V-Plate results of 2xT-24's 16"W BP-102

[mzisserson]

I do not think anyone has ever "reviewed" a v-plating of a t-24 set, but here goes:

I was really boggled as to which direction to go regarding v-plating. Although 2.5dB is nice, it is a hardly audiable difference by numbers. Or so I thought... Numbers can be decieving.

I chose the BP 102 so it would not run out of steam as I would be using them for crowds up to 250 with DJ music. It is a bit higher of a crowd than BF reccommends, but I have gotten many compliments, and have yet to run out of steam with them. The only concern is the dip between 40 and 70, right in that meaty range.

I have always boosted from 50-70 about 2dB or so on my eq to level it out a bit. I cut them at 24dB/octave at 40Hz, and turn the 32Hz and 25Hz on my EQ all the way down (-12dB). I drive them with a QSC GX3 amp, and use an identical amp for my tops. For gigs, I would usually set the gain on the amps as: tops 3 "clicks" softer than the subs (subs at a higher gain). This seems to match things up well.

What I have found by adding the v-plate, from a very non-scientific standpoint, but no less obvious is the following:

1. My EQ now runs flat between 40 and 70Hz. The Plate seemed to have smoothed out the responce and has added a great deal of audiable authority in that range.

2. The subs SOUND more dynamic, and seem to have a bit more speed.

3. With all of the front end the same, I now have the subs one click softer (less gain) than the tops. I am unsure what each click relates to in gain, however I scaled the gain back on the subs by a total of 4 clicks, or from 14 to 12 on the dial.

In conclusion, the V-plate made a VERY big difference. It was audiable, and physical. With the lowering of gain, and flattening out the responce, I can see how I am placing much less stress on the subs overall, and perhaps not run them as "hot".