I used them Saturday and Sunday at 2 new NHs I've never played before. They certainly do justice to the PA800. One NH was in a ballroom I'd estimate 80feet by 40 feet with about 50 people. Some folks were even out in the lobby across from the ballroom were listening. Everyone loved what they heard.

I suppose I'm just old and obstinate, but I didn't even like the way they sounded in the music store with 3 people there.
However, I'm glad they are working out for some of you. Different tools for different jobs.
I have a particular "sound" that I hear in my head (WOOOO) and I constantly try to find it.
I can get it with the Bose, and with Barbettas, and even Logitechs, with the Roland G70 and the Ketrons.
I'm fairly happy with my S900, and the audiences seem very pleased, BUT I'm missing that "sound".
G70 is too heavy for me, so that leaves . . .
Ketron. SD1 is too old and (now) overpriced.
Midjay is missing a few features I want, so SD5 or, preferably, Audya will most likely be next. I will listen again to Korg PA800 because so many people I respect think it sounds great. Maybe the one I had was just a lemon? At least it sounded like a lemon.
In the long run, none of this makes any difference to anyone except us.
DonM

Don I wanna hear more about "That Sound"...please elaborate.

It's kinda like that certain girl, you know it when you find it. :}
I want to heard solid bass, able to crank it up when needed. I want to hear crisp high end, and clear, distinct mids. The smaller and lighter the package the better.
When someone walks into the room, I want them looking around to see where the drummer and bass player are sitting, and not looking for a DJ booth, or stand, or whatever they use.
The Ketrons do this best for me. Roland G70 is close second. Bear in mind this is for ME. Everyone has the right to their own opinions and I respect that. (As long as they agree with me).
DonM

I tried out a pair of the 30s in the local music store, connected them to MY PSR-3000, and within five minutes I disconnected them, thanked the store's owner for allowing me to test drive them, then went loaded the keyboard back into the van.

For ME, the 30s lacked a lot of sound quality. While the Logitech Z-5500 takes a few minutes longer to set up than a pair of 30s, to ME, the sound quality was far superior. By the end of this week I hope to have made several modifications to the Z-5500 system for use in smaller jobs. Don't get me wrong--I still love the Bose L1 and the sound quality is beyond belief. However, this year I'll be 68 years old, some of the equipment seems to be considerably heavier, and that 32-pound base unit of the Bose feels like it doubled in weight in just a single year. The Z-5500 is much lighter, it really sounds good, and I hope the modifications I make this week will make life a bit easier.

This getting old stuff sure ain't fer whimps.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary I'm anxiously awaiting your redesign for the z5500s. I know you'll come up with something good!

Black & White

Hi,
Like Gary, I'm growing long in the tooth, and I've tried just about all of the systems alluded to on the forum - plus. I went back to the Barbetta Sona 31 for small gigs and still use the Bose L1+B1 for larger venues. I play regularly in a small restaurant - seats 120 - and the Barbetta seems adequate, certainly not the same sound quality as the Bose, but it does very nicely. I have two Barbettas but only use one for the restaurant gigs and have it only about 3" off the floor. The tables right in front of me get an earful but no complaints so far.
Ciao,
Jerry

I dumped the Barbettas & the old Bose PAS & now use Mackie Sound reinforcement gear
www.mackie.com

Fran & I actually demoed a Sona 31 w/ 2- 8"/tweeter in the store last week nice little package Tony Barbetta is manufacturing....only thing I dont like is the humming of the interior fan. The Bose although a nice sound, I got rid of mostly for the design & carrying around 4 pieces of speaker, 1 Sub, 2 speaker poles, large round base, no stereo etc ...The new Bose design is a bit trimmer & has angles pole speakers , mixer etc ....but I wont waste my time trying it again, Dave actually uses it with great results for his jobs. All speaker systems sounds different due to the music & type of gear that is played through them & how & where they are played.....there is no standard solution, or definite right opinions in peoples minds.
Bottom line close your eyes & LISTEN.

Have Fun