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Topic: Amp Help Please.......... - Page: 1

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Ok if I got 2 of these,
Peavey PV215 PA Speaker

The Peavey PV215 PA Enclosure seems almost too good to be true but it is the real deal!
The Peavey PV215 is a 2x15-inch, full-range, passive, 2-way PA speaker cabinet, which handles 700 Watts of power (program, 1,400W peak), with a wide frequency range, all for a nearly unheard-of price. Its typically rugged Peavey durability includes 3/4-inch MDF construction, metal handles, a full metal (not plastic!) grille, heavy duty carpet and Peavey's Sound Guard III HF driver protection network. Its components consist of two heavy duty 15-inch woofers and the Peavey RX14 1-inch compression driver on a large format horn for smooth vocal performance. Peavey has seriously raised the bar in value-priced, high-performance PA speakers with the new PV215.

And 2 of these,
Peavey PV118 PA Subwoofer

The Peavey PV118 reinforces Peavey’s Performance & Value legacy with an incredible price on this High Powered 18 inch subwoofer!
This high-impact sub is a vented enclosure, loaded with a Pro Eighteen 18-inch premium woofer and built with dado-joined 3/4-inch MDF. A pole socket mount is built in to the top of the cabinet for mounting full-range speakers. The PV 118 handles 400 watts (program) and is rated with an impressive 118dB SPL rating. Its dimensions are 27.00 x 21.88 x 19.63 inches and it weighs 73 lbs. 8 Ohms.

What kind of amp should I get?? Will I need 2 amps or is there 1 out there that would push them all?? I have no clue when it comes to this stuff, lol!

Thanks for the time and info
Huey
 
Posted Sun 12 Jun 11 @ 1:59 am
Well my opinion is that you should choose speakers that are NOT Peavey!

Anyway - the best way to run tops + subs is to use two amps fed from an active crossover.

If you're using subs, then it's not necessary to have 2 x 15" drivers on your top cabs!

Most of the power in music comes from the bass, so when using subs, all your top cabs have to handle is mid &top, which is can be done with much smaller (8", 10" or 12") drivers + horns.

Save your back (and van space), and also you'll be able to pole mount smaller top cabs.

Buy amps that are at least equal in RMS power to your speakers, although it's preferable to have some watts in reserve as well.

Ideally your subs should be capable of higher SPL than your top cabs. 118dB is dreadful!

Remember, that's where the power is.
 
Ok so no Peaveys. What if I just went with a powered setup like the B-52 Matrix 2000. From what I've read if we got 2 of those systems that should be enough for a gig of 300/500 people, I think.

Any thoughts.......
Huey
 
There are a ton of people with lots of knowledge about speakers and setups here. Probably the best way to get the info you want may be to phrase the question differently. Give a budget and the type of events you think you will be doing and let some folks come up with their recommendations. At least that seems like what you are asking? Instead of asking about a particular model (if you haven't already bought them) you might get a great recommendation from a brand you never thought of :)


Based on the previous post about the pv215/118 combo and needing amps to go with it I am guessing your budget is somewhere between $1500 and $2000 for the whole setup.

That is about what I paid for my QSC setup 2xK10 tops and an HPR151 Sub. Might not be enough for a bigger venue like the PV set but the sound quality and portability are much better. Really just depends on your needs and what type of events you are doing along with how strong your back is ;)

Have also heard good things about the JBL PRX 635

PS: my previous setup was Peavy 15" tops with JBL Subs and Crown amplifiers
 
Well we do mostly live Hip-Hop shows, MC's, Mics, DJ's, Dance Parties. Usually we just do it at clubs and they have their own sound so we never needed it but as of late people have been calling more and more for places like halls and crap. None of these places have their own sound so we've been renting. I figure we might as well just buy our own sound cause in the long run its gonna come out to be the same if not more..........so I guess I need a lot of bass and be able to handle a live band now and again as well as rappers/singers. Right now I have 2500 which is why I went with the Peaveys in the first place. Thinkin if I doubled up on everything (2 sets of the double 15's and a set of the 18" subs). We have a few big gigs coming up so I guess I could go like 3500. Then I saw the B-52 system and they seem decent so I was thinkin 2 sets of that system and I'd be good to go........like I said around 300/500 people the most we've packed in was around 1200.

