TEST: Mackie S408

 In addition to its main area of application, the production of mixing consoles, Mackie has increasingly invested in the area of sound reinforcement in terms of know-how and implementation in recent years. Little by little, without much fanfare, the entire area from the smallest monitor for keyboard players to the medium-sized club P.A. processed. It is not surprising that Mackie quickly gained a foothold in this segment and, like its consoles, was able to gain a good reputation within a short time.

In addition to the increasingly popular area of active speakers, Mackie also serves the classic passive area. A promising candidate from this segment is the S408 I have, a two-way speaker which, due to its asymmetrical trapezoidal shape, can handle both PA sound reinforcement and be used as a floor wedge.

Construction:

The S408 is a component that is already in the P.A. segment is to be classified. Both the load information and the dimensions go beyond the “singing system use” without negating their use in this area.

600 watts RMS and 2400 watts peak speak for themselves, and you also need at least 2 strong men to adequately move the 81 cm high, 51 cm wide and 46 cm deep, along with its 33 kg weight, or balance it on a high stand.

The case of the S408 is made of 18 mm multi-layered plywood and makes a solid and flawlessly manufactured impression. A PVC layer is used as the outer layer to provide moisture resistance.

A total of 3 handles were installed on the S408, one on each side plus a handle on the top of the case. 4 stacking corners ensure a stable hold in the upright position, its side parts are provided with small rubber feet to also prevent it from slipping when used as a wedge. The box has sufficient rigging points to allow the system to be operated sideways or upright if necessary.

The S408 is a passive 2-way system equipped with 5 speakers, which has 2 Speakon sockets (Input / Thru) as the only connections on the back, through which the systems can be cascaded if necessary. In addition to a high-midrange horn separated at 2500 Hertz for the treble range, Mackie relies on 4 8-inch ferrite speakers for the bass range. The acoustic reason is obvious and is similar to the use of 4x10" bass speakers in the instrumental area.

A larger number of smaller loudspeakers have approximately the same membrane area as a single large loudspeaker and can therefore move the same amount of air, but are significantly more faithful to impulses, have a much faster response and the spatial arrangement allows a much more balanced sound to be generated. That's what happened here too. To ensure more even radiation, two 8-inch speakers were installed slightly to the right and left, respectively, above and below the high-midrange horn.

The box is not insulated on the inside and has bass reflex openings on the back both below and above the connection panel. Even if it is generally known that the box should never be placed in the corner of a room, uncontrolled drone frequencies would undoubtedly be the logical consequence, especially with a rear reflex construction as described here.

According to the frequency diagram, the S408 has a fairly even frequency response between 100 Hertz and up to 10 kilohertz, with only a small dip at 500 Hertz and an over-presence at 6 kilohertz being noted. Below or above these marks, the playability drops significantly.

Thanks to the trapezoidal shape (radius 37.5 degrees), you can cover a vertex radius of 75 degrees when using two S408s next to each other, which promotes very good coverage of the auditorium.

Practice:

The S408 can be used in a variety of ways. Due to its neutral orientation, it can be used as a stand-alone solution, as a satellite solution on a subwoofer, as a sidefill or as a wedge.

When you start using it, you immediately notice the radiation behavior of the box. In fact, you can easily move up to 30 degrees away from the center of the box and still have no loss in frequency range. Both the intelligibility of speech transmission and the fidelity of impulses in music are retained.

The second unusual point is the sound of the box in the bass range. What I have known for a long time from the backline in the instrumental area is in the P.A. Area a bit unusual at first. Anyone who has the indirect, always slightly spongy impulse of a 15-inch or even...
Anyone who is used to the flabby 18-inch model, which has a lot of air but has a catastrophic response due to the design, will need a moment to be able to properly assess and appreciate the fast 8-inch model.
The rapid response initially confuses your hearing, but once you get used to the impulse you won't want to part with it. How sluggish your beloved 15 suddenly seems...

