#1963846 - 06/28/08 06:13 AM
Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
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Eric Johnson
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Registered: 01/21/07
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I know there are a lot of people on this board who like the Mackie 450 active speakers. I've been trolling ebay and craiglist looking to pickup one used to run my keyboards through at my next gig.
However I came across another forum where they were bad mouthing the Mackies. They were saying there is a known issue where the speakers overheat and shut down. Has anybody here experienced this? Is it something that only happens playing outdoors in the heat? Is this a problem that was addressed in the SRM450v2?
The participants in the other board were suggesting the Yorkville NX55P as a substitute. Has anybody played with the Yorkvilles?
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#1963851 - 06/28/08 07:01 AM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: Eric Johnson]
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Bill H.
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Registered: 05/24/04
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Loc: Columbia River Gorge, US
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I was in a band for awhile that had six of them. They were fine on stands in free space, and this band really pushed them. They used a couple as floor monitors and those would shut down sometimes.
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#1963858 - 06/28/08 07:22 AM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: Bill H.]
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midinut
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Registered: 08/18/03
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Loc: North Carolina
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I used a pair for a long time that I boorowed form a DJ friend of mine. I agree with Bill, whenever I had them n stands they were fine. But if you lay them on their side you are in fact "impeding" the flow of air around the heat sink and they will shut down on you. Thermal Overload Protection I believe they called it. I loved the sound of them though. My friend moved and I no longer have access to them. I am thinking about the JBL EON 15 G2 as well (for the extra mixer channels - Mackie ony has the one input per speaker). I'm also interested in how the "new" Mackie's stack up against the "old". Good luck!
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#1963877 - 06/28/08 08:16 AM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: midinut]
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Byrdman
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Registered: 10/12/01
Posts: 2879
Loc: Portland,OR,UNITED STATES
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I have used a pair for mains and another pair for monitors and had no problems with either even for loud bands. Obviously though the heatsinks will work better vertically than in monitor position but if you crank the monitors you are going to have ear-bleed levels on stage and good luck preventing them feeding back through the mics at that level.
Having the heat sinks in direct summer sunlight is probably the one situation where you will run into trouble.
[edit: typo]
Edited by Byrdman (06/28/08 08:16 AM)
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#1963890 - 06/28/08 09:43 AM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: Byrdman]
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Eric Johnson
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Registered: 01/21/07
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It's good to know the problem may be limited to their use as stage monitors. I wouldn't be using them in that capacity anyway.
Does anybody know if the problem was addressed in Version 2?
Anybody have experience with the Yorkvilles?
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#1963904 - 06/28/08 11:18 AM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: Eric Johnson]
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Bill H.
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Registered: 05/24/04
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No experience there, but if you are no aware of it 450s are currently being closed out at prices below where they have been selling used. I think MF has them at $479 - free shipping.
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#1963957 - 06/28/08 02:22 PM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: Bill H.]
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mate_stubb
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Registered: 10/26/03
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Aren't the new Mackies using neodymium speakers, and thus weighing significantly less than the ones they replace?
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#1963959 - 06/28/08 02:31 PM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: mate_stubb]
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Aidan
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Registered: 08/11/06
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Moe, that's correct.
Eric, the only time I experienced thermal cut out was when I was using it as a wedge on the angle and I was really pushing it. I put it upright on the floor for the rest of the gig and had no problems.
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#1964206 - 06/29/08 05:30 PM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: Aidan]
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Hammonddave
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Registered: 01/20/08
Posts: 121
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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I have been using 2 SRM450's since they came out. In fact, I have the early models that were made in the US before they were made in China. I only had one thermal incident and it was when one was laying on its side in the hot sun. I now play with just one (its plenty load) standing up.
The new ones weight 10 lbs lighter... I have yet to hear them.
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#1964228 - 06/29/08 06:21 PM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: Hammonddave]
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NoahZark
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I've played with my Mackie SRM 450s many times (used principally as PA mains or my keyboard monitors). I've never had any thermal problems with them at all, although I, too, have read about the issue. I also didn't have any problems the few times that I used them as floor wedges, but that hasn't been my primary use.
For what it's worth, Mackie itself uses the following language in describing the newer SRM450v2 (emphasis added):
"With this 'Class D Fast Recovery amplification,' as we’ve lovingly (and creatively) dubbed the technology, the SRM450v2 handles maximum volume — and associated heat — with ease, so there’s no unwanted noise, and no thermal problems. Even after hours of sustained use at near-peak levels, your sound remains clean and your SRM450v2 keeps cool."
Thus, Mackie either recognized that there was a problem with the earlier model or they sought to tackle the "bad rap" thermal issue head on with the promos for the new model. You can decide, but, as I said, I have never had any problems with mine, and they've been driven loud and hard.
Noah
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#1964580 - 06/30/08 01:29 PM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: NoahZark]
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BluesKeys
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Registered: 05/26/04
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Loc: Raleigh, NC
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We HAVE had our Mackies with the horn band shut down during a live performance OUT SIDE last summer on one of the HOTTEST days of the year. I believe it was 102 degrees F that afternoon and we were on a flat bed trailer. They cut off intermittently and we had several unscheduled breaks. We put some large fans blowing behind them and solved the problem.
We have since found small electric fans that we now bungee to the backs when we play outside and have not had a problem since.
Edited by BluesKeys (06/30/08 02:54 PM)
Edit Reason: SP
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#1964592 - 06/30/08 01:44 PM
Re: Mackie 450SRM Thermal problem
[Re: BluesKeys]
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retrokeys
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Registered: 07/11/06
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We are a seven piece horn band and use the 450's for mains and 350's for monitors. Never had a thermal problem even on a gig last year where the band just about all had heat exhaustion. I've had the bottom of leslie 21 go out due to heat but never the Mackies
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