DJGold

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

I have 2 SP2-ti and 2 SP2G Speakers and I'm still trying to get the best sound out of them I can. I used to run them full range one of each connected to a PV500 bridged mode and the other two connected to a second PV500 bridged mode. Now I am trying to Bi-Amp them and trying to figure out crossover frequencies. The Peavey documentation I have says they have the same woofers and horn drivers yet the ti says the crossover frequency is 800 and the 2G says 1800. Any ideas on the differences? So far the best sound I have gotten is to use the Sub out on my x-over to the lo side of the SP2ti cabinets through my Mackie FR2500 amp bridged, the lo on the x-over to the lo side of the SP2g using both channels of a Pv500, and the hi from the x-over to the horns on the SP2G using both channels on my other PV500 and currently not using the other two horns in the ti cabinets. Any ideas?

TheBartman47 · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:48 pm Post subject:

What crossover are you using? If I read that right, you are actually tri-amping and using the SP2ti as subwoofers and the SP2G as mid and high cabs. This may very well be the best usage of what you have, especially since you didn't mention having any real subs. If you set the SP2ti on the floor, and stack the SP2G on top of that, then you should get the best performance that way, as the woofer in the SP2ti will be able to couple with the floor, enhancing low-end response. I would start by setting the crossover frequencies in this situation at 125Hz and 1,200Hz. Play some music that you mostly play, and if you seem to be maxing out the SP2ti before the others, then lower the bottom crossover to 100Hz. If the horn on the SP2G seems to be distorting or running out of power before the rest of the system, then raise the upper crossover point somewhere between 1,200Hz and 1,800Hz. I don't know what crossover you're using, so I can't get too specific in dialing in crossover points at this time.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

X-over is an ART311 (mainly because 1/4 inch outs to connect to PV500). The SP2g are on top of the ti which is sitting directly on the floor. I have the sensitivity all the way up on the Mackie about i/2 way up on the mids and about 1/4 of the way up on the hi. Yes I am basically trying to use the ti woofers as subs for now.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

Ok. Change of plans. I just got home from GC. I found a deal there on a used Yamaha SW218V. Now I guess I'll try using the 15" BWs in all 4 SP2s for mids and see what I get.

TheBartman47 · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject:

Use all 4 horns too, or are you saying just use 4 woofers for mids and only drive two horns? If so, you're probably going to be too strong in the mids, or rather, only two horns won't be able to keep up with all that mid power. I'm not sure how similar/different your two speakers are in the horns, but you might be able to get them to couple for great projection by stacking one speaker upside-down on top of the other speaker (so the horns are as close together as possible). If the horns are similar enough, then the sound will couple and you'll be supprised at the additional output and projection you'll get from that arrangement.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

I am using all 4 horns now and tried your upside down trick and it sounds pretty good. I was only using two horns for a while then after I bumped the crossover up to 1800 it sounds better so I hooked the other 2 up and flipped the tops upside down. The Yamaha Sw218V is running 2500 watts bridged from the Mackie Fr2500 the 4 SP2 15" BWs are running off of a PV500 and the 4 SP2 horns are running of of a 2nd PV500. If I read the amp manuals right the PV 500s are delivering 210 watts RMS per channel in to a 4 ohm load on the horns and another 210 watts RMS to the mids a 4 ohms. The subs make all the diffrence in the world.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

Ok. It sounds pretty good now and I haven't smoked anything YET. But after reviewing the specs on the Mackie F2500(2500 watts Continuous Sine Wave Average Output Power into 4 ohms) and the Yamaha SW218V(1200 watts program 2400 peak) I'm thinking I have too much amp for the subs.Am I right?

TheBartman47 · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject:

Yes, your amp is a bit more power than the sub needs, but as long as you are very careful, it will work just fine. Do not pass any clipped signals and do not drive the amp to peak and you'll be fine. It takes self-restraint, but it can be done.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

The FR2500 is rated at 750w per channel into 4 ohms. The binding post and speakon connectors are paralled. Would I be better off to run the 15 inch speakers in the pair of SP2ti and the pair of SP2g cabinets off of the mackie amp and find a different amp for the sub?

