Mackie SWA1501 vs Mackie SRS1500

[Jimmy C]

I was looking around for a discounted SRS1500 because they are being phased out and then began to wonder about the newer SWA1501. And from the price quotes I have gotten they are not that much different in price.

Any thoughts on the SWA? Should it be much better? All I noticed is it only has 13-ply Baltic Birch v. the SRS' 18-ply Baltic Birch...shows you how little I know .

http://www.mackie.com/sr/srs1500/index.html

http://www.mackie.com/sr/swa1501/index.html

*Edit: Lol...Well, some literature says 13-ply for the SWA and some literature says 18-ply. More Mackie typos in their specs:

http://www.mackie.com/scripts/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7&t=000497

FWIW, A mackie rep ("dB" in the post below) claims that there was a redesign with the SWA...this includes using horns instead of ports to improve air flow, thereby resulting in less distortion and a faster, smoother attack:

http://www.mackie.com/scripts/forum/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=7&t=000413

[RVH]

Jimmy,
We just received our first shipment of the new SWA-1501 and are quite impressed. The old one's were great and Mackie has improved on the sound even more.
They are tighter sounding and do get the air moving a lot more.
The price remained the same which is causing dealers to take a beating on the old version right now. Oh well. It happens.

I can't wait for the SWA-1801's to arrive. Should be able to knock the dust off of the ceiling with that baby.

Regards,
Rik
By the way? How are those Hart pads working out for you?

[Jimmy C]

I love my Hart Pro pads . After all we went through they were...(gasp)...worth the wait !

I am noticing one 12" tom is less sensitive than all others...maybe a loose piezo or something. Its definitely the drum and not the module settings. I can crank up the sensitivity and it sounds fine, but there is a very noticable difference compared to the other drums...I will wait and see before I consider shipping it to Hart for repair...still, I am very happy .

RE: SWA-1501...
I had been calling around to get price quotes but I really wanted to hear it so I went to GC and checked it out. I was impressed...although I didn't do a true A/B comparison we had already used a 1500 for several gigs so I knew how it performed. I threw a lowball price at the guy and to my shock he said "ok." As he helped me carry it out the door he said "I am new here and I am really selling low to get some repeat business." Here's the rest of the story: Our guitarist recently breaks his arm, our singer quits because he and his wife are expecting their first child, and I go out and buy a new Mackie sub. Am I in mid-life crisis or what? .

[gingerbaker]

crisis - what crisis?

Hey, you're not in a midlife crisis until you carry the new subwoofer home in the back of your shiny new Porshe - the one the chicks dig!

BTW, thanks for the update on the new subwoofers - the 18" er especially sounds really interesting.

How are the warranties on these new models? This is important to me as I have had my 1500 in twice now (even as we speak) for repairs.

[ First time I tore the woofer out along its rim, and this time was a beauty - evidently the amp gave out, melting its output transistors, then the woofer was frozen in the forward position, with juice still going through the voice coil, causing the whole thing to catch fire!

Smoke was billowing out of the poor thing, yet the front power light was still on, the rear panel wasn't even that warm, and whatever safety circuitry was there was evidently on vacation.]

Needless to say, I am very appreciative of the 5 year warranty Mackie gives on these things, and hope the new ones come with the same deal!!

[RVH]

Jimmy,
Check the tower in your 10" tom. Make sure the foam piece on the top is making contact with head properly. That is the only thing I can think of that would make your tom less sensitive.

This is an easily replaced item if it is the problem.
Rik