FBT maxx series

[Crooner]

Does anyone have experience about them? I´m planning to buy Maxx6 and maxx9 as sub (both active), so at least if you know about them and you don´t feel they are good quality for the money. If you want to say something good about them I gladly receive that kind of response too.
I would like to hear your opinion!

[Translucent26]

i dont feel they are a good quality of money, but they're very nice speakers!!!:p

[Crooner]

Heh,heh, sorry for my english, but, I believe you got my point.

[KPAudio]

I have only heard the Maxx 2, but that sounded terrific. Generally the FBT Maxx series gets good reviews here in Denmark. And here in Denmark you can get a Maxx6 for the same price of a EV SX300. The Maxx 9 sub is also a lot cheaper than the equivalent Mackie SWA 1501. But if you do buy the set, please keep us informed (at least me). I would like to know more about the sub, and how it performs.

[Bajazz]

I have the 4a. I think they sound very good for the price and the weight.

[Crooner]

What would be your choice for the light active system. I´m in the between rock and hard place, because I would get that FBT set pretty nicely, but I have heard so much different response, that I don´t know what to think. I haven´t heard how they sounded.

[agedhorse]

I looked at FBT at NAMM tradeshow and they looked to be better than average in that product class. We don't see much of them in the States here, but they seem to be well received in Europe mostly.

[flanc]

Look at the Yorkville NX20p for a lightweight active...I think about 35 lbs.

[rintincop]

The FBT sound better than the Mackie SRM 450???
They have more clarity and warmth?

[Bajazz]

Originally posted by flanc
Look at the Yorkville NX20p for a lightweight active...I think about 35 lbs. The FBT MaxX 4A is 32 lbs. Had them for 1 1/2 year now. Never had problems with them. I think they look great and sound great, gonna A/B to mackies tomorrow.

[rintincop]

Bajazz, have you heard the FBT Max 2/ 2A?

[Audioeast]

Originally posted by Crooner
Does anyone have experience about them? I´m planning to buy Maxx6 and maxx9 as sub (both active), so at least if you know about them and you don´t feel they are good quality for the money. If you want to say something good about them I gladly receive that kind of response too.
I would like to hear your opinion!

My Experience with them is limited but i've found several model to be really clean and the build was quite robust and as i've learned recently very light weight for active boxes......good luck and let us know how it sounds

[Bajazz]

Originally posted by rintincop
Bajazz, have you heard the FBT Max 2/ 2A? No, unfortunately. I'm planning of buying one for monitor, to get the same sound as FOH.

[Red]

Originally posted by Bajazz
The FBT MaxX 4A is 32 lbs. Had them for 1 1/2 year now. Never had problems with them. I think they look great and sound great, gonna A/B to mackies tomorrow.

Would love to hear how the A/B went as I'm looking at Mackie SRM450's, Yorkville NX550P's or FBT maxx4a's and your input would be much appreciated.

[B. Adams]

Would love to hear how the A/B went as I'm looking at Mackie SRM450's, Yorkville NX550P's or FBT maxx4a's and your input would be much appreciated.

Here (http://www.roaddog.com/search/swish.cgi?query=yorkville+nx&submit=Search%21&metaname=swishdefault&sort=swishrank&si=0&dr_o=12&dr_s_mon=1&dr_s_day=4&dr_s_year=2004&dr_e_mon=1&dr_e_day=4&dr_e_year=2004) was something I posted on a different thread. Somewhere in there it compares a bunch of speakers, which a guy A/B'd and posted his results. Generally, the concensus is that FBT sounds better than Yorkville, but they cost more to do that. Yorkville sounds better than Mackie, but cost less. I'd narrow it down to Yorkville and FBT...

The Yorkville NX550P outpowers the FBT Maxx4A by 150 watts, but they are a similar price.

[rintincop]

From another thread talking about B&C components used in FBT speakers vs RCF components used in Mackie speakers.

by "Kennykeys"
Member

"As far as I can gather, this is the story:
RCF (Mackie compononets) have gone through some changes since being bought by Mackie. They more or less scrapped their previous line of very popular drivers and introduced new models. The new company/drivers don't seem to be used as much by speaker cab builders. Also, a couple of their top engineers left RCF and started EighteenSound (some very nice drivers.)
The popularity of B&C products has increased in the past few years (Yorkville, FBT, TCS, Nexo, Vdosc?). "

[Bajazz]

Well, don't know... Sounded like the FBT has clearer sound, but it could as well be a little EQ difference. I would say these two are pretty close. I had a little background noise while soundcheck, so the nuance difference was lost. And I guess that would be a perfect test situation...?

