Mackie SRM450 v1 vs RCF 712a mkii

[DanR]

Hi
I'm looking for a replacement for our band's SRM450's V1 (not Italian).
We have recently bought a pair of RCF 905
subs as mentioned in another post.
The Mackie's are very good but are a little on the heavy side compared to
similarly priced current offerings.

Would the RCF ART 712a be an upgrade
on the SRM 450?
They'll be used for function band, full range and with subs.

I did compare a 712a and a Yamaha DXR12
in a store recently and thought there was
not much between them.
712a's are easier to carry.
Any help appreciated.

[Sam Spoons]

712s are a good deal better than SRM450s but I preferred the DXR12 (and then I bought QSC K12s as I liked them even better). I'd say any of those would be a decent upgrade from your Mackies.

[AdiT]

Personally I prefer the RCF, I did not have the ART 712 but I compared the specifications from the producer manual and for eg. ART 712 has a bigger voice coil 3'' vs 2.5'' on SMR 450 or DXR12.

To understand how the coil diametre infuence the performances look at this sos article :

www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul02/articles/monitors2.asp

[TheChorltonWheelie]

I'm looking for a replacement for our band's SRM450's V1 (not Italian).

All of the V1's were Italian, if yours isn't marked as such then it's probably a V1 that has been repaired with V2 parts. Mackie are fragile at best, particularly the amp boards, so it wouldn't be a surprise.

On the original topic, an Alto TS115a would be better sounding than a 10 year old V1 SRM, technology has moved on quite a bit since then. I'd audition the RCF HD12's, they're more musical sounding than the RCF and Yamaha's already mentioned in this thread.

[DanR]

I'd audition the RCF HD12's

Yes, I'm also considering these. Seems they're less powerful (600w) than the 712a's but price is
more in line with the QSC K12.

[TheChorltonWheelie]

Seems they're less powerful (600w)

Wattage is irrelevant, the more efficient the driver the louder a speaker will sound. You need to look at SPL/db, and NOT peak (which is normally only for a matter of milliseconds) but program/RMS. 2-3db difference is quite a lot, a 133/134db will be noticeably louder than a speaker at 130-131db as an example.

[DanR]

Ok, thanks.
The new Art 732a is around the same price
as the HD12a. Worth a look.
Must be a replacement for the 722.

[DanR]

All of the V1's were Italian

Says 'Manufactured in China' on my V1's.
Bought them new.

[DanR]

I think I may go for either the RCF HD12a or the ART 732a.
I'm not sure though if the D line range is above the 7 Series as the two above speakers are similarly priced.