Hello, I would like some help in regards to knowing what the crossover should be for my pa speaker set up. I will be running 2 EV zlx 15bt as tops and 2 Mackie Thump 18s as subs. If I use the built in cross over on the mackies then it would be at 140hz, which seems a little high to me. The EVs allow me to specify a crossover point. We plan on running keys, guitar, bass, and vocals though the system. What do you guys recommend?
Thanks
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IME 140 hertz will result in a spacial disarticulate of some instruments. The choice of crossover frequency is of course a compromise. 80-100Hz tended to be the sweet spot in the hundreds of PA systems I've engineered over the years, indoors, outdoor, and in all odd shapes and sizes of venues. Of course it depends on the in-location behaviours of the individual components.
The Mackies cross at 120hz actually but that's still too high. 15" mains should be crossed at 80hz IMO but the ZLX aren't a very powerful box so try 100hz.
Alrighty thanks for the input guys, I appreciate it. I'll be setting the system up in the coming days and I'll report back if anything.
sorry i have to ask because i've noticed the trend of picking a specific frequency for a sub crossover and adapting to that rather then be guided by how the combination sounds, and especially with PA and a multitude of rooms doesn't where we park the X-over frequency in combination with "in room" driver response not open up the possibility of achieving better results?
No in lounge level PA applications there is seldom time or a suitable opportunity to measure a system in the room. And unfortunately it's often the case that the speaker system is sub optimal for the application and/or consists of mismatched components. Even where that isn't the case the crossover is chozen to provide optimal maximum performance from the components, the sub/main crossover is usually carefully engineered and is not something that should be considered to be a variable. The OPs case is less that ideal in several ways, the crossover frequency in the sub is too high and not defeatable, 15+1 mains are a classic mainstay but are a poor match for this sub and a poor choice overall for live band SR. Optimal cooling of the low/mid requires it carry a little more bass than the 120hz crossover would provide, but that also requires more power and that is already in rather short supply(only 400w available in reality), so really any settings used are going to be a compromize.
Depends on where the sub is located. If it is under the main speakers, then it is just a multi-way system.
With cost as the limiting factor it's not possible to do significantly better buying new, all the direct competition delivers similar performance but many of them aren't as reliable. It would be possible to make a step or two up on the used market. I say this as a ZLX owner, they are some of the best entry level speakers available but they are still just entry level and there is a whole world of better performing options out there that of course cost more. For reference I also own a set of EV EKX12p's and Yamaha DXR15's, and I have a couple sets of Yorkville passive boxes with large format 2' exit compression driver that are powered and processed with rack equipment. I have put bands through all of these, the ZLXs can get the job done in smaller rooms but run out of gas quickly, the EKX's go quite a bit louder and sound tighter doing it, they have the same characteristic sound as the ZLX's... which is quite good so everybody gets paid and goes home happy. But the Yorkville elicit compliments every time, things like "wow... I never knew vocals could sound like that". This is what can be expected though when going from a $400 powered box to an $800 powered box to a $1000 passive box that requires another $1000 in amplifiers and DSP to operate.