Electro-Voice SX300E

This is a compact 2-way trapezoidal cabinet of classic and much-copied design, made of a plastic material, containing a 12-inch (300mm) loudspeaker and a high frequency driver feeding a horn integral with the cabinet. It is intended to be used alone or in conjunction with a subwoofer as a front-of-house main speaker, or with a tilting accessory as a stage monitor.

Actual technical specifications are available at the manufacturer's and other websites. The SX300E is a passive cabinet claimed to handle 300 watts continuously with peak handling of 1200 watts. The main loudspeaker is a cast-frame unit with a large conventional magnet. There is a high-frequency compression driver. I don't know much about crossover specs but a technology called "Ring Mode Decoupling" is claimed to be incorporated for improved sound quality. Claimed efficiency is high at 99dB/W/m.

The cabinet is of very manageable size, while weight is moderate at around 37 lb. or 17 kg. Connection is by Speakon, with "in" and "out" sockets being provided.

The overall sound is excellent. Compared with my older, cheaper (but still fairly good) SmartSound SP112 cabinets, the SX300Es are much clearer in the top end while having a remarkably full bass response. I used to use a pair of small subwoofers to get the best out of the kick-drum of the drum machine, but with the SX300E cabinets I have found that I no longer need the subs. If there is one minor criticism it is that unless the mixer-amp is set right, it's possible to have slightly too bright a sound, but it depends on the venue and it's easily adjusted out. Overall a huge, full yet very clear sound from such a compact unit.

The high-frequency coverage is stated as 65 degrees both vertically and horizontally. Theoretically this may seem a bit narrow but in practice the sound is very clear even well off axis.

Overall the reproduction is very clean with no audible speaker distortion at gig volume levels.

These cabinets are not at all too heavy and are quite easy to carry around. Each one has a single handle on the left side when viewed from behind. Possibly one each side would be slightly more convenient as long as it didn't compromise the cabinet's acoustic properties. When the cabinets are carried it's necessary to flip them to put them down on their feet, otherwise the unprotected side comes into contact with the ground. Slip-on covers help.

There are built-in threaded bushes for permanent mounting but I do not use these. I found one significant issue with the pole-mount sockets which are integral with the cabinet. They are much too tight for standard European 35mm poles, making mounting and especially removal very difficult. I resolved this by reaming out the sockets slightly but this should not be necessary as it could of course reduce their strength. I'd recommend a design modification; the securing screw provided would easily compensate for fractionally loose fit on American 1 3/8" poles.

This, however, was the only problem. The SX300E in all other repects seems a very well-made item.

There are many cabinets available in this category. I looked at RCF, FBT Maxx, Mackie and a few others but these came out so far ahead of the rest that the decision was easy. I don't hesitate in recommending them. If they were lost or stolen I'd replace them with the same again.

However, they are very good indeed but not perfect. An extra handle on the other side would be useful if not essential, but the pole-socket problem is a pain and ought to be resolved.

Nevertheless, I think they are the best in their class. Not cheap (though I was lucky enough to get mine at a very reasonable price) but worth it.