[Red]

Thanks for the input Bajazz.

So if the the Yorkville NX550P sounds better than the Mackie SRM450 (at least according to some posts here), and the FBT Maxx4a sounds basically the same as the Mackie, than is it safe to say that the Yorkville may be the better of the 3? Or are they all so close that it really doesn't matter? I'm pretty much down to these 3 and I just don't know which to buy? Maybe I'm down to the Yorkies and FBT's. $600 + is a lot of money for me so I don't want to regret my purchase.

Bajazz, you are the only one I've heard of who has done this comparison, any more you comment on the test? The Mackie has more power I believe so did you crank them up pretty loud for the comparison? Did both have plenty of headroom? Also, my application won't need them cranked up so did one sound better at low volume, medium volume, high volume?

Thanks,
Dane

[Red]

Hmmm, I just realized that I was confusing the Yorkville and Mackie when referring to the higher power in the speaker. The Yorkville has quite a bit more power and I'm wondering how that translates sound wise.

[Bajazz]

Originally posted by Red
Thanks for the input Bajazz.
So if the the Yorkville NX550P sounds better than the Mackie SRM450 (at least according to some posts here), and the FBT Maxx4a sounds basically the same as the Mackie, than is it safe to say that the Yorkville may be the better of the 3? Or are they all so close that it really doesn't matter? ...<snip>... Bajazz, you are the only one I've heard of who has done this comparison, any more you comment on the test? The Mackie has more power I believe so did you crank them up pretty loud for the comparison? Here is how the test was done:

Mackie left and FBT right, used main faders
was alone, so I had to run from "stage" to dance floor and back all the time
10-15 people + drinking Capucchino, beer eating a sandwich etc. Didn't want to scare them
guitar + vocal mic on dance floor, mixer on stage

I guess you want full freedom to do a real A/B, adjusting EQ, doing different volumes, etc, but then again, when are you allowed full freedom doing soundcheck playing in a club/bar/coffee house?

I play solo with guit/voc/harp, so for me a 12" is OK.

[Kennykeys]

Red,
Have you tried any searches on these speakers (here and elsewhere?)
From what I've heard, the Mackie sounds sweet at low to moderate volumes but gets compressed and runs out of gas when cranked.
IIWY, I'd go with the Yorkie.....I've heard of NO complaints about that speaker, established company, they make proven amps too (often the weak point of these types of products), and a good warrenty. The FBT might be more difficult to get serviced if the need arrises.
.02$

[Red]

Well, I've searched pretty hard and have found some reviews on them but nothing like the Mackies since pretty much every store caries them. Of course that means nothing since Ultrasound acoustic amps are the best out and many people haven't heard of them either............YET!!!!! The fact that FBT is SO new on the scene does concern me though so it does push me a little towards the Yorkies.

Then again I can get the Mackies for $600 to my door which I think is cheaper than FBT or Yorkville but it seems to be unanimous that both of these sound better which is more important.

[rintincop]

I keep reading messages that FBT owners prefer the sound of the FBT speakers. They say the FBT has better clarity. They say that the Mackie SRM 450 and JBL EON sound more harsh.

[Randy Focht]

Have any of you heard of Phonic 550/450,
Behringer B300, Samson db500a, or Crest LQ15p / LQ 12p powered speakers?

[Kennykeys]

Originally posted by Randy Focht
Have any of you heard of Phonic 550/450,
Behringer B300, Samson db500a, or Crest LQ15p / LQ 12p powered speakers?
I've heard OF them all, but haven't heard any.
But if you want real good quality, I'd look at the Crest first and dismiss the Phonic and Behringer.
.
Try a few searches.

[Randy Focht]

I have definitely dropped the idea of the Behringer. Too many break downs.

I wish that I could buy them all and test them out for a week. Then keep all of the good ones.

It seems that we have nothing similar to PC magazine, which used to compare all of the products with each other. It was very helpful.

Anyone know of a compaison between the best amplified speakers?

All of these have 90 degree horns.
Only two can be considered light weight: Mackie and FBT.
They are all powerful.
They all have good bass, as far as I know.
As far as I know, the only one that overheats is Mackie.

1. Mackie (still worried about over heating and may need fans), but love the idea of a very flat studio sound.
2. Phonic - supposed to be loud
3. Crest - supposed to have good bass
4. Samson - supposed to be loud, but have heard of blown tweeters.
5. FBT (If I can afford them) very lightweight. They are said to sound better than Yorkville, which were said to sound better than Mackie.

Someone please rate these speakers from best to worst, and why.