I don't know anything about those.

I just found the EV Qrx 118s sub which looks fantastic, but I think it's gonna be out of my price range.
 
At least you don't need amp those seem powerful enough, that subs a weird shape for a sub isn't it at first glance I thought it was a full range speaker.

Looks like there about £875 each

A nice 15" would be nice but they don't do one, I would of had a pair of ZX5's years ago if they'd of made an accompanying sub.

It's like they don't cater for people that are mobile.
 


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