Turbosound, RCF or FBT

[Nicadraus]

I'm planning to start (again) my own small rental system. I am choosing between these speakers:

Turbosound IQ15a
RCF ART715
FBT Promax14a

I have used the FBT and RCF many times in gigs and small events as monitors and house speakers. The FBT really impressed me more than the RCF did to be honest. It is only this Friday that I am going to the dealer of Turbosound and test the IQ15a. In terms of wattage and price, the Turbosound wins but I have yet to listen to it. Although its DSP is powered by Klark Teknik so I'm guessing it won't disappoint me.

I had my own small rental company back in the early-mid 90s (a piar of Bose 802, 4 pieces Cerwin Vega V15, Crest Audio c9 amps, a pair of Cerwin L36 subs, etc), and again in 2002 - 2005 (EV SX300, Crest Audio amps, CV Afterburner subs, etc) but sold most of my stuff because I was already very busy with my DJing schedule with 4-5 nights a week and a 4 times a week day job. Now, I only DJ once a week and run my turntable refurbishing company, I decided to go back to rentals because I love it.

Anyone here tried the IQ15a yet?

[conanski]

I'm planning to start (again) my own small rental system. I am choosing between these speakers:

Stop right there. Top priorities for rental speakers are...

1. Reliability.
2. Reliability.
3. RELIABILITY
4. Idiot proof.
5. Ease of use/transport
6. Repairs/warranty center available locally.
7. Cross renting more of the same available locally
8. Not too expensive to buy(good ROI)
9. Looks decent
10. Sounds decent.


See where this is going? Unless you are made of money and get off on burning it you don't buy the best speakers for rentals, you buy the best rental speakers.

[GaFFLe]

Load up on the QSC K-series stuff. I hear they're very "reliable" and their warranties are among the best in the bidness.

For my personal pair, I'd run the RCF Art 745 over the FBT. Mostly due to their large high-compression driver and better looks.

[Nicadraus]

Stop right there. Top priorities for rental speakers are...

1. Reliability.
2. Reliability.
3. RELIABILITY
4. Idiot proof.
5. Ease of use/transport
6. Repairs/warranty center available locally.
7. Cross renting more of the same available locally
8. Not too expensive to buy(good ROI)
9. Looks decent
10. Sounds decent.


See where this is going? Unless you are made of money and get off on burning it you don't buy the best speakers for rentals, you buy the best rental speakers.

Like I said, I've been to rentals twice already. So been there and done that. I'm choosing from brands that are very reliable and have good after service warranty locally. The models I also posted aren't very expensive. My only dilemma is what to buy from the three brands I posted and people/clients nowadays are conscious about brands. Technically, it's easier to find out whether you're renting a good brand and quality because of the internet. Unlike back then.

Anyway, I don't want to end up buying something I won't be happy about and will eventually upgrade because I regret it. It'll be double the cost. I'm planning to start with four pieces 15" tops and two 18" powered subs. Also two powered 12" plastic cased speakers for monitoring.

[Nicadraus]

Load up on the QSC K-series stuff. I hear they're very "reliable" and their warranties are among the best in the bidness.

For my personal pair, I'd run the RCF Art 745 over the FBT. Mostly due to their large high-compression driver and better looks.

Will check that out. Thanks!

[conanski]

Technically, it's easier to find out whether you're renting a good brand and quality because of the internet.

Technically yes.. but there is so much false and misleading crap published out there on the web I don't see how anybody that isn't seriously involved in the industry could sort through it.

Anyway, I don't want to end up buying something I won't be happy about and will eventually upgrade because I regret it. It'll be double the cost. I'm planning to start with four pieces 15" tops and two 18" powered subs. Also two powered 12" plastic cased speakers for monitoring.

Well it sounds like you have your head screwed on right and as you say this isn't your first venture into this business so you are ahead of the curve. The speakers in your list are very good by all reports, the RCFs are rated very high and my personal experience with RCF is also positive. I have no experience with FBT but they are also rated high from everything I have read. The Turbos are the exception here because they are brand new and because they really aren't Turbosound boxes.. they are a product of Music Group which is Behringer of course. That isn't necessarally bad though, I have heard some of the boxes in this lineup and they do sound quite good but there is no history on them yet so nobody can really say if they will be reliable, and if people look them up and discover they are made by Behringer that may sour some potential customers.. although I'd be surprised if the average Joe could make that connection. So my top pick from your list would be the RCF745, I think it contains beefier drivers than the others so it should prove to be very reliable as well as a good performer.

[Nicadraus]

Technically yes.. but there is so much false and misleading crap published out there on the web I don't see how anybody that isn't seriously involved in the industry could sort through it.

Well it sounds like you have your head screwed on right and as you say this isn't your first venture into this business so you are ahead of the curve. The speakers in your list are very good by all reports, the RCFs are rated very high and my personal experience with RCF is also positive. I have no experience with FBT but they are also rated high from everything I have read. The Turbos are the exception here because they are brand new and because they really aren't Turbosound boxes.. they are a product of Music Group which is Behringer of course. That isn't necessarally bad though, I have heard some of the boxes in this lineup and they do sound quite good but there is no history on them yet so nobody can really say if they will be reliable, and if people look them up and discover they are made by Behringer that may sour some potential customers.. although I'd be surprised if the average Joe could make that connection. So my top pick from your list would be the RCF745, I think it contains beefier drivers than the others so it should prove to be very reliable as well as a good performer.

Good points and well said. Thank you!

Cheers!

[monomer]

I love my IQ12's.


That said, Powercon and the general public do not mix. Unless you plan on replacing the sockets every time someone strongarms the lock, I wouldn't go that route.

[Nicadraus]

I love my IQ12's.


That said, Powercon and the general public do not mix. Unless you plan on replacing the sockets every time someone strongarms the lock, I wouldn't go that route.

[lburners]

The K12s are are popular go to. I have the JBL Prx series in my rental lineup. They have been holding up very well and dont have all the switches the QSCs do so its good for people who aren't sure what they are doing. Aside from matching a bunch of stuff I already had I went with the JBL line for the name recognition. Sounds a little silly but most people recognize the jbl line as quality. I think you would get a similar reception with the QSC K series. The RCF and FBT might be a little less known. Which might not be an issue for you. The JBL replacement parts are easily sourced as well if you run into issues.