Electro-Voice EKX 12 Tops and 15 Subs For An 800 + Student Homecoming Dance?

Sure! It's a good idea to listen to professional advice & a system's recommended applications. However, after you have some experience with a system, sometimes you can make your own assessment of its actual capabilities

[@DaleDayTheBigDayDJ]

I think we as DJs want more than what we need... when most people are consuming music from a cellphone or maybe a basic bluetooth speaker... Anything we bring is going to sound great to them

[@Fizyxx]

Interesting. Good point.

[@DJRickWeb]

To people watching just remember everyone has their own opinion of enough volume and enough bass. Your opinion might not be the same as the next DJ or the sound tech or the teacher or the college student or the lead singer who's ears have been ringing for 5 years. Lol

[@djcalvin681]

Honest to goodness feedback !! Thx and your lighting looks incredible

[@LioSintra]

Thanks for sharing your videos. Good help to see other point of view in different things about equipment. Continue good work and lots of gigs.

[@joelglaser5657]

Ev's EKX are excellent speakers with good power and awesome sound clarity. If you need more level for bigger shows, just add more speakers! I'm not a dj, I run an audio and lighting production company. We did an Irish Festival a couple weeks ago with about 2000 in attendance. I ran 5 EV EKX-12p tops over 6 EKX-18sp subs per side. We fanned out the tops to cover a pretty wide area and turned one pair of subs per side in a few degrees, to fill the front of the stage. We covered the sides as far out as the venue went and had plenty of level and clarity a couple hundred yards out from the stage. Earlier this summer I ran the same rig in a rodeo arena for a local band who played after a couple of national acts. There were 2 - 3000 people there for that one and we ROCKED that place! I can't say we could keep up with my friend's line array that was used for the nationals(also EV!), but we covered what we needed and had nothing to apologize for. I've been running EV for several years, working almost weekly and I love these things. I wouldn't take them to a stadium gig and I don't expect them to shoot more than 1/2 a mile, but they are VERY good at what they are designed to do. Just my 2 cents.

[@jt5326]

Thank you this is helpful.

[@jeffreysummers1454]

Great video, I own 2 ekx 15 inch tops , 2 ekx 18 inch subs, 2 zlx 12 inch tops, 2 (elx 2) 12 inch subs. Great sounding, high performance on a budget! Love the lights. Keep up the great videos! Thanks

[@matthewmaleski5609]

Great video Brian, I'm in the market for some new speakers and I've been watching your videos on the EV EKX series. Great info.

[@tjthedj2612]

Great information, maybe someday I’ll have to play for a crowd that size. Thanks again.

[@mikegeeguitarman8991]

Well done mate ..glad the y worked for you. Very re assuring for future gigs then the EKX

[@chrisnelson3269]

Ekx are awesome speakers for the price range iv got 6 and i do a 1000 to 1500 person event in a park every year they rock. Great job brian

[@markhudson4746]

I use the EKX 15 tops and 18 bottoms. They always get a thumbs up on how good they sound. Like you, I have been asked to turn them down indoors and outdoors. Definitely under sold as far as what they can handle.

[@djx-factor992]

I own 4 EKX 15P and 2 EKX 18SP.... Love 'em. I'm planning to add 2 more EKX 18SP to even things out... Pound for pound in performance (and economically) the EV EKX line is well worth it. You won't be disappointed. Sounds amazing too... crisp and clear. Great video Brian.

[@cange30]

Always on-point and authentic. Thanks 🙏

[@larrycoffey806]

Glad you put this out. I have 2 ELX-200 15s, 2 QSC CP-12s and 2 EKX 15SPs. Been wondering how it would handle a large audience. After hearing your experience, I'll be comfortable taking on a large audience.

[@LXSProductions]

Awesome video! Good info on the EV lineup.

[@spiner111333]

Funny no one commented on all the Cars Albums... I'm sure Ric would appreciate it.

[@oscarnorthington4093]

Thanks, for doing this video on the EKX. I will be getting them.

[@djrez2107]

ive done this before w similar speaker. Corner loading like this helps but in my setup i put the subs together to give it a coupling effect.

[@DjDiamondLee]

I'm so happy you did this video.. Every time I ask a question about sound and over 700 students.. All the "smart Dj guys" say I need 4 subs and get the ETX but I know for a fact I have DJ with my 2x 15 ekx and my 2x 18 ekx subs.. I appreciate you again man!

[@johnr7022]

I got he the same set up.. there great.. you good bro!!!

[@Fizyxx]

It is funny hearing/reading the advice from "online forum gurus". The advice tends to be what they prefer or it comes from festival/concert riggers.

