Mackie SWA1801Z Powered Subwoofer (18 in., 900W )

Capable of extreme output levels. Extended bass response.

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Mackie SWA1801Z Powered Subwoofer (18 in., 900W ) reviews

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97 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

8 People wrote reviews

Read all Mackie SWA1801Z Powered Subwoofer (18 in., 900W ) reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

Mackie SWA1801 Subwoofer Customer Review

Quality:
Six years of use with no issues. I've heard about problems with these but I think the problems center around the newer models.

Value:
They're not cheap!! But when I compare it to other 18" speakers (Peavey, JBL, Community) and add the crossovers and amps and cables, etc. these are far less expensive.

Desirability:
These cabinets are sharp looking without being overbearing. They blend in to the surroundings and present a pleasing profile.

Sound:
I have used probably dozens of subs over my career and these are the best. Could you find better? Perhaps, but not without taking out a second mortgage!! I can handle larger clubs with just one 1801 where I use to use 2 Peavey 18" subs. Plus, no crossovers or amps.

Ease of Use:
Plug and play. The only thing they could have done to make it easier is pack a guy in with the speaker to move it for you!!

Support:
Never needed to contact them.

Submitted: 4/1/2007

Style of Music: Classic and Southern Rock


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* * * * * * * * * * 6 out of 10

"Good Product, Quality Issues"

Feature:
Features are typical for a powered subwoofer, crossover, DB adjustment, thermal and clip warning lights.

Quality:
This is where we have a problem. I bought two SWA 1801's a couple years ago (2006) and we have NEVER had a problem with one of them, but the second one has been non stop problems. At first the problem was a rattle in the cabinet, we got that replaced only to have another bad sounding cabinet. Then we got a unit with a subwoofer that wasnt working properly, At 0 DB it was noticable softer that the other 1801 we had. I switched out the amp and this solved the problem for a couple of months. Then at a gig it stopped responding after a pop sound and im pretty sure I blew the sub, or the amp malfunctioned. Im waiting to hear. Unfortunitly I think Mackie is having some quality problems with thier equipment. Every peice of equipment I have owned by them has had some sort of problem at one time - I own a pair of 1521Z's, two pairs of SRM-450's and of course the pair of 1801's.

Value:
Like another reviewer wrote: These products cost alot of money, and I expect quality in return. Theres no reason for there to be so many problems with the equipment.

Desirability:
Its a sleek, good looking speaker.

Sound:
This sub sounds great. Compaired to other subwooferes I have owned/heard it gives a decent amount of bang.

Ease of Use:
Powered speakers are great for ease of use, connect and play, its that simple

Support:
One thing I can say about Mackie is that they stand behind thier products. Because of our repeatitive problems they send the new equipment right to our office to be replaced and allow us to send the faulty equipment back after we've recieved the new equipment

Overall:
Because of the repeatitive problems I think we will be drifting off to some other brands to try out. Unfortunitly Mackie is having some sort of quality problems. The next set of speakers we are going to try are the Cerwin vega CV Powered Series, Hopefully we have better luck

Submitted: 3/9/2008

Style of Music: All Types


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Read all Mackie SWA1801Z Powered Subwoofer (18 in., 900W ) reviews...

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About This Product!
Description
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From Our Catalog
Accurate, Earth-Shaking Bass Enhancement.
Picking up where our SWA1501 leaves off, the Mackie SWA1801z ups the ante with even more wattage and a bigger 18 in. transducer. The SWA1801z features an internal 800-Watt FR (Fast Recovery) Series amplifier and a high-precision 18 in. transducer custom designed for optimal performance with the amp and enclosure. Onboard Mackie Active electronics ensure seamless integration of the amplifier and transducer at all times, creating a system that is highly efficient and versatile. Add it all up and this high-output system will peel the paint right off the walls!

True Mackie active design
Active doesn't just mean the SWA1801z has an amplifier bolted on its back - it means optimized electronics that provide complete control and maximum performance over all components. The onboard Active system controls the crossover filters, equalization, protection for the transducer and electronics, and provides real time vigilance over the entire system. There is simply no way that you can get this kind of full system functionality by strapping an amp on the back of a passive speaker box.

No need for an external crossover
Connecting and setting up the SWA1801z is a breeze. It accepts a stereo or mono line-level signal via female XLR input jacks. Male XLR Thru jacks are provided for daisy-chaining the signal to additional SWA1801z cabinets. The built-in crossover routes the high frequency content to the high-pass output jacks, which can be used to feed the inputs of full-range Active speakers, such as those in the Mackie SAz Series, or an amplifier powering a pair of passive speakers. A Subwoofer Level control lets you adjust the balance between the subwoofer and the full-range speakers.

The secret to our power
The SWA1801z's built-in amplifier, which produces 800 watts continuous power, sits on a massive heatsink, eliminating the need for fans and dramatically extending life expectancy. A tremendous benefit of having the amplifier inside the subwoofer enclosure is that the SWA1801z functions as a complete system, optimizing acoustic, electronic, and mechanical designs to achieve the highest level of performance and value.

Solid wood construction
For high-output loudspeakers, real wood just sounds better-and it looks better, too! The SWA1801z enclosure is made of select 15mm Baltic birch plywood and finished in black splatter paint. Carrying handles are integrated into each side for easy loading, and casters are attached to the rear for transport. Since you will probably want the full-range enclosure nearby, a pole mount receptacle is strategically placed on top of the enclosure.

Features

800-Watt single 18 in. compact Active subwoofer system

Precision 18 in. woofer with high temperature voice coil

Internal 800-Watt continuous power FR Series high-current amplifier

Onboard Active electronics provide equalization and high-pass filter for full-range loudpseakers.

135dB Peak Output

Frequency Response 35 Hz120 Hz

13-ply Baltic Birch enclosure finished in black splatter paint

Pole mount receptacle

Cast aluminum side handles

Signal present and limit LEDs
With casters, 18" woofer, 1400 watts peak, and 35Hz-120Hz frequency response.

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