Recommend me a single active sub for small to medium size venues

[franzbassist]

Hello folks

 

I am fed up of storing and lugging two large Peavey 1x15 subs around to every gig, so my band are considering moving to a single powered sub.  Budget ideally under £600 but we could go higher if needed.  Can anyone recommend something fairly compact and light that would do the job?  We don't play in very large venues, so it doesn't need to move a ton of air.

[Phil Starr]

Surprised no one’s offered any advice on this. First of all the low cost suggestion, why not try just one sub? If nothing else you’ll know one is enough for certain.

 

Theres an issue with subs that you don’t get small/light loud and cheap all from one speaker. Obviously without knowing a lot more about your band we can’t judge if you need a sub or how big it needs to be. I’ve seen one band locally gig with a single FBT 2x8 sub. Sub was only handling drums for them bass was backline but the kick sounded great even in a decent sized pub. I guess a 1x12 would have been equally loud. It can be done if you share prepared to manage the compromises. 
 

I’ve a pair of Wharfedale EVP subs. 43.5kg. I’ve recently bought an RCF 905 sub which is lighter and louder. 
 

Finally do you need a sub? £600 is quite a contribution towards some better tops which might add as much as a small sub to your PA.

[Dan Dare]

26 minutes ago, Phil Starr said:

why not try just one sub? If nothing else you’ll know one is enough for certain.

 

Finally do you need a sub? £600 is quite a contribution towards some better tops which might add as much as a small sub to your PA.

 

The OP is asking about a single sub.

 

I know I always say this, but putting large PA cabs on stands is not the best way to go, especially in small/cramped venues such as pubs where floor space is tight and they may get knocked over. Having them up on poles also lessens the bottom end because you lose floor coupling and boundary reinforcement effects. A pair of 10 or 12 tops on stands, plus a single decent sub on the floor, is the best use of resources.

 

We don't know what top boxes the OP uses, but £600, even added to whatever his existing cabs might be sold for, is unlikely to buy much of an improvement over what he already has unless they are really poor, which I doubt. As he has Peavey subs, he may well have their top boxes, too. Their PA speakers were generally decent, but heavy and bulky.

 

I'd look out for a used HK or similar powered sub. They can be had for the sort of money the OP is spending. I agree he is unlikely to get small and light for £600, but he should be able to find something of reasonable quality if he buys used. Carrying one is still an improvement on lugging two heavy old Peavey 15s.

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Dan Dare

[franzbassist]

Thanks chaps.  Yes, one sub is the plan.  Happy to stretch the budget for the right one, and also happy (and already looking) at used options.

 

FYI tops are a pair of vintage Bose 802s.

[warwickhunt]

We use a 15" FBT sub (small and one person carry if need be) and it does great with a pair of QSC K10 tops.  However... small to small/medium is about its max; medium bordering on medium/large would be too much.