Cass stereo, portability, features, weight and YES mid range sound loss were my main reasons I bought the BA330.....the Bose systems both of them compact & pas left a void in my sound to my ears I wasn't happy with anymore. BUT, Don't listen to me, what do I know playing in the trenches every night or anyone else here, go play one for yourself...& make a decision based on your what you hear. BA330 is a winner for me when Used Properly.

have fun

What I've found with the Bose is it does need to be EQ'd for every room. Since there are limited parameters on the unit itself, I EQ it through my keyboard and save the settings so when I go back there, it's ready to roll. If you play with that EQ you will get the mids you're looking for. There is also seperate EQ on the board for the mic. I'll go look at the BA330, but I'm still very happy with the Bose.

Joe



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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Joe I forgot to mention the Rich Fullness of playing in STEREO

Cass, if you are happy with the Bose Compact, and it meets your needs ..why complicate things..just keep the Bose..If on the other hand, you would like the features the BA330 gives you, and you are selling off the CM30's...and the BA330 can handle your jobs in stereo and convenience of the built in mixer and effects..at half the cost of the Bose (and Bose is still marketable)....then make the change..

I feel straight up comparison between the BA330 and the Bose Compact...I like the sound of the BA330 over the Bose Compact, but the Bose is more powerful (not by much)..The flexibility of the BA330 is unmatched by Bose...Personally, If I already owned the Bose and was happy with it...I would stay pat...If I was a first time buyer of one or the other...easy choice for me...I would rather have the BA330..Exactly what I did..

Another consideration...you are doing nursing home type gigs...the BA330 is easier to set up and you can carry the whole system contained..unlike the Bose..but you need to find another place to hang your hat..

Hey Bill, come on down to the Crab Trap...I am using only the BA330 for my keys and vocals..I have the main volume at 12:00, and the channel volume (of keyboard) at 1:00
My mic channel is at 10:00..
The volume usually around 1-2:00 from my Prelude..
All this works out to about half the volume capability of the BA330...and covers this room fine..

The night you were at Alfies, I had three set ups I was testing that night...The Podiums (1204's) with Edirol mixer..My 25 year old Roland Cubes...and the BA330..

The retail on the Roland Cubes was $800 each in 1985..The Podiums are under $600 for a pair.. and the Roland BA330 under $600 street price..

If I had to only keep one system ..The Roland Cubes would be that choice ..as they have been for over 25 years..

The Podiums now belong to the band (I dumped them.. )..

The BA330 is my go to amp for the restaurant jobs..and small gigs..

When I use the BA330 with my Cubes...it is by far the best sound I have used or heard (I do use the Edirol mixer with the Cubes,..)

Bill I don't recall a $1,000 amp I used at Alfies..Did I mislead you or are you referring to the Cubes...or the Podium 1204's..?

As for left hand bass ..nothing touches the Cubes in that department (15")..

I have said from day one ..the BA330 will not handle real dance music by itself..(need to add a good 12" or 15" powered unit..Mids and highs ..even at 30 watts will cut the mix..Bass you need to feel in your chest won't come from the BA330...or the Bose Compact either..

You mentioned , that you like the bass feel just as I do...I want that big bass at times when I need it...that is why I carry a pair of Cubes with me..for the BIG outdoor gigs or the "dance" floor gigs..

AS mentioned we need to use the right tools for the right job, or expect compromises..

Yipppee....
someone that really "gets it" !!

Fran and all

Really, yes I really do get it. Th3 BA 330 is for small gigs! I just don't see the purpose of so many different systems. I'm caught in that bind myself and am getting frustrated. I now have a smaller vehicle I love, the Nissan Rogue, so space is really important. Add to that my advancing age, I'm over 39 HA!, and weight is a consideration. What I want is a modular type setup where I can have everything I need for a gig and but bring in just what I want and leave the rest. Not standing in my driveway asking myself, do I bring the big guns Crate KX220s, or will my Yamaha mixer and 12" Carvin LM's do it and if I bring the BA330 what do I bring for some backup if the rooms larger or more people are there ..... on and on and on.... I recently had a gig in NYC. Not knowing the room or party size I had to guess what to bring and know that unloading on a side street is going to limit me to one trip with the R&R. I did it with the Yamaha mixer/LM!2 combo but had the KX220 in the car just in case. BUT__ I had to park a long block away in a basement lot so if I needed the KX220 good luck. Last week I show up for a party and "Oh by the way, its upstairs, no elevator" Good thing I was real early. A pair of 330's would of been nice but I doubt if they would handle the DJ stuff i had to do.
Fran--The amp I referred to was the Yorkville KB4? you just bought for the small gigs because it is stereo. and what about those Podium's?? They seem perfect for the small gigs.
And on and on we go so I'll stop now. I'll keep looking for a solution.


Bill in NJ

Volume is overrated sometimes.

I played 2 gigs today - a very large, long hall with 75 people. I did a sound check before hand and the 330 was clear and powerful in the very back. The results were terrific. I did a special Luau, including my Beach Boys Medley, etc and it was danceable enough for the crowd.

I also played a small room tonight. They loved the experience. Elvis was there the night before and half the crowd left because he was too loud! What does that tell you?

If I ever need more volume, I'd go for two of these puppies in a heartbeat.

Zuki WTG!!!...I know your BA330 has paid itself off many times over for you .....having 2 units could be a very good idea using the "STEREO Link" feature when needed in bigger rooms & would sound great also.

good luck

btw did you buy the Roland wheel cover.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-12-2010).]

Again, all these positive reviews have got me thinking I did something wrong in my BA330 test although I can't imagine what. I really had high hopes for this amp. What I really wish but will never see is if Roland dropped the battery powered thing, which I believe very few people will use, and put in a real stereo amp about 150 watts a side. I'd love to have two of these and maybe a small sub. Then I'd be set for anything.
I'm going to check around and see if any local stores are stocking any 330's yet. I've got to try it again.
Went to Sam Ash and "Educated" the keyboard sales "kid" and the store manager about the BA330, SA300, VR700, GW8, and Privia 3. None of which they ever heard of. Pretty funny scene. I had them running to the computer at the check out to look this stuff up and all they could say was "Wow"
Maybe they'll give me a discount now???


Bill in NJ