Road Test: Yamaha D-Series Loudspeakers & Subwoofers
Author: Mike Sokol
Checking out several active two-way models joined by a powered subwoofer in a variety of live music applications.
Yamaha DXR loudspeakers, part of the multifaceted D-Series.
If I’m going to commit to a loudspeaker, it had better be flexible enough to do a variety of gigs. That is, as a hired sound engineer, I never know what type and size band I’m going to be reinforcing.
Of course, it’s different if it’s a band buying a sound system for just themselves. But nowadays, there’s the need to be flexible. Even a formed act needs to provide different styles for the gig at hand. Do so and flourish. Don’t do it and perish.
When Yamaha introduced me to its D-Series portable loudspeakers, I quickly kicked my music mind into gear to envision the types of gigs I had access to and what I would choose for each venue.
Here’s what Yamaha provided for this evaluation: Two DBR10 active 10-inch loudspeakers, a DHR15M powered 15-inch stage monitor, a DXR12mkII powered 12-inch loudspeaker, two DZR12-D powered 12-inch loudspeakers with Dante connectivity, and a DXS15XLF-D powered 15-inch subwoofer, also with Dante connectivity. All have onboard class D amplification and DSP functionality of various degrees.