Mackie 824 MK2 v Amped Definitive SMS 450

Magister85,

I'm presently using two Mackie 824s plus a Def Tech Reference subwoofer. Shortly I'm planning to add 4 more Mackie 824s (once I have my console and speaker cabinets built).

I have little to criticize about my current audio setup. It works well.

Ken

Magister85,

I'm presently using two Mackie 824s plus a Def Tech Reference subwoofer. Shortly I'm planning to add 4 more Mackie 824s (once I have my console and speaker cabinets built).

I have little to criticize about my current audio setup. It works well.

Ken

Ken,

You have chosen wisely, IMO. I always encourage VPO enthusiasts to start with one pair of exceptional quality speakers and then add more of the same later. I use a single pair of HR824 (original) for all the voicing work I do on the Paramount series because these monitors tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It is important to make voicing changes based on neutral and accurate reproduction and not to compensate for a flaw in the speaker.

Hauptwerk offers a very special audio routing scheme, "octaves and ranks cycled". This effectively splits notes and ranks among available speakers to mitigate IM distortion, beating thirds, and signal mixing. The one caveat is that all the speakers in the group must be identical. For me the point of diminishing returns is six pairs.

Joe Hardy

So final between 450 and mackie 824 mk2 you recommend the mackie?

So final between 450 and mackie 824 mk2 you recommend the mackie?

My comments pertain to the older US built HR824. If you live in the States these are relatively easy to find on eBay for around $650 a pair in good condition. I'm sure the DefTec SM450 or the newer HRs would both be very good choices.

Joe Hardy

I wish the original HR824's would come up on Australian ebay but I have only ever seen one used pair, which went for a much higher price than you see in the US.

It's worth keeping an eye out for similar websites - I barely missed out on one on ebay, but luckily picked up a pair on Sydney's craigslist.These speakers are true value for money.