Live Sound & Production

[Bobby1Note]

Yesterday, I got to play around with a superb compact speaker set-up from Nexo; the Nexo PS-8 w/matching subs, and powered by the 4 channel Nexo NXamp  amplifier/processor. The tops weigh just under 17 lbs. Good Lord this thing sounded good. System cost, including the 4-ch amp, was $9k, and there's "wiggle room" on that price. The 4ch. amp is not necessary of course, and it was actually borrowed from another Nexo display at the store. The amp goes for $4k. The 12" sub, weighs in at 43 lbs.

http://www.yamahacommercialaudiosystems.com/product_detail.php?prodID=1058

http://www.yamahacommercialaudiosystems.com/product_detail.php?prodID=1038

I also listened to a demo of some much larger Nexo systems as well. Brutal output, and clear as a bell. The 4-channel amps are a bit power-hungry to say the least, with each amp requiring two 30amp circuits.

[Axisplayer]

Nexo is one of my favorite brands. They are truly in the realm of pro gear. They do not make anything people would call MI grade. There speakers only reach the printed specs when used with their amps and controllers. A SOS rig of PS15s will do serious work. Nexo is rider friendly at almost any level. I have wanted to buy some for a long time. When I finally got where I could almost get the PS series, they put out the new line and I can't do it. You seldom see a used PS rig for sale because owners are very satisfied with them.

Nexo, Meyer, and a few others live in rarified air...with prices to match of course.

[Bobby1Note]

I think that listening to gear of this caliber, should be a mandatory requirement before people who are getting into "pro-sound" for the first time, are "allowed" to buy gear. That would clean-up the vocabulary of adjectives used to describe many of the M.I.-grade boxes,,,, such as,,,, "the BEST",,, or,,, "AWESOME!!!!!".

The bigger Nexo system that I listened to, was four 15" cabs, over four subs, powered by a few of those 4-channel amps. The subs were apparently cranking out 30Hz with little or no effort. Mid-range clarity and detail were superb, with zero trace of distortion and break-up in the HF's. Quite the system. Price of that rig was just north of $40k.

I also listened to another Nexo rig that appeared to be 12" tops, over what was probably a pair of 15" subs, powered by that same 4-channel amp. The subs were very compact, and yet, they "hit" like a ton of bricks. This rig was quite a bit more powerful than the PS-8 rig, yet still very compact and portable. Again, the mid-range clarity and detail, along with the HF resolution, are remarkable.

[Mogwix]

Bobby1Note wrote:

Brutal output, and clear as a bell.

This sums up my experience with NEXO as well.

I really really like the S12 boxes. I don't like their subwoofers though. Phenomenal output and very linear, but incredibly awkward to deploy, handle and transport.

[Bobby1Note]

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Mogwix wrote:

Bobby1Note wrote:

Brutal output, and clear as a bell.

This sums up my experience with NEXO as well.

I really really like the S12 boxes. I don't like their subwoofers though. Phenomenal output and very linear, but incredibly awkward to deploy, handle and transport.

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Mogwix, I had to laugh when they demo'ed the 12" mains, with 15" subs,,,, there were particles raining down from the showrooms' ceiling tiles.

The great part about listening to a system with this level of linearity is,,, there's little or no distortion, and therefore, no listener fatigue. The high spl didn't bother me a bit, other than the fact that I didn't care for the demo disc. (disco/EDM). I had them play a "live" Diana Krall recording,, and wow.

[stunningbabe]

I prefer EAW anytime.

[oldschooler]

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stunningbabe wrote:

I prefer EAW anytime.

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Can you give a little more info? The EAW FR does not compare to the Nexo PS at all.

[stunningbabe]

The FR is a lot more 'musical sounding' and has a lot more clarity than the PS to me. It has a more defined 'hi-fi' overall sound...which sounds really pleasant.

[stunningbabe]

English is not my native langauge...so this is the best I can explain. I can explain in a lot more detail in my native language....but after google translated it...it loses a lot of its real meaning... sigh...

[Pro Sound Guy]

Yes it appears this PS line has processing available.

This is a good thing.

I dont recall EAW FR having processing.

FR is EAW's kinda low end club boxes.

Getting up into the Kf line with processing such as the UX8800 with Gunness Focusing yields excellent results.

Nexo also has higher lines then the PS line that would give excellent results if implemented right.

It kinda comes down to how much do you want to spend?

How big a rig do you want?

I know back in January Danley had a shootout at the factory and one of the models involved was

the Kf650 with processing with the Gunness Focusing.    I read this combo was one of the top favorites

of the demo, and the demo included JBL, Tannoy, Danley and other lines as well.

Of course the Danley tops were up there as one of the favorites with all involved as well.

JBL was voted as one of the worst sounding cabinets.  I believe the model involved was the VRX boxes.

On the other hand it appears the JBL Vertec line arrays are top dogs at most large concerts out there as far as use goes.

I guess what it comes down to is there are alot of really nice boxes and systems.

Blanket statements that Meyer is best, JBL is better, or EAW is best, or Danley is better, or Nexo is best means nothing really eh?

