I don't see a topic dedicated to the HK Lucas Nano 600, so I thought I'd add one. Hopefully some news about availability will come out soon. Hopefully we'll see some reviews of this unit, which intrigues me. Seems the 300 gets very good reviews - hopefully the Nano 600 will be of at least that quality, plus perhaps a bit more power for larger gigs, etc.

I don't *need* another speaker system, but these Nano systems have me intrigued by their small size, and the small speaker stands one could use with them (vs. the bigger-footprint large speaker stands that are commonly used for larger speakers).

So, here's a place for news/info/reviews of the HK Lucas Nano 600!

Jim

http://hkaudio.us/products.php?id=414


It certainly packs much more punch then the Bose compacts for sure.

http://hkaudio.us/products.php?id=414

Model TWIN
Max SPL peak 130 dB
Mid/high unit dispersion pattern, horizontal/vertical 90° x 60°
Output power system 160 watts @ 4 ohms
Frequency response 175 Hz - 19 kHz
Maximum SPL, @ 10% THD 124 dB
Low/ Mid Speaker 2x 4,5"
Mid/High Speaker 2x 1"
Dimensions (WxHxD) 14,5 x 28 x 13,5 cm
Weight 2.4 kg

It's a conventional sound system, narrow dispersion of sound (90 degrees) and rated for the same size audience as a pair of bose L1 Compacts. And the output is just 30 watts more than a single L1 Compact. And the price is $1,300.



Gary

The Nano 600 seems to be rated at 460 watts total output. The specs shown in the previous note are JUST for the "satellites". The woofer is 300w, the two satellites together are 160 more watts.

-Jim

Here are the specs for the subwoofer and then the satellites (HK lists them this way, separately, for some reason):

Model SUBWOOFER
Max SPL peak 123 dB
Output power system 300 watts @ 8 ohms / 2x 80 watts @ 8 ohms
Frequency response 43 Hz - fx
Maximum SPL, @ 10% THD 120 dB
LF Speaker 1x 10"
Dimensions (WxHxD) 35 x 49 x 47 cm
Weight 13.9 kg

Model TWIN (the two satellites, together)
Max SPL peak 130 dB
Mid/high unit dispersion pattern, horizontal/vertical 90° x 60°
Output power system 160 watts @ 4 ohms
Frequency response 175 Hz - 19 kHz
Maximum SPL, @ 10% THD 124 dB
Low/ Mid Speaker 2x 4,5"
Mid/High Speaker 2x 1"
Dimensions (WxHxD) 14,5 x 28 x 13,5 cm
Weight 2.4 kg

Exactly, just wanted to say the same. It's 460 Watts in total. The small Nano 300 is already rated 230 watts.

The Lucas Nano's "list" (MSRP?) price is around $1300; but from what I've seen with the Nano 300 model, they tend to sell for a "street" price that is somewhat lower than the "list" price ... but I haven't seen yet what the (U.S.) "street" price might be on the 600's (yet) ...

Jim

My preferred dealer said they had had a Bose L1 Compact for a test and compared it to the Lucas Nano 300, according to them Nano was much clearer. I don't know if it just was their impression. I really like the Nano, and at the same time I am a big Bose fan for the smaller consumer sound docks and Companion 20 speakers.

Don't forget the Nanos have so much more flexibility regarding inputs, satelite direction,...etc, on board compared to the BOSE Compact.

I have Nanos and had Bose for years. Bose is a little quicker and easier to set up. I love both systems. See which you prefer best for your own needs.

I'll be curious once the reviews start coming out, how this Nano 600 compares to the 300 (which a bunch of people own and have written about). I like the idea of such tiny "satellite" (mid/high) speakers, as long as the total system has good bass response and good projection and clarity ... (and reasonably light weight!)

=Jim

Both the Bose and the Nano systems which I have owned all of them require too many pieces to set up especially using two in stereo. If your gigging every day & many times twice a day, in and out of venues,...setting up breaking down besides all your KB, stands, wires, mixer, etc, etc, it becomes an annoying burden. I wanna get in and out fast.
For my needs Two good Powered speakers like the yamaha DXR series, or QSC is the way to go setup, simple math,....
2 powered speakers 2 stands....vs Bose 2 subs, 4 poles speakers, which at floor level cannot go over the top of the crowd just sayin'....or Nanos 2 subs, 2 poles, 4 satellites,....If your a frequent gigger I cannot enforce more to really look at these concerns before your purchase to make sure,...and in my assessments using all of these speakers the drop off MYTH is just that. Aside from that they will all do a good job to a point.

Donny, get a roadie.:)

Years ago on tour doing BIg Oldie Show venues we had a few roadies....ahhhhhhh it was heaven! ....
walk in, turn on, & play, leave.