[@junglejimmedia]

I love my EKX 15's! With my 18 Sub it's suitable for almost anything!

[@ReinaldoCrespo]

Great vid! I got 4 ekx 15p with covers for 1k... Couldn’t say no to that deal 🙏🌟🙌

[@DjHousefromChicago]

I did a school event same size gym as in video. I used 2- ELX 15" and 1- EKX 18" sub. I also use a BBE dual 15 band EQ. Totally did the job! I feel the Eq makes a difference in sound. You can load yet if you set your frequencies correct it will not bother the ear! 👍🎼. Good video bro!

[@scottjohnson1595]

I use 2 EV EKX 15p for tops and 1 EV EKX 18sp sub for school dances. Never had any problem with the system. 15s are 1500 watts and sub is 1300. Most of the time input is about half and at times ill turn the 15s to 2+. It is a great system and hardly ever need to eq. I do however use Ultimate Support 110b speaker stands. Once you put the speakers on the post, it is effortless to raise them! Love those lights! Im seriously going to have to look into an investment with Ape Labs!

[@jjssnb3790]

Love ur set up Brian looks good n ur rite it’s capable of a good size school dance I run my 2 EV 35P’s n 2 ETX 15sp’s

[@jjssnb3790]

On a 1000+ people grad party I love it it’s way plenny have a good day ma man🤙🌺🌴

[@johnmcquay82]

I have an ELX200 system with a pair of passive ELX-200-18S and ELX-200-12 tops. I don't tend to work on the basis of how many people can I cater for with X or Y speaker, but to use that logic; I'd happily use that system for an event with 400 people in attendance, much beyond that I would probably wheel in speakers with more horsepower or just add more speakers. Depends on the kind of event. If I have a lot of people in a room, I fly the speakers if I can. For their price the ELX-200 speakers really are impressive, and with a good power amp behind them they really sing.

[@ajspellmonthat1djguy622]

I'm a newer DJ great with music and reading crowds but been worried my system/setup wasn't big enough or nice enough to do school dances or such. This confirms atleast for this example and what's pictured my setup is definitely big enough and nice enough. (I have passive speakers though with a rack and such.) Would love to know not what you made but what your agent charged them for this event. Or even a ballpark of what to charge such a gig.

[@DJMDIII]

Completely agree! Those EKXs are the truth!!!

[@weasle898]

Hey I work in production sometimes and totally agree. I would not upgrade to the ETX. Instead I would opt for Danleys or RCF line array if you do it again

[@nealstahl2269]

hey Brian question for you about school prom dances how should i price around dinner? with weddings i get full price per hour because I am doing a lot during that time but for prom dinner music I don't know if i should turn the price down for dinner hour or still charge full price? one client asked if i could set up during dinner and i hate setting up when kids are already there so this got me thinking? just curious on your thoughts sorry for the long post. thanks!

[@Jackthb92]

The acoustics of the venue made the difference at that gig in a hotel/conference venue of the same size would have been a little more difficult

[@randommcfly]

Brian, I see your comment that you like to run the EV’s DSP at +0dB... same here! Curious though, what do you set the input knob at? 12 o’clock? 9 o’clock? I’ve been struggling with gain staging my EV ZLX 12S and EKX 18SP. Thanks!

[@DJJASProductions]

Brian, how do you think your FBT 12" sub would have done in place of the EKX 15" sub?

[@musiclightsdj1076]

Thank you for this Video, very interesting

[@utinker]

Hey there very timely video and am thankful for it. I just did a HOCO for 300 + kids with 2 EV ELX 200 15P’s and an ELX 200 18SP. I had the mixer running at just barely tapping 0db for 90% and ever once in a while tapping +2db. Now I only had the 15P’s and 18SP set to -12db. I couldn’t imagine them getting to like -10db let alone higher. I am pretty conservative with volume I guess. So do you think I could have gone up higher?

[@briansredd]

Ideally, what I like to do is set speakers like this at 0db & let my board control the volume

[@wbuttry1]

I don't go by wattage I go by SPL 120 low end 135 higher-end speaker SPL for those who don't know Is sound pressure level that dictates how much sound it can put out at a certain pressure The higher the SPL the better the speaker cabinet is and better the system.

[@jeffusher7963]

Just love ur videos

[@valbeccia8591]

Great video, thanking you! Sometimes the “happy medium”not only represents the best value in a brands product range but also nudges the top spec products. The EKX range definitely fits this category and is obvious often undermined in comparison to the ETX but also the ZLX and ELX model series. The subs in the EKX range are really well priced and punch above their price point.