Don't misunderstand us, for example, in order to boost a kick at 70 Hertz for the famous "stomach effect", a whole armada of 408s will not be enough; at least a corresponding number of 10" or 12" in the subwoofer must be involved in the sound formation intervention. However, if you are looking for a very powerful satellite solution or a powerful stand-alone solution for small events, you are on the safe side with the S408.

In general, the box is very powerful in the mids, with good speech intelligibility and pleasing vocal reproduction, both from female and male voices. The box does not have a “whitewashing effect”, which means that the “silky” finish that you know from Mackie's active boxes is not present here. On the other hand, the applied signal is processed in a rather “bony” way, but this does not mean that detailed playback is not possible.

All frequencies that are important for the live range are reproduced evenly without any noticeable dips; the deflections recorded by the diagram are absolutely negligible live.

Conclusion:

With its unusual loudspeaker design consisting of a high-midrange horn and four 8-inch bass loudspeakers, the S408 from Mackie takes a path that is not entirely new but rarely used. Wrongfully so, as the test has shown.

The unusually fast impulse fidelity in the bass range and the excellent radiation characteristics make the S408 an all-purpose weapon in the fight against uneven sound reinforcement. The passive two-way system was particularly able to shine in voice transmission, but without disappointing in music reproduction.

If there was one point at all about the S408 that could be criticized, it was the not excessive, but still high weight, which on the one hand supports the impulse fidelity through minimal housing vibrations, but negates the ability to be transported by just one person.

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Additional Informations:

# The Evolution of Multi-Way Loudspeakers in Professional Audio (P.A.) Systems

Multi-way loudspeakers, or speaker systems that use multiple drivers to cover different frequency ranges, are a cornerstone of modern professional audio (P.A.) systems. They provide superior sound quality and power handling compared to single-driver speakers, making them essential for live sound reinforcement, large venues, and public address applications. This article explores the history and development of multi-way loudspeakers in the P.A. domain, highlighting key innovations and technological advancements that have shaped their evolution.

## Early Beginnings: The Birth of Loudspeaker Technology

### The Mono Loudspeaker Era

The development of loudspeakers began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first practical loudspeakers were mono, full-range units that attempted to reproduce the entire audio spectrum using a single driver. These early loudspeakers were rudimentary by today's standards, with limited frequency response and power handling capabilities.

**1920s: The First Electrodynamic Loudspeakers**

The invention of the electrodynamic loudspeaker by Chester W. Rice and Edward W. Kellogg in 1925 marked a significant milestone. This design, which used a voice coil and diaphragm driven by an electromagnet, became the foundation for modern loudspeakers. However, these early speakers still struggled to reproduce the full range of audio frequencies accurately.

### The Advent of Multi-Way Systems

**1930s: The Introduction of Two-Way Systems**

As audio technology progressed, the limitations of single-driver loudspeakers became increasingly apparent. The need for better sound quality, particularly in terms of frequency response and clarity, led to the development of two-way systems in the 1930s. These systems used two separate drivers: a woofer for low frequencies and a tweeter for high frequencies. This division of labor allowed each driver to operate more efficiently within its designated frequency range, resulting in improved overall sound quality.

**1940s: The Emergence of Three-Way Systems**

The 1940s saw the introduction of three-way speaker systems, which added a midrange driver to the woofer and tweeter configuration. This further refined the audio reproduction by dedicating specific drivers to low, mid, and high frequencies, allowing for even greater clarity and accuracy. These advancements were crucial for high-fidelity audio reproduction in both home and professional settings.

## The Rise of Professional Audio Systems

### Post-War Innovations

**1950s: The Birth of P.A. Systems**

The post-World War II era brought about significant advancements in electronic technology and an increasing demand for public address systems. P.A. systems required loudspeakers capable of delivering high sound pressure levels (SPL) over large areas without compromising on sound quality. This need drove further innovation in multi-way speaker design.

