Electro Voice vs Mackie – Which Brand Is Better?

EV and Mackie are two renowned and well-respected brands in the audio industry that produces loudspeakers, headphones, amplifiers, car stereos, microphones, and a lot more.

This article will cover a general overview of both brands, looking specifically at sound quality, durability, price and so on. Of course, each brand has different devices at different price points, however we will compare them as closely as we can.

Electro-Voice is a professional-grade audio brand known for its high-quality microphones and live sound reinforcement products, while Mackie is a well-known brand in the pro audio industry known for its high-quality mixers, speakers, and other audio equipment.

Pros and Cons of Electro-Voice (EV):

Electro-Voice (EV) is a well-respected brand in the professional audio industry, known for producing high-quality microphones, speakers, and other audio products. Here are some pros and cons of EV products:

Pros:

• Known for producing high-quality professional audio products with good sound quality and build quality.
• Strong reputation in the professional audio industry.
• Offers a wide range of products for a variety of applications.

Cons:

• May not be as well-known for consumer audio products.
• Some products may be on the expensive side.

Pros and Cons of Mackie:

Mackie is a well-respected brand in the professional audio industry, known for producing high-quality speakers, amplifiers, and other audio products. Here are some pros and cons of Mackie products:

Pros:

• Known for producing high-quality professional audio products with good sound quality and build quality.
• Strong reputation in the professional audio industry.
• Offers a wide range of products for a variety of applications.

Cons:

• May not be as well-known for consumer audio products.
• Some products may be on the expensive side.

Quick History

EV Quick History

Electro-Voice (EV) was founded by Al Kahn and Lou Burroughs in 1927 in South Bend, Indiana.

Since February 1998, Electro-Voice has been a branch of Telex Communications Inc. selling out its products to retailers.

Mackie Quick History

Greg Mackie, a former employee of Boeing who started creating pro audio equipment and guitar amps in his leisure time, started Mackie Designs, Inc. in Woodinville, Washington in 1988.

Mackie Designs Inc. is a manufacturer of professional audio equipment used in sound recordings and a wide range of other applications.

With products including amplifiers, professional audio speakers, and digital audio mixers, the company’s products are offered at more than 1,000 retail locations throughout 100 nations. They are especially well known for their studio monitors.

Sound Quality

EV Sound Quality

EV devices have crisp and well-balanced sound production. However, they fall short on the low end.

Vocal sound production is also clear and precise which makes them a very good idea for singers. The only downside is that their bass is not as tight as the mid and high response.

Mackie Sound Quality

Some Mackie devices don’t give adequate balance, which makes them either an excellent choice for audiophiles or a less-than-ideal choice for anyone searching for speakers for professional use.

The Mackie CR3, for instance, favors upper bass over lower bass. Also, the treble is out of rhythm with the bass. Hence, these are perfect if you don’t have a preference for bass or other elements.

Features

EV Features

Here are some beneficial features that differentiate EV from JBL:

• Built-in shock-mount microphones
• EV QuickSmart Mobile application
• Tripod Speaker Stand
• Several input and output connectivity options (AUX, USB, etc.)

Mackie Features

Mackie devices have useful features that have kept them operating for more than 30 years, some of which include the following:

• Wireless Bluetooth control and streaming
• Built-in DSP for speaker voicing modes
• Channel mixer with gain controls
• Works with mic & line signals
• Protective Interior foam
• Speaker stands with a carrying bag

Build Quality

EV Build Quality

Electro-voice products are made of rigid and hard plastic which gives them the strength to withstand unintentional knockdown.

The chassis of most of their products are constructed of sturdy and lightweight plastic and metals such as aluminum and polypropylene.

Mackie Build Quality

The materials used for the building of Mackie devices are not too good. Most devices are often made of plastic. But Mackie’s products are largely made of wood with a black vinyl wrap.

However, the components aren’t completely high-end. Because of this, it is especially advised to use these speakers if you’re seeking something inexpensive or switching between speakers.

Ease of Use

EV Ease Of Use

EV devices have control buttons located at the back of their speakers and can be quite difficult to reach. Although they both have a downloadable mobile application on both Google Play Store and the Apple Store, which makes controlling them quite straightforward.

Mackie Ease Of Use

Mackie products are simple to use because they are Bluetooth-enabled and can be used wirelessly.

You can also use the special built-in DSP to tune each speaker. Additionally, there is always detailed instruction available for those who are having trouble installing or customizing any configuration in the manual guide booklet.

Cost

EV Cost

Considering the quality and kind of devices produced by EV, their products are not expensive. Some of the price ranges for their devices are listed below:

• Subwoofers: $ 300 – $1500
• Loudspeakers: $300 – $1500
• Amplifiers: $500 – $2000
• Microphones: $100 – $500

Mackie Cost

Mackie products are inexpensive and relatively affordable. Below is the price range for different products by Mackie Company.

• Loudspeaker: $300 – $1200
• Mixers: $400 – $1000
• Amplifiers: $200 – $500
• Studio monitor speakers: $50 – $200

Space Requirements

Mackie Space Requirements

Most Mackie devices have stands to put them in any position you see fit while using them which makes them consume less space in the provided area.

Remote Controls

EV Remote Controls

Some  EV products come with a remote control that works for numerous devices at a range of 15 meters.

Mackie Remote Controls

Most Mackie devices don’t have a remote control but can be controlled with the use of the mobile app. The Mackie Master Fader app provides complete wireless control over your Mackie DL Series digital mixer.

The Master Fader control app is packed with powerful processing and a rich set of mixing tools for any professional application. It has a completely customizable UI that is usable for users of any skill level.

Power Range

EV Power Range

Electro voice loudspeakers consume more power than JBL devices because EVs have an average power range of 500 watts to 3000.  EV loudspeakers produce an average power output of 1000 watts.

Mackie Power Range

The Mackie devices have a power range of about 500 watts to 1500 watt on average. Though it varies depending on the type you want. An example is the Mackie SRM212 V-Class with 2000 watt and the Mackie SRM350v3 with 1000 watt power range.

Frequency Response

EV Frequency Response

Electro-voice devices have a frequency response of 50 Hz to 20 kHz.

Mackie Frequency Response

Like the power range, the frequency response also varies from device to device, but the average frequency response of Mackie products ranges from 30Hz to 20KHz.

Conclusion

Electro-Voice devices are reasonably priced compared to their competitors, but unlike the competition, they fit their devices with extra features. If you want great value for your money, Electro-Voice is the brand for you. However, Mackie products can not be recommended for professional use given their sound quality and price. If you are not concerned about the bass and treble of your audio system, then this product will serve you well.

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