Dave Rat Testing Gain Before Feedback on EAW MicroWedge, L-Acoustics and D&B Wedges

http://www.ratsound.com Dave Rat spent many years designing the MicroWedge monitors. Here he does some 'gain before feedback' testing on D&B Audiotechnik M2, L-Acoustics 115XT HiQ, EAW MicroWedge 12 and EAW MicroWedge 15 stage monitors.

http://www.ratsound.com/cblog

Category:

Science & Technology

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• 12
• 15
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• Audiotechnik
• M2
• L-Acoustics
• 115XT
• HiQ
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• feedback
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[MrAnomilus]

Been using the old Radian coax in my own box for years now. Interestingly, I came up with the exact same enclosure volume and port tuning as the original MicroWedge, completely independently.

I have used them on many national acts and have been very very pleased. However, getting recones through Radian is a pain in the butt, as you have to ship it back to their factory,

I am very curious to try the EAW coax components in my boxes to see how they compare for replacements and future upgrades.

[www73171]

@MrAnomilus The EAW components get louder, are smoother sounding, lighter weight and more reliable than the Radian

[thebiggaloot1]

The good engineer is probably more relevant then the good eq in this instance.

I don't believe maintaining optimum sound quality was considered by this test.

However, I will also say that these are all wonderful wedges.

vern7530 3 minutes ago

[www73171]

@thebiggaloot1 I think a good engineer is more relevant than good gear in every instance and a good engineer with good gear is always better than a reduction in either. As far as sound quality all the wedges tested are well in the window of pro acceptability sound quality wise, some just take more work than others to achieve the goal at hand. Max volume wise, the D&B's box per box will win. Pound per pound or size wise or time spent to achieve changes things.

[mirceaciuciuc]

Hey Dave,as you probably know the M2 uses its dedicated amplifier, D12 usually,how you used it,2 way active or in passive mode?Have you loaded in the D12 the M2 setting?Every manufacturer has its own settings for the speakers so they sound correct,d&b is one of them and probably the viewers of this video are not trained to understand on how d&b works.Again you should add to compare a M4 together with those wedges properly setup on a D12 or D6 amplifier with its own corespondent settings.

[www73171]

@mirceaciuciuc I chose the M2 for 2 reasons: 1) We see them spec'ed on riders of major artists & the M4's rarely are 2) Rat sound owns them and we do not own M4's. Actually the M2 is an active only wedge as is the HiQ, the MicroWedge is passive or active. To keep things fair, I used all three with "factory setups." To some the dedicated amp is an asset, to other it is an issue. Regardless, I just compared the off the shelf manufacturer setups to show and aspect that specs sheets do not cover.

[MrAnomilus]

@www73171

That is my understanding as well.

But the big question is whether the EAW coax component and/or passive crossover is now or will be made available for retro-fits in the near future.

Are you at liberty to say anything in that regard?

I'm very fond of my 15 year old boxes, they have served me well, are still in great shape, still making me money on rentals, and, frankly, I just couldn't afford to completely replace them any time soon with new MicroWedges.

[marcelumt]

ff tare

[www73171]

@thebiggaloot1 Rat Sound owns HiQ's, MicroWedges & D&B wedges, we rent out all these systems & each has a set of assets that makes them useful. I did the video to demonstrate something I feel is very interesting & does not show up in the specs. II personally believe feedback stability while maintaining optimum sound quality is one of the most important traits a stage monitor can exhibit..

As far as #2, Chili Peppers and Queens of the Stone Age rehearse with Microwedges & no EQ's.

[mirceaciuciuc]

@mogwix As i commented in the video where Dave takes apart the wedges , there is the M4 that is using a coax CD (constant directivity horn).