**1960s: The Evolution of Sound Reinforcement**

The 1960s marked the beginning of modern sound reinforcement systems. The rise of rock and roll and large-scale concerts necessitated powerful and reliable P.A. systems. Companies like JBL, Altec Lansing, and Electro-Voice began producing robust multi-way loudspeakers specifically designed for live sound applications. These systems often featured horn-loaded designs to increase efficiency and directivity, making them ideal for projecting sound over long distances in large venues.

### The Transition to Modular and Scalable Systems

**1970s: The Advent of Modular P.A. Systems**

The 1970s saw the introduction of modular P.A. systems, which allowed for greater flexibility and scalability. Modular systems consisted of separate components—such as subwoofers, midrange cabinets, and high-frequency horns—that could be combined and configured to suit the specific requirements of different venues and events. This approach provided sound engineers with the ability to tailor the sound system to the acoustics of the performance space, resulting in better sound quality and coverage.

**1980s: Advances in Speaker Technology**

The 1980s brought about significant advancements in speaker technology. The development of new materials for driver diaphragms, such as Kevlar and polypropylene, improved the performance and durability of loudspeakers. Additionally, advancements in crossover design and digital signal processing (DSP) allowed for more precise control over the frequency response and phase alignment of multi-way systems.

## The Digital Revolution: Modern Multi-Way P.A. Systems

### The Impact of Digital Technology

**1990s: The Introduction of Digital Signal Processing**

The 1990s witnessed the widespread adoption of digital technology in audio systems. Digital signal processing (DSP) revolutionized the design and functionality of P.A. systems. DSP allowed for sophisticated crossover networks, equalization, and time alignment to be implemented with unprecedented precision. This resulted in multi-way loudspeakers that could deliver exceptionally accurate and consistent sound quality across a wide range of frequencies and SPLs.

**2000s: The Rise of Line Array Systems**

The early 2000s saw the emergence of line array systems, which represented a significant leap forward in P.A. technology. Line arrays consist of multiple speaker modules stacked vertically to create a cohesive and highly directional sound field. This design offers several advantages, including improved sound coverage, reduced feedback, and greater control over dispersion patterns. Line array systems quickly became the standard for large-scale concerts and events, with manufacturers like L-Acoustics, Meyer Sound, and d&b audiotechnik leading the way.

### Modern Innovations and Trends

**2010s: Compact and Portable P.A. Systems**

The 2010s brought a focus on portability and ease of use without sacrificing sound quality. Advances in lightweight materials and compact design allowed manufacturers to create powerful multi-way P.A. systems that were easy to transport and set up. These systems often featured built-in amplification and DSP, providing an all-in-one solution for small to medium-sized events.

**2020s: Networked Audio and Smart P.A. Systems**

The current decade has seen the integration of networked audio technologies and smart features into P.A. systems. Ethernet-based audio protocols, such as Dante and AVB, enable seamless digital audio distribution and control over large networks. Smart P.A. systems leverage AI and machine learning to optimize sound quality and performance in real-time, adapting to changing acoustic conditions and user preferences.

## Conclusion

The evolution of multi-way loudspeakers in professional audio systems is a testament to the relentless pursuit of better sound quality, reliability, and flexibility. From the early days of rudimentary mono loudspeakers to the sophisticated, digitally-controlled multi-way systems of today, each advancement has brought about significant improvements in the way sound is reproduced and experienced.

Modern multi-way P.A. systems offer unparalleled performance, capable of delivering clear, powerful, and immersive sound in any environment. As technology continues to advance, the future of P.A. systems promises even greater innovations, ensuring that audiences worldwide can continue to enjoy exceptional audio experiences.

The journey of multi-way loudspeakers is a fascinating example of how engineering and technology can work together to meet the ever-evolving demands of the professional audio industry. From the humble beginnings of the electrodynamic loudspeaker to the cutting-edge line array systems of today, the evolution of multi-way P.A. loudspeakers is a story of innovation, adaptation, and excellence in sound reproduction.