[@jmoak311]

I run this exact system for 100-200 person weddings. Is there a preferred db setting? And based off of what you said is 0 db higher than say the 3 db you ran them at?

[@Fleuryyy]

JBL PRX800 15" tops + 18" subs= 1000+. Good video.

[@daluca-entertainment]

Thank you for this, I have the same system, had doubts if it would be enough for a school dance (only 250 kids), you made my day, thanks Brian

[@briansredd]

The only recommendation I'd make is to make sure you are sending a clean signal to them. Just a decent mixer with a decent sound card & music files. Do that & you'll be cool

[@akanovels]

I love my ekx’s

[@lucaslovesyouiii]

Thanks for sharing.

[@kapisithekid2843]

Hello. I know this clip has been here for a while. I just wanna ask your expertise on the EKX and it’s crossover function. When you pair the tops and and bottoms in their crossover mode, do you mess with the Highs Mids & Lows with the tops? With the crossover applied to the tops and sub, I adjust my highs to -6, mids to -3, and lows to 0 or even -1…Whats your opinion? Thanks.

[@TheBluesine]

hey man, would you know if these EV's sound as good if not better than Yamahas DXS 15" sub?

[@djfronkiejay]

Greetings Brian. I've been using evolve 50s for 95% of my gigs and they have been great. I recently got my hands on a pair of EKX15 subwoofers and I'm pairing them with 2 zlx12 tops. In your opinion is that system better or louder ( to please more people) than the evolve?

[@armisrx1801]

Nice vid. I have an EV ZXA1 sub paired with a couple QSC k10s. While its enough for me for parties 40-100people, sometimes i wish i would have more low end. I was looking to either upgrade to a EV EKX15SP sub or buy a second ZXA1 sub. I usually play B Day parties around 50-60 people and maybe a couple weddings in a year, but those are usually less than 120 ppl also. What would you recommend for me to get some more bass kick? Thanks

[@damianhaber4890]

EV ELX200-18SP should fit your needs. 1200 W and 132 db SPL makes for an awesome bass!

[@andrebryant516]

i did a thousand plus people with 1 qsc kw 181 18 inch...2 qsc k12.2s and 2 qsc kw 152s and it rocked... my thinking was for a daddy daughter dance... the bass really wasnt that important... i just needed the mids and highs to kick for pop music...for some line dances,some mild hip hop etc and mostly focus on the dance floor area ...which was exactly what the organizer wanted and it went great ...you dont always need bone crushing bass... as long as the system you use has adequately covered the musical spectrum and is loud enough you should be fine.

[@lucmc123]

I use the EV ZLX 12's 1000 watts per side with 2 Yorkville 800 watt subs with a 3500 power amp for the subs plenty of head room

[@DJSH98989]

Cool video I never thought about my personal system in this capacity. I use two QSC k12 and one kw181 sub and all the events I've always had plenty of Headroom now I'm wondering what the Max Capacity would be for that system

[@LioSintra]

For wedding I say maybe 250 guests. In all that people you only have about 170 dancing, next to you. In the dance area the sound need to be strong but not in the resto of the room. For school parties or outdoor gigs maybe add another sub. I always count 10w rms for guest to know how much sound I need 😉

[@Fizyxx]

I have 2 kw181s and switched to yamaha dxr's for tops (pair of 10s and a pair of 12s). Up to 250 at a wedding with 1 kw181. Give or take depending on the room. Honestly, I know guys who use k10/12s and a Ksub for 250 weddings. There are DJS who use only 12s and play weddings with 150-175.

[@Fizyxx]

If Brian used 2 ekx18sp for 800 you could theoretically use 1 kw181 for 400+/- in the same room. Is it adequate? At best. Is it optimal? No.

[@Sadiquecat]

Cool stuff! I'm looking for a PA system myself and I'm hesitant between a pair of JBL eon 15s OR 2 ev12" and a 18"sub. I was expecting to host 200people ish in general so hearing this is really re-assuing on the abilities of a "budget" PA system. Still going to wait to find a store to compare both setups but thanks for the vid! :D

[@Sadiquecat]

Update I just realised I was looking at EV ZLX 12P not EKX 12P, not quite the same setup lol Reason more to try all this out at a shop :)

[@briansredd]

In this video, really what I'm giving is a personal testimonial on what I feel this system can be capable of, given my personal experience with it & the right circumstances. Another thing I didn't mention is that my entire audio chain is solid, meaning a premium mixer with a solid sound card & good clean audio files. This makes a huge difference. What I'm not saying is that all smaller, or budget systems are capable of much more than advertised, which I fear is what some people are hearing (but I did not even kind of say that!). What I can tell you, based on personal experience, is that although the ETX system is capable of, in my estimation, probably 1200+ students in a giant field house, it's way too aggressive for, say, a 150 person gig. The EKX line, however, can be used for that 150 person wedding AND much larger events, as mentioned in the video, as well. I think it's a much more versatile system in that regard for the types of events I do.

