MACKIE Activates Superior Live Sound With The SRM450v2 Portable Active Loudspeaker

Anyone who's owned Mackie's SRM450 portable active loudspeakers knows why they became the de facto industry standard. With their ingeniously conceived active design, right out of the box, they sounded incredible and performed flawlessly-no EQ needed. As a bonus, they were durable and affordable, allowing struggling bands to put on great-sounding shows night after night, without breaking the bank. So it makes sense that it took the same folks behind the SRM450 to create a portable active loudspeaker that delivers even better sound, portability and performance: the SRM450v2.

When I first got my hands on a pair of the SRM450v2s, I thought I had somehow acquired new strength, because they felt quite light. I discovered this was not due to a sudden boost in my fitness levels, but rather to the SRM450v2's new design, which makes it weigh a stunning 11 pounds less than the original. It's enough to make you feel like Hercules every time you load in and out! And like the original, the SRM450v2 can be positioned in a number of ways, making it a very versatile performer: it's pole-mountable, flyable, and can also be used as a wedge monitor. The innards are well protected by a polypropylene cabinet-now in a tasty shade of blue-so the renowned Mackie "built-like-a-tank" rugged durability remains intact…as will the SRM450v2, no doubt.

But let's move on to the meat of the matter: the sound. It's clear Mackie put some real thought and effort into the design of the SRM450v2. With its new Class-D Fast Recovery amplification, the SRM450v2 operates more efficiently than the original, delivering much more power and clarity. It handles maximum volume-and associated heat-with ease. I pushed the pair I demo'd hard, too, cranking it up for hours. Despite all the sonic abuse I threw at them, they continued to perform impeccably. I heard no unwanted noise, and encountered no thermal problems whatsoever.

When the SRM450v2 loudspeakers are on stage, it's like the venue has been transformed into an acoustically controlled studio. That's how good they sound-no matter where you stand, you hear a studio-sound quality mix…but at full-on, mind-blowing levels. While the original SRM450 delivered an impressively wide dispersion pattern, the SRM450v2 projects sound more widely and evenly, for improved imaging, depth of field and definition. All frequencies are exceptionally detailed; the advanced electronic time-correction feature means highs and lows reach listeners' ears simultaneously, so they're very well balanced, too. And the new servo-feedback controlled neodymium woofer delivers incredibly super-tight, punchy bass-I was astonished that such a compact unit could produce bass quality that's usually found in much larger, more costly loudspeakers.

Mackie forever changed the landscape of live sound with the original SRM Series active loudspeakers. And with the introduction of the SRM450v2, they appear to have done it again. Not only does the SRM450v2 sound better than the original, it sounds better-and louder-than any other portable loudspeaker I've heard. If you want your live performances to sound truly loud and clear, with no compromises, then definitely check out the SRM450v2, or the more compact SRM350v2. Coming in with the same price tags as the original SRM Series, there's just no reason not to go for it.

• Ultra-wide, smooth dispersion via multi-cell horn aperture and HF waveguide
• High-output precision titanium compression driver for ultra-clear highs and mids
• Neodymium long-throw low frequency transducer with 3-inch voice coil for superior bass extension
• Servo Feedback controlled woofer for tight low-end punch
• 300W class-D, Fast Recovery LF amp / 100W HF amp
• Mackie Active Electronic time alignment, phase correction and EQ for studio quality sound
• Mic/line input and pass-thru connector
• Lightweight for ultimate portability (11 lbs lighter than the original SRM450)
• Flyable, pole mountable, floor wedge-able

• Ultra-wide, smooth dispersion via HF waveguide
• High-output precision titanium compression driver for ultra-clear highs and mids
• 10" Neodymium long-throw low frequency transducer for superior bass
• 165W class-D, Fast Recovery LF amp / 30W HF amp
• Mackie Active Electronic time alignment, phase correction and EQ for studio quality sound
• Mic/line input and pass-thru connector
• Lightweight for ultimate portability (26 lbs)
• Flyable, pole mountable, floor wedge-able