+Fly Robin Evox 12 are coming out soon

JBL speakers were crossed over at 100Hz from the crossover in the DXS sub. I gave up a small amount of punch for a lighter setup with arguably a cleaner upper end. I ended up selling the DXS12 subs the following year. Still have the JBL PRX612m tops. I use them occasionally for floor monitors and for outdoor events, as they throw a bit tighter than the EVOX 8.

Steven Montambault

Steven Montambault nice info . Thank you

In person, the EVOX sounds more balanced between the tops and the bass unit .. it may be a limitation of the Canon camera mic in not picking up the lowest octaves.

MrAnders1976 I did a quick pass with a spectrum analyzer to get the JBL tops/ Yamaha subs as close as I could with pink noise and similar overall SPL wise to the EVOX (which doesn't have controls for the tops/subs). The JBL/Yamahas were run flat intentionally .. while EQing will help any system, if they don't work well flat, it will be tough to dial them in. My goal wasn't to make them sound the same .. just to get them close enough so the folks I had originally posted this for could hear what they sounded like.

+Buck Williams Saw and heard the EVOX 12, but not enough of it to compare. It did seem better suited for live sound work with the larger upper transducers. The EVOX 8 is indeed similar to the JBL/Yamaha setup I compared it to .. except it's less than 1/2 the weight and packs in half the size .. a prime consideration for me trying to go lighter and smaller. The JBL/Yamaha setup, though, is probably a better fit for small band (I've used it for such in the past), as it's voicing is better suited to that. The EVOX 8 seemed to sound overall cleaner though on recorded music. Surprised on the bandpass design, as their website still calls it a bass reflex enclosure, which usually means a ported design. The Yamaha subs I have are definitely bandpass and the EVOX sub didn't seem to have the same hum around 80Hz.

+Steven Montambault Yep, I was surprised (disappointed?) myself but the 905's are definitely bandpass. Once you get the front grill off they look like the old 705's (the new 705's are relflex) and like your Yammy's. I took some footage which I will post. Thanks for your views re suitability of the Evox systems for live music (which effectively is what I do). Cheers, again, Ian B, Liverpool, Uk

Daniel Graves The DXS has more peaked bass (befitting it's bandpass design) .. the EVOX bass is smoother. I mentioned it earlier, but the Yamahas would be a better dance sub (especially the 15" version) .. the EVOX a better listening sub. Live, the 2 tops were both good .. just different. I've always found the JBLs neutral sounding, which is why I originally bought them .. they used to be used at times as vocal monitors when I did some live sound work. The EVOX is just a great package and due to the size and weight, will be brought out more often.

Steven Montambault Very good explanations there, The EVOX is a great system for live sound because it sounds so clear. It is preference about the sound as both systems sound great. I think that the Yamaha does suit much better for dance music and music playback. The JBL tops are okay but I think that the RCF's have a much cleaner, brighter sound which I prefer personally. Have you ever looked into an Electrovoice system? I think that you should look to the ETX series and have a listen to them. You may be impressed

Daniel Graves The EV ETX system is excellent .. It's just heavier than I was looking for. The 12" version (ETX12P) is about 50% heavier than the JBLs. If I was doing larger gigs, I would certainly include the ETX as an option, as they get crazy loud.

Steven Montambault Yeah, The ETX series is more geared towards the high end users. I am looking to get 4 ETX18sp's along with 2 ETX35p's. This will hopefully sound incredible. For smaller gigs I use 2 ZLX's and will be using a single ETX18sp once i've bought them.

Apache Cai That's tough .. the HD10a is a great speaker, especially with the 905 sub. The HD32 is a speaker I am looking at to replace the JBL PRX612s I have .. they have one of the best midrange performance of any 12" top I've heard .. mainly due to the fact that with the larger horn, they cross over lower and therefore keep most of the vocal range on that one driver, so less crossover issues with the lower registers. Either of those over the 905 sub will hit harder than the EVOX 8. I love the EVOX as an overall system .. for the weight and size, it performs well and looks clean (IMO) with the thin top. The 905 sub will hit a lot harder than the 12" in the EVOX and will be a better it for larger events. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the combinations assuming you size it to the crowd you have.