[@charlesjenkinson5020]

Have a look at Bill Fitzmaurice website. DIY PA solutions that rock with the very best, and a great forum, where people will help you learn sound. The cab build plans are also great. Check out some of my videos for typical system sound quality.

[@LioSintra]

If you can spend a bit money my favorites are: Ev EKX 15 Jbl Prx 15 Rcf Art 715 (they low price now) If you have less budget: Jbl Eon 615 Mackie Srm 450v3 I don't like Ev Zlx models, loss much quality when you need high volumes.

[@Fizyxx]

Should have stacked or paired them to gain the coupling effect. Stacked and boundary loaded in that room would do wonders for increasing the low freq.

[@cbsdave3g]

I have evolve 50s i was thinking of getting one ev ekx 12p for larger venues, i generally play for 150 or less but when venue is bigger ive reach my limit on output the music will start to mash if i push it more, do you think if i add a EKX 12p would help not for more people but for larger venue, you have both evolves and ekx just wondering your opinion

[@mikeh7434]

Nice work as always!! Any idea how the ELX200 18SP would have stacked up against the EKX 15SP subs in this scenario? Thanks!

[@briansredd]

It's a much more aggressive sub. I have a side-by-side video on the channel from a few years ago

[@nikostyson3255]

@@briansredd where is that vodeo?i cant find it!

[@user-ei3jg8mn7r]

Where is the video?

[@PapaRay922]

Good honest opinion of your system and situation. I have watched your videos for a long time. I rarely make comments. I am getting back into the business after a 30 year factory job(except family events here and there). I've decided on QSC K12.2s and Ev EKX15SP subs for my rig. Trying out for the first time this October. There's only about 100 guest indoors. I was wondering if I even needed the subs. The room is 25 feet by 75 feet with hardwood floors. What would you recommend?

[@briansredd]

I wouldn't use subs. A decent 2 way top should do a nice job for something like that

[@PapaRay922]

@@briansredd thanks for the input. I appreciate everything you have to say. Keep 'em coming!

[@tomcoon6930]

Brian.. great video... this is exactly what I use for my larger events and weddings.. I have been told many times the EV EKX are not good for a wedding over 250 people and have proved that wrong... one question for you Brian.. what advantage is it to not place the speakers on a sub pole than on stands like you have set up?? Or is this just easier for you to set up? Thanks again!"

[@briansredd]

I just can't lift a speaker high enough 1 handed to get it on a sub pole, so I used Frankenstands to do most of the lifting for me. You can, however couple your subs for a 3db gain, in which case you'd need tripods for your tops

[@briank3799]

@@briansredd can't you couple the subs by stacking on top of each other with a sub pole and then your tops on that? Would that give you a 3 DB gain as well

[@francescog53550]

@@briank3799 not sure, cause the higher sub will be further from the ground

[@ACDC4LIFE]

👍🏽Wood Floors Help BIG TIME.

[@Ezduztube]

Why did you have tops on speaker stands? Bass cabinet with a pole and tops would of worked.🔈

[@rjpimprov]

I own them (thanks to you)...i think you were able to get away with it because of the live acoustics of the gym. I've found that i max out to about 300 kids (so maybe 200 max on a dance floor) in a slightly better sounding room..and that's with 2 18's and 2 12's. I honestly can't see myself ever getting another set of speakers

[@MikeBabsBC]

Really considering the EKX-15SP, however the elx200-18sp is running about the same price. Would you happen to have any first hand knowledge of these 2 subs?

[@justingarret4776]

I'm trying to figure out that same thing. I use 2 RCF Evox 8's now with an ELX-200-18sp (sometimes even two of those) and was wondering if I could switch to the EKX 15sp in a smaller size and get similar bass. Those ELX200 18sp's hit pretty damn hard. You can make some stuff rattle in halls with those.

[@DJErrn]

I was wondering, maybe using the electrovioice range as an example, like Evolve 50, ELX, EKX, ETX and Tour X, what are the specific applications or markets of each speaker? Just an idea for a video maybe?

[@briansredd]

We actually did that last year at Expo with Ben Stowe. It's on the channel

[@DJErrn]

briansredd I’ll have a look what’s the title?

[@DJErrn]

Yeah i found them I still think it might be worth a revisit though and put it in one video... and frame it as ‘are you using the right speaker?’

