Buy Mackie SRM150 5.25 Compact Active PA systemMackie SRM150 5.25 Compact Active PA system Product Description:
- Extremely portable active loudspeaker system
- Built-in Mackie mixer for superior sound
- 3-channel mixer with 3-band active EQ
- Two high-headroom Mackie Mic/line preamps with 48V phantom power
- Instrument-ready input (no DI required)
Product Description
Ideal for a multitude of uses from A/V to live music performance, the Mackie SRM150 Compact Active PA System features a built-in mixer, exceptionally high output, and offers the best performance of any loudspeaker system in its class and price range.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful.
A near-field monitor with that Mackie MOTAH!
By Mark R. Wietstock
About Mackie in General:This is my first experience with a Mackie powered speaker, but I've heard nothing but good things about their powered speakers from others who own/use them, and have used several of their mixers over the years, including a 12-channel model that I've been using personally for over ten years. Their mixers are built like Swiss army knives, and I consider them to be among the best-designed and best-constructed pieces of pro-audio equipment I've ever used, so I generally rate the Mackie brand pretty highly.Near-Field Monitors:"Near-field monitors" are basically miniaturized versions of the cabinet speakers most musicians and other pro-audio users are used to seeing on the floor, facing up toward the musician. They come in both self-powered and un-amplified versions. When used on stage, they're typically mounted on a mic stand, but can also be set on the floor like a typical "wedge," on top of a piano, near the director of a choir, etc. ... basically anywhere "near" the person(s) needing a small reference monitor or other light-duty sound reinforcement.This particular product, designed by Mackie (Woodinville, WA, USA) and manufactured in China to Mackie specs, is designed to be a multi-tasking workhorse. You can use it as described above, or you can use it as a stand alone mini-PA system, e.g., to provide portable audio support for a computer-based slide show/video presentation; small public speaking affairs; mono amplification for an iPod or mp3 player, etc.Enclosure:The enclosure is a well-designed combination of polypropylene and steel. Most of the front, sides and bottom are molded polypropylene. This stuff has become very common in pro-audio speaker cabinets, because it's lightweight, shock/impact resistant, and practically indestructible. The JBL Eons use similar materials; I've used them for years and absolutely love them. The speaker grill is steel, apparently attached to the speaker opening with pressure and/or a bead of silicone adhesive. The back panel, including the area of the line in/out jacks, power controls, and heat dispersion fins, is all steel.A carrying handle is built into the top of the enclosure ... as opposed to the screw-on, strap-type carrying handle. On the bottom of the cabinet is a fitting for mounting the SRM150 on a mic stand. On the top is another fitting you can use to attach a boom, thus incorporating the SRM150 into a single mic stand assembly. I personally don't plan to use it that way, but it's nice to know you can if you're so inclined.Front Panel:The front panel features three separate inputs: 2 Neutrik "combo" inputs that allow use of either a ¼" instrument plug (balanced or unbalanced), or an XLR microphone plug, and 1 input that accepts the ubiquitous RCA L/R audio plugs. While this input is "stereo," the amp will obviously combine the R/L stereo feed received at this input into a mono output from the unit's speaker. Each input has its own dedicated level control, with the "Main," in turn, controlling volume on all three inputs simultaneously. In short, these controls make the SRM150 a miniature 3-channel powered mixer and PA, complete with 3-band EQ.The "instrument" button modifies the Channel 1 input to allow use of the input with high-impedance signals from instruments with electric pickups.The "phantom power" button sends "global" 48v DC phantom power to both of the combo inputs, so there's no problem with using condenser mics or other input devices that require phantom power.Rear Panel:The rear panel features another Neutrik "combo" input, which can be used to add an external source (e.g., CD playback, feed from another mixer) to the front panel sound sources, or in conjunction with the adjacent XLR "through" connector, e.g., if you want to daisy chain the SRM150 with other monitors, or use the SRM150 as a personal monitor/mixer and feed its "sub-mixed" output into a larger PA speaker/system. The mic/line button modifies the output level of the "through" jack for the latter use.The SRM150 uses a plug-in universal power cord, which I LOVE. My old Galaxy "Hot Spot" used a fixed-install power cord that lasted a pretty long time, but inevitably began to fail at the point where it enters the unit, requiring me to repeatedly open up the unit and reinforce the cable with duct tape.The power supply/amp is protected by a 3-amp