Steven Montambault Thank you. So overall HD has a little better vocal clarity than Evox due to its 3" voice coil in the horn, right?

Apache Cai From the limited listening I did with the HD32, I'd have to say yes. There is little to no difference in quality between the HD10 and the EVOX, other than the 905 sub is better (but also heavier and more expensive). While I think the HD32 has more clarity, it would be tough without a side by side to tell which sounds better overall (though I might guess the HD32).

It's closer to the L1 Model 1S with a B1/B2. The L1 Model II with subs is probably closer to the RCF EVOX 12. It would be a step down to go to the EVOX 8 from the L1 II, but maybe it makes sense for a smaller second system .. it packs wonderfully small.

+Lionel Badrock Probably not, unless you augment them with some delay speakers. The EVOX 12 should handle 400, but I would guess 250 is probably the high side for a pair of EVOX 8 unless everyone is packed tightly (like in a small auditorium).

It really depends on what you play, the type of venue you're usually at and what your typical audience is looking for. Any of those systems are fantastic and I wouldn't hesitate to use any of them. My personal opinion .. I don't prefer 15" tops with subs (unless you also use them stand-alone). I think you get better midrange out of a 10" or 12" top .. IF .. you always run with a sub. Without the subs, a 12" doesn't have much bottom for anything other than small events, but if you run a sub and high-pass around 100Hz .. the 15" top woofer doesn't benefit you and going smaller would give you tighter mids. That being said, for live sound, I would go probably with the JBL setup, as it will hit hardest (IMO) .. I think the EV setup will be very close and would be on par with the ETX18SP sub vs the ETX15SP you list. I think the QSC is also a good sounding system .. might not hit as hard as the JBL, but I would believe it might sound a bit smoother .. the KW boxes sound very nice. The EVOX will cover a wider area, and probably give the QSC a run as the smoothest sounding of the four, but the 15" sub will limit it against 18" subs .. BUT .. it will pack smaller and be overall lighter and that is a consideration (main reason I bought the EVOX 8). Another option I would add might be the RCF HD32A tops over the 708-AS II subs. The HD-32A is one of the nicest sounding tops I've heard under $1K and the 18" 708 hits pretty damn hard for it's size.

Thanks very much! Highly Appreciate your inputs. Cheers!

DJ Josh Mortega (sneakmeister) Question about pairing tops to subs. With 10 and 12 tops, which subs pairs with and sound better? Fox ex. 10 tops are best with12 or 15 sub? Please explain reason.

None of the two you mentioned can handle your need (200 crowd/rock band). My best recommendation (in terms of price, performance, set up time, weight, USA made,) go for CARVIN TRC400A (at least) and for more headroom go for CARVIN TRC600A

RD AUDIO Events and Services the evox will easily be able to handle his requirements

airjaff No it won't. You are talking about a rock band not acoustic trio.

geokesidi The Evox 8 is probably on par with a good set of 2-way 15" tops, which isn't really enough for a rock band and 200 people. Of course it will work, and might be enough if you don't run the kick and bass guitar through it. If you do, then you really want a good pair of 18" subs (minimum) and a decent pair of maybe 12" tops (I find they have better vocal reproduction and aren't much different from a pair of 15s if you are high passing them).

For strictly dance music, probably the JBL/Yamaha setup due to the more pronounced bass, though a 10" top would be a better fit. For general listening, the EVOX is smoother overall and less fatiguing, so it would be my choice for an all-around system. Since they are close enough overall, I will probably replace the Yamahas with a better 15/18" sub (under 80# if possible) and add a smaller set of tops.

so the old gear still the best?

dj Simon WXM Not really .. there is no single "best" .. I will use the Evox more often, given that the performance is close and the convenience is much greater. Plus I think, overall, it sounds better. For heavy dance gigs, I might use the Yamaha/JBL setup .. or simply use the Yamaha subs with the EVOX system (I have a dbx DriveRack 260 that will handle that setup).

so the Evox is starting to prove to be an all rounder?

That one I can't help with, as I've sold the Yamaha subs. You wouldn't be able to use just the EVOX tops easily with another sub unless you had an additional amp (the EVOX top is not powered - the amp for it is in the EVOX sub) and a crossover or Driverack. Not even sure if RCF provides enough information on crossover points and slopes, so you'd have to experiment.

