Add Something to Your Cart.    
Toll Free 866.ZZOUNDS (996.8637) Open until 10 PM EST
Mention priority code 76TQ5J9 when you call
 

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

Capable of extreme output levels. Extended bass response.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
          9 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          8 out of 10
Value:
          8 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
 
 

Mackie SWA1801 Subwoofer Customer Review

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
User: a customer from aol.com
Submitted: 4/1/2007
Style of Music: Classic and Southern Rock
Musical Experience: Active Musician
Location: Milford, Ct.

 

 
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.

10 of 10 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"Good Product, Quality Issues"

Overall:
          6 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          4 out of 10
Value:
          5 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from psu.edu
Submitted: 3/9/2008
Style of Music: All Types
Musical Experience: Disk Jockey, Live Music, Rental Equipment
Location: Vandling, PA, USA

 

 
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

7 of 7 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"Obsessive much power usage makes the 1801's almost unusable in the normal club or venue."

Overall:
          5 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          8 out of 10
Value:
          6 out of 10
I Want It:
          9 out of 10
Sound:
          9 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from adsthatwork.com
Submitted: 10/22/2004
Style of Music: Nu SKool Breaks
Musical Experience: Producer/ DJ
Location: San Francisco

 

 
Feature:
Needs a way to cool the amps, or less power usage.

Quality:
Rugged. Handles and wheel placement makes it able to be loaded into my van by myself! (Better with two people though) Looks TIGHT! Blue lights!

Value:
Power usage is way too high. Every club or bar I have set up in only has 15 or 20 AMP circuits. If I have the 1801 set to line-level, the speakers thermal after 2 hours of heavy use. They blow fuses in the clubs often, unless turned WAY down. Basically, they are good for about 2 hours, then they SUCK. I would buy something else if I had the chance too (I own two of the 1801's)

Desirability:
Look cool. Easy setup. People think they are sexy!

Sound:
SOunds great when given enough power.

Support:
I blew one in the first year. Mackie idn't fix it, they sent me a NEW ONE! But I blew my second one, and now it is after the warranty.

Overall:
I am not really happy with them.... I can barely ever use them full power...only 2 times have they performed at line level without thermaling. Once at WORLDFEST L.A. where I did the DJ stage. We had a 300 AMP power source (all solar!). No problems. It sounded so good and bassy! The vendors tried to have us removed from the event because it was too loud and bassy! (The vendors eventually had to move their stands!) And once at Burning Man Decompression 2004 party - I did the sound for one of the DJ stages. We tapped right into they power they had avaialable - and it was GREAT. Other than that, the Mackie 1802's cannot run at full power in ANY CLUB I've been too without thermaling or blowing fuses in the club!!!

1 of 1 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"SERIOUS BOTTOM!!!"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          9 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          9 out of 10
User: a customer from AOL.COM
Submitted: 8/12/2008
Style of Music: DANCE
Musical Experience: PRO
Location: MASTIC BEACH, NY

 

 
Feature:
WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE AN ADJUSTABLE CUTOFF

Value:
I WOULD SAY THE VALUE IS GOOD. 1 SWA1801 OR 2 OTHER BRAND, I THINK THE MACKIE WILL BE THE BETTER VALUE

Sound:
SERIOUS BOTTOM!!! VERY SOLID AT 1/2 VOLUME, SOMETIMES HAVE TO CUT IT BACK A LITTLE

Support:
NOT REQUIRED

Overall:
I'VE FOUND THIS UNIT TO BE ALL I'LL EVER NEED AS FAR AS VOLUME AND WILL USE IT FOR MOST OF MY JOBS

4 of 5 people (80%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"PROs: Incredible clean, powerful sound. High output, 4 casters, built in amp/crossover. NEG: Pig is heavy and pricey. Save up,"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          9 out of 10
Value:
          7 out of 10
I Want It:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
Submitted: 1/2/2005

 

 
Feature:
Pipe to passive or active speakers. Enjoy a 1 sub setup running 2 xlr in / 2 xlr out to your speakers OR 2 SUBS running 1 xlr to each, 1 xlr out to highs. Using the Mackie 450's. Nice!

Quality:
Mine hasn
Did you find this review helpful?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"Mackie Kicks Bass"

Overall:
          10 out of 10
Features:
          10 out of 10
Quality:
          10 out of 10
Value:
          10 out of 10
Sound:
          10 out of 10
Support:
          10 out of 10
User: red
Submitted: 2/7/2006
Style of Music: Blues and R & B
Musical Experience: Pro DJ
Location: Slidell Louisiana

 

 
Feature:
Built In Crossovers

Quality:
Indestructable(except for water)

Value:
Best Deal At Any Price

Sound:
The SWA1801 is mind blowing.I use to have an 18 by Peavey.It was a work horse but I had To Buy amplifiers,crossovers,signal processors,and limitless speaker cables.Mackie has broke it down.No Heavy Amplifiers No Miles of Speaker Cables and It Still Hits Like a Mack Truck.Thank You Mackie for Helping Out An Old DJ like me.

