Well guys and gals, I've lightened the load, purchased a pair of Barbetta Sona Elan SE32s and the best word to describe them is "Incredible." They're lightweight (36.5 pounds), have a built-in 450 watt amp, 15-inch woofer, 4X10 horn tweeter, biamped, 4 1/4-inch line inputs, 3-band eq, high-gain mic input, effects loop, line out and balanced line out. The amp is fan cooled and the fan is so quiet you hardly know it's running.

The quality of the keyboard and vocals is outstanding, crisp, clean, clear, lots of top end, mid range and booming botton end that doesn't distort. I'm rigging a custom wiring harness tonight, and tomorrow night the rig goes on it's first job. Photos of the rig and wiring harness to follow.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary: Congratulations! Sounds like you made a terrific sound quality choice going with the Sona 32C's:
http://www.barbetta.com/Live/Sona_32/sona_32.html

Looking forward to gig feedback & seeing pictures of your new setup in action. I assume you're slimming down your entire setup, including taking out hopefully just one keyboard (PSR2000?) now, right? This way you can send your vocals thru the PSR2000, and then go out directly to the Sona 32's, avoiding the need for an external mixer, to reduce your travel load even more.

Also: I'm curious, what type of carrying handle(s) are 'built in' to the Sona 32's, and how comfortable (ergonomic) it is to carry considering the speaker box is pretty square (angular) vs rounded (JBL Eons & EV SxA100s)?

Scott

Hi Scott,

The handles are on top, but because they only weigh 36.5 pounds, this does not pose a problem. I carried them 200 feet from the end of my driveway to by office and barely broke into a sweat.

Yep, just taking one keyboard, one keyboard stand, one Digitech VR, two speaker stands, two Barbetta speakers, some cables and a mic. Until my notebook computer arrives though, I'll still have to pack the music stand and light--but both are very lightweight.

I had the most demanding individual listen to me performing Kokomo just a few minutes ago. Her response was "Wow! That sounds fantastic. Keep in mind that after 40 plus years of marriage, she has no qualms about huting my feelings or expressing her opinion.

The photos will be sometime next week when the computer is set up and the rig is completely outfitted.

Cheers,

Gary

gary,

good luck with your new equipment. You made a great choice that I know you'll enjoy, and so will your back!!!!...The barbettas are wonderfull speakers. when you get all your lyrics into the laptop then you'll be on your way to experiencing "lightweight" performing Uncle Dave style!!

good luck and post some pics soon

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www.donnypesce.com

I echo what Donny says. I bought mine a couple of weeks ago,primarily because I had just landed a gig that involved stairs. I had been using Elite 160s and bass bins [wonderful pa speakers],and a 600 watt power amp. The Barbettas more than compensate for them.If I ever need a bigger sound because they won,t cut it,then I,ll be playing a gig big enough to warrant renting a Larger pa.SO Good luck,and enjoy.

THAT, in a nutshell is the way to go. I do the same thing. When I do an affair that large ...... I'll deal with it then, not now. For today .... I bring the easy, lightweight stuff. It's a beautiful thing.

Gary,
Do you use reverb at all. If so, I guess you have to haul a mixer also?

Nope, Gary shouldn't have to haul around a mixer because his PSR2000 ALREADY includes a 'built in' mixer & efx (including reverb) section, so he can simply run out from the PSR2000 to the Sona 32's directly. Gary's gig setup time should be a lot quicker (and easier) now. - Scott

Are the handles similar to the flexible rubber type strap handles used on the Roland KC300:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ROLKC300

and

Motion Sound KP-100S: http://www.music123.com/Item/?itemno=97952

I find this type of carrying strap awkward, especially compared to the style of carrying handle which is molded into the speaker itself, like on the EV SxA100 or JBL Eons. I prefer the 'built into' the speaker handles because the speaker & handle is specially designed (molded) to allow your hand to fit (all the way) around it ergonomically (comfortably). In addition, the SxA100's carrying handle is situated on the 'side' (length section) of the speaker making it even more balanced (comfortable) for carrying one speaker on each side of you.

On the other hand, with my Motion Sound KP-100S with it's rubber strap type handle positioned on top, find it considerably awkward to carry (by its strap handle) very far.

I hope PA speaker manufacterers will take JBL & EVs lead in designing more ergonomically designed carrying handles which are also integrated into the speaker cabinet itself.

Scott

Isn't this setup kind of costly? Music123 lists the Sona 32's at $689.00 each That's roughly $1,400.00 for a keyboard amp setup.

That's what makes the Behringer B300's so attractive. They are only $399.00 each and somewhat similar in performance, although they don't have 450 watts.

Al

I no longer have to haul a mixer, as for reverb and the Digitech VR provides that plus outstanding harmony. While I could use the mic input and effects on the keyboard, to me, they don't seem to provide the same quality as the Digitech VR. My audiences also tell me the same thing--they prefer the Digitech's sounds.

