Alto has announced its new TX Series line of loudspeakers. Available in four models (8″, 10″, 12″, and 15″ woofer configurations), the active speakers feature a bi-amplified design in a lightweight enclosure meant for mobile and live PA applications with the budget conscious DJ in mind.
Budget loudspeakers have always been a fascination of mine, not only because they present the gigging DJ with a cost-effective, long-term alternative to regularly renting out a sound system for shows, but also because they give us DJs more control over how our performance sounds like instead of being at the mercy of a venue’s poor speaker system. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been invited to perform at a bar or a party that only had a pair of consumer grade speakers (or worse, a boombox!), expecting the crowd to get dancing on a tinny sound system. A pair of the TX12 speakers would run up to a little under US$400, and based on the woofer size alone (they have 12″ cones), they’d make for a welcome companion on any decibel-challenged dance floor.
While we can’t recommend these just yet as we haven’t tested them, rest assured that we’ll give them a full-on gig drubbing when our review units arrive!
• The Alto TX Series is available now. The TX8 costs US$129, the TX10 is US$169, TX12 US$199, and finally the TX15 at US$249.
How did you manage to perform at a venue that had an underpowered sound system? Do any of these budget speakers appeal to you, and would you consider buying a pair to take to your next gig? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Joey Santos
