Peavey PR15 + PV118 Sub

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[bmac]

Went to the local Guitar Center today for the 1st time and checked out their pro audio gear (Thanks alot, Dano - now do you  see what you've started?).  They had some Peavey PR15 speakers that sounded pretty good to me and seemed to be priced reaqsonably for a name brand 15" cabinet.  Of course, (a) I have a tin ear and (b) I really don't know how to evaluate a speaker for theater purposes.  The sales guy suggested pairing these mains with a the Peavey PV118 18" sub and powering the speakers and sub with Peavey PV2600 amps.  This was the passive set up.

I then listened to the JBL EON10 G2.  They sounded very good also. .... Until he turned on the JBL EON15 G2's.  I almost soiled myself.  I did not get to listen to the subs (Peavey or JBL) but I would speculate that either would be more than adequate at supplying the low end for movies.  The store did not have the non-powered JBL EON1500's in the store, but does offer them on-line ($200 more than the Peaveys, per speaker).

The JBL Eon's have been covered very well on this site.  Their sound quality has been well-documented and I believe that I would be very pleased with the EON10 G2's.  The EON15 G2's  would be my dream speaker, were I to go with a powered set up.

But what about the Peavey's?  I like the price point and, even if I buy amps, I still come out ahead (price-wise) than if I went with the powered JBL set-up (even with the EON10 G2).  Does anyone have any experience with these speakers and/or amp?

As an aside,  if you folks were going to incrementally build up to a 5.1 surround sound system and (for budgetary reasons) had to choose between getting the R&L Fronts  +  Sub OR R&L Fronts + Center, which option would you choose?


As always, I appreciate the feedback from you experienced folks and I always manage to learn something from your replies.

[Danoplex II]

Bmac,

You about soiled yourself?  LMAO

Yeah they do sound really nice.  I like my 1500's.  Hiredpower likes the G2's.  I think Cherry Hills uses the G2 10 inch ones.  I can't remember......I know someone does.

Check eBay for those.  You can find all of them on there and sometimes get s really good deal.  There is a version 1 of the Powered 15" EONs that doesn't have as much power as the G2's.  You may be just fine with those and they are always on eBay.

I have a JBL JRX118SP 18" powered sub for sale.  Email me if you are interested.

Dano

[bmac]

Bmac,

You about soiled yourself?  LMAO

Yeah they do sound really nice.  I like my 1500's.  Hiredpower likes the G2's.  I think Cherry Hills uses the G2 10 inch ones.  I can't remember......I know someone does.

Check eBay for those.  You can find all of them on there and sometimes get s really good deal.  There is a version 1 of the Powered 15" EONs that doesn't have as much power as the G2's.  You may be just fine with those and they are always on eBay.

I have a JBL JRX118SP 18" powered sub for sale.  Email me if you are interested.

Dano

They did have the 15" Eon, version 1 and i did listen to them also.  Now, I'm sure these audio guys can set up their listening room in ways to steer buyers in a particular direction, so take this comment with a grain of salt.  But, to me the 10" G2's soundsed way better than the 15" G1's.  Again, maybe it was the way they had them set-up.  According to the sales guy, as we compared the speakers, he used the same input  source and each speaker was set to 50% (or something like that).  The 10" G2's were plenty loud enough, The 15 G2 almost knocked me over.  But when he switched to the 15 G1, I could barely hear them.  He had to turn them up alot more to get the same volume as the others.  Now, sound quality may be just as good, but I think my initial reaction to the low volume may have negatively affected my opinion.

I think the shipping would eat me alive on the sub, were I to buy it from you (we've discussed this recently via e-mail).  Wish I was close enough to drive over and pick it up.

Thanks for the reply.

[bmac]

I then listened to the JBL EON10 G2.  They sounded very good also. .... Until he turned on the JBL EON15 G2's.  I almost soiled myself. 

C'mon bmac, just do it! Get those 15 G2's.  

I'm sorry I don't have any experience with the peaveys.

I will plug the JBLs one more time. When I went in to business, I conceded to the fact that I needed to buy a top quality product. My clients are impressed and I get more business because they have a great sound. I have been using the JBL EONs for the last 11 years and they still sound like they did when I bought them.

Most of the time you truly get what you pay for. I know you will never regret buying these, EVER!

Get Dano's JRX sub and you will have the ultimate set-up. I have the same exact sub and am extremely happy with the total package.

Even if you aren't going to do this commercially, it is a rock solid investment.

<Edit>

Why haul a rack of amps when you can get a Crown amp built right in the Eons?

Between you and Dano, you aren't making this very easy for me.

Here I am trying to be financially responsible and shopping for value and you 2 are  fighting me all the way.  JK.

