Karaoke Forums

Which would you prefer for just a home and small party karaoke speaker system.  I've decided on powered speakers and these are both in my price range (<$300 each). They both seem fairly even on paper but wanted to know from those who have heard them if they would recommend one over the other.  

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BEHB215A

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tapco-TH15A-Thump-15-Powered-Speaker?sku=600299


Also, would the built-in compressor in the Tapco's work well enough that I would not need to buy a separate dedicated compressor?

Thanks!

Well you are comparing a 200 watt speaker (Tapco) to a 400 watt speaker (Behiringer).  If I had to choose between these two only, (even though I hate their products) i'd go with the Behringer (audible gasp from all).  Better specs & more power.

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Thanks Lonman,  I hear what you are saying about comparing a 200w to a 400w but what is confusing me it that the Behringers specs say that they only have 200w going to the woofer and 50 to the high and that they are only RATED at 400w.  So are they REALLY putting out 400w and therefore, more powerful than the Tapco's?  Or is it really like comparing 200w to just 250w which would make the performance comparisin much closer?

Ah didn't catch that, the 400 watt rating IS a peak rating.  They do look to be a 250 watt (total) speaker.  The Tapco is a 200 (total) rating.  Still ONLY going by specs, would still opt for the Behringer.

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I actually looked at and tested the Tapco Thumps when I was evaluating powered speakers. I also looked at Mackie 450's and EV 250's. I bought the EV's, because I wanted the additional power, and felt that the EV's were the best choice.

I will say this about the Tapcos, they sounded very good. They have excellent bass response, and the highs sounded good as well. They have a decent SPL of 116dB.

Although they may be a little low in power, for most applications they woould work pretty well. For a home system, this is plenty of power. The price is also good.

These are supposedly designed by the same people (EAW) that designed the Mackies.

Great feedback guys,  I appreciate it!

Can you answer my question about the compressor in the Tapco's?  Will it (or any other built-in compressor) work well enough that I won't need a separate dedicated compressor?  And if I do buy a dedicated compressor, will there be any conflict between it and the built-in one that will negatively affect anything?

Not sure about this. I would think, that the built in active compression is set high but at a limit designed to protect the speakers. It is not adjustable, where as a compressor would be. I don't think your talking about the same thing.

I am indeed gasping.

I have two of the B212A. They have done multiple gigs and daily practice sessions without a whimper. I also know a KJ who gigs 4 sets -- one in each of his venues so he doesn't have to move speakers. He brings a small Yamaha mixer, a laptop, and he has a show. No moving. To my knowledge, not a problem, though I haven't seen him for 6 months.

Tapco is a line of Loud Technoligies. It has been brought back to be the entry level line of the Mackie Product. This is a completly new design for loud tech. The speakers and componets are actully much better that the current old Mackie stuff out there. You will notice that mackie has changed their line and there are v2 of all tha Mackie speakers coming out in the next year. The 450's are already out.

They have better amps and drivers as Mackie has had countless probles with all their powered speakers over the last few years. These are totally different. I hate Mackie and will say the Tapco speakers are very soild and have a pretty good sound to them. I recomend them over the Behringers.

You will find the Tapco's to be more sound efficent even with slightly less power they will produce higher SPL.

I use both the Tapcos (permanent install at my service club) and the Behringers. I prefer the Behringers, but not by much.

I just completely switched to Behringer Speakers . I purchased a set of liteweights B212 and the heavier 15" B215pro.  I have had nothing but compliments from the people at the bar on the sound of both sets.   Truth is they sound great but so did my Yamahas and Peaveys.   I think that Behringer has come a long way with their products which are manufactured for a pro on a budget.  They are as Good as many of  the bigger brand names.    Is a $300 powered Behringer Speaker as Good as a $500 MAckie ....  I say YES ......  Is it as good as a $1000 speaker ...only a fool would think so ....  but then again Behinger products are produced to compete within its class.   I know LYquid likes to the hIGH END products and he has the business to support it.   I think if some of you actually tried some of the current Behringer products you would be suprised.   ( AND no I don't work for them..)
Gigging part time and only 1 day a week I've grown accustomed to knowing a  GOOD DEAL

That's an easy question, Tapco by far! Better specs and that 50 watts difference is on paper... I'm sure the Tapco sound better and should offer a much better customer service if needed, Behringer has NO service and usually offer a very low quality product

This is simply wrong. They have excellent customer service, and it is available readily, at least in the U.S.

