Stopped into a local Schmitt music store today. They had a lucas nano 300. This was my first experience hearing one of these systems.

Both on guitar and on keyboard the bass response seemed a lot bigger and deeper than my Bose compacts.

Also, the input flexibility and ability to go stereo seemed like a good deal.

I found a lot of talk about the Lucas nano 600..which is not available yet as I understand it. But not much about the Nano 300.

Thoughts?

I bought it because it is the only stereo PA system of such a small size. I still haven't tested it on a gig, only at home, where it sounds excellent of course. It is rated over 200 Watt RMS, which is more than the Bose L1 Compact, so if you say it has more bass, it wouldn't be surprising. I guess it 's a tough choice.
There are 53 buyers' reviews on the Thomann website, most very positive:
http://www.thomann.de/de/hk_audio_lucas_nano_300.htm

I have used the Nano 300 for several months now, although the last couple I haven't gotten out there much. I am quite pleased with it. Yes, the bass is more pronounced. The Compacts are a little easier and quicker to set up, but the Nano is quick enough.
I use two of them. That's redundant for a lot of jobs, but I enjoy the extra power when needed and I always have a backup in place should one fail.
The Compact has a bit larger coverage area before the sound drops off, maybe, but not as much as I expected. Hasn't been a problem.
Frankieve sells them for about half the price of a Compact.

I was ready to use the Nano in my small acts with my PA3X but couldn't get a satisfactory acoustic piano sound (for my ears). Switched to powered 8s and the piano now sounds terrific.

What "powered 8s?" My Pa3x pianos sounds are awful through headphones.

I use 2 Yamaha DXR 8's awesome sound ....

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/speakers/dxr/specifications.jsp

when needed I just add my EV ZXA1
Powered Sub !!

http://www.electrovoice.com/product.php?id=2575

Don,

Frankieve? Frank at AudioWorks? I see the Nano 300's for about $699 a number of places...same as Audioworks?

I do have one Yamaha DXR12 and that sounds great but is 42Lbs and will use that if needed with the smaller PA.

If I switched to Nano 300's it would be used in place of the Bose Compacts I now have. Don't know if I would do that though.

Doesn't seem like the Nano's have caught on in the states as much yet?

Tx all.

One other thing I wondered about. Bose says it's Compacts cover about 100 people. I wonder how that compares to the Nano 300?

You need to call him not rely on the web site prices

DITTO !!

I'll give Frank a call.

For anyone familiar with the Nano 300...what is the switch that has a note on it? It's on each channel. Is it some sort of EQ?

I can't find much on the HK website.

Sorry Mark, I meant to say powered 10s (see my gear list). They are the only external speakers I've used that have the mids right for acoustic piano sounds. I've never had so many compliments than with the 3x - terrific board..

Tx

Still not sure what I'll do...that is keep or not keep the Nano.
I'm not convinced it's a good trade for my Bose compacts although I do like the more boomy lower end.

Thanks for all the good info here.

I did talk to Frank..re: Audioworks. Good guy to deal with.

I use 2 Yamaha DXR 8's awesome sound ....



when needed I just add my EV ZXA1
Powered Sub !!



Uh -oh what happened to the DXR 12's ???

Sold the Yamaha DXR12" & picked up a EV-ZXA1 SuB combined with the DXR8 Tops is a beautiful thing more suited to my needs and let me tell you the sound is amazing on stage!!..

A pair of DXR 8 is more than twice as heavy as the Nano 300, IMO it is a different type of system, not interesting if you want to have something easily portable, so I don't think it is a direct alternative.

forget the written specs use your ears, Play them both next to each other and you will think much differently, I've used them both, ...they weigh no more then your keyboard I would assume..

They weigh 27 kilograms, the Nano 300 weighs 11 kilograms. My MoXF is just 7 kg. Extreme differences, that's why I keep saying it's a different type of system which you can't call lightweight.

Using a Rock-n-Roller kart solves all weight issues...
just sayin'.. every PRO should use one..

http://rocknroller-multicart.myshopify.com/

Depends also on your cart. I use a single bed cart from Rubbermaid (8 ys), so my keyboard (76 - heavy) lays nicely on them for transport.

The Bose and Nano, albeit compact, was a pain for my method.

Yeah.....try finding the speakers you want to A/B in ONE store (and without a salesperson interrupting you with “what do you think“ every three minutes). You stand a better chance of winning the Powerball!

I don't know.......I'm going into "speaker-itis" again!

I always thought when you wanted that big bass thump, you go with a Mackie. But lately I'm seeing a lot of buzz about these EV ZXA1 Powered Subs.

Are they noticeably that good? And is it a "clean" bass sound?

