Over the past 10years, regarding portable PA systems, I've owned and used JBL, Bose, CenterPoint, Yamaha, HK Nano, Mackie and Fender. I've also tested out numerous other systems.

Truth is, at entry level price point($500 - $2,500 or more/less?) I'm thinking they are all good.

The systems I've tried out all sound good. The bigger trade off issues are inputs and weight for what you get.

Perhaps we live n a golden age of small PA systems?

For me, it comes down to circumstance. Budget, how are you using your PA, weight, quality of sound, etc.

I've used MTX, Mackie, Yorkville, JBL, Peavey, EV, Yamaha, RCF, Alesis, Logitech...They all taught me something and served their purpose!

The current lineup of small and powerful PA systems are just awesome!!

So which one "rings your bell" ?

Currently using JBL Eon One and Centerpoint SSV.3.

Saturday morning I've been asked to do a couple of songs at a funeral of one of my close friends. I will take the Nano 300 system, and not have to move my Maui 5s. They requested My Way, and an Elvis gospel song. I will do Peace In The Valley. I think I'll record both songs ahead of time because I'm afraid I'll be too choked up.
Anyway, situations such as this are why I keep extra systems.

I think the LD maui 5 based on its price and size, and sound is a clear winner. Bose compact is close but much more expensive.

the Nano 300 is a bit more expensive, but more of a pronounced sound.

Then other than the HK elements, or the RCF Evox series, there are no clear winners

Frank
Have you heard or tested the JBL EON ONE. Seems to be a winner in that range of systems based on the specs.

A customer came in Friday with the JBL Eon One, and he set-it up and we A/B'ed it again the Nano 608i, let me start by saying I have never been a fan of the JBL sound, I always thought it was a bit too aggressive, and listening fatigue would happen very fast for me.

I did not say a word to the customer, I let him play for about an hour, after that hour he thanked me, packed up his Eon One and we talked about prices, he then packed up his car and left, he came back an hour later, he had gone to Guitar Center and returned the Eon One, and took the 608i.

His words, " the HK sounded much more musical, and the ability to eq, and add compression to each channel, then have an overall eq with the ability to save presets, makes this a keeper for years"

He felt that the Eon one was a great idea, and a good sounding unit, but once against the Nano, he said again his words. " its like that same chinese sound I hear in allot of speakers, but there was more musicality and warmth with the Nano "

Frank nice review I agree with your assessment and feel the same with my past experiences with the JBL sound..good product just not for me ..

1.Does the Nano 608i use the same stand as the 300?
2. How doe the 608i with vocal? I liked the Nano 300 for muic but for vocal parts.

Thanks,
Chris

I've tried all kinds of speakers, mixers and placed them side-by-side. The product I am most impressed by his the QSC K series speakers of which I bought three QSC K10's. On small gigs I just use one of them. And with my band are use all three and one in the center for a monitor. The best mixer I have found is the matching QSC multi mix mixer. It's particularly awesome and that I can record direct outs on each channel to a separate track on a SSD Drive. Afterwords I take it back home and mixed directly to a stereo file and I've got a 96K 32-bit recording which sounds just wonderful.

Ditto to what Frank wrote. I was looking for another system as a back up and also so I could enjoy stereo when playing at home. I've always loved the Bose Compact and have been using it for the last 5 years and still do......... but I have to say dollar for dollar the LD Maui 5 is a great deal, plus great to have built in Bluetooth.

Ditto!!

The 608i uses a wave guide system and bigger drivers for the mids and highs, so your vocals will sound bigger and less boxy than the 300, the 608i has a 10" sub vs the 8", and the ability for so much control and manipulation over the sound puts it in a class way above the 300

Frank,

Can you use the 608i as the master and a regular 600 to have a 2 system stereo package?