So I got my powered tops and subs

[jcthedj]

I have had a pair of the Mackie 450s (V1) for the past six years with probably 400 events on them, in all kinds of weather including very hot (I'm in Arizona) and have NEVER had a problem with them. They have never shut down on me because they were too hot. I am in the process of buying two of the version 2 Mackies (they are lighter) and I am hoping to have the same great experience that I have had with the version 1s. I think you will be very happy with the Mackies.

[dmcclure]

Well last Saturday was my official test in a bar I have been doing every week for the past 6 yrs. Now keep in mind I have never heard QSC or the EV's in person so keep that in mind.

I was very happy with the sound , the tops were clear and clean and the sub hit like a ton of bricks. The Tops never got even a little warm and the sub never skipped a beat. I was literally feeling the bass pound my chest all night. I had the mackie sub turned at 12 noon and it handled everything I threw at it and then some. I even went up to the bar for a drink before it got busy and I could feel the bass vibrating the bar. This is a old bar so it's not some cheap thin bar.... it one of those old style all wood and very heavy type bars.

People commented all night how great everything sounded and it made me smile. I realize it's just the first use but I think it worked fine for the venue. I'll be curious to see how it preforms at other venues in the future.

[akdj]

I use the same rig...I've got 3 pairs of V1 450s, and two pairs of V2 450s. Total of 10 Mackie 450s. My V1s, two pairs are over 6 years old...well over 300 shows on each pair. I've slammed my head in to the top of my trailer loading them out--literally throwing the 450 I had in hand in the air, 6 foot drop...it was in a bag so no scratches....that was 4 years ago and it's NEVER had an issue. My V2s are 2 years old....we often do 4 weddings on Saturdays with each pair going out with a pair of 1501s (I have 6 1501s and 2 1801s) or a single 1801 pending venue. We always use subs no matter the size of building or crowd. I've never...I repeat NEVER had a single problem with ANY of my Mackie gear. An issue a while back with a mixer/1604 I believe with an F'ed fader after a half decade. Easily fixed locally. However...I live in Alaska and don't often do 'Hot' events. That said, I've done plenty of homecomings or proms with well over 1,000 high schoolers....running 4 1801s, 4 1501s and 8 450s---NEVER a shut down! And these events do get plenty "Warm"!

Good Luck...and I'm with you---the sound is excellent. For me it was an easy decision initially between the Eons and Mackies. To me, the sound of the Mackie was superior in every way.

BTW...my externally powered rig for big shows is All EV. We use QRX 115/75 (6 of them) QRX 118s (4 of them) and QRX 218s (2 of them) for events with 1500+ folks. QSX PLXII 3602s (1 for each pair of 18's--total of 4)) and PLXII 2502s (1 for each pair of 115s--total of 3). This is a monster of a system and a Monster of a load in/out setup. I'm very, VERY appreciative of the powered speakers on the market these days. After 20 years of hauling gear and running wire/electric---it's been, for me (other than LED lighting) one of the biggest benefits of amplifier and speaker technology.

Congrats on your rig. There are bum examples of each and every manufacturer. There are going to be lemons...but if it doesn't fail within 30 days of doing a few shows...you're good to go. In my experience...solid state electronics, if they are going to fail...typically fail within that first month. There are obvious exceptions...but I've had no, zero, zilch problems with my Mackie rigs and they're used 95% of the time for our gigs (we're going to end up doing just over 90 weddings this summer). Lots and LOTS of comments about excellent sound quality as well from my audiences. We use Pioneer DJM 3000 and 5000s with CDJ 3000s and iMac with Serato Live/Stanton STR8.150 decks. DBX processing (if needed) and Rane EQs. I also have a couple of BBe DS26s that we utilize in crossover situations for front of house/backline events.

Great job and Good Luck!

Jer