I have been the unfortunate owner or Pro-Sound equipment, and the unfortunate customer of Maplin electronics.
Let's get the positives out the way first, they are simple, and few and far between.
A few months ago, I bought a 200W Pro-Sound amplifier, and two 100W Pro-Sound loudspeakers. They are primarily for home use and found them an outstanding upgrade from the original panasonic CD player I had had my DJ equipment connected to. Very loud, shaking bass, superb way to get the parents complaining.
However, very quickly the system started to fail. The nature of DJ equipment means that there are multiple things that can prevent sound from working, particular with more advanced settings and controls.
This amplifier had two channels, to create a stereo sound, of course. One of these channels blew its fuse, not happy. It has been returned twice and the subsequent amplifiers had the same problem. Needless to say I gave up on the brand, and decided to use Richer Sounds as my source of next amp. The experience there was the exact opposite to that of Maplin, but that's for a different article, a positive one.
So, I get this new amplifier, turns out it has even more power, even though the spec in that area is the same [200W, 8 ohm resistance].
But the main thing I was looking forward to was having stereo once again, both speakers working in full flow, or that's what I'd hoped.
In the time between the amplifier blowing its fuse on one side and purchasing this new one, one of the speakers fails to play out of its main speaker. The tweeter is still working.
Puzzled as I am I post the question on Yahoo! Answers, and one of the main contributors told me that from my description he thought that my speaker had blown and the voice coil was somehow damaged. I can think of no incidents to cause this. I had got into the mindset where I'd had enough of all these problems and just wanted to start afresh, so I went to Maplin to find a new speaker, foolishly I had misplaced the receipt for the original.
So I go to the section where I had found my speakers, the lowest wattage I can find is 300W, and the shape has changed. I go to the counter, as I have an air duster in my hand to clean my mixer, and as I'm paying for that I ask if they have discontinued the 100W Pro-Sound speakers, he types on the pc, "Yes". Bit disappointed but not surprised I ask if I can bring mine in for repair, "We don't do repairs". Such a contrast from the service I recieved at Richer Sounds.
What's more, the speaker that does work rattles with particular songs, even when bass midi and treble are adjusted, I will not use the brand Pro-Sound again, and will use Maplin for what they're good for. [Connector plugs, adapters etc]
Anyway, I've had my rant, and am thinking of going with some Vestax speakers, as I trust the brand and they are aimed at what I do, DJing.
Any helpful suggestions on where to buy speakers [preferably within the UK] would be greatly appreciated, as well as comments you want to make regarding how this blog helped you. [If it did at all?!]
Lil-Tee
was just about to buy some pro sounds from maplin! you saved my life cheers!
ReplyDeleteps hows the vestags
No worries - I'm not sure what they're like these days but based on my experience I wouldn't recommend Maplin or Pro-Sound.
DeleteI didn't go for Vestax in the end, I went to Richer Sounds and picked up some Mordaunt-Short Speakers. They aren't loudspeakers but have a much greater range and quality of sound. More than adequate for home use.
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ReplyDeleteI too have pro sound speakers and an amp both speakers 100w the sound on them are clear but the bass is not exsistent. I now use my stereo threw my mixer which is much more clearer sounding for dj'ing.
ReplyDeleteAlso I too brought them from maplin for £200 in 2009
ReplyDeleteI have a 800 Watt Prosound Amp and 2x 400 WATT speakers and so far they have been fine. I think it is just the smaller speaker which has a smaller loud speaker and power. I also know that they do still sell the 100 watt speakers,, at least at my local Maplin...
ReplyDeleteI have a prosound 800 which now only plays out of one channel unless I bridge(not recommended) plus when I used it before this problem, on one gig which was vinyl, I cut out 5 times.....back to the reset button fortunately I have a stagemaster 1200d ....sound is brill, not only that I bought two prosound speakers ....bass bins froze I refixed them with wharfdale bins using the cabs of prosound only one thing to say KEEP CLEAR OF PROSOUND AND MAPLINS !!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMaplin should be prosecuted for the misleading name of their 'prosound' equipment because it isn't even fit for amateur use. The 800 amps have a habit of outputting sound on one channel, they're poorly assembled with rubbish components as are their speakers and overpriced
DeleteThanks for doing a comment was just about to buy Prosound until could not find any reviews,,this is about the only one. Off to Richer Sounds myself .I had an Arcam Delta 90 back in early 90's and fuse kept blowing,damn nuisance and cost £450.
ReplyDeleteWould be nice to hear some tunes, dance music obviously?
ReplyDelete