JBL EON305 or JRX115?
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Posted on May 28, 2009 03:37 pm
TNT67
Member Since: May 28, 2009
Looking for anybody's experience with either of these speakers. Trying to keep costs down while getting decent equipment. I am looking at either the EONs paired with a QSC GX5 (along with stands/bag/cables) for $1000 or the JRX115s paired with a QSC GX3 (also with associated hardware) for $665 (although I may switch to the GX5 depending on the cost from the retailer - probably around $100). I don't mind spending the extra $200 or so, but only if there is a compelling reason. Also any feedback on the QSC GX series would be appreciated too. I know they are lacking some features that I won't likely need (2 Ohm support or bridged mono), so that brings the cost of the 500W amp down to a reasonable level. I was initially looking at Peavey PR15s or Yamaha BR15s, but came across the package deal with the EONs when looking for the best price on the GX5 and it would be cheaper to go with the GX5/EON package than it would have been for the Yamaha or Peaveys.
This setup is to be used for my son's band (rock / punk-ish) for small gigs - backyards/block parties, etc. Already have the rest of the equipment they'll need, just looking to finish out the basic package.
Thanks in advance for all advice and please let me know if you need any more info...
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May 28, 2009 05:21 pm I'm a little confused. Eon's typically have been a self powered box. With the exception of the first generation. Which haven't been made for over 10 years now.
The Eon 15 G2's are killer boxes. They have a very good sound to them. And I have used them for a number of years.
The JRX's are not a bad box either. It's just a non-powered EON in a trap box.
Now non of them will work for the kick drum. You would still need some sort of sub. But, other then that, your fine with either one.
TNT67Member
Since: May 28, 2009
May 29, 2009 10:37 am Thanks for the info.
JBL apparently now makes an unpowered 300 series speaker (I read these were introduced last October). The 305 is unpowered, the 315 is powered.
One of the other differences between the two is the weight - the EON 305 is 33 lbs and the 115s are 67 lbs!
In another thread, there was mentiopn about the JBL "Honk". Is that specific to the 115s or to all of there lines (possibly including the 305)? And how bad is it?
What do you mean that "none of them will work with the kick drum"? Is it just that it will sound better with a sub?
I am trying to do this relatively inexpensively as I've already had about $1500 "fall out of my wallet" (to borrow a phrase from Noize2u) for other stuff (mixer/mics/stands/etc) and I am trying to help them without going broke. A sub like the 118S would add about $500 to the cost.
I'm trying to help my kids similar to what Trip is doing. When my two sons (guitar & drums) had their band over, they were playing through a peavey 12" powered PA, trying to get everything louder than the drums, etc. so the could hear. That's when I decided to get the mics for the drums, mixer headphone amp, etc. so they could practice while monitoring using headphones most of the time (what an improvement that made - it was almost instantaneous). I am also their FOH guy (and, surprisingly they usually listen to me about volumes, etc - surprising since they are my kids :) ).
My experience has been gained solely by doing. My older son would lead a youth worship service at our church and someone needed to do the sound. So someone pointed me to the board gave about 5 minutes instruction and let me loose...
May 29, 2009 08:52 pm Wow, I did not know about the new un powered series of EON's. And hey, lighter is always better.
The JBL honk is 2.5K. And it is in all of their horns. It's just a trait of JBL. But, nothing a graphic 31 band EQ can't take care of.
So, what I meant by "Non of them will work for kick" is, that they are only a single 15" speaker. And they will not handle extreme low end. The reason being, that they are handling all of the Mids, and High Mids of the frequency bands as well.
Subs handle a smaller frequency range. And it's only the lower end of the spectrum. The speaker are designed to move more then the average mid range speaker.
Because low end are large waves. In order to reproduce them at a volume that the audience can hear, you need a box that is tuned to the low end spectrum. Large space. And that is why a sub is usually a 18" speaker. Or 2 15" speakers.
The EON, or JRX boxes are tuned for mid range. And do not have enough size inside the box to reproduce large waves that a kick drum makes.
By putting a kick drum in one of these boxes, will take all of the space that you need for other pieces. Such as vocals. Translation, no more headroom. And for Punk music, you are going to need some low end.
For smaller shows, don't worry about. But for a mid size show, to a larger one. See if you can rent a pair. They will make the difference on the show.
TNT67Member
Since: May 28, 2009
May 31, 2009 11:20 am Tanks again! now I have even more questions...
In looking at the specs/manual for the GX5, It looks like it could handle a pair of 115s and a pair of subs. This would allow me to purcase the amp and 115s and rent the subs when necessary. Has anyone used it this way? Or would I need a separate amp for the subs?
BTW, Rob, what would your basic definitions of smaller/mid size/larger show?
May 31, 2009 12:04 pm For small. I would say under 100 people.
Medium would be 100 - 300
Large would 300+
I'm not sure if the series of subs that you are looking at have a HPF output. If they do, your fine with one amp to run both.
If not, then you are going to need a crossover and a second amp.
