I was talking with my buddy the other day & he was excited to tell me about his new speakers he just ordered! Mackie HD1221! He went on to tell me about how his sound would help build his client base because it was now H.D.! The speakers themselves look standard: Black, box in form & trimmed out with the Mackie logo. In the past as a newbie in the business you would buy for size. This is not the case anymore. As the package dose not dictate the sound quality or range. In this case if what I have read on line & the information I have received is true, My buddy is now on the cutting edge of the sound to come.
I figured that I would do a little research to see who is also in this speed of sound race. The following links is what I have discovered:
Mackie HD Series:
http://www.mackie.com/products/hdseries/array.html
QSC K Series
http://qsc.com/products/loudspeakers/k_series/
Electro Voice LEX Series
http://www.electro-voice.com/family.php?id=145
Yamaha DXR Series
http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/speakers/dxr/
Presonus AI Series
http://www.presonus.com/products/live-sound-reinforcement
Each of these series has pros & cons, the key is to do your homework. Talk to other d.j.’s in the market that may be using these kinds of systems. Try to answer the question about the cost of doing business & who your client is. We as d.j.’s will always want our toys but you need to think about the big picture. When spending the money, are you buying something that will last and pay for it-self? Are your clients hiring you because of the equipment you use or the services you provide? Is your client base: High, middle or low end? Are you the event on a budget guy?
We all need to upgrade when our equipment is getting old so be frugal with the money you spend. Buy solid equipment that will last & make your name mean quality without having to say what you use.