Here's the link to the new speaker from Mackie called the "Reach!"

http://mackie.com/products/reach

Geared towards solo/duos with built in mixer that can be controlled via an iDevice. Also side speakers for side fill so no need for monitors.

Interseting?!? Discuss!!!

BOSE Killer?......this only weighs in at 31lbs....

Nice design....wonder how it sounds?

34 pounds according to the user manual. Good coverage at 150-degrees, but still not close to the 210-degree coverage of bose.

How about a price?

Gary

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Reach

the mixing/editing capabilities blows away the Bose system..you get so much more for the same price as the Bose..

Seems most manufacturers are headed toward line array systems.

It will be interesting to see how this one develops.

http://youtu.be/eAeEzxM7swg

Same price, apparently, as a Compact.

Musiciansfriend has them shipping early December. Two possible advantages over the Bose Compact....4 inputs and Bluetooth control.

This could be an interesting PA

It's about time someone included reverb in a stand alone unit, and an app to control with, $999 MAP , I'm interested to see how many of these I can sell. hopefully the sound is there. As for the coverage, even though the Bose states 210 degree coverage, once you get outside of the 150 degrees the sound changes allot, so I think there are some liberties taken on the exact coverage with sound. I used an RTA with a few of these speakers, and most of the Personal Line arrays are pretty good up to 120 degrees but then fall off when it comes to frequency response. so be very careful off the Spec claims of manufactures.

Also a new player is coming at a few $$ less than Bose http://www.ld-systems.com/en/series/maui...8qve5o7ivfa3g61

Donny, you keep posting these new systems, claiming they will blow Bose away. To date, none have - and that's a fact. Most have been nothing more than modifications of conventional sound systems, which is what this one seems to be as well. I will reserve my judgement until I actually hear, see and touch one in person.

One of the first thing noticed is that it sits upon the floor and the height is just over 30 inches, which is too short to reach audience members situated at the back end of a mid size venue with a crowded dance floor unless you are on a 4-foot high stage, which is often not the case. Bose systems with their 72-inch high towers easily reach the back of any venue, and with little or no perceptible loss in volume.

The number of inputs, for the most part, is a non-issue for the vast majority of entertainers I know. Nealy all of them use some sort of mixer, which has all the editing features anyone could ever want or use. Consequently, anything more than one input is gingerbread at best. I, for one, have not used a mixer in more than a decade and enjoy controlling all the effects directly from the keyboard, which is a huge advantage because those controls are right at my fingertips while performing. That includes the mic and global EQ of the keyboard.

Because of the wider than usual dispersion of the Bose systems, there is never a need for a separate monitoring system, even within the PA. There is no mention of feedback rejection with this new Mackie system, however, they tout the onboard monitor, thus indicating that you likely would have to place the system in front of you to prevent feedback. Now, I want to hear exactly what the audience hears, and the Bose systems, both the L1 and L1 Compact, all you to do this.

Wattage has always been touted with PA systems, this one having more than 700-watts output divided between it's individual speakers. As most of us are now aware, wattage while an important factor, is not nearly the driving force behind sound quality as it was two decades ago. I can vividly recall the days when I considered any amp under 1,000-watts RMS as insufficient for most larger venues. Today, those rules no longer apply. If I still had a 5-piece country band, I would definitely have the Bose F1 system. Having seen and heard this system in use a few months ago, I can unequivocally say that it can easily handle audiences of 1,500 or more, which was the audience size I witnessed first hand at the Maryland State Fair Grounds. Believe me, this was one of the most incredible sound systems I've seen in 5 decades of performing. Bose F1

Last but not least, have anyone other than me noticed that the PA industry seems to be trying it's best to emulate Bose L1 systems? There are lots of new vertical systems coming out, both for pro and home use, that have pretty much gone away from conventional sound systems and went to vertical array.

Believe it or not, vertical array sound systems are not at all new, and have been around since the early 1960s when Executone Corporation began installing them in churches and theaters. The reason behind them back then, and currently, on provide far better dispersion of sound, while providing the best overall sound quality from smaller speakers. During the 1960s, the speakers were 6-inch maximum diameter for theaters and churches with Executone. Bose is accomplishing the same thing with 1.5-inch speakers and new speaker technology. This all started with the Bose Wave Radio. Amazing how this technology has progressed in such a short time frame.

All the best,

Gary

Looks like a great product. We'll see. Wonder how the bass does?

Look at the manufacturer spec sheet, the total wattage is 360 W RMS, 700 W max. Bass frequencies don't go below 50 Hz. (can't insert the link at the moment, the Mackie website is a complete disaster for iPad).

You can find the spec sheet at Mackie Reach

Gary

Gary if you read page 2 in the specs the when you turn on the EAR SHOT Monitoring system in the Reach it increases coverage to 250 degrees..