What about the second part of my question?  Let's assume that I fall prey to your and Dano's bad influence and decide to go with the 15 G2's but I don't want to do the entire surround thing all at once.  Do I get 2 G2's and a sub or 3 G2's for R, L and Center?  These 2 options are too close money-wise to let that be a deciding factor (within $50) so it boils down to the audio experience.  Better dialog vs gut-wretching lows.  Please don't say just get them all at once - I don't need anymore temptation.

Thanks again.

[Danoplex II]

I totally agree with Hiredpower on that one.  Get the 2 EONs and a sub (even if it is not mine) and then the surrounds later if at all.  The center would be the last thing and most unnecessary.

Do it....... you only live once!

Dano

PS I have another Yamaha MG 12/4 just like the one I used for the Danoplex II.  I will make you an awesome deal on that.

[Cherry Hills]

I've used Eon 10 (G1), Eon 15 (G1) and Gemini GX-250 at church. The Eons sound great. The Geminis sound very good, but can get kind of boomy if you don't tweak the bass control on the internal mixer just right.

I don't even want to know about the G2 boxes. I have too much equipment as it is!

[tscoff]

I've rented Peavey equipment in the past when doing a dance recital in an auditorium capable of holding slightly over 2000 people.  Two of the Peavey speakers with 15" drivers and one 400 watt amplifier turned up to about 40% put out too much sound for the auditorium.....and it is a big auditorium.  The exact quote from a friend of mine when I put in a normal CD was "I thought you were trying to knock me over" and he was at the back of the auditorium.

[bmac]

I've rented Peavey equipment in the past when doing a dance recital in an auditorium capable of holding slightly over 2000 people.  Two of the Peavey speakers with 15" drivers and one 400 watt amplifier turned up to about 40% put out too much sound for the auditorium.....and it is a big auditorium.  The exact quote from a friend of mine when I put in a normal CD was "I thought you were trying to knock me over" and he was at the back of the auditorium.

Thanks for the reply.  While volume is important to me, I think clarity is the most important characteristic I am looking for.  And fullness.  My 30 year old 50 Watt per channel amp and first generation Bose Acoustimass speakers are plenty loud enough.  In our first test run, my wife was worried that we were disturbing the neighbors and their house is 300" away.  And, I honestly thought the sound was good for a home stereo 2.1 system being played outdoors.  But, I've been bitten by the pro audio bug and can't seem to shake it.  This morning in church as our praise band was playing, all I could think was "Yeah, that's the kind of sound I'm looking for".  Big, full sound.

My guess is that the Peavey's would sound great.  But, for some unexplained reason, I'm gravitating toward powered speakers.  And the JBLs just knocked my socks off.   My only reservation about the eon 15 G2s (aside from price)  is size and weight.  The 10" G2s seem much more managable.  The thought  of lugging five (eventually) 40-50 lbs speakers in and out of the house to set up the BYT is not terribly exciting to me.  Not to mention a 90 lb sub.  But, the sound potential of this set-up is leaving me sleepless.  I'm getting very excited.

We'll see what happens.

[Coon Creek]

 

You  really have to compare apples to apples,

THE JBL's are well known in the High End Audio food chain and the sound really cannot be beat in that price range
I am a true JBL fan even thou I have more expensive speakers, the JBLs are outstanding. If you go for less, you will probably end up  grading soon after anyway

 COON CREEK
http://64.143.45.222/cooncreekhome.htm

[Danoplex II]

My guess is that the Peavey's would sound great.  But, for some unexplained reason, I'm gravitating toward powered speakers.  And the JBLs just knocked my socks off.   My only reservation about the eon 15 G2s (aside from price)  is size and weight.  The 10" G2s seem much more managable.  The thought  of lugging five (eventually) 40-50 lbs speakers in and out of the house to set up the BYT is not terribly exciting to me.  Not to mention a 90 lb sub.  But, the sound potential of this set-up is leaving me sleepless.  I'm getting very excited.

OK, time for Dano to chime in again.  The Peaveys are excellent speakers.  I considered them but they seem to be VERY hungry for power.  You should (will need to) have enough power in reserve that your amp has the "ass" to power your speakers.  If you have not gone to JBL Pro's website, please do.  Find the write up about "headroom" and read it.  It is very important.  The Peaveys will require a larger amp and that will just about pay for the EONs.  I am assuming you are getting non-powered Peaveys.

I think if you are planning a sub you could for sure get by with the EON 10.  It would sound just fine.  No sub?  Get the EON 15 G2's.  The EON's are not that heavy.  I started out with JRX115's and it was all I could do to get those beasts onto the tripod stand.  Two man job for sure.