Input Please.....and Thank You
Huey
 
huey im noe expert but i am using fbt 700watt speakers a good while now and they are the best speakers ive ever had.
also use crown xti4000 amp which i love (have a graphic equiliser also which im trying to ditch seems to be affecting my mic).
my subs are alto 400watt.
love the sound from my system and never overun amp or my djm 5000 mixer
 
sounds like you need a lot of bottom so 18" subs. That can get pricey quick. I personally am in the Powered speaker camp and most powered 18" subs are $1000+ each. I have heard some good things about the EV powered speakers - especially for their price point. A set of their ELX115p tops with ELX118p subs would be in your budget. The Dual 15" mains generally have muddy midrange and less separated sound. No reason to have your subs and mains overlapping frequency range anyway
 
jbart19 wrote :
sounds like you need a lot of bottom so 18" subs. That can get pricey quick. I personally am in the Powered speaker camp and most powered 18" subs are $1000+ each. I have heard some good things about the EV powered speakers - especially for their price point. A set of their ELX115p tops with ELX118p subs would be in your budget. The Dual 15" mains generally have muddy midrange and less separated sound. No reason to have your subs and mains overlapping frequency range anyway


EV ALL the way!!! These new EV Live speakers are the absolute best thing for this price range. I have never heard speakers anywhere close to this pricing point sound this good!

The EV's 15" tops have a tremendous cross over that when working in sync with the Subs cuts out that "Muddy middle" and is clear as crystal! The 12's are okay but start getting a little harsh at around 100dB. The 15's do not! They are tremendous and if you work a gig that does not need the Subs then you have the 15's to make the set.

You cannot and will not go wrong with the EV Live series!
 
Huey, I Have the same speakers. 2- 215s and 2- 118s At first when I got that set up I ran a crossover between my mixer and my amps mids and highs to the 215s and lows to the 118s did that for a couple of years but it was a pain to lug all 4 speakers out for every gig and I also wanted the full range out of my 215s not just mids and highs. so I got rid of my crossover

I use a Samson 2400 to push my 215s @ 750 watts per side @ 4 Ohms Via the XLR main outs on my MC6000

This is a loud set up and I never have my main on the MC6000 more that 50% as well as the channel faders no more than 50% but it\'s nice to know I have the room to push much more sound into the room if I want or have to.


For larger venues when I need much more kick/ thump/bass I use a old Peavey 8.5-C to push my 118s @ 400 watts per side @ 8 Ohms Via the RCA main out on my MC6000.

So if you do get this set up thats what you want your amps to push.... 1 amp @ 750 watts per side @ 4 Ohms and 1 amp @ 400 Watts per side @ 8 Ohms

I have been a Peavey user since I started playing guitar back in......well back in the day lol

The only down side I see to my system is the weight of hauling the 4 speakers in and out. Iit is howevr an impressive site to have over 6\' of speakers on either side of you and it sounds great! I just posted some photos of my speakers in the photo contest thread that is stuck at the top of the forum.

I am also looking at going with the new 1200 watt 12\" speakers that Peavey just made super light and super loud.

Anyways good luck with what ever you choose!


Edit:

Found a old pic of the speakers for you
 
Nice setup bro!!
What I was thinkin of doin was gettin that setup with 2 amps and run 1 amp on the left channel pushin the sub/ 15's. Then doin the same to the right side. Stereo. Hahaa! Then I wouldnt have to run them in parallel cause theres 2 outs on each amp so I wouldnt loose power to the 15's. Hope that makes sense, lol!! I thought that if I ran them in parallel the tops would loose power cause the subs would need it. Am I wrong in my thoughts??