IMO

[oldschooler]

The Ux8800 gave a second life to the KF series. Everyone online says it's night and day after the upgrade from the MX.
It's all really about having the right gear for the job. You can get decent sound from Yamaha Club series to Meyer UPAs.
I really perfer not to have a Hi-Fi sound to Pa speakers. Does Hi-Fi mean bright with heavy lows?
Everyone has different taste not one manufacture rules the sound rule. Every company puts out one bad speaker once in a while.

[Bobby1Note]

OK, I've got a correction to make. The mid-sized system I listened to was not 12" mains, it was the PS10's (10"/2"). The 15" sub was the LS600.(40Hz/135-138dB peak).

I can't get these things out of my mind. The performance vs size ratio, is "attention getting" to say the least. Nexo recommends 1 sub per 2 tops. I could probably fit all three boxes on one side of the back seat of my car. The sub is 17"x27"x21" and weighs 66 lbs. The tops weigh 31 lbs. and 20"x12"x11"

I wish I could find some pricing details, to see if my dealer is competitive.

[stunningbabe]

hi Fi means it sounds really plesant and musically interesting to hear. Not exaggerated highs or lows...but balanced overall.

[Unalaska]

Yamaha has an impressive world wide dealer network too, plus huge a financial advantage an built in management structure and support

[chrispeters]

I just purchased pair of ps10 with controller .. but i am using a powered FBT Bass bin coming out the controller , it just sounds awesome , i feel i need a little more power though , i am using a new dynacord powermate 600-3 to power the tops ( around 650 per side at 8 ohms ) 1000 a side at 4 ohms

[Bobby1Note]

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stunningbabe wrote:

hi Fi means it sounds really plesant and musically interesting to hear. Not exaggerated highs or lows...but balanced overall.

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Hi-Fi is a very misused phrase/word. It means many things to many people, but it shouldn't really. Simply put, it means "high-fidelity", on other words, the output is equal to the input signal ,,,,,no distortion,,,,,,,,,, linear. Sadly, the term hi-fi is too commonly used to describe the typical home-stereo crap you see at Sears and the like. Once you've heard true "Hi-Fi", you never forget it.

Some see "hi-fi" as adding a euphonic quality to sound, but I don't see it that way. It's either linear,, or it's not.

[Bobby1Note]

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chrispeters wrote:
I just purchased pair of ps10 with controller .. but i am using a powered FBT Bass bin coming out the controller , it just sounds awesome , i feel i need a little more power though , i am using a new dynacord powermate 600-3 to power the tops ( around 650 per side at 8 ohms ) 1000 a side at 4 ohms

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Good to hear from you Chris,,, that's very interesting.. If I'm not mistaken, I believe the PS-10's are rated to 1000w/8 Ohms.

I just got off the phone with my dealer. He still has the Nexo's on display. I discussed the possibility of using the PS-10's with a single 15" LS600 sub (which is what Nexo recommends). The four channel NXAMP4X4, supposedly requires two 30a outlets, which for me is impractical (portability/small venues) I'm looking at using the NX242 processor, with different less power-hungry, but fully capable amps.

Now, the interesting things here is; he used the words "demo pricing". Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. This is getting VERY interesting.

[chrispeters]

haha u gotta love them words demo pricing .. the problem i had with the ls600 was the bloody size and weight of it !! i only drive a noddy type car and the new FBT sub fits perfect , is half the size , and got as loud and clear as the ls600 .
ok it is not a perfect match , but it runs happy enough coming out the controller ( even though the controller is set for a LS600 ) .. of course also using a powered sub does away the need of carrying 2 power amps , or the HUGE nexo amp/controller...but the nexo needs driving hard , i hope i am ok with the dynacord desk .time will tell i suppose with the tops , but the bass bin works great

[Bobby1Note]

The plot thickens,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I just got off the phone with SoloTech (Montreal). I had a very interesting conversation with the store manager, Patrick Dufresne. They have a massive amount of this level of gear in stock, and they're presently liquidating all of their showroom demo units. We're talking MeyerSound, d&b AudioTechnik, and Nexo. Looks like I'm off to the city, either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Last year, I heard the MeyerSound UP Juniors there, and was completely smitten by these tiny boxes.

[Shaster]

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Bobby1Note wrote:

The plot thickens,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I just got off the phone with SoloTech (Montreal). I had a very interesting conversation with the store manager, Patrick Dufresne. They have a massive amount of this level of gear in stock, and they're presently liquidating all of their showroom demo units. We're talking MeyerSound, d&b AudioTechnik, and Nexo. Looks like I'm off to the city, either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Last year, I heard the MeyerSound UP Juniors there, and was completely smitten by these tiny boxes.

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You are going to leave your debit and credit cards behind right    That sure sounds like a fun trip.  

I guess if you're going to go big, you should maybe factor in rider friendly. I know I see some Nexo stuff at our local jazz festival - even though some of the younger techs can still mess them up. But don't get me started on that...

Good luck, and happy bargaining.