EV Sx80 Speaker

Mike Fernino- Contributing Editor

Looking for a great speaker which sounds great, and is small enough to fit in the trunk of your car? We all are. In days past, if a speaker wasn't the size of a tank, it couldn't sound good, right? Bigger was considered better, but that is not the way it is anymore. In walks the new Sx80 by EV ( Electro Voice ).   I have long used EV speakers, and currently use Sx300s and Sx 500s on my main shows. I can't rave enough about them. Smooth power handling, crisp reproduction, great overall room coverage, I can go on and on, but now I want to speak about the little brother to the Sx300 and 500 line. It is the new Sx80.   The Electro-Voice Sx80 is a compact, two way, high efficiency speaker system for sound reinforcement and monitoring. The very small size of this unit, makes it perfect for small applications, such as ceremony work, small functions in small rooms, and as a monitor. I personally use this speaker as a monitor, but I have the flexibility to use these speakers on a small job. Don't be fooled, they handle. Long term average power- handling capacity is 175 watts. Sensitivity 92 db, and the weight only 18 lbs.   This speaker system utilizes the breakthrough Ring-Mode Decoupling (RMD) technology, which has made EV's 300 and 500 lines famous, and in wide demand.   To explain RMD briefly, the speaker controls both acoustical and mechanical ring modes to provide increased intelligibility. There is much less coloration of sound from resonating sources, leaving only the intended sound to be heard by your audience.   The Ev Sx80 features high-frequency protection. This permits short-term transients to pass, but protects the tweeter from long- term power extremes. Some djs really need this feature, trust me.   The Sx80 features an 8 inch direct radiating woofer installed in an optimally vented enclosure. The results, exceptional extended bass response, and high efficiency. Let's be clear now, I don't recommend you walk into Kay's Pier North at Aqua Turf with these speakers, however, in the ever-changing world of the mobile dj, we need speakers for all different occasions. Why carry around larger speakers than you need. Like I mentioned previously, I recommend these speakers for small shows, and especially ceremony work.   If you did want to do larger shows, the EV U- bracket is an option worth considering. Because of the trapezoidal shape, 2 or 3 of these speakers can be mounted together with the optional OmniMount series 75 mounting system. This gives you large room capability with small speakers. Some djs would prefer to carry several small speakers instead of just 2 large ones. I happen to believe in this concept.   Anyway, this is a great little speaker system, and I will bring one to the next CPDA meeting to demonstrate the large sound out of a small speaker concept. Here are some specs for your review: SPECIFICATIONS Frequency Response 65 Hz - 20 kHz ±3 dB Low Freq. 10 dB Down Point: 51 Hz Long Term Average Power handling EIA Standard RS-426A: 175 Watts Sensitivity 1 Watt @ 1 Meter: 92 dBSPL   (2.83Vrms into 8 ohm system) Dispersion Angle Included Angle - 6 dB Nominal 90° Horizontal, 65° Vertical Transducer Compliment High Frequency: DH 2005A Low Frequency: 203-mm (8-in.) Woofer Enclosure Tuning: 70 Hz Crossover frequency: 2,200 Hz Impedance Nominal 8 ohms, Minimum 7.2 ohms Input connectors: Push-pinsParallel Neutrik model NL4MP (Europe) Enclosure Material/Construction High-impact Polystyrene / Injection-molded Dimensions Height: 400 mm (15.75 in.) Width: 292 mm(11.49 in.) Depth: 222 mm (8.75 in.) Net Weight 7.3 kg (16 lbs) Shipping Weight 9.1 kg (20 lbs) Attachment Points Seven M6 and Four M5 metric inserts SYSTEM FEATURES 8-inch woofer and DH2005 compression driver for great sound and reliable performance. Constant-directivity 90° x 65° high-frequency horn with VariPath geometry for uniform coverage. Ring-Mode Decoupling (RMD) for increased intelligibility. 175-watt long-term rms power capacity. Molded-in attachment points allow for use with brackets or a stand mount. Available in paintable black (Sx80B) or white (Sx80W).