Alesis Alpha 112A - great 1000 watt powered PA cab

Started by JeffVolume, October 01, 2014, 06:30:45 PM

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JeffVolume

Picked up a Pair of new Alesis Alpha 112 1000 watt powered monitors with stands ... Although they have been discontinued there still available on Ebay...   There very much like the Altos but have better tweeters and  a larger woofer  voice coil... Cant wait till they get here Tuesday, Im stoked!!! Rockin in stereo !!

Elantric

#1
They are not discontinued - just a bit hard to locate an Alesis  dealer with any Alpha 112A in stock



I own a pair of Alesis Alpha 112A's too.

This is a new 2014 model just released this summer -not discontinued.

http://alesis.com/alpha112



http://alesis.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/25/5493293bfa0d4f599875af6eddd8ea08/file/alpha112_quickstartguide_v1.2.pdf


Quotebut I know Elantric likes his Aleses Alpha 112's alot.

Only after using EQ - I typically cut below 80Hz, and above 12kHz  -as i'm focused more for guitar tones

amplayer

Can the XLR output on these always be safely hooked straight to a mixing board?
Problem with some XLR outs on speakers is that they can't handle +48V in case somebody applies the phantom power.
Yes, I realize you don't need or want phantom power, but you also don't want your speaker to blow up if somebody hits the phantom switch accidentally or if they hit that phantom switch purposefully because there's a mic in the same group that needs phantom power.

Elantric

#3
QuoteCan the XLR output on these always be safely hooked straight to a mixing board?
Problem with some XLR outs on speakers is that they can't handle +48V in case somebody applies the phantom power.

Most Pro powered speakers with "XLR Mix Out" are designed to accommodate phantom power from an external mix console

But here is a XLR In/Out Phantom Power Blocker which is an XLR IN/XLR Out 1:1 Isolation transformer - just to be safe:

http://tritonaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=23&Itemid=43



or

http://www.amazon.com/Whirlwind-ISOXL-Line-Level-Transformer-Connectors/dp/B0047Y5YLU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412269551&sr=8-1&keywords=Whirlwind+xlr++inline+1%3A1+transformer




http://www.ebay.com/itm/RAPCO-HORIZON-ISOBLOX-1-to-1-600-ohm-inline-isolation-XLR-Female-to-XLR-Male-/251604088066?pt=US_Signal_Processors_Rack_Effects&hash=item3a94c5b502




http://www.amazon.com/ART-DTI-Hum-Eliminator-New/dp/B0009GUOQA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412270312&sr=8-1&keywords=ART+Dual+DTI





JeffVolume

#4
Quote from: Elantric on October 01, 2014, 08:13:48 PM
I own a pair of Alesis Alpha 112A's too.

This is a new 2014 model just released this summer -not discontinued.

http://alesis.com/alpha112

http://alesis.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/25/5493293bfa0d4f599875af6eddd8ea08/file/alpha112_quickstartguide_v1.2.pdf



cool!!!  those are what I got... I just assumed they were old stock...

Elantric

#5
About every 8 weeks these are the MF Stupid Deal of the Day.

I got mine in July for $179 / ea -

best  $358 I ever spent!


Quotei'VE been trying to catch that deal, but it hasn't come back around again

Alesis Alpha 112A  available anytime here for $199 /ea
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alesis-Alpha-112-Active-2-Way-12-1000-Watt-Loudspeaker-with-Built-in-Alesis-DSP-/331437629649?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Speakers_Monitors&hash=item4d2b38e0d1


Quotebut I know Elantric likes his Aleses Alpha 112's alot.

Only after using EQ - I typically cut below 80Hz, and above 12kHz  -as i'm focused more for guitar tones

Elantric

#6
Alesis  Alpha 112 (100% clone / re-badged version of Alto Professional TS-112A)  -for $179 /ea

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid?icid=205957


http://alesis.com/alpha112

http://www.altoproaudio.com/products/ts112a


http://www.inmusicbrands.com/


Alesis Alpha 112 1000 Watt, 12" Two way Loudspeaker with Built-in Alesis DSP $179.99






Compare to Alto TS-112A below




Get the cover for $29.99 here
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/431066.html

I paid $460 for the pair of Alesis 112A with covers ( the Alto TS112A covers are a perfect match) 
Quotedamn.. Missed that sweet deal on the alesis alpha 112s....  Product is no longer on their website either..

Its actually here:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/alesis-alpha-112-1000-watt-12-two-way-loudspeaker-with-built-in-alesis-dsp

Here is a brief review

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/live-sound/934066-alesis-alpha-active-speakers-improved-version-alto-truesonic.html

dickiefunk wrote>
QuoteI've be speaking to one of the guys at InMusic and he said they are different speakers. Here's the difference between the two :-

Alesis has 2.5" voice coil on low transducer instead of 2.0" on Alto
Alesis has 1.75" voice coil on high transducer instead of 1.0" on Alto
Alesis has 500 Watt continuous (350 + 150)/1000 Watt max (700 + 300w), Alto has 400 Watt continuous (335 + 75)/800 Watt max (670w + 130 W) amps
Alesis Frequency response is 51Hz-20kHz (-10db) 52Hz-20kHz (+3dB) and Alto is 54Hz-20kHz (-10dB) and 65Hz-19kHz (+3dB)
Alesis active crossover is set at 1.6kHz and Alto is 2.5kHz

The person I spoke to from InMusic said the Alesis Alpha was originally going to be released under Alto as a "pro" version of the Truesonic range but they found it too expensive to be commercially viable but as they had all the parts they released it under the Alesis Alpha label as to not confuse the Alto Truesonic range.