Big difference when your all alone as a OMB giggn every day'

Good points ... presently I use either a Yamaha StagePAS 500 (I like having the mixer right on my keyboard rack) for for larger gigs, two FBT Maxx 40a's which are very powerful and clear. For rare gigs I add in a BagEnd subwoofer, but not too often these days (becomes too much gear to want to set up!)

I'm always on the search for "small and lightweight" (but still good sounding and powerful enough), but thinking about the # of pieces to carry in and set up is a good point too ...

Thanks,
Jim

Watching this demo...All the NEW features, inputs & versatility alone of the Nano 600 blows away the Bose Compact,..not a slam on Bose just let the truth be told.
Unless Bose has a newer design up their sleeve to stay with the competition.

NAH! Maybe you should look at the specifications again. Narrow dispersion range of sound, significant falloff, not a contender with Bose.

Gary

The Bose compact is NOT a cure all by any means....
I wasn't convinced, but hey, to each his own.

I think we can all agree that the two of you will never agree on this subject ...

The best endorsement of any product is how many others compare theirs to it. Funny, but when someone tries to sell AWAY from Bose products, or endorse another line ... it just reinforces my choice. To date ... NEVER, ever had the response that I get from my L Series stuff. The last great thing I used was the early 800/900 series in the 70s/80s - revolutionized my sound.

I got a response also with all my L stuff,.....& it wasn't favorable from many of my long time fans, hence dumping it all quick,...no thank you, but I will stick with Two TOTL Powered speakers on stage in stereo every time.

Based the expert opinions of our members, I have reached a decision.

I will have to buy both the Lucas and Bose, and 2 Rock n Roller carts.

Jerryghr

or two GRUV GEAR solos

http://www.gruvgear.com/solo-lite

Pretty much everyone agrees . . . except DNJ. And he loved it when he had it. He said so, and it was on the internet so it must be so.

Correct Don.......that's was in the very preliminary stages performing with the bose systems....but after a few months in the trenches it was apparent that I made a big mistake for sure on the L1 & Compact models,....sometimes you need to really put it thru many venues to see their potential.
It just didn't cut it to my ears on stage. Some people just keep it to substantiate the large cost of buying it,.....
me if I don't like a piece of gear it gets dumped period and I move on. I went then to the Nanos and after a while same scenario,....no biggie just dump and move on to better things..

enjoy what you use

Donny, I love the look of that gruv gear solo lite. I'm going to try the short bed approach with my rock n roller this week and see how it works. That solo lite is half the weight of the rock n roller!

Graham good luck keep us posted and buy some bungies.

This Bose review was sent to me anonymously

I concur with Dnj. But I'll let you know what kind of response I get with the Altos. Playing lots of gigs in July. They sure sound good at home.

Hi guys - just to add my thoughts to this. I have recently bought the Lucas nano 600 and I have to say, so far, I am very impressed! I had been using the Yamaha stage pas 600i, which is also a great system. For the type of bookings I mainly do (ballroom dancing etc using keyboards - Korg pa600 and tyros 4) I think the lucas nano 600 gave a really nice, high quality 'full' sound. This is probably because of the sub (the stage pas 600i is just the 2 top cabinets). Overall, I enjoyed the sound of my keyboards better through the nano 600. It is also very compact and the little top speakers very neat and don't distract visually on stage the way I find bigger top speakers can. Not sure how the nano 600 would be at a 'loud' party type booking - but I have some coming up, so we will see! Just out of interest, I have had the Bose L1 in the past (all models except the compact). My thoughts were that they were great quality, but I like playing in stereo and it seemed a lot of Bose pieces to take in to the booking to achieve this.

I agree on All those Pieces also Grrrrrr!

Two Bose Compacts=two very light speakers, two extremely light extensions, four cords.
Two powered speakers=two speakers, two cords, two big stands. Also add sub if you want deep bass.
Compacts weigh a lot less and either system will set up in no more than 30-45 seconds. You don't have to lift the Bose onto stands.
There are uses for both types of set ups depending on whether you want to cover the entire room fairly equally or want loud sound up close with significant fall off in the back.

I'm talking about L1 systems not compacts... 8 out of 10 venues that I see are NOT using Bose systems, DJ's & live bands around here use conventional PA's w/ Subs .....
so I guess the myth of filling a room with sound is just that. The Bose system in stereo is not worth $5000.00 vs some of the great powered sound systems you can buy like Yamaha, JBL, QSC, EV, at so much less cost thats sound phenomenal. Plain and simple, I tried both Bose models for a while on stage, but the compacts would distort on big jobs when pushed hard, ....yes they have their limits!!...... and the bigger L1's left an emptiness in the sound to my ears that after a while I couldn't live with anymore plus the fact of transporting ALL those odly shaped pieces and covers on a cart night after night, day after day, put the nail in the coffin. I respect others who enjoy the Bose systems, .....
but it wont be on any of my stages ever again.