With the same input signal, the JBL/Yamaha setup is slightly louder since the horn covers a narrower field (the RCF covers a 120 degree wide area, the JBL 90 degree). So closer to the speaker, the JBL tops are louder .. however, the RCF, because of the linear array design, carries further, so by about 60 feet/20m they are equivalent in my opinion. My camera was 30 feet (10m) from the speakers, so at that point they were fairly close. I have not tried to push both systems as I don't need that level of output for my audiences.

The Yamaha DZR are incredible speakers. I would say the DZR15 would be slightly better, but I personally don't like the look of a large box on a tripod.

Gumyopower did you ever bought the Evox8 or the DZR?

I completely agree that it depends on the application ... The EVOX 8 is only a 12" sub, and the L1/HK use 1 or 2 10" subs, so yes, there will be a discrepancy in the bass compared to a 15. If you highpass that 12" top, and are only feeding it over 100Hz, there won't be a lot of difference in capabilities between those and the linear arrays .. the main difference, as you stated, is that these are designed for much more coverage horizontally, so YES, they give up some SPL in any particular area to a top that only covers an area 100 degrees wide .. but in their favor, the sound field DOESN'T drop off as much as you move outwards, so you get a more even coverage for the audience.

Steven Montambault agree , over here in the U.K. Seeing a lot of people buying these systems to save weight and size which is great but some are a step backwards , I tested the short 4 speaker top box elements e435 per side it is not long enough to do the line array magic of less drop off over a given distance compared to the e835 which has 8 small drivers . I compared this to a high passed Martin audio 10" top running at the program rating 600w , I found that the f10+ Martin top was a lot louder up to 20ft away but after this distance the elements e835 sounded louder , interesting stuff and good to know for each application. The lack of HF compression driver gives them less sparkle at low volumes but makes them more HI FI and nice on the ears at high volumes no HF horn 3khz honk

I use the EVOX 8 for most things where the audience is relatively small (under 150 or so) and relatively close to me. I use the JBL system, with its tighter HF for situations where people aren't as close .. or outdoors. I agree with the 4 element tops (L1 compact, EVOX 5, etc.), but they work well for certain applications (wedding ceremonies, presentations). I do plan on replacing the JBL/Yamaha system with something a bit harder hitting .. primarily for outdoor use. Most likely a RCF 705AS-II sub, but not sure about the top yet.

Olakunle Odebode i have used many systems over the years my favourite for being portable with system chest thump and a lot of clarity and power in the mid hi frequencies is Martin Audio S15+ and F10+ driven at program rating so 1400w to each sub 700w to each top , bi amped with correct processor settings using high quality amps for its size I haven't heard anything else that delivers the spl and clarity. They use B&C drivers. They weigh a lot though 40KG per sub! But the wood doesn't flex on the low notes extremely well made

yurt the TV fight

+bastien delanot Hey Nineteen - Steely Dan

Ah ok.....thanks !

go for evox 12 rcf

While the Yamaha Club series sound fine (I had an older S115IV, same drivers, different grill), they aren't active speakers. Not a lot to push one in that direction these days.

@@stevenmontambault4045 i run 4 15s with 2 dxs 18s and OMG its like a rock concert i think the Evox are clear than your jbls

@@benjaminmyles5886 I did sell the Yamaha sub, as the EVOX are my preferred system (lighter on my back as well). My days of bringing multiple amps to a gig are long gone. I used to run passive with a 3 QSC amp rack (3602,3102 and 2502) running my Yorkville Unity system (biamped tops). Both EVOX together weigh about what a single Unity top did .. my back would leave home if I tried to go back there. :)

@@stevenmontambault4045 hahahahaha im hearing ya

I changed my mind. Especially when factoring price/value. and JBL PRX600 series is a mid-market speaker.

+kuna dread The JBL/Yamaha system gets louder and hits harder, but in my opinion, the EVOX 8 was overall smoother and certainly lighter and more compact (important for my aging back). Everything is a compromise.

As to be expected with a 12" sub .. AND .. it being outside.