I have a complete EV System 200 with the subs, but they sound so muddy I stopped using them. Instead I get more bass out of running my EV System 200 and my EV System 300 "tops" at one time.

And then, I've been going to a lot of Festivals lately to observe the bands and not one of them had an exceptional speaker system. Yet......the usual......no one in the audience noticed or even cared about the sound system. It was all about the visual.

Mark

You could probably get a good price for you system and simplify with some powered speakers.
After debating the issue for a long time I just ordered 2 JBL 515XT active speakers.
they're on sale from Musicians Friend for $350 which is about half of their original price. Everyone else was selling them like crazy for $399 so when I saw another price drop I jumped. Many positive reviews on them and I tried one at GC. easy to handle which was very important to me.
32 lbs with a 15" speaker and 600 watts. Got the carry bags too. I'm hoping these will cover all the bases for me. I like a lot of bottom so I wanted 15's. If I do a small gig one will suffice and the two together should handle anything else including Djing and doing my organ thing with bass pedals.

Mark, I think this is the same experience many of us encounter over the years. I've seen about a dozen bands during the past month, mostly outdoor performances at various marinas and spoils islands parties. The sound systems were ALL pretty much antiquated, distorted sounding junk, but the audiences, pretty much could care less. Interestingly, most of the comments I've had about my sound system has come from other musicians/entertainers, not audiences in general.

During the past decade, though, the vast majority of the DJs and KJs in my neighborhood, Baltimore metropolitan area, have pretty much switched to the Bose L1 and Compact systems. The folks I know did this for two primary reasons - light-weight and overall sound dispersion throughout the venues.

A few OMB guys south of me have switched to the Lucas Nano 300. They say it sounds pretty darned good, but it definitely has greater falloff than the Bose systems. They're all pretty happy about the overall sound quality, though.

Good Luck,

Gary

Especially if you wanna spend $5000.00+ for a stereo sound system which IMO is no better then most Powered speakers setups with subs that so many DJ's are using for much less.
I know I did and took a beating dumping them quick afterwards...

Ain't it amazin how opinions vary, though!

Gary

I have a pair, and I've used them with the QSC K-8s on top - awesome, tight and thumpy. I have to admit - I used the K8's alone, and the difference was NOT night and day. It's not fair to say I used them the same each time - the sub really helped out at graduation with 350 people in the room. The QSC's are wonderful, but when they are on sticks, you need the extra "ooomph" if you really wanna fill a room.

... or, you could just use your Bose, like I do 98% of the time!

Re: Nano 300. I did a even up trade(equipment I wasn't using) for one Nano 300. Took me a while to figure it out but it works fine. The nano definitely has a deeper and bigger bass than my Compacts.

So, I'll play around with the Nano to see how it compares to the Compacts. I can see the Nano takes a bit more tweaking but I do like the results I get. There isn't much one can do with Compacts without a mixer.

Re: JBL 515XT. $350 is a great price on those. I almost ordered two of them. But I have one Yamaha DXR 12 and really like it. It would cost me the same to order one more DXR 12 as the JBL's.

If I ordered the JBL's, then I would have to sell the DXR...somewhat of a hassle.

For myself, I really don't need either the DXR's now or the JBL's but I'm doing bookings for a new music house that opened in a town near me. So I did say I would get a larger system to rent out to folks that don't have one.

Here's the link for the Dalton Opera house that I'm working with. It's a new venture. It's a 1905 building that a friend has completely renovated for music venues...fun place.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dalton-Opera-House/554638207883016?ref=br_tf

Does anyone use the Nano 300 as a monitor at home? I'm considering doing that underneath my keyboard with the cubes mounted on top.

Don Mason, when you use 2, do you have the cubes mounted on top or do you use stands?

I may try this. Then I can use the Nano for playing out as well.

I use stands. I generally run left output to one Nano and the right to the other, rather than using the stereo connecting cable.
Not sure it makes any difference.

So 4 cube speakers on 4 stands?

No, four cubes on two stands. The cubes fasten together. Stand attaches to bass bin on each side.

Looks like the Nano is overtaking the Compact as favorite small system.

... keep stirrin'

Truth br told David....the HK is by far superior to the Bose compact in sound, power and overall input & setup flexabilty....If I only did small gigs that's what I would use.

Ditto!

Truth be told - it is in the EARS of the listener ...

BTW ... I don't have either system ...

ears are one thing...flexibility, hookups, power, is a whole nother ballgame......

Thanks Don, got it!

So many good choices these days.

I have been putting time on the Nano 300 with the tyros. It does have a nice sound. Hard to tell if it would ever replace the Compacts though..only time will tell.

Take care all.

guitpic1, have you been using the Nano 300 with cubes mounted on top or in stereo?