[@GVNH]

The EKX 15s together with decent subs (6 ekx or 4 etx!) can do a lot of things you wouldn't expect them to be capable of.

[@djjbsmuve346]

Good info. What do did u run the subs?

[@briansredd]

These have Xover settings for EV specific top cabs, so all I had to do is choose EKX12P from the menu & done

[@dj2gotv]

Hi Brian Thanks for you videos! I’ve watch a lot of them. Great job. Never the less many times I’m amazed for the sound systems you use. Things her in Europe are quite diferente. 2Ev 50 here wouldn’t work for more than 100 people. Nobody uses Ev 50s here. Friday I have a 200 people wedding and I’m going to use Main room 2 ekx 18 subs 2 ekx 15 top + 2 elx 112 tops (on the back of the room) Cocktail 2 elx 112 tops Gess we like that club sound feeling... Slaluts from Portugal.

[@alamakluke]

Quick question, would it have been better to have both subs side by side to have a +3db coupling?

[@briansredd]

It would have been more powerful. Coupling is cool. The reason I didn't do that is because I didn't really need to. The tops felt balanced out with the subs this time. If I would have increased the bass, the tops may have gotten lost a bit in that room with more boom

[@andresd270]

Actually you can get up to +6 dB

[@tkointernational]

briansredd that's a great point. Never really considered this. I have a gig tomorrow at a school gym and I have 2 k12’s and 2 kw181’s. I'm not sure how many students will attend, maybe 200. Do you think I should only couple if I add 2 more k12’s?

[@alamakluke]

@@tkointernational hi there. For 200 people i think 2 subs would be enough.

[@djrickyb]

Did a 720 student school dance back in 2017 with a pair of Alto TS215, and a pair of Alto TS212 speakers. I also had a pair of Alto 12" subs. It was plenty of sound, and sound was awesome!

[@briank3799]

What if you doubled the subs and doubled the top how many people do you think you could handle. Ekx of course 1200 people perhaps

[@DJJASProductions]

what ever happened to the ZX5s. They seems louder than the ETX too.

[@mghattendorf]

Good honest video, but at the end are you saying you lucked out or is your new norm going to assume that setup can handle almost 800 kids? I am in the same boat as I have a homecoming at a minor league ballfield with hopefully no more than 1000 kids and I am hoping 4 subs and 3-4 tops all of SRX variety will get it done.

[@justingarret4776]

How did that end up working out for you? I'm thinking that would have handled 1000 very nicely.

[@andybelii]

What’s the best ? Etx 18 vs ekx 18?

[@francescog53550]

etx

[@alexsalto3202]

Rcf 705 as???

[@bitterXboifren]

if watts don't matter why not just go with the zed lx? 🤯

[@ryantafoya3906]

Gyms help, there is not much other than people to absorb energy. Hotels events halls have tons of items that will absorb your energy.

[@megumind9939]

SLM Entertainment is using high end equipment in some school dances but has only few kids Meanwhile, briansredd and dj rick web has small equipment with lots of kids in the venue

[@prodj.mixapeofficial6431]

LoL, it might be the client asking to be like that like asking for multiple speakers, subs and they can pay the amount and which SLM can offer. BTW, those they have awesome setup.

[@joakimsafstrom8405]

Got the EKX15p and EKX18p, killing it :)

[@TheRealJohnHooper]

Truth is: Kids and people in general that have fun at such events dont care about the PA System or if its 3db louder.. The music matters and the people matter.. Also you placed the speaker in the room corner.. this will give you much better volume at low frequencies..

[@VaughnCordero]

Try corner loading speakers, you will have 3+3db gain

[@SuAmigoElilegal]

Do what you can with what you got and can afford. Also it doest matter if u have 2 x12s or 2x 21s or 6x 21s. If the crown is not into the vibe or if the audinece doest wanna dance or not feeling it or wjhaever it doest matter what equipment u have. U can have a party for 100 people with just 2 tops with 2 subwoofer

[@calvinstuart1108]

YO! I use a 2 EKX 12" and 2 EKX 18" subs for 800 students, EASY!

[@DjDiamondLee]

I have same set up but with the 2x 15 ekx.

[@MrHolderby]

ape cans !

[@DJEllEss]

#teamev

[@briank3799]

I believe they are1300 Watts not 1500

[@CalvinKleinManzano]

bose F1 system do the job.

[@chadnliz2k11]

Ummm no lol

[@DjLyRiX]

Informative. But please learn to properly setup your cables.

[@DJJDBass]

The word “watts” means nothing... unless you are picking out an amp for a passive set of speakers...

[@user-wi4sm2mc3j]

Please sound No talk