Thanks for all the input fellas, its been helpful
Huey
 
BeatBreaker, if you have not already bought the setup you need to go look hard at the EV LiveX system!!! Seriously you will not find a better sounding system anywhere right now.

AND You get EV amps on the active speakers. If you have never used an EV amp look up the cost of ONE amp. They are simply unbelievable as well and you get them on each speaker.

NICE SET UP JMR!!!
 
Figured I would give break down of the 2 sets against each other for comparison sake

Peavy setup w/ Crown amps

4 x Crown XLS1000 amps @ $300 Each 12lbs Each ---- total $1200 @ 50lbs
2 x Peavy 215 speakers @ $300 Each - 80lbs each Max SPL 123db --- Total $600 @ 160lbs
2x Peavy 118 Subs @ $300 Each - 75lbs Each Max SPL 118 db --- Total $600 @ 150lbs

Thats $2500 @ 360lbs

The amps are a little more than you might need but they are a good deal for the price and if 1 goes out you will have enough power to keep going.

EV Self Powered Set Up

2 x EV ELX115P 1000w @ $700 Each - 55lbs Each Max SPL 134db --- Total $1400 @ 110lbs
2 x EV ELX118P Subs 700w @ $800 Each - 70lbs Each Max SPL 134db --- Total $1600 @ 140lbs

$3000 @ 250lbs and takes up a lot less space

Not sure how accurate the measurements are but 134db vs 123db is definitely noticeable and with the subs 134 vs 118 can be a huge difference

While there is something to be said for the intimidation factor of having a massive stack of speakers towering on either side of you from everything I have read the sound quality of the EV will be far superior to the Peavy and based on the specs the EV will also be louder and easier to set up. To each their own though. I hope whatever you choose it works out well for you :)
 
No disrespect to the person that's running the pv gear but you can do a lot better, I think the pv series doesnt even have the black widow drivers fitted! Also the horns are terrible.

I used to run the top end pv stuff, gps amps, black widows etc and there more for cheesy bands/school bands.

The ev speaker discussed are far better, you can daisy chain the speakers, eg from sub to satellite with the sub having a coil in them. Plus you only need one amp meaning you can then afford a crown xti 4000 or better.

I have to say though I would go active especially if I had no experience with pa systems
 
jbart19 wrote :
EV Self Powered Set Up

2 x EV ELX115P 1000w @ $700 Each
2 x EV ELX118P Subs 700w @ $800 Each

$3000 @ 250lbs


....and you could shave some more $$$ (and weight) off that by using the 12" tops instead of the 15".

As I said earlier, when using subs for the bass, you're better off with smaller drivers for midrange.

My small powered rig (1500W) uses 10" + horn with 15" subs, and my large powered rig (5000W) uses 8".
 
It's too bad you can't get frequency response charts for most speakers. The subs will typically be crossed over somewhere between 80-100hz so 10" or 12" tops will be able to reach the crossover point just fine. I completely agree with you groovin' I use QSC 10" tops in my setup. You shave $200 and 30lbs off the total if you go with the EV 12" tops

The trade - off going from 15" -> 12" -> 10" tops is always throw distance vs dispersion angle. The larger speakers typically have stronger throw i.e more capable of being heard at a distance, however the dispersion angle decreases with the larger speakers, That is why I chose to go with 10" tops because my events most people are relatively close to the speakers and it is better to cover a wider area instead of throwing the sound way out there. Eventually you get into comb filtering and other issues but that is probably a little advanced for this discussion.