Now you have heard from me again...lol

Dano

[tscoff]

If you have a local pro audio dealer and you're going to buy from him, ask him if you can rent his display equipment for a day with the cost of the rental being refunded if you buy a system from him.  Set up the speakers and amps (different configurations) in your yard the way you'll listen to them and play a movie through them.  You won't be able to see the movie during the day, but you'll be able to hear and that's what is important.

Then buy the system that sounds the best to you.  You're buying for your ears and that's what is important.  Buy the system that you like the sound of the best.  Your friends and family won't notice the difference while you're playing a movie but you wlll and you'll end up upgrading anyway if you don't buy the best system for your taste up front.

[bmac]

If you have a local pro audio dealer and you're going to buy from him, ask him if you can rent his display equipment for a day with the cost of the rental being refunded if you buy a system from him.  Set up the speakers and amps (different configurations) in your yard the way you'll listen to them and play a movie through them.  You won't be able to see the movie during the day, but you'll be able to hear and that's what is important.

Then buy the system that sounds the best to you.  You're buying for your ears and that's what is important.  Buy the system that you like the sound of the best.  Your friends and family won't notice the difference while you're playing a movie but you wlll and you'll end up upgrading anyway if you don't buy the best system for your taste up front.

Tim,

That was good advice.  However, I received it a little too late to implement.  I pulled the trigger on 2 JBL EON15 G2s this evening.  Also got a mixer and some cables.  Waiting on the sub to see if I can work something out on a used one. 

I put things together tonight in my basement (less projector).  I first tried out the speakers by running an iPod through the mixer.  WAY too much speaker for my basement - barely had them turned up at all and my wife had to come down to see what was going on.  Even restrained, they sound great.  Next, I hooked up the DVD player to the mixer to see if I could figure out how to get sound from DVD to the speakers - this took a little time.  Too many knobs, buttons and sliders for someone who had never used a mixer before.  Eventually, I had everything sounding great.  Can't wait to add a sub to the mix.

Thanks again for the advice.  That would have been a good idea to try renting first.

[cinepro]

My love affair with JBL died when they were bought up by a margarine company! In  I think it was the early 80's. What does pro audio and butter substitutes have in common? Brand Names! and thats when the outsourcing to asia started!

Personally over the years here in Sydney, Australia. I have custom built several complete cinema speaker systems. JBL components were originally my first choice for my first systems but over time I moved away from them because they were not worth the high price tag!
The outsourcing has created a situation where exactly the same product is avaliable but with 2 totally different brand names placed on it! one at half the cost!

Whilst I have supreme respect for James B Lansing (JBL) and his earlier Altec Lansing. The Man and his work were the stuff of legends! JBL still represents quality for a (high) price. Altec however is now just a badge on cheap chinese computer speakers or a poor recreations of their once famous A7s The Voice Of The Theatre.

Personally what you listen for in selecting speakers to enjoy movies with is dialogue inteligability, cheak many different movies and pay attention to deep male voices and high female, can you understand every word? how realistic does it sound? how much does it cost?

If anyone would like to DIY build a speaker system I am more than willing to help.

Below one of the cinemas I built the speakers for. It sounds better than it looks!

[KJDJ]

My love affair with JBL died when they were bought up by a margarine company! In  I think it was the early 80's. What does pro audio and butter substitutes have in common? Brand Names! and thats when the outsourcing to asia started!

Personally over the years here in Sydney, Australia. I have custom built several complete cinema speaker systems. JBL components were originally my first choice for my first systems but over time I moved away from them because they were not worth the high price tag!
The outsourcing has created a situation where exactly the same product is avaliable but with 2 totally different brand names placed on it! one at half the cost!

Whilst I have supreme respect for James B Lansing (JBL) and his earlier Altec Lansing. The Man and his work were the stuff of legends! JBL still represents quality for a (high) price. Altec however is now just a badge on cheap chinese computer speakers or a poor recreations of their once famous A7s The Voice Of The Theatre.

Personally what you listen for in selecting speakers to enjoy movies with is dialogue inteligability, cheak many different movies and pay attention to deep male voices and high female, can you understand every word? how realistic does it sound? how much does it cost?

If anyone would like to DIY build a speaker system I am more than willing to help.

Below one of the cinemas I built the speakers for. It sounds better than it looks!

I lost a lot of respect for JBL when they came out with the bottom JRX line and they got "proud" of there re cone kits.

I have be come an Eminence fan in the $400 speaker world. The Eminence loaded Yamaha Club Concert cabs blow away the JRX line and the re cones are half the price.
I have a couple of KiloMax 18's in small single 4cu/ft cabinets. Baby you want serious LFE in a single cab 18 look out!

I'll take my JBL SRX 47** or SRX 7** stuff to the grave. Nothing sounds better.
But for the best bang for the buck and at around $400 for a 15" and a 1" horn? Yamaha gets the nod from me.