Apparently they sound like a more refined version of the Alto Truesonic range? I've ordered a pair of the Alesis Alpha 112's and will do a thorough a/b with my Alto TS112a's. Will report back to share my findings!


Ok quick update. The Alesis Alpha's arrived yesterday and I took them straight over to a 350 seater hall I run the sound for.
As expected the Alesis Alpha's look identical to the Alto's apart from the logo and weigh the same (as much as I could tell anyway).
I set both pairs of speakers up on tripods side by side and had them patched into my A&H QU16 desk. I used two of the stereo aux pairs to connect the speakers so that I could switch between them instantly with the push of one button. I played tracks from my ipad covering a wide range of genres as well as playing keyboards through them and solo vocal/speech.
First thing I noticed is that these speakers definitely sound different to each other. The Alesis were brighter and had less emphasis on the low mids. The Alesis also had a little more output than the Alto's. I set the output on both pairs of speakers to 12 o'clock but I noticed I needed less level on the fader of the Alesis channel to match the output of the Alto's. You can hear the result of the different HF driver and higher rated amp's.
During the listening tests I preferred some tracks on the Alto's (mainly acoustic music) and preferred the Alesis for heavy rock. The Alto's were my favourite for acoustic piano though the Alesis also sounded great. When it came to testing vocal's the Alesis had a little more detail and sounded clearer in the low mids. However, one really disappointing thing I noticed about the Alesis Alpha's was the loud amount of hiss these speakers produce compared to the Alto's! I would say it's between 2-3 times as loud as the Alto's and really noticable even at the back of the hall!! This is a real shame as the Alesis speakers are very nice sounding boxes. I've had some EV ZLX12p's and RCF 710a's here to try and I definitely preferred both the Alesis and Alto's tone to the EV's and at times the Alesis speakers reminded me of the more balanced sound of the RCF's (though I still preferred the RCF's voicing).
I spent a little time messing around with some simple channel eq'ing and with a gentle sloping boost of about 2db from 1-10kHz the Alto's really opened up and I preferred this sound to the sound of the Alesis Alpha's. More importantly I was able to do this without having the loud hiss of the Alphas's!
The Alto Truesonic 112a's stil remain my favourite budget pa speaker and I'm not aware of anything around this price that could compete with them. Next step up would be the Yamaha DXR12's (I've used these and own a pair of DXR15's) and RCF 712's etc but these cost a lot more than the £300 I paid for my Alto's! For a small budget acoustic pa the Alto's are working out great!

I ordered two on July 29, 2014 - and they work wonderful!
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=3207.msg86795#msg86795



Many Modern self Powered PA Cabs already have suitable inputs to accommodate  the gear we talk about - no need for a mix desk

Lately I use a pair of Alesis Alpha 112A  12" powered PA Cabs ( Alto TS112A Clones)


and set the GP-10 Output mode to "Line/Phones"  - then directly feed the GP-10 outputs to  Input 1 on each speaker ( set the Speaker Volume to taste)
 


and use the built in "DI Out" to the PA (if needed)

johnnyninja

#7
Are these any good at low volume? Does the fan run all the time?

Elantric

#8
I find the Fan is whisper quiet, and never heard while I'm playing

johnnyninja

#9
Good to know. Thanks.

JeffVolume

#10
My Alphas came 3 days early, got them last saterday, fedex rocks!!!   Ive been putting them thru the paces since I got them... They take anything I throw at em..Anything my GP-10 puts out, drum machines, keyboards and pre recorded music... They sound FANTASTIC!!.I absolutely love them!!!  Found a guy on the bay selling Alto Professional TSSUB15 Active 1200 Watt 15" Subwoofers for 399.00 new... Thats a steal, had to pick one up as well... love some bass... should be here Saterday, Illl post  a report...

Elantric

#11
QuoteFound a guy on the bay selling Alto Professional TSSUB15 Active 1200 Watt 15" Subwoofers for 399.00 new..

Thanks for the tip! I may have to get one of those subs  too!

Quotei'VE been trying to catch that deal, but it hasn't come back around again

Its available anytime here
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12481.0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alesis-Alpha-112-Active-2-Way-12-1000-Watt-Loudspeaker-with-Built-in-Alesis-DSP-/331506696165?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2f56bfe5

whippinpost91850

#12
Quote from:  Elantric on January 26, 2015, 03:50:13 PM
Me too - sadly I overheard $500 was the expected price for Mackie FreePlay  - rather steep considering i purchased Two Alesis 1000Watt Alpha 112A powered 12" cabs for $400 with free shipping.