As a real life example one of my best friends who also DJ's runs 2 x QSC KW152 and I run 2 x QSC K10 with a HPR151 SUB Both sound really good but I feel I have more Punch on the bass and wider coverage. His set has a warmer mid-range and can push to a greater distance. My 10" tops get a little harsh at higher volumes while the 15" tops don't react as much to the higher volume levels.
 
beatbreaker1 wrote :
Nice setup bro!!
What I was thinkin of doin was gettin that setup with 2 amps and run 1 amp on the left channel pushin the sub/ 15's. Then doin the same to the right side. Stereo. Hahaa! Then I wouldnt have to run them in parallel cause theres 2 outs on each amp so I wouldnt loose power to the 15's. Hope that makes sense, lol!! I thought that if I ran them in parallel the tops would loose power cause the subs would need it. Am I wrong in my thoughts??

Thanks for all the input fellas, its been helpful
Huey



Hmm to do that your going to have to school yourselef in Ohms and any other technical specs that all that may involve because the 215s are 4 Ohm speakers rated at 700 watts program and the 118s are 8 Ohms speakers rated at 400 watts so that would be 12 Ohms per side or 1 Ohm per side (The Ohms are kind of greek to me) and two different wattages. I would not recomend doing it that way. I would run the 215s on one amp and the 118s on another amp.

No offence taken from the people that don't care for the Peaveys at all. I have used that Peavey set up since 2006 and have recieved many compliments on the sound from clients. For an outdoor or larger venue, that system does the job very well. So if you don't mid Lugging all that equpment around or might have a residency where you can set it up and leave it. It's a great system for being Peaveys "budget minded" line of speakers.

Now as for the Idea of two smaller powered speakers on stands and 1 or 2 powered subs. That will be my next purchase down the road. They have many options from JBL, Mackie, Peavey, QSC, RCF.... of 280 watt to 1200 watts 10, 12 & 15 inch speakers that weigh anywhere from 26 to 50 pounds each. That gives you the option of putting some skrims on your stands and adding uplighting under them.

Too many choices and opinions lol. At least you have access to a forum of people that use every brand there is.
 
An 8 ohm and a 4 ohm would only be 12 ohms if they are in parallel but most DJ's daisy chain in series which would make it approximately 3 ohms of resistance. that is why the 215 is rated at 4 ohms it has 2x 8 ohm 15" woofers in series running through a crossover network in each speaker. When you run parallel you add ohms, when you run series you divide the nominal impedance by the number of speakers so two 8 ohms speakers actually give 4 ohms of resistance, 3 x 8 ohm speakers give 2.7 ohms of resistance. Combining speakers of different impedance ratings makes things more complicated. I do not profess to be an expert as there are plenty of folks that can give more detail than me on these forums about ohm load and such. This is just what I remember from my physics classes.

For more info Check this link:
http://www.bcae1.com/spkrmlti.htm


When you daisy chain speakers you lower the resistance which increases the measured output of an amp but the stability o the system becomes an issue the lower you go as amps are designed to push wattage into a specific load. That is why you typically see several different output numbers in stereo and bridged mode. something like:

300 watts 8 ohm stereo per channel
500 watts 4 ohm stereo per channel
1000 watts 4 ohm bridged mono - running both channels into one speaker
1300 watts 2 ohm bridged mono

main speakers can usually be run in stereo from an amp using 2 channels and subs typically run bridged mono into each speaker to create higher output from cheaper amps, and since low frequencies are decentralized the imaging does not degrade when channels are combined.

This is one reason why I lean toward self powered speakers they make things much easier to set up and all the calibration and crossover magic has been done for you. It does make things less flexible and lowers your control over the setup a little as far as power ratings, overhead , amp choice etc. But the current generation of mid range self powered speakers has come a long way in just the last few years .
 
Well I went with EV's (2 15's and 2 18" subs). I'll be getting 2 12's in the near future. I figure for smaller events the 12's and the 15's should work, for the bigger the 15's with the 18's should do for know, I don't know any thoughts on that?? I did some calling around and I'm getting the deal of the century on them!!

Thanks for all the input and ill post pictures when I get em
Huey
 
Well done that man!
 
You need two amps then as the dual speakers are 4 ohm and to daisy chain from the sub would require the satellite speakers to be 8 ohms, your 12's should be ok.
 
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