EZ ZXA1 powered speaker - loud hiss

Dave Ferris · Post by **Dave Ferris** » 29 Aug 2011, 23:48

Did you try hooking a mixer up to the ZXA-1 s ? I know it's an extra piece people don't want to deal with--thus the line inputs on all these active cabs...QSC, EV JBL etc.

I'm not saying the ZXA-1 should hiss loud at any time but I'd try putting a mixer like a Allen Heath Zed 10 , a comparable Yamaha or Mackie or even a line mixer.

I'd also drop EV support a line regarding the hiss noise and see what they say. They've always been fairly good about getting back to me.

JazzJohn · Post by **JazzJohn** » 30 Aug 2011, 22:55

Thanks. I did, let's see if they reply. The hiss was present with no inputs and no gain, so I can't imagine a mixer would get rid of it. In any event I used the mixer on my Stagepas to feed the signal in.

I just can't understand how the much inferior STagepas 300 was silent, whereas the hiss off the EVs, while not exactly deafening, was immediately obvious throughout the PA man's relatively large showroom. I'd really like to hear from other owners of this, where dyou think I can track some down? I don't know which PA forum is best? Thanks, John

KeyMaster88 · Post by **KeyMaster88** » 31 Aug 2011, 08:20

@JazzJohn
I'm not sure of what your budget is, but the EV series that is comparable to the QSC-K series monitors are from their Live X Series i.e. the EV-112P or EV-115P. It puts you in the size of a 12" or 15" speaker with 1000watts.

I have two EV-112P monitors connected to my NS2 for stereo. They are VERY quiet and crystal clear . And went for $599/ea. I use them at home and on gigs.

JazzJohn · Post by **JazzJohn** » 31 Aug 2011, 19:44

Thanks keymaster. Those appear to weigh 18kg; the zxa1s are 10kg less! I'm afraid it's no contest really. 8 inches will be fine for my applications. Good tip though! Glad to hear they are quiet. The shop where I demo'd the ZXa1s called to say they're getting another set to see if they're hissy too. I hope EV get back to me to put the record straight - it's certainly in their interest to do so because if you type "ZXA1 hiss" into google you go straight to this page!!!

KeyMaster88 · Post by **KeyMaster88** » 31 Aug 2011, 22:32

You're welcome. Interestingly enough I didn't start out with this set of speakers. I had the Mackie Thumps 12" and I returned them because they would hiss everytime I played a note!! And would pick up signal interference from everywhere.

Post by **Nordfan** » 03 Sep 2011, 20:33

@jazzjohn: I got the ZXa1 for loan as of today. This one has got a hiss too. It's not really disturbing but you hear it though. Especially when you use it at home. Next week I'll try it out during a rehearsal. Curious if the hiss is disturbing at the rehearsal.

The weight is fantastic and it really really goes LOUD!
Soundquality is good. But I want to play it some more to give a final judgement on the sound quality.

Spike · Post by **Spike** » 10 Sep 2011, 15:52

My ZXA1 is ABSOLUTELY silent whether or not it's hooked up to my 2 sound sources. Yours is either defective, or else you are getting noise from your electrical power lines.

Spike

Bugzie · Post by **Bugzie** » 15 Sep 2011, 17:27

There probably isn't an issue with the speakers but rather with the signal you are trying to amplify. First thing you need to do is check what kind of signal the keyboard you are using sends. I see that the speaker has a line in input. That's the input you should be using.

Bugzie · Post by **Bugzie** » 15 Sep 2011, 17:31

There probably isn't an issue with the speakers but rather with the signal you are trying to amplify. First thing you need to do is check what kind of signal the keyboard you are using sends. I see that the speaker has a line in input. That's the input you should be using. The difference between a line in input and a microphome input is close to 20db. Basically what you have is a gain structure issue. Go over to Harmony Centrals live sound forum and read the sticky on the issue and you will have a better understanding. What keyboard are you using?

Post by **Frantz** » 15 Sep 2011, 23:28

Spike wrote:My ZXA1 is ABSOLUTELY silent whether or not it's hooked up to my 2 sound sources. Yours is either defective, or else you are getting noise from your electrical power lines.

We are talking about speakers with more than 100 db for 2,83 V/1m sensitivity and more than 600 watt rms power.
All speakers of this type have some kind of hiss/wind noise that a human can ear, no source pluged in, just swithed on, in a quiet room.
Some speakers are quieter than others. Class D amplifier helps to be quieter.
ZXA is no exception.
This should be tried (before to buy) in good conditions (not in a shop, too noisy) to be sure it's quiet as expected.

It is ABSOLUTELY

normal to hear a wind/hiss noise... the good questions are :
- what is the ambiant sound level in the room ?
- what distance are you from the tweeter ?

Nord User Forum