Rule #1 - NEVER, EVER use a cheap mic.

Gary

Rule #2 Except for the drunk wanna be singer that wants to do a song.

Jerryghr

Keep us posted on the Bose F1!!

The one guy who works in the Bose store in the King of Prussia Mall uses the F1 system to DJ... Loves the system. Subs are very musical. Plus, he said buy them and try them for 45 days. If you are not satisfied, return them for a full refund.

The 812 sounds like a great upgrade from my RCF ART 312a. Currently 10% off!!

What about the Sampson some of you use?

I think Samson makes a fine mic and the prices are quite good. I often use Q8 for my vocals. It has slightly more handling noise than Sennheiser, but is warmer. Senn 945 is crisper and probably more sonically accurate, but I'm actually pleased with both of them.
I use Samson R22s for throwaway mics, as mentioned, for unknown guests. They are rugged, have switches, and very much sound like Shure SM58. You do have to roll off low end on most singers.
When I got the Samson Q8, I "retired" the Q7, and now use it for more accomplished guest singers and friends.

Since I purchased the cheap Q7, it has been my favorite Mic.
I have a pair of 30 year old AT pr60's..that were my favorites..The Q7 works better for me, including my EV and Shure
Mics.

I got the Chance to play around with an F1 812 last night. A friend not far from here knew somebody playing one last night testing it out in a smaller arena.

The sound was good but it was louder then I would use. This guy was trying it out for DJ
work.

However, there was something I hadn't thought about. The 812 doesn't seem to work the best just placed on the floor.. Same level as the crowd .. At least that's what I was told. This guy had it on a stand...no subwoofer.

I realized that I probably have to use it on a stand. The guy said I could try putting it on a stand . I did manage to get all 45 pounds of it on a stand but it wasn't easy for me.

Got me thinking do I want to wrestle one of these things at a gig?

Hmmm???

If the sound quality is amazing... 45 lbs is fine. It can be the best "marketed" speaker in the world, but if it doesn't work for your situation, then it's not right. My Yamaha DXR10 speakers have been amazing in many situations. Lots of compliments. When I need more bass, I add a sub. Thinking about getting one F1-Sub to replace my 95 lbs EV SbA760. The Bose is 40 lbs lighter!!

When we went to the Bose store last week, we saw a lady looking at a compact to buy for her daughters wedding. They are buying it for an iPod wedding because DJs cost too much in the Philly area. Oh my!!

Imagine how often you would lift it onto a stand, what a back pain feels like, and how much longer it takes to get rid of a back pain compared to how quickly you get it...
I always seek to get a comparable sound quality and sufficient sound quantity with the least weight possible.

True. At 67 I ain't what I used to be.

Thing is the Compacts and the Space Station handle 95% of what I need to do. And I'm still toying with giving the PA 4X a go. Can't afford both right now.