James Daniels

Line Array systems. Which is the 'proverbial' best?

It's not everyday that we get to do a shootout on line array systems. But to those who have, or at least have enough time on several systems, who do you think is best and why? I can't seem to find any meningful conversations online comparing line array systems.To really make things fair, let's let sound quality and performance share the spotlight with things like durability, rigging, weight, bang for buck, and so on.

Me? I've run on an Adamson Metrix, and Vertec, and X-Array rigs. Among them, the Adamson is the most impressive for it's size, and the JBL smoked the EV system IMO. Although, it was the first generation of X-Array vs. a much newer Vertec system. I've seen a somewhat wider variety in action at shows I wasn't on the desk at. L'Acoustics and Meyer come to mind...

But still, everybody in my neck of the woods screams Nexo. I've heard from a few that they are making the best rigs in the business. Is it hearsay or what?

So let's hear it. What's the best out there so far? Don't be afraid to get technical in the answers...

Tags: Array, Line, Shootout

Views: 371

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Katala BassPermalink Reply by Katala Bass on April 10, 2009 at 8:45am
so far i've run Martin Audio, Turbosound Aspect, Vertec and VRX, DAS Aero, Nexo GeoD, EAW KF, EV X-Line, Dynacords and Meyer Milo.....and only Meyer MILO made me ask the band to play 2 - 3 more songs. but this is the band sound guy's point of view, and in this discussion i guess our friends at rental companies should say their point of view about ease of transportation, rigging, setup, maintenance and all that stuff we may not care about.
Ira MalekPermalink Reply by Ira Malek on April 11, 2009 at 8:40pm
I like V-Dosc,I just heard the d&b and that sounds pretty good.
Not technical, just my ears talking........
John HarrelPermalink Reply by John Harrel on April 12, 2009 at 7:42am
Nexo Geo-T blows my mind every time I mix. The long excursion 8" driver sounds the same from 88db to 118db.
Bob BraytonPermalink Reply by Bob Brayton on April 12, 2009 at 8:00am
I Agree. Geo-T wins. Hands down. I've used v-dosc, vertec, X-line, EAW, Milo, D&B comes close but cost everything you own and I still like the nexo better. If you have a speaking engagement the geo-s rig is impressive for it's size.
E-RockPermalink Reply by E-Rock on April 12, 2009 at 12:20pm
In my experience Meyer Milo is the most reliable and best sounding (before any tuning or tweaking) array available. The rigging on Milo is easy, the control (Galileo, Compass, RMS) is in depth and straight forward. Firepower AND clarity are two things everyone wants in any system and Milo has both.

I've heard very good things about D&B but haven't significant time with a D&B system to make an educated statement. The worst I've heard / used is JBL Vertec.

All of that being said, a PA system is only as good as the engineers (Systems and FOH) driving it. I've had great shows on relatively bad systems because time was taken to polish as much of the turd as possible.
Shelton FernandesPermalink Reply by Shelton Fernandes on April 20, 2009 at 11:40pm
Amen to that :-)
Michael D. JacksonPermalink Reply by Michael D. Jackson on February 7, 2011 at 11:21pm
I completely agree on your Milo assessments.  Still my fav.  I have to say that I have heard some awfully good sounding Vertec rigs as well (DMB when they still used it for example).  It is all about who is steering the ship.
Ross GishPermalink Reply by Ross Gish on April 13, 2009 at 7:07am
I have had my Dvdosc rig for little over a year now and i think it's great the software is really acurate and the sound is so transparent it's unreal
MarcinPermalink Reply by Marcin on April 13, 2009 at 9:11am
hi
so far i've run a lot of gig's with V-dosc and milo if i must choose as sound desingner i choose Vdosc it is more powerfull riging is easy. Milo ,mica and melode is nice but you need more time to tune all P.A.
Vdosc you fly turn on check all and one or two frequence a little down and you can play show good show
on Vertec i hear very bed show
i use milo 5 years and Vdosc 3 years
in milo you have RMS it nice when work but when you need it it not work :( its live
CartmanPermalink Reply by Cartman on April 13, 2009 at 11:39am
I agree too, Nexo Geo-T is amazing, but Milo has awesome softness and with Galileo proc is very easy to control.
James "Mo" ButtsPermalink Reply by James "Mo" Butts on April 13, 2009 at 8:37pm
Hands down D & B J8 is the best!!! I've been on just about every line array you could name, some good, some bad and some incredible. I would list the top 5 line array systems like this and why:

1. D & B J8- Extremely accurate, smooth and flat. If you're on a J8 system, just bypass your house Eq, put on your tuning music and stand back in awwww... A few years ago I was FOH on a tour that carried V-Dosc and remember saying to a good friend of mine that, "I find it very hard to believe that anyone will ever make a PA that sounds better than this!" Well the folks at D & B have done just that!

2. LA Acoustics V-Dosc- I hate when I advance a showand the guy on the other end of the phone says, "yeah man... We have V-Dosc" and we show up and I'm ready to have a great show, look up at the array only to find out he left out a D. Folks DVs are not even in the same sport as Vs. (Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.) I love V-Dosc, great power, impact and coverage. They're slammin' and I'm never disapointed with them (as long as there's Lab Grupen involved!)

3. JBL Vertec 4888- I like all of the vertec series, but my hands down favorite of the bunch is the 4888 (2-12"). I love the versatility of this box and the ease with which it goes in the air. I also think it might be the best of the bunch in the wind.

4. Nexo Geo-T- I just love looking up and seeing the strips of silver on each side of the stage and thinking, "Damn all that sound is coming out of those little ass boxes! COOL"

5. Clair Bros I-4- Fidelity reins supreme in these boxes! Not the most versatile box, IMO or the easiest to fly, by any strech of the imagination. All of that aside, brilliant sounding box! I also don't like the whole I-4b, 2 thumbs down.

My least favorite, hands down, are the Adamson y10 or y18. I'll sum this PA up with 2 big thumbs down!!!
Steve LeePermalink Reply by Steve Lee on April 14, 2009 at 9:13pm
I agree... had the opportunity to mix on the J-series last weekend. Smooth as silk.

RSS

© 2012   Created by Terry Lowe.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

}