circuit-breaker type fuse.Design, Sound and Power:While the basic design and function of these near-field monitors hasn't changed much in a long time, the power and technology being packed into them has changed quite a bit. For example, I started looking at replacements like the SRM150 and Behringer B205D (basically, a Behringer knockoff of the Mackie design) because both input circuits on my old Galaxy Audio "Hot Spot" were going bad, and I didn't want to spend the money putting it in the shop, which I'd already done once before, at a cost of about $75. That self-powered Hot Spot, which could pump 100 watts at 8 ohms (or 140 at 4 ohms) weighs 10.7 lbs. The Mackie is more powerful; sounds better; has better connection options and features than the Hot Spot, and weighs in at just 7.6 lbs. ... more than 3 lbs. lighter. That's a weight difference of almost 30%!The speaker in the Hot Spot is about 4 inches, and it basically sounds like a 4-inch speaker ... connected to a comparatively HUGE amp and driver magnet. The custom-engineered neodymium speaker in the SRM150 is 5.25 inches, and covers enough dynamic range to sound like a two-way with, say, about an 8-10" woofer. I mean, it's definitely small, but it CRANKS a lot "bigger" than you'd ever expect from its size. There is simply no comparison in the sound between the two. The sound from the Mackie is light years better than the Hot Spot.The target frequencies of the individual EQ controls are nicely spaced (High: 12kHz; Mid: 2.5kHz and Low: 100Hz, all adjustable to +/- 15dB); very well matched with one another, and equally well-matched with the effective dynamic range of the speaker and amp. Careful adjustments can yield some really amazing sound quality, depending on the quality of what you're putting in.The amp/speaker is rated for 100 watts continuous power, with peaks to 150 watts, and I would say the SRM150 gives every bit of that, with very low noise, and crystal clarity. I tested it by running through a few favorite tunes on my mp3 player, separately trying all three inputs, and it had me dancing all over the house.A Word About Durability and Warranty Protection:I read a review on another site that referred to the SRM150 as "fragile," and I have no reason to doubt the author's experience. While I find no fault with his assessment, I wouldn't call the SRM150 "fragile." I would, however, consider it a pretty specialized piece of PA equipment that probably isn't your best choice, e.g., if it's going to be constantly run at, or near peak volume in competition with much louder/bigger sound sources, bouncing around in the back of a van, getting dropped a lot, or getting hammered by other, larger pieces of equipment when it's being stored and transported. It sounds, looks and feels to me like it can easily hold up against all the abuse normally associated with, e.g., light acoustic setups, house of worship, home studio reference, parties, video/audio presentations, etc., but not as well in heavier, full band settings/uses.Mackie warrants this product for 3 years, and 90 days for its "B-Stock" factory refurbs. I got mine as "B-Stock," with a free, 1-year extension of the Mackie warranty from the online vendor I bought it from. Although the unit I got definitely showed signs of prior use and refurbishing, I found everything to be tight, clean and functioning perfectly. Sometimes I think you're better off getting something that the manufacturer's QC guys have gone through and tested not just once, but two or three times ... especially when it saves you 20% or more off the price for "new," and you can still get some decent warranty protection. Only time will tell if I was right about that this time ...Conclusion:So far, I couldn't be happier with the SRM150. It's lightweight, powerful, versatile, looks cool, sounds fantastic and is ridiculously easy to set up and use. It's a near-field monitor/mini-mixer/PA with that Mackie MOTAH. Buy with confidence.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.Mackie Excellence SRM-150
By S. Ryder
Awesome little speaker.Very Versitle.I am a drummer and use it for a stage monitor.Crystal clear with no distortion.I am very happy with Mackie Products."The poor mans Bose"
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful.
Great speaker, but stopped working twice during a gig
By Freddie B
This is an amazing speaker - when it works. Twice, however, I've had it stop working in the middle of a gig. The first time, I sent it to Mackie and they repaired it. In the mean time, I got another unit and it, too, stopped working (I play with it at gigs probably three times a week, one hour at a time). I play with an amplified acoustic guitar, so I'm not pushing this speaker... Anyway, the sad truth is I don't trust it. I now carry TWO at all times. While the sound is amazing, Mackie should be embarrased that they make such an unreliable product. When I spoke to them, they didn't seem to know the issue - although there are posts online about it from other people who have had the same problem.
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