Turbosound monitors

[TheRev]

Two of my Alto TS 112 monitors have sucumbed to the intermittent thermal cutout problem that plagues the Alto Mark 1's, so I'm looking to replace them.  We don't use our own PA very often so I don't want to shell out loads of money for something we'll only use 4 or 5 times a year.  I'm intersted in the Turbosound TFX112M-AN active wedges, which seem to offer a lot for under £400 each - has anyone got real world experience with these monitors?

 

The PA company that does our festivals uses the passive 112 Turbosound monitors so I know they're generally decent.

 

Churrz!

 

Dave

 

[Phil Starr]

Hi Dave, I've nothing to offer you really as I've no direct experience with Turbosound gear other than having a listen to a couple of local bands who were using Turbosound PA speakers. Both bands knew what they were doing and the speakers sounded really very good. I've also  seen/used them as floor monitors the few times we've played festivals but these were the 15's. As a company they are a really quite interesting proposition.  Turbosound are part of Music Tribe one of the high end companies taken over by Behringer who have also absorbed Midas, TC Helicon, Tannoy, Klark Technic and so on. They seem to leave these companies largely untouched but spread their technologies throughout the Music Tribe group and production over to China. Turbosound was a long established UK company specialising in pro level touring gear. Looking at their catalogue they still do.

 

There's not a lot of choice in floor monitors, you'd probably have to look at PA speakers that are shaped to work on their sides to get a choice. I've used the RCF 310's to good effect, the gain before feedback is excellent and the sound is good if you trim the bass back a little. The TFX 112's have the advantage of the bass already designed for floor mounting and they have a more directional horn so you aren't spreading more sound round the stage causing problems. these look to be well designed. The price is good too if they are the quality of the PA speakers I've heard

 

I don't think there will be many people with 'real world experience' of these though. You might get someone who has a Turbosound PA come along. Maybe buy one and try it if it's distance purchasing you have a return period. Let us know how you get on. Are you going to make the bass bash this year?

 

Phil

[TheRev]

Cheers Phil.

 

RCF would have been my choice if we were using our own PA for every gig,  but I can't justify the cost for the handufl of pub gigs we still do each year.

 

The specs on the Turbosound pretty much line up with everything else at that price point, so they certainly can't be any worse than our old Altos, wth the added benefit of DSP. 

 

Hope to be at the SW bash - just haven't got round to cross checking with Mrs Rev. 

[jimmyb625]

I think the TFX range are pitched towards the more affordable levels of gear, as opposed to the TFM (or equivalent) series, which are the ones you're more likely to see on bigger stages or tours.

 

I've been looking around for some to use on occassion for our theatre. Candidates at the moment (in a similar price range) also include:

Studiomaster sense

https://www.studiomaster.com/speakercabinets/sense/

 

The Box

https://www.thomann.de/gb/the_box_pro_mon_a15.htm

 

LD systems (the G3 has just been announced, so the G2 versions are pretty good value now)

https://www.thomann.de/gb/ld_systems_active_pa_monitors.html

 

db technology also have their "Flexsys" range, which looks to have been recently discontinued, so there coukd be some price reductions on the way

https://www.andertons.co.uk/pa-monitors/db-technologies-flexsys-fm10-coaxial-active-10-1-stage-monitor-400w-125db-max-spl-fmx10

 

I've been on small festival stages which have used the Box and Studiomaster monitors and both seemed ok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chienmortbb]

All of those are fairly heavy and a second hand pair of RCFs, would be cheaper and lighter.

I bought a pair of Wharfedale Titan Actives from @Phil Starrof this parish, and they have done sterling service as Monitors.

[Pirellithecat]

I have been using Studiomaster Sense 12+ for over a year. I wouldn't say they are particularly heavy. They are very capable and LOUD.    The customer service is excellent .  Importantly, they have a small footprint as they are a concentric design .  They show my Laney CPX112's a clean pair of heals!

[jimmyb625]

7 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

All of those are fairly heavy and a second hand pair of RCFs, would be cheaper and lighter.

I bought a pair of Wharfedale Titan Actives from @Phil Starrof this parish, and they have done sterling service as Monitors.

The Titan AX12 is 15.5kg, the Studiomaster sense 12a is 15kg.

 

The others vary between 17kg and 19kg (based around 12" drivers). However, they're all wooden cabinets, as opposed to polycarbs.

 

I have a pair of Titans (passive 12") and they're fine. I'll even be using them as stage monitors for an upcoming gig at the theatre, alongside some Alto's. However, they're a compromise compared to a speaker that's been designed as a monitor.

 

I'm a big fan of RCF, but even the ART 312 (16.8kg) isn't quite as good when it's used as a stage monitor.

 

For me personally, I think the studiomaster is where I'll be spending my money.

[Pirellithecat]

I've been dealing with symphony Music re. Studiomaster, and I can't recommend them enough.   really good customer service (and price).   Good luck! 

[Chienmortbb]

14 hours ago, jimmyb625 said:

The Titan AX12 is 15.5kg

Wharfedale Quote 12.4 kg / 27.28 lbs, and it does have a DSP setting for use as a floor monitor. However, I would agree that the Studiomasters may well work better than a Jack Of All Trades. It is worth noting that Studiomaster is part of the group that includes Caelsbro and that Studiomaster are concentrating on PA while Carlsbro look after MI Amplification;

[jimmyb625]

13 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

Wharfedale Quote 12.4 kg / 27.28 lbs, and it does have a DSP setting for use as a floor monitor. However, I would agree that the Studiomasters may well work better than a Jack Of All Trades. It is worth noting that Studiomaster is part of the group that includes Caelsbro and that Studiomaster are concentrating on PA while Carlsbro look after MI Amplification;

Ah, you're right, I was looking at the gross weight. 🤦‍♂️

I wonder what the floor monitor setting does? I'd guess it puts on a high pass.

[Phil Starr]

On 05/09/2023 at 13:46, TheRev said:

Two of my Alto TS 112 monitors have sucumbed to the intermittent thermal cutout problem that plagues the Alto Mark 1's, so I'm looking to replace them.  We don't use our own PA very often so I don't want to shell out loads of money for something we'll only use 4 or 5 times a year.  I'm intersted in the Turbosound TFX112M-AN active wedges, which seem to offer a lot for under £400 each - has anyone got real world experience with these monitors?

 

The PA company that does our festivals uses the passive 112 Turbosound monitors so I know they're generally decent.

 

Churrz!

 

Dave

 

Did you go for the Turbosounds in the end Dave? Wondered how you got on with them?

[TheRev]

On 23/10/2023 at 07:47, Phil Starr said:

Did you go for the Turbosounds in the end Dave? Wondered how you got on with them?

No - didn't buy anything the end. I managed to get one of my Altos working through a gig by stripping it down and cleaning out all the layer of cider infused floor gunk, so hopefully the sme process will resurrect the other two.    It's also coincided with a bit of a band discussion on whether we should continue to even own a PA any more, given that we use it 3 or 4 times a year and can easily hire in if we need to.  

Edited October 24, 2023 by TheRev