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Ok. Dropped some coin on a what is supposed to be a leader in the industry - a powered Mackie SWA-1501. It was a factory refurbished with a full warranty from a Milwaukee, WI dealer.

I have some experience with sound from back in my post high school days as well as many high end, way too loud car audio systems, so hooking this up was certainly straight forward. I could go into all the sound equipment that I use and how it is hooked up but that really is of no relevance.

After purchasing this sub around Christmas we used it for one show and along with 2 SRM350s everything sounded very good!

Half way through the second show smoke started rolling out of the back of the sub along with flames. From my location I can easily monitor the status of sub and at no time did we clip or overheat and none of the built in features ever kicked in to limit output or shut it down.

After a complete lack of customer support from the MFG I packaged the speaker up and delivered it to an authorized Mackie service center, also in Milwaukee. They received a card for the amp from Mackie and upon testing experienced the same problem. Once you let the smoke out, you can't get the stuff back in

The repair center reported the problem to Mackie and received a replacement amp. Days of testing went well and it was shipped back in the original MFG packing to us via UPS - damaged. UPS claimed inadaqute packaging.

Well, Mackie wanted the damaged sub sent back to the service center for evaluation. Mackie decided to replace it with another factory refurb. Eventually, the replacement arrived and 30 minutes later it had filled our living room with smoke

Many emails, voice mails, waiting on hold, hundereds of miles, 3+ months and tons of hours later, we have our third Mackie SWA1501 refurb and it has held up for 3 shows, so far...

Never once was there an apology or any form of compensation, or expedited service offered by Mackie. The service center was excellent and very supportive, especially considering we didn't even purchase the Mackie from them.

After the second one burnt up I went out an bought an RSQ 15" 700W sub. No problems.

They are still threatening to bill me (full retail price) for the damaged speaker returned to the service center .

Mackie can kiss my

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-Kona

-1 for mackie man, that's the kind of stuff you expect from Behringer warranty service

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Actually I think Behringer service is great. I have never had a problem with it. They also have a good rep for that online, if not for their designs and reliability.

Had one PMH180M go bad, immediately replaced without question. Tried a V-Verb, got two bad DOA. They were immediately replaced, without question, and a refund was given (by MF) when I decided to buy a Lexicon instead.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Obviously, this company have seen better days I'd say the whole company will probably go up in smoke, not just their subs

Deales are openly complaining about the lack of support from the MFG. And I thought LOUD was supposed to be 'all that'..

I noticed there seems to be an unlimited supply of 'B stock' new Mackie SRMv2 available.

Interesting...

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-Kona

Downhill since Greg bailed and they set up shop next to Uli's slavecamp
Tapco anyone?

I don't know that I would ever call Mackie a leader in the industry. That said, the new SWA series of sub woofers have been an absolute disaster for Mackie. I'm not sure where you went for these, but I know from talking with the guys at Uncle Bob's that the chinese manufactured subs are simply garbage. For a while, Mackie wasn't even repairing them, they would just have the dealers replace it from stock. I had hoped by now the bugs would be worked out but it doesn't seem that's the case.

It's really too bad because the previous generation, the SRS1500's were phenominal subs. I have a pair that I use from time to time with my rig and they just work. The worst problem I've had with them (and they're 6 years old now) was a power switch that failed on one of them. A case of beer for the right person and that was repaired. Unfortunately, you can't find them used anywhere because the get snatched up really quick. I've been trying to find one or two more myself and every time I see one for sale by the time I get to it it's sold. Word is out, people know the new ones are crap.

I will add, I have heard nothing but rave reviews from folks who've used the SRM series cabinets. Seems whatever is going on with the powered subs is not affecting the powered full-range models. Personally, I've got the S215 passive cabinets and they have been terrific. So that problem seems to be related to the electronics and only in the subs. Such a shame.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Was talking to a local music shop repair guy last year (telling him how much I love my SRM450s). He was up to his collarbones fixing an entire batch of SRM450s from the chinese slavepits. Certain circuits would easily burn out. Thermal shutdown of the units resulted and never went away until the burned out circuits were replaced.

Uncle bob's will try to sell ya some lowrider 18s. if you let em. They arent too high on anything Mackie except there mixers. Mackie had some decent power amps for a while, but ive never been overly impressed by any of there speakers. some are decent, but not great. I love all my Mackie mixers BUT, I agree with many here, the whole company is going up in smoke, not just the subs.

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the voices arent real, but they have some good ideas

Mackie is a sales leader in powered speakers. But like Tony I wouldn't suggest that they're a quality leader. And those 1501 subs have been trouble all along - no matter which version.

Best of luck dealing with Loud Kona D. Let us know how it goes.

That's what I like about Yorkville, made in Canada and you can talk (e-mail) directly with the repair people. Guy has given us excellent advice and told us how to do the simple things. Excellent warranty, even better customer service.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Yet another Mackie Horror story, wow! Thanks for sharing this.

I had actually been considering this sub myself but after doing a lot of research and reading every review I could find on them, well frankly, I ran away from this sub.
Everywhere I turned I heard nothing but problems such as the OP stated.
I have the SRM 450s as mains, (the first ones not V2) and I still love them but for my sub I went with a Yorkville and am happy as heck with it. Also using a powered Yorkville for a monitor.(replaced the Kustoms)

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

That's what I was thinking too. Run away as fast as you can from Mackie. I was actually thinking about buying a 1202 VLZ3 mixer but I don't want to take the chance.

Looks like Behringer is looking better, eh Lonnie.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Not for a mixer.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Agreed, Mackie's got some problems with their Active speaker line and in particular the subs but their consoles are a completely different story. And having actually heard Mackie, Peavey and Behringer consoles side by side through the same PA, Mackie is far and away the better console.

And for the record, our band has been using a complete Mackie rig (2 SR24.4 VLZ Pro consoles, SRS1500 subs and SR1530 cabinets) for over 5 years now and the only problem they've had to date is a failed power switch on one of the subs last summer.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke