Gosh! I didn't know there were many dj's on this site that used Mackie 1530's. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img] I have a pair of 1530 's because I wanted to add more "presence" to my system when playing larger venues. They certainly help! But, they are not the same as my RCF's, which have more clarity and tight LF. Mackie bought out RCF's technology and began incorporating it Mackie speakers, i.e. 1530's, 450's. The Mackie 1530 takes more power to "get it up" to volume equal to the RCF (mains & subs), which then of course forces the Italian made RCF's to override the Mackies. Fortunately, each of the RCF speakers have a volume control on the rear to adjust for this very issue. That's my only complaint with the Mackie 1530's when used with my main system. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif[/img]
Now comes an interesting question that I would pose to everyone reading this post.
I would like to hear especially from those of you who know about speakers and their outputs.
Everybody knows that the Mackie 1530's are big and bulky to handle at 111 lbs. each. They are rated at 500 RMS each and are a three way system with 300 RMS amp on the bottom and 100 RMS each for HF and MF. Here's my dilema. I have the opportunity to pick up a set of used RCF ART 500A's (powered) that are the same series as my current RCF Mains and Subs. The ART 500A's are no longer available for sale in the USA. The 500A's are 400 W LF and 100 W HF and 129db/1m peak power. These RCF 500A's are the same size cabinet as my RCF 800A subwoofers, and stackable with one another. I realize that the 500A is only a 2-way system, but has 100W more power than the Mackie 1530; ART 500A 15" LF is 400 W vs 300 W LF in the Mackie 1530. And, the 500A is designed to compliment the other RCF's that I now have.
Comments on what I would lose by switching the RCF ART 500A for the Mackie 1530? Is 3-way really that noticeable vs. 2-way system? I would gain in aesthetics (looks) by having all speakers with the same cabinet design. Also, the overall sound would require less tweeking with the ommission of the Mackie. Plus, the weight of the ART 500A is about 20 lbs lighter than the Mackie 1530. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif[/img]
Comments, please.
Art DJ
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