.....and the bigger L1's left an emptiness in the sound to my ears that after a while I couldn't live with anymore plus the fact of transporting ALL those oddly shaped pieces and covers on a cart night after night, day after day, put the nail in the coffin. I respect others who enjoy the Bose systems, .....

That's the same way I saw it when I had the L1 model II.

So, the Nano 600's are finally shipping? Where did you buy yours? I'll be eager to hear more reviews now that they are out there and available to buy ...

Thanks,
Jim

Hi - I'm based in the UK - bought from a local dealer. So far, really liking the nano 600. Used it on a couple of bookings and the sound was very good - still can't hide my wrong notes, though! Also looks very neat on stage. Very compact way of getting stereo, enough volume for me, so far and with nice amount of bass.

Hi - thanks. I use the StagePas 500, a near equivalent of your StagePas 600i. So, I'm particularly curious how you like the Nano 600 as compared to the StagePas ... both for sound quality, projection/power, bass response, loudness if needed, ease of setup and time to set up Nano vs. StagePas ... also, how you like the mixer being "near the floor" (on the Nano subwoofer) vs. the StagePas's small mixer that can be placed (perhaps) closer to your keyboard.

I like the idea of the Nano 600 ... wondering about how well it can cover a venue as compared to the StagePas.

Did you get the HK speaker stands, or use mic stands or something else?

Thanks!
Jim

While there are varying opinions of the Bose L1 there something that can't be ignored. Speaker arrays as the Bose L1 uses are the future of PA speaker systems. Go to any major concert now and the PA will use a speaker array. The advantage is the mix sounds good anywhere in the room or arena. It maybe that the Bose L1 array could cover the midrange frequencies more if a larger speaker size was used for the array. But the success of a speaker array over conventional systems is obvious.

http://www.performing-musician.com/pm/feb09/articles/technotes.htm?print=yes

Thanks, Nigel. Back in the day, we had a pair of Selmer colums (didn't everyone?) that we'd perch on chairs, beer crates, etc., and, thinking back, they did produce a good PA sound - never any complaints from anyone. To drive them we had an H/H guitar amp head (still doing duty with one of my old buddies), really basic tone controls and singing through Shure Unidyne III mics.

It all seems a bit antiquated now, but portability was pretty lightweight. Things got heavier as time went on (myself included:)), and now that portability is more of an issue, today's lightweight gear is a nice progression.

Line Array explained..

Line array systems came out when I was in my mid 20s. The first company that I know to introduce them was Executone. I worked for that company, installing these systems in large theaters and churches in Maryland, Virginia and DC. It was a dangerous job, mainly because the sound columns were primarily installed in the corners of the venue near the ceiling and they were arched so they would face slightly downward. And, in the center of the room, hanging from the ceiling, was a monster sub system that consisted of 4 25-inch subs in a heavy, wooden enclosure. Let me tell you, that was no picnic to hang that baby. I'm guessing the weight was pretty close to 200 pounds. And, we were often working, without safety lines, 50 to 60 feet above the floor. I was pretty young and dumb back then, but Carol wasn't. She made sure I had a big accidental death policy.

Back then, the early 1960s, I was very impressed with the overall sound quality that we enjoyed in the theaters. It was magnificent to say the least, and there was no band that could duplicate it. IMO, the big difference was the vertical array sound columns that made the difference.

Gary

Hi Jim
I got the speaker stands so you can use it in stereo and it looks and sounds great. I will be using it in a couple of weeks at a booking that needs a bit more volume so I'll be taking the stage pas 600i and seeing how it compares. So far, though, I prefer the nano 600 - it seems a fuller sound to me - presumably because of the sub. I'll post more the next couple of weeks once I've given the system a few more outings! By the way, I am currently playing Yamaha tyros 4 and Korg pa600 through it.

Thanks- I'll look forward to your next reviews/comments …
Jim

Hi Jim
Forgot to say, I'm using either the mixer on my keyboard (i.e. mic into keyboard then left and right from keyboard into nano) or a separate mixer by me. The mixer on the nano is good but no reverb so no use for singing mic. Re ease of set up, I would say much the same time as the stage pas. i do prefer the look of the nano, though, and the bass and quality of sound.
Robin

Hi - thanks ... are the HK speaker stands lightweight (aluminum)? I'd think with the "satellite" speakers being so small and light, the stands for them could be quite lightweight.

Are the Speakon cables they come with the kind (that I see often) with very thick, heavy cable, or relatively lightweight cable? I see the Speakon cables in the music stores, which often seem like "overkill" (thickness of cable) for small setups with relatively small # of watts of power. I found it hard to find "lightweight" Speakon cables; they all seem "ultra-heavy-duty" ... ???

Thanks!
Jim

I guess the Nano 600 is still not available in the US. I'm curious if you did that gig you mentioned, that was coming up, and how it all went with the Nano 600? I hope they are available in the US at some point …

Thanks,
Jim