Looks like $399 is the Street price for Mackie FreePlay  -
http://www.music123.com/pro-audio/mackie-freeplay-personal-pa/j19263000000000
i'VE been trying to catch that deal, but it hasn't come back around again

Elantric

#13
Quotei'VE been trying to catch that deal, but it hasn't come back around again

My orginal "deal" was via MusiciansFriend SDOTD for $179 ea

Its available anytime for $199 here
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12481.0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alesis-Alpha-112-Active-2-Way-12-1000-Watt-Loudspeaker-with-Built-in-Alesis-DSP-/331437629649?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Speakers_Monitors&hash=item4d2b38e0d1

concordal

Elantric:  Most of the discussion in the other thread on the  Alesis Alpha 112A cab (https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12481.msg90696#msg90696) centered on how suitable it is with the GR-55 or the GP-10.

Have you, or anybody else, used the Alesis Alpha 112A as the main PA for their band?   Does it handle the vocals well ?   Would it be suitable for a guitarist (the other guitarist in our band, not me!) to mic into?

Advice appreciated.

Elantric

#15
QuoteHave you, or anybody else, used the Alesis Alpha 112A as the main PA for their band?   Does it handle the vocals well ?   Would it be suitable for a guitarist (the other guitarist in our band, not me!) to mic into?

Advice appreciated.

Yes Ive used the Alesis Alpha 112A for my Main PA cabs for several gigs - these still represent the best Powered PA cab bargain at $199 / ea with free shipping!

I actually prefer the Alesis Alpha 112A over my EV ELX112P

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alesis-Alpha-112-Active-2-Way-12-1000-Watt-Loudspeaker-with-Built-in-Alesis-DSP-/331437629649?pt=US_Pro_Audio_Speakers_Monitors&hash=item4d2b38e0d1

Quotebut I know Elantric likes his Aleses Alpha 112's alot.

But for running with a Guitar Amp Modeler  -  I typically cut below 80Hz, and above 12kHz  -as i'm focused more for guitar tones

whippinpost91850

Thanks, Yes I remember your $179 deal . I'm not in dire need so have been trying to catch your origional deal. But for $40 more I may go ahead and just get them

concordal

Many thanks, Steve. 

More gear!  Could end up in divorce court. 

Elantric

#18
I suggest explore the Alesis Alpha 112A ( $199 on ebay)
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=12481.msg90635#msg90635

Many of us own these and they are very good  - built in the same factory as the Alto TS112A  - but the Alesis have higher power ( 1000 watts)   
These have flat response DSP controlled crossover




People may question:

"What is a DSP doing in my Powered PA Cab?"

Its performing a time aligned brickwall filter for each path of the Powered Bi-Amp Speaker Cab,  and solves  the classic issue of passive crossovers of having a "frequency hole" right in the middle of your audio frequency spectrum right at the woofer / HF Tweeter crossover point  - which often is right in the middle of your Guitar Frequency spectrum 

See example below

Classic passive Crossover                                              DSP Active Crossover ( Firtec  = DSP)





but Read about Audio Latency in todays DSP systems

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=4828.msg32720#msg32720

Elantric

#19
Still loving my pair of Alesis Alpha 112A speakers


I end up using them for the full band PA most of the time  - many gigs this past week and this weekend 

Extremely clean and loud, light and easy to transport

My pair of ELX112P typically stay home.

thebrushwithin


Elantric

#21
31 pounds
https://7132afa424c2f1a2ab6d-54d68a14e2e7c1f76563a2d8c3e9fd82.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/959/documents/ALPHA112-QuickstartGuide-v1.2.pdf
http://alesis.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/25/5493293bfa0d4f599875af6eddd8ea08/file/alpha112_quickstartguide_v1.2.pdf

My Chrysler Van is currently sidelined with a bad transmission * the typical problem with these vehicles,  none go further than 100,000 miles
I like the Alesis Alpha 112A because they are compact to fit upright in the back of a Taurus wagon  - these are a full 6 inches shorter than the EV ELX112P's - and 10 pounds lighter means i can fit more gear, and not wear out the car.

thebrushwithin


ITL

I bought 2 new old stock on eBay last week. Received them with free shipping. When I plugged them in, they rock!  Very clean sound. I was looking for a FRFR system that I can run my Axe-Fx II, FTP and GR55 through live.  Great recommendation Elantric, thanks!
LGXTSA, Godin Session Custom TriplePlay w/ Fishman Piezo, JTVariax59, Axe-FXII, Integra 7, Motif XS, VoiceLive 3

DF400

Quote from: concordal on January 26, 2015, 06:01:19 PM
Its performing a time aligned brickwall filter for each path of the Powered Bi-Amp Speaker Cab,  and solves  the classic issue of passive crossovers of having a "frequency hole" right in the middle of your audio frequency spectrum right at the woofer / HF Tweeter crossover point  - which often is right in the middle of your Guitar Frequency spectrum 

Thanks Steve,
This explains a lot! When I first purchased these, I noticed a considerable bump in mids (compared to my Mackies) which required me to re-eq a few of my patches. However, after playing through these for a few months now, I am even more thrilled with all of my modelers and synths. All sound much more open and fuller. I am also thrilled with the price/quality of these units - well worth the investment.