MackieSRM150 5.25-Inch Compact Active PA System, Black

I ordered this personal monitor to replace a returned TC Helicon Voice Solo 150. To me, this is a superior product in MOST ways, although it doesn't have the flexibility that is promised by the TC Helicon (promised, but not necessarily delivered). This monitor is being used as it was intended: as a personal monitor to hear an acoustic guitar and vocal while the main amplification duties are being handled by both a Fishman Loudbox Artist and (when needed) a Fishman "fishstick" SA 220 if ever a LOT of volume is needed.I like that it has no external wall wart or transformer, and utilizes just a standard IEC power cord, unlike the TC Helicon unit which uses a very odd 40 something volt transformer in line with the power cord to power up. I also like that volume and tone controls are physical knobs versus the selected button and one main dial method of the TC Helicon unit. A word here about reliability: My TC Helicon suffered from random volume changes and also was never really easy to hear. I tried all kinds of settings and was not able to get enough volume out of it (a complaint by a few others also-on other websites). This Mackie SRM 150 has none of those issues and has been rock solid from day one and has plenty of volume for me.Although I would have liked to have individual channel tone controls, the Fishman units that I use each provide plenty of adjustment and I simply use the mix D.I. outputs from the Fishman(s) running into the Mackie input to accurately hear what is being amplified. If you are expecting to use the SRM 150 as sort of a small mixer to output to a main PA then you will be disappointed in not having the individual tone controls.This monitor seems a bit smaller and more compact than the TC Helicon but the mounting options are not as good since the TC unit was designed to very quickly and simply mount onto the shaft of a mic stand. Also, the Mackie monitor seems more beefy and dense than the TC monitor, giving the impression of higher quality although I'm sure this is just due to the power supply being incorporated within the case. The sound from the Mackie is very clear and clean and I think that anyone would be satisfied with it's performance for it's INTENDED PURPOSE. This unit does not have the headroom and frequency response to serve as any kind of main PA, but it should be loud and clear enough for a small group such as a family gathering in the living room or garage or something like that. The mic stand mounting options for the Mackie are not as quick and easy, with option one being between the stand and the arm, and option two being mounted directly to a dedicated stand via an adapter that screws onto the stand.All in all, I highly recommended the Mackie SRM 150 to anyone for it's intended purpose.

The Mackie SRM150 is an excellent monitoring system for small and medium events. I am a professional musician and I purchased this unit specifically to reinforce performances on acoustic upright piano at a neighbourhood coffee shop. It gets loud there during Happy Hour and I needed to be heard above the other band members on the acoustic instrument. A PZM microphone is taped to the inside lid of the upright and I run an XLR cable from the mic to this unit. I think the output on this unit is 'loud enough' for what I need it do. It does feedback at times but that is because I haven't yet figured out best mic placement on the upright and relative position of this amp to me. The Mackie has fallen off chairs and from a small mic stand that I use to elevate the unit (it gets tipped over when people run into it) and so far, no issues but it does suck to have it fall because of the flimsy, light mic stand that it sits on (that I purchased). I may have to go ahead and buy a sturdier (heavier) stand. I am pleased with the unit and recommend it to anyone who needs (very) close proximity amplification. The sound is clear, clean and strong (48V phantom circuit helps on the PZM condenser microphone I use for the upright).One recommendation: I use this bag to carry the unit: Explorer R5 Range Shooting, Patrol and Duty Bag, Black, 17 x 8 x 9-Inch (available on Amazon). It is inexpensive, strong and large enough to fit this unit and the PZM mic along with AC power cables, XLR and phone cables and even small percussion instruments. The cost is half the price of the Mackie recommended bag. It also has a shoulder carry strap, carry handles and an easy zip open top flap for access into the main storage compartment. Padding is minimal but that can be remedied by putting a piece of closed cell foam on the bottom of the case, if more protection is necessary. I only mention this because of the need to protect electronic devices from drops. What I do is put the power strip I use for for this gear ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG and I think that gives this protection from drops.I am having a bad experience with Mackie rebate. If anyone from Mackie Rebates and Loud technologies reads this, be advised: I think your rebate program is flawed. I was turned down for the $30 rebate for this unit (good from May 2016 to 30 June 2016) because apparently, the rebate office thinks that I was missing a printout of the invoice when I sent it out. I DID send it in and actually went to the website that tracks the rebates to download a copy OF THE FORMS I SENT IN WHICH YOU SCANNED AND SAVED IN YOUR SYSTEM. The copy of the invoice is CLEARLY SHOWN IN THE SCAN and shows the date I ordered, the price of the item (among other items) and when it was shipped from the Amazon warehouse. So...I don't understand the confusion. At this point I just spent the better part of THREE HOURS on my Sunday morning filling out ANOTHER REBATE FORM and reprinting ANOTHER INVOICE from the Amazon website and now have to SEND IT ALL BACK before 31 July 2016 and...just...MAYBE...I will get the $30 rebate. Be advised, Mackie, part of the reason I purchased this unit was because I would get $30 back. I will send my form in after typing this review but I am not confident Mackie will give me my rebate.I wonder if there are others who purchased this unit and experienced the same issue. This is why I give the unit 4 stars instead of a perfect rating. I have used Mackie products for over 20 years and am confident in the gear but this rebate issue is bush-league and I think I deserve better treatment than this.

Do not recommend it sounds very smooth to play live and damage soon after use , buy two and two equal damaged .

This product is a wonderful combination of Mackie electronics and EAW speaker engineering. It is as portable as anything could be yet it has the very best of components. It is louder than you think it would be, and extremely versatile. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a simple sound reinforcement solution, or a small, portable, music-grade sound system. There are competitors, but this one is only slightly more expensive. I believe the quality is worth it. As my friend says, "the juice is worth the (small) squeeze."

This is my second purchase. I’ve used one as a personal vocal monitor with a thru to FOH for years. I bought this one to set my drummer up so we can better blend harmonies. I have myself in one channel and him in the second channel. A third feed comes into the main in on the back of the SRM150 from the multi-channel mixer’s monitor outs. This gives us full control of individual volumes and overall EQ right at the mic stand, resulting in much better stage and FOH sound.Typical Mackie build quality, i.e., super durable and easy to read. A powerful, highly controllable unit that should make for adaptable gig setups for a long time.