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robertwong Loyal user Calgary, Canada 212 Posts |
I heard about this speaker in the beginning of this year and ordered one in March. Due to manufacturing delays and a short production run of the first batch, it was not until late October I finally received my speaker. All I can say the wait was worth it. This powered speaker packs 150 watts and not only has 3 channels it also has a small EQ.
I was using my Mackie speaker with my Pyle Pro PWMA120. The Pyle Pro is a portable battery operated 150 watt system that has two wireless mics built into it. To be honest I don’t believe it is a true 150 watts, however for a small portable system it does the job. Okay getting back to my set up, I was using the wireless lapel mic from the Pyle Pro, attaching my MP3-Tech, running a line out to my Mackie speaker. This small portable PA system is what I used for all my Christmas shows this year. I needed a system that I could set up in 5 minutes and this did the trick. BTW: My tear down time was again, 5 minutes. Although this make shift system worked well, you could hear a big sound difference coming from the Mackie. The Mackie has an incredible full rich sound coming from its 5.25” speaker. I was quite surprised at the bass I could hear from this little speaker. The rooms I worked ranged in size from a small hospitality room to a large banquet hall. In each set up the Mackie’s power and sound was outstanding. I could not say the same for my Pyle Pro, (the sound was okay though and everyone could still hear me, however the reason why I purchased the Pyle Pro is for my birthday party shows and believe it or not this unit works quite well in someone’s living room). It’s small, portable and battery powered, which in my opinion is a perfect system to use for smaller shows. I needed a small PA system that would be quick to set up and tear down because I had a couple of shows booked close to one another. If you are looking for a small portable powered speaker from a company with a good reputation, I highly recommend you look into purchasing the Mackie SRM150. This speaker weighs only 7.6 pounds, mounts on a microphone stand and is made to last. I like this speaker so much I purchased another one, my system next holiday season will now consist of two Mackie SRM150 speakers, MP3-Tech and an Audio-Technica UHF Wireless Headset Mic system. I will continue to use my Pyle Pro PWMA120 for my birthday party shows, however for shows that need a sound system with a quick set-up and tear down time and amazing sound quality, my Mackie PA system will do the job. Cheers, Robert. http://www.mackie.com/products/srm150/ |
Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Great review. Thanks Robert!
I currently use two Pyle Pro's, along with a Fender system for bigger shows. Will look into this one as well. Brian |
robertwong Loyal user Calgary, Canada 212 Posts |
Brian:
I still use my Fender PD150 for larger shows with a longer set up and tear down time. As I market to the corporate sector, I'm all about esthetics and all the gear I use has to look good. I have performed in large boardrooms where my Fender system would just be too big to use, which is another reason why I purchased the Mackie speakers. I have in the past used my Pyle Pro's, however they look like a karaoke machine and for my corporate clients, this won't work. As I mentioned before, the Pyle Pro's are great for smaller shows, especially for birthday parties as they are battery powered with 2 wireless mics built into them. Cheers, Robert. |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
I have to admit I was intrigued by the Mackie SRM150 so I went out and tested it side by side with my Roland CM-30. While the Mackie was certainly a lot more powerful and would definitely cover a much larger room than the Roland, the Roland sounded a lot better with my music. I use an iCue Duo with a MiniDisc recorder.
When I was testing the Mackie, there was an experienced musician there looking at some other equipment (I was at a local Guitar Center) and he agreed with me on the Roland. The Mackie was a display model so I have no way to know if it had been abused but it just couldn't reproduce my music with nearly as much clarity. (I deliberately chose music with some strong bass to see what would happen.) I did not test the Mackie with a microphone. The Mackie is certainly remarkable in it's power and compared to most other small PAs, it would win hands down but the Roland CM-30 still has the best sound I've heard coming from such a tiny system. The Roland does have a limited coverage. I wouldn't try to use it for anything but a small room (I use it for birthday parties) but it also costs a lot less. I am considering testing the use of two of the Roland units as they can be linked together. Michael |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I too have bought the Mackie and the thing that stands out the most is the quality of voice. I also have the Roland, and like that one too. It's voice sound is not as strong (obviously 30 watts verses 150 watts of the Mackie.) If you are tight on cash and do few small room shows or in house shows then (Birthday Parties and Daycare) the Roland will serve you well. The Roland also worked in a large audience, however, just maxed it out.
The Mackie is small, light weight, and powerful. Roberts review above is correct,and worth the price. Also Like Robert, I too have Mackie SRM150 speaker, a MP3-Tech and an Audio-Technica UHF Wireless Headset Mic system. As for the NEW Fender Passport 150, that too is beautiful with a CD player. The CD player is not remote controllable limiting it use to on and off, unless you have a sound man who can control it for you. All three are excellent systems. If Schools and Stage show were my major venues, it would be the Fender Passport 150. For Birthday Parties and Daycare, the Roland CM30 works just fine. For a variety of shows in different venus and weight and size are important, then the Mackie 150 serves that well.
Dennis Michael
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The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
I'm with Robert on this one...I use the Fender PD 150 for larger school shows and the Mackie SRM 150 for smaller venues. It's strange because like him I also use the MP 3 Tech and the Audio-Technica UHF Wireless Mic system but prefer the lapel mic over the headset.
I've just started using the MP 3 Tech after a long delay and was wondering what software program people used to ensure that the sound levels on the various mp3 tracks was the same volume? Let me know if you can provide me any insight on this...thanks! jeff |
silverking Inner circle 4574 Posts |
The Mackie uses a "Class D" power amplifier, which is a VERY different method of amplifying sound than a standard Class A/B amplifier.
Benefits to Class D are extremely light weight, very high RMS ratings, light amperage draw in most situations, and cheap to make and buy. Drawbacks are, some question the fidelity of all but the most expensive Class D amplifiers. It's a "switching" amplifier which can cause noise issues in some unshielded devices, a bit on the "lo-fi" end of the scale in terms of sonics in general. For small PA vocal reinforcement and general background music, current Class D amps give most other amps a solid run for their money. In a year or so, Class D will be unbeatable, and likely all you'll be able to buy in this type of small PA system. |
robertwong Loyal user Calgary, Canada 212 Posts |
Jeff:
I used Wave Pad to edit and to adjust all my sound levels for my MP3-Tech. http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/masters.html It works great and it's free to try!! Robert. |
robertwong Loyal user Calgary, Canada 212 Posts |
Jeff:
I used Wave Pad to edit and to adjust all my sound levels for my MP3-Tech. http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/masters.html It works great and it's free to try!! Robert. |
The Great Smartini Inner circle 2280 Posts |
Robert,
thanks for your assistance with this...I'll give it a try. jeff |
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