TheBartman47 · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:30 am Post subject:

You would actually do best to use the FR2500 in stereo mode, and put the SW218 sub on one channel (and if you need more bass, get a second SW218 and drive it with the other channel). Since your sub is 2400 peak and 1200 program, this means it is 600 Watt continuous. So with a 750 Watt amp going to it, you are a tiny bit over the continuous rating, which is good for DJ work, especially if you play a lot or trance/drone or heavy deep bass rap music. This type of music is not very "program" type signals, and is more like continuous in the bass region. So, you would want an amp that is near the sub's continuous rating instead of program rating to be safe. Most modern music is very compressed so you can't drive subs to program rating, but older music, like classic 70s rock or 50-60s oldies can be played at program rating. Classical music (if you know what your doing) can be played at the peak rating. Example, only the initial hit of the timpani will go to peak level, while the resonance of that drum will play out at a much lower level. Having an amp rated at the speaker's peak level will allow enough headroom for the transient to pass undistorted. But realise, with an amp rated at the speaker's peak, this means you MUST keep the average music playing at least -6dB to -10dB to allow for those peaks.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

I was wondering if the Mackie would be enough amp for 2 sw218v. I almost bought another one last Saturday but wasn't sure about the amp specs till I got home. I'm guessing I would want a amp that would crank about 600 watts per channel @4 ohms to run the SP2ti and SP2g woofers.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

Ok. Now I did it. I hate when GC has a BIG sale. I picked up another FR2500 and another SW218V. I am driving the 4 15" BW mids with one fr2500 stereo mode and driving the 2 SW218Vs with the other but I have a question. Don't I run the SUB amp in dual mono mode?

TheBartman47 · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 10:54 am Post subject:

Yes, dual mono or stereo is the same thing to an amp. Just don't bridge the amp, as it could not handle two dual 18 subs (impedance would be 2 ohms if you put two subs on a bridged amp). But you can run both SW218V subs on one FR2500, one per channel. You could connect it L & R or if you have a summed mono sub output from your crossover, then feed that same mono signal to both channels. (You may be able to select some of these options on the amp; I am not familiar with what all settings are available on that model).

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

Yes it has a switch for the dual mono hookup. It sends 1 input to both channels. I send the Sub out on the crossover to this input. Then I just hooked up 1 SW218V to each channel.

TheBartman47 · Posted: Wed May 30, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject:

yes, some amps have that option to send the one signal to both channels (dual mono). That is perfect for your situation.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

Have you heard any of the PR series Peaveys? I'm thinking about picking up a pair of PR15s and maybe a PR Sub for small jobs, karaoke, and also as monitors in a small band setup.

TheBartman47 · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:32 pm Post subject:

I have heard the PR series. They sound good for what they are, but be aware, that they are "entry level" speakers. They would be good for small rooms, but not good enough for a high school dance or other large event. When I'm doing real small rooms, I use a pair of my SP115M monitors. I use them as stage monitors (obviously) for bands performing on stage, which is their intended use, but they also have a pole mount adapter where they can sit on a tripod speaker stand and be used as small mains. They have a very good sound and work well for up to about 50 people in a small room.

gonzo78 · Joined: March 4th, 2007 Posts: 51

Question? Would the VSX26 be a good option to add to this setup?

TheBartman47 · Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:00 am Post subject:

It would be worth the investment to use with your SP series speakers. You'll be amazed at the increase in sound quality from bi-amping your top cabinets. If you will also get the PV-2 reference mic and use the built-in RTA on the VSX26, it will automatically set the EQ for you. I've used it in some really tough rooms and it was still able to make the system sound better than I could with just my ears and adjusting an EQ manually.