3 of 5 people (60%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

Mackie SWA1801 Subwoofer Customer Review

Overall:
          8 out of 10
Features:
          8 out of 10
Quality:
          8 out of 10
Value:
          6 out of 10
I Want It:
          7 out of 10
Sound:
          8 out of 10
Support:
          1 out of 10
User: a customer from usjr.edu.ph
Submitted: 8/25/2004
Style of Music: jazz
Musical Experience: musician / electronic technician
Location: cebu city, cebu, philippines

 

 
Feature:
the most usefull features is the amps which is already built in. at least the loop xlr connections.

Quality:
most of the time i use this mackie products. the only problem is that there are no blowers at the amps. most of the time when used at outdoors, the powered speakers will trip as massive inputs uccours.

Sound:
the only problem which i experienced is that the amps will trip off as the kick of bass drums excess when used at live outdoor concert

Support:
i cannot reach the company of this product when ever i have a problem. one of my mackie 450 had already damage and i have no more contact where can i consult about this matter

3 of 4 people (75%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 

"LOOKS GREAT, SOUNDS GREAT, BUT IN SHORT MACKIES POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL BE THE DEATH OF THIS PRODUCT. THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD"

Overall:
          1 out of 10
Features:
          6 out of 10
Quality:
          1 out of 10
Value:
          1 out of 10
I Want It:
          7 out of 10
Sound:
          8 out of 10
User: a customer from GETDOWNPRODUCTIONS.COM
Submitted: 1/18/2005
Style of Music: HIP HOP, RNB, REGGAE, OTHER
Musical Experience: DJ
Location: JACKSONVILLE FLA, USA

 

 
Feature:
NO ACCESORIES SUCH AS XLR WIRES WERE INCLUDED, THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM

Quality:
THIS IS THE PROBLEM. I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE MACKIE SPEAKERS BRAND NEW LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE. ALTHOUGH IT IS UNDER WARRANTY, WHAT GOOD IS THAT WHEN IT UNUSABLE.

Value:
I WOULD "NEVER" PURCHASE ANOTHER POWERED SUBWOOFER FROM MACKIE AGAIN. AS A MATTER OF FACT I JUST PURCHASED TWO SUBWOOFERS BUT NON POWERED SPEAKERS. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS LEFT A SOUR TASTE IN MY MOUTH WITH ANY MACKIE SUBWOOFERS, ALTHOUGH THEIR 450 LINE OF SPEAKERS SERVE ME JUST FINE.

Sound:
THE SOUND IS GREAT, THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM

Support:
THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM. MY 1801 HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE AUGUST OF 2004 WAITING ON MACKIE TO REPAIR IT. IT IS BAD ENOUGH THAT IN A CITY OF OVER A MILLION PEOPLE WHERE I LIVE WHICH IS JACKSONVILLE FLA, MAKCIE DOES NOT HAVE (1) SINGLE AUTHORIZED MACKIE REPRESENTATIVE TO FIX THEIR PRODUCTS HERE. I HAVE TO SHIP MY EQUIPMENT 2 HOURS AWAY TO ORLANDO EVERY TIME I HAVE A PROBLEM. THE WORST PART OF THIS ALL IS THAT MAKCIE HAS BEEN GIVING THE REPAIR CENTER EXUSES FOR ALL THESE MONTHS AND THEY SAY THE DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX A SPEAKER IN WHICH THEY SELL? HOW CRAZY IS THAT. I WAS RECENTLY TOLD IT WOULD BE A FEW MORE WEEKS, ITS BEEN 2 SINCE THEN AND NO SPEAKER HAS ARRIVED AT MY DOORSTEP YET. IT IS NOT THE REPAIR CENTERS FAULT EITHER BECAUSE HE HAS INFORMED ME THAT HE HAS A STORE FULL OF MAKCIE PRODUCTS WAITING FOR REPAIR AND MAKCIE HAS PARTS ON BACK ORDER. HEY MACKIE, DONT SELL SOMETHING IF YOU DONT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT!

Overall:
I JUST BOUGHT TWO NEW SUBWOOFERS AND THEY ARE NOT MACKIE SPEAKERS

4 of 6 people (66.67%) found this review helpful. Did you?    
Thanks for your opinion!
 
Questions? Our musicians can help you right now!
Toll Free 866.ZZOUNDS (996.8637) Open until 10 PM EST
Mention priority code 76TQ5J9 when you call
Toll Free En Español: 800.460.7976 Hours
Add Something to Your Cart.    
 
Shop with those who respect your privacy— we do. Copyright © 1996-2009, zZounds Music, LLC. Terms of use apply.
A-ID: 3745