[video:youtube]http://mackie.com/products/reach[/video]

http://mackie.com/sites/default/files/PRODUCT%20RESOURCES/SPECS/Spec_Sheets/Reach_SS.pdf

Anybody post this yet?

http://mackie.com/sites/default/files/PRODUCT%20RESOURCES/MANUALS/Owners_Manuals/Reach_OM.pdf

I'm guessing next spring before we see many reviews.

I read it, Donny, but it said "Side Stage Coverage." which to me indicates that it is lower power and for monitoring purposes only - not extending the coverage out to the audience. I could be wrong, but in this case, I believe I'm right.

Gary

Some questions can be answered at FAQ.

http://mackie.com/sites/default/files/PRODUCT%20RESOURCES/SUPPORT_DOCS/FAQs/Mackie_Reach_FAQ.pdf

The system allows for pole mounting, and does not have to sit the floor.

The deal breaker for me is "Stereo is summed to mono" on the system.

Regards,

JerryGHR

I thought so..Was wondering about that Thanx Jerry..

Absolutely, for me, too! Thanks for hinting at it!

whats the big deal just buy TWO if you want stereo...
as you would with any powered PA system

Yeah, just the double weight and double price, who cares...

Can you control two Reach units with one mobile device?

You can only control one Reach at a time with your mobile device. For optimal results if linking two Reach units you will need 2 mobile devices to adjust the settings independently from each other. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I would only use a mixer to control my gear....

This has technology that mixers wont address. You defeat the reason for buying the speakers. Control over all the on product settings, as well as EQ settings for all inputs (Channel 1-4), additional FX selection (up to 16), FX Level for the Bluetooth, FX return for all channels, mutes for all input channels and/or main output, and instant recall of 3 user-defined channel presets.

It's a really nice system.. But I'm very happy with my FBT's.... I'm sure it will sell the like crazy when released...

Pardon the ignorance here but aren't all single speaker systems reduced to mono when only one speaker is used?

That is true of my Bose system. It was also true of my Yamaha system as well.

The only exception has been my Nano 300 which has stereo tweeters.

Another amp I own,which I think functions very similar to this is the Line 6 Amplifi. It can be controlled by using the amp controls or my iPad.

I have visited with folks who use two Amplifi's when needed.

Perhaps it's a bit too soon to speculate what can or cannot be done with the Mackie system?

Nanos are the best I've used and still get stereo out of one unit. I had a Peavey Escort some years ago that did that too, as I recall, but it wasn't on a level with the Lucas.

We've rehashed the stereo V/S mono stuff so many times it's incredible. As for as the audience is concerned, they usually either don't know it's stereo, or just don't care. Kinda like the guy that walks into the house of ill repute with a $100 bill and a 3-inch schlong - the only person that he intends to satisfy is himself.

All the best,

Gary

I didn't want to get into that old discussion again either, you have to accept there are two parties, and no side will be convinced by the other one. In my settings, people often sit close to me so they get the two channels. Even if not, if I like more what I hear, I play better. [STOP - my only post about this topic here.]

Yes, that stereo effect is for the player, me! I like to hear those lush stereo effects that Yamaha provides.

Everyones jumping on the line array system design. I posted this before but if and when I decide to change systems I would give the Carvin a try before the Mackie. More flexible, lighter, and cheaper. One powered module ( no batteries for me ) and 1 extension speaker and maybe a small sub. And by adding just one more unpowered speaker you get Stereo. Just bring in what you need for each situation. One, two or three pieces.
I've had very good luck with Carvin. Take a look.

https://trc-systems.myshopify.com/collections/s600

Just looked again at the link I posted for Carvin and noticed they don't show the non battery S600. Maybe not ready to ship that model yet but here's the spec sheet.

http://carvinimages.com/documents/S600/S600series_manual.pdf

Every record that I have, and every radio station I listen to is in stereo. It's done at a higher cost because of the better quality of sound.

Regards,

Jerryghr

We are stereo... Last I checked, most of us have 2 ears. So, our brain does a wonderful job of converting mono to stereo. The problem is when a sample is created as a stereo imagine, it sounds best reproduced in stereo.

You can have the side fill working as L&R, just L, just R, or off. So, you could have a stereo pair of these Mackies with the proper side fill selected for each side.

Once we get to hear these speakers, then we may have a different opinion. The Bose Compact and the other systems are tried and true. I still love my setup with 2 Yamaha DXR10 speakers... On the ground as monitors in stereo or on poles behind our duo.

Hi,many years has muscien keyboard and try many speakers and monitors and sub,I suggest to you to ckeck these monitors from a France cie Focal alpha80 pro ,no need for a sub just a mixer
thanks

http://www.focal.com/canada/en/239-alpha

The Focal speakers rock! True sound! But for the studio and not for gigging.

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