-A S M K 3 ..RCF.IT In the last issue of Pro Mobile (issue 122), I wrote a review on RCF’s ART-910AX, the Italian speaker manufacturer’s 10” professional active Bluetooth speaker. If you read the review or indeed heard that particular speaker yourself, you’ll be aware of just how much deep bass is produced by a comparatively small speaker cab. 74 One of my conclusions was that for a large percentage of mobile DJ gigs, you don’t need anything larger, and certainly no additional subs.

For me, this was a stark admission. In fact, I have never actually performed as a DJ using speakers without subs. My own music tastes are varied to say the least. From classical to heavy metal.

Hip-hop to deep house, R’n’B, reggae – whatever the genre, if it has a deep bass sound, I’m in my element. I just absolutely love bass. (Am I the only DJ to turn up to kids’ parties in village halls with two 15” subs? With 20 kids as an audience?) In the world of audio, a subwoofer is often the unsung hero, adding depth and richness to the overall sound experience. These speakers have become an integral component in professional audio environments, enhancing the overall audio quality and creating a more immersive listening experience.

They play low-frequency sounds, often felt more than heard, and add a tactile dimension to audio, making music more dynamic and overall soundscapes more immersive. I have no idea how many subs are in my local Showcase cinema, but it’s that kind of experience which makes me want to ensure my audiences are experiencing the feel and sound that subs produce. If my dance floor have experienced those deep notes watching the latest Marvel film, I feel they should hear a professional DJ produce the same rich depth of sound.

A few years ago, I was on a mission to simplify my life and work wedding ceremonies as well as wedding breakfasts without subs. I visited my usual retailer and tested a range of options, all of which did a decent job. Then I paired one of the better options with a sub and quickly realised that my mission was a failed one. I was never going to be satisfied with my sound without the extra work of carting subs in and out of venues! (I’m sure you’re getting the idea: I love subs.) But all that changed with the RCF ART 910-A, the stripped-down predecessor to the 910-AX.

Here was a 10” speaker that could genuinely be used for any wedding, either on its own or in pairs, and would sound like I had hidden subs. Given the right room, it could also be used for the party – a complete mobile DJ solution and at a great price. So, would additional subs improve the sound? RCF SUB 702-AS MK3 The RCF SUB 702-AS MK3 – Xover (or successor to the 702-AS II – is produce flat an all-wood active subwoofer same as input) finished with a black scratchposition and re re a co at i n g . switched on.

The subs are stackable and crossover via lightweight (21kg), with a pair at either 80 of rubberised ergonomic handles switch is to on either side. Due to the sub’s suit the setup interior design, the cabs are and/or room/speaker thinner than they are tall, which makes lifting and carrying them As covered in much easier than any other you can select subs I own (too many, since in a 9-AX series you asked!). The overall look is list of RCF rugged – it looks and feels solidly reverse the built. into your sub Alternatively, The powder-coated front grille as you normally integrates a special, acoustically only have the sound, transparent foam backing and 120hz to to protect the transducers them in this from dust.

The speaker design matching of is energy efficient, so there’s ensures that no need for a cooling fan. The amplifier is attached to a solidaluminium heat exchanger in the rear of the cabinet, with no moving parts. Housing a 12” woofer and a 1400W class-D digital amplifier, the 702-AS MK3 is designed and marketed as the ideal complement to 8” or 10” speakers to create small but powerful satellite systems. Using the built-in digital stereo crossover (DSP) with adjustable c ro s s ove r f re ke s connecting the satellite simple.

On the rear panel are XLR inputs and outputs. There are three lights: power, signal and limiter. The built-in limiter circuit prevents clipping or transducers overdriving, and will blink orange when at the sub’s limit. Much like the lights on your controller or mixer, it’s fine to hit the limit sometimes, but if it’s constantly on you need to fade that volume back down!

RCF also includes a volume dial and three switches. The Link/ STAYING MICKER RCF SUB PRO 702-AS MOBILE UVS MK3 rcf sub 702-as mk3 crossover) switch will heavy lifting when it comes to lowsound (output is end sound and working exactly when in the off as it should. Plus, by having that high-passed when extra speaker you can comfortably You can set the go that bit louder when needed. the Xover switch The subs add a lot more sound or 120hz. The third and you aren’t pushing the tops reverse the phase to any harder. of your speakers placement.

Distinct from its predecessor, the SUB AS MK3 comes with a that last review, new feature called Bass Motion your DSP setting Control (BMC). Apparently RCF’s speaker from the engineers have found a way subs. This means you to remove the high-pass filter, norm of signal input replacing it with a newly advanced and out to tops. woofer excursion management you can use the sub feature. The BMC method works would, but you’ll by creating a complete map of the two pre-sets of 80 dynamic behaviour of the woofer, choose from – using to generate a custom algorithm way loses that exact that only limits over-excursions, crossover.

All of this giving total freedom of signal the sub is doing the reproduction to the transducer. rcf sub 702-as mk3 When high-pass filters normally This is when the protect the woofer motion that additional from becoming destructive but really want that music change the phase behaviour, drama and feeling. the new BMC algorithm breaks as a party, when you conventional rules. you want lots of But what does all this mean in The first time I real-life use?

The output is as you event, I realised that would expect from RCF speakers – need small speakers; clear, loud and very detailed. The play music quite ART series of speakers have been moments. The ART a game changer for RCF, and the me exactly that, pick of the bunch is the 910-AX. even more power I’ve used the 910-A and the 910AX events. I’m pretty in many settings from small house handle 300 people parties to my favourite setting for award events, them, corporate bookings, where whilst I need loud, I I put microphones and video levels.

The audience output through them. listening and paying my 910s are perfect If you’ve done corporate events give me that bit like that, you’ll know that your client invariably asks for walk- I’m not entirely up music (on one occasion, just imagination, but seconds before the chairperson the 702-AS MK3s walked on, when it hadn’t been perceptible. But asked for in the briefing!). start to push them 76 10” cabs need beyond the sound you’d have with support – you the tops, they start to assert their to be full of authority.

That feel you only get Just the same with good subs is there, and very need volume, lovely it is too. bass. Furthermore, this RCF series gets did an awards even better with the addition I would only of Bluetooth and all the fine I needed to adjustments you can make. For loud for brief example, it’s now possible to run 910s gave a very powerful speaker with a but now I have sub in Bluetooth mode. This is to suit larger a game changer for performers sure I can easily who want to be in and out quickly at corporate – you could easily do an entire gig simply because without XLR leads, something don’t need DJ that’s been around for a while is sat down, but perhaps not with this amount attention, so of output. and the subs more. sure it isn’t my at low levels, barely seem go louder and so that you go RCF SUB 702-AS MK3