The handles are on top, however, this doesn't seem to pose a problem because the amp/speakers only weigh 36.5 pounds. At last nights job, there was a Karoke guy there before I arrived and he was just finishing up with a wedding. His speakers tipped the scales at just under 100 pounds each and it took three guys to hoist them on the stands. When I set up a few minutes after he finished his job, he was astounded that I was able to easily pick up the speakers and place them atop the stands. When he heard the sounds coming out of them, he stopped dead in his tracks and said "Whoa! I've gotta' get a pair of those. He then wrote down all the specifications on his business card and asked where I purchased them. He said he was going to order a pair on Monday.

At the job, the audience, which was about 220 people ranging 63 to 68 years old, never stopped dancing. In fact, they had me stay an extra hour and continued to dance the entire time. At the end, there lots of "attaboys" and everyone went home smiling.

I'll complete the custom wiring harness on Tuesday and use it for Wednesday's job. Essentially, there are two identical wiring harnesses, one for each speaker. When everything is complete, I post the photos. Unloading and set-up time last night was about half of what it has been over the past couple years. The job is definitely a lot easier and faster.

Cheers,

Gary

Gary ...... go to the head of the class !

Thanks again Dave for all your help. I hope to get back up north next week, and if I can, I'm buyin'

Gary

I use a Wharfedale Pro powered PA cabinet for keyboard amplification that has a handle in the side of the cabinet which is useful to grab to postition it for lifting. But face it, wherever you put the handle on a box that is 30+ LBs then it will be not only awkward but very bad for your back if you lift it from the handle. I learned from working as a roadie/musician for a number of years that it is always best to lift a box using both arms so you can walk upright without stooping. If you can get it up on your shoulder, then that is even better.

Nigel is right on the money. When you have to bend over to pick up a piece of equipment, then carry it in front of you, it is really bad on your back. When the handle is on top, the speaker is carried along the side of your body, which does not make you lean back to compensate for the weight. Lifting them to your shoulder is obviously the best option, which is what I must do in order to place them atop the stands--and that's when the stands are in the lowest position.

Cheers,

Gary

For heavy speakers, or weak backs - I recommend this:
Lay the speaker on it's SIDE ..... Lay the speaker stand on IT'S side, and slide the pole into the hole. (it's still laying on the floor at this point. Now, you can "wallk" the speaker up by lifting it on the stand to it's upright position. Much easier than raising it over your head, and searching for the hole.
I tell this to my female friends that do singles ....... really makes live easier!

Hi Gary

Congats on your new stuff.

You mentioned it had a "booming bass". If desired can you get a "tight bass" sound rather than booming?

Also, I remember in a post of Uncle Dave's from some time ago, he stated that he thought the horn was rather piercing even if the treble was turned down. I'm wondering what your impression is of that.

Best

Scott Langholff

Scott,
I believe the new Barbetta has a different horn. I haven't heard it yet, but it also has increased wattage, so maybe it has been improved. I think Donny's model has round, bullet type horns, and Gary's is a rectangle .... is that right Gary? I think I read a 4x10 or something like that.

H,

My Barbetta horns are rectangle....
4x10" ON THE SONA 32C.....

HEY ESHPRO......

This "clones" money is on Uncle Dave by 30 lengths!!

Donny, I think you posted this on the wrong thread! You don't do early mornings very well either, do you?
DonM

Scott,
The horns are 4X10 horns, which are a bit bright, but not really piercing. The bass can be tightened, and both the bass and horns can be adjusted with the 3-band EQ that's also built into the speakers. I've had them out on three jobs now, and everyone that has heard them raves about how great they sound.

The big difference I noticed was how the volume sounded nearly equal both close up and at more than 100 feet away. I'm not at all sure how this is accomplished, but it sure is a great feature. No longer do you have to blow the person sitting 20 feet fro the speakers out of their seats in order to reach the folks sitting 100 feet away.

I also took UD's advice about placing them on stands. Laying the speakers on their sides and inserting the stand sure makes this process a lot easier and safer. (Wish I would have thought of that 30 years, before two back surgeries.)

Cheers,

Gary

Hi Gary: GREAT to hear you're enjoying the Barbettas. a lot. I look forward to seeing some pics of your new rig in action.

I too find inserting the speakers into tripod stands (with speaker sitting 'on its side' on the floor) a real back saver. This method works especially well with the EV SxA100's, as I don't even have to re-position the unit onto its side becauses that's the default position it sits, when putting the unit down after carrying it by its carrying handle positioned on the opposite side. - Scott

I explained the UD method of raising the speaker on stands to my lead vocalist.. He placed a pole into the sub woofer, laid it on it's side, slid on the powered speaker, raised it up....now there is a hole on the stage ceiling at the "Crabtrap"..

That darn ceiling! Who ever thought of putting it over head like that ??????

Don..........early Mornings whats that? :>)

Speaker Lifting........Ultimate Support makes a great speaker stand with a rachet lift attached to the pole ...makes life easier!!! http://www.ultimatesupport.com/ts90.html


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www.donnypesce.com

NICE advice, BAD execution ! (the ceiling hole).