hi MRaz,
As far as specs go the B215a have an amp rating of 200/320 lows 50/80 highs max 126 db spl@ 1m (400watt Peak), the Tapco's have 150/182 lows  50/60 highs max 116 db spl @ 1m (242watt Peak).
I have some of the B215A's and the B212A's as well as the non powered B215 and B212, They perform well, hold their own with much more exspensive speakers. The B215A's don't have as much bottom end as the JBL Eon's but then again they are not over $700 a speaker.
The Tapco's look pretty good as far as what they have to offer, not as much power, but until I have used them side by side I would not say which speaker puts out more sound, according to specs it would be the B215A's, but the tests from one Mfg to another is not always the same. I like the fact that they seem to be lighter 36 lbs vs 43 lbs .
As far as how Behringer products hold up over the long run and how their service is, let's put it this way, I purchased my first Behringer products for Karaoke and DJ in 2004, I own over $50,000.00 worth of Behringer Products, have had to send 5 units back for sevice and they took care of it without a problem. I get compliments all the time on our sound, I have seen guys set up systems with speakers costing 3 and 4 times that of my Behringer and it sounded awful. I always say cheaper equipment set up right will always outperform more exspensive equipment set up poorly.
I don't think you would go wrong with either speaker, but I would personally go with the B215A's or spend the extra on the new 600 watt Behringer B415DSP Eurolive Powered PA Speaker   at $500.00 each.
( I went to the Tapco site and checked the specs on the Speaker and according to the site the peak output of the amp in the speaker is 298 low / 99 high so the peak out put seems to be about equal and yes I run my Behringers right at max just before clipping for hours and hours at a time. I am probably going to try the new B415DSP's for my quick set up as they have alot more power and features than the B215A's. I'll be sending a pair of B215A's and B212A's to my son in Nashville, the bar he works at wants him to set up an open mic night as well as they want him and his girl friend to take one of the Saturday Night spots to do a Gig with Accoustic Guitar and Vocals.)

bowfishn (and everyone else who has taken time to respond),

Thanks for your opinions.  I have ordered all of the rest of my equipment but these speakers are still something I keep debating.  Honestly, I am still confused.  It seems from all the feedback I have seen on this site and from my other research elsewhere, that the specs advantage of the Behringer's are really only on PAPER.  It has been hard to find someone who can offer a direct comparison between the two based on actual use.  I DO like the fact that Tapco is making an 18" 500watt sub just for the thumps's so that would be nice to add on to in the future and know they are all balanced as a system.  But a pair of thumps is running about $150 more than a pair of B215a's so that is attractive too considering many are favoring them anyway.

As has been said, I don't think I can go wrong with either so I will continue looking for opinions but need to decide by the end of the week and RIGHT NOW, I am leaning toward the Thump's.   PSSL has them with free stands right now.  

Thanks again, you guys are a wealth of knowledge  :)

Mraz

What I've found out from most who  comment on Behringer as (low quality) or no customer service really have never PURCHASED any of their products.  In the last few years I have purchased various products of Behringer.   1 time I did get a powered mixer that was defective but was replaced no questions and since worked great.  I since have 2 powered mixers, 1 unpowered mixer and now 4 speakers.
All of which I say are GREAT BUYS.   Are they the TOP OF THE LINE in pro-audio gear?   Of course not ..but most people are not buying top of  the line for kj'ing.

If you are on a budget  and want good audio products - don't be afraid of Behringer
buy from a source where if you are not happy you can return.  I bet you you won't want to once you try it.

I HAVE purchased various Behringer products over the years, and while I have nothing negative to say about their customer service, the fact remains that reliability is very hit-and-miss. To date:

1) 4 power amps which have all been ultra reliable- even with 2ohm loads.

2) 1 compressor which lasted only about 4 months. Replaced under warrany and the new one lasted 1 month. Now collecting dust in the garage.

3) 2 V-Amps (guitar processors)- both failed due to very delicate plastic constuction around the input and output jacks.

4) 3 microphones which lasted about 2 months. Don't like being dropped.

5) 1 12-channel mixer which lost two mic channels and one main out within 6 months.

6) 1 12-inch monitor speaker which has so far been great (9 mos. use).

All failed items were replaced under warrenty, but are now relegated to emergency use only. All the items performed satisfactorally when new, and may be good for home use. I guess it's a good thing I always have a back-up (and usually a back-up for the back-up ).

I guess MY bottom line is, I have faith in their amps and speakers, but not much else.

I own:

     2 B1520 speakers
     2 B212A powered speakers*
     1 PMH3000 powered mixer*
     2 CX3400 crossover*+
     1 MDX1600 compressor*
     3 Behringer XM8500 mics+
     2 Ultragraph Pro 1502 Equalizers*
     2 Ultra DI boxes
     1 EP2500 power amp*
     1 PMH518M powered mixer

The ones marked with an asterisk get daily use and have for a year or more, and the ones marked with a + get weekly use. Admittedly I don't do a lot of moving of them, though I gig out about 12 times a year.

I had the PMH518 fail on me after 2 months, blew the amp one day when I dropped a mic connected to it. It was replaced without question in no time at all, with shipping paid both ways.

I bought a V-Verb and it failed, got a replacement and it failed, then gave it back and bought a Lexicon MX200 instead.

I know quite a few people who swear by Behringer, and more than a few that swear at them. My general impression is that their reliability and service keeps getting better, but that it takes quite a bit of time to live down past problems.

And I do use both the Tapco Thump and the Behringer equivalent. I like the Behringer just a bit better from a sound quality standpoint, but the Thump is fine too.