Hi all,
I have finally received the first of what may be a pair of the Maui LD28 Speakers.
http://www.ld-systems.com/370-1-ld-maui-28.htmlThey operate in the same manner as any of the Bose PAS systems, but probably not the "little" Bose.
I have owned and used at shows the L1 Model I and the model II with the Tonematch so that is what I am comparing against.
The footprint of the system is about the same as the Model II and certainly less that the model I, and is about the same height.
It is a rather aesthetically pleasing appearance, and having one on either side would still only create a stage space of a tad over 2 metres (that is with a 73 note keyboard), if stage space is at a premium at the venue.
You will need a mixer with it as the controls are very simple, overall level and sub mix level. However it has clever electronic circuitry that runs with no user intervention to ensure the amps and speakers do not get cooked.
One could get away with no mixer for either of the Bose systems, and although it was not ideal, it worked.
I have found that the one knob control of the sub level a bit quicker and easier than the few steps you need to go through on Bose systems to achieve the same (assuming no mixer with EQ is in the system). Actually even with the Bose Tonematch mixer it still needed a couple of steps to set it.
Setup is so easy - about 10 seconds and away you go. The bottom section of the "pole" is
VERY tight into the base unit, but I suspect it has neoprene or nylon bushes so that the fitting remains snug so the tower cannot be easily dislodged. There is no locking mechanism as there is on the Bose systems.
Weight is about the same as the Bose model I, but a tad heavier (not much, maybe a kilo or so) than the model II
No covers are supplied, but they are available aftermarket. But at the price point, no quibbles here
SOUNDOkay the important bit.
In my view these are the equal of either Bose system, and I might add that I think vocals out of the box are superior to the Bose. I tested by simply running everything flat, and then playing some songs (with vocals) exactly as I had done with the Bose systems.
The speaker "spread and throw" is exactly the same as the Bose L1 systems, and I tested this in exactly the same way as I originally did on the Bose. Which is to place the system and do a 180 degree walk from the left side parallel to the system and at about 50 feet, and then proceed all the way to the right side (in the shape of a D if you can picture that) all the while facing the speaker.
I discerned no difference at all between the Bose test and the Maui test. The sound was even and balanced.
The acoustic pianos bare still had that slight "honky" sound that is prevalent in the Bose systems (even though Bose techs deny it!!!) but I felt overall in a mix the mids presence was far greater on the Maui than on the Bose. Although EP's on either were never a problem.
It could do with a little tweak, but not as much as I needed to do on the Bose system.
In fact on the L1, I could not run it without a mixer purely for that reason (MIDS control). I needed some external EQ outside of the presets -
which did have a mids augment preset as I recall but it did not work very well - the II had the tonematch so was better to setup.
One thing I found good was that the Maui actually has two inputs, a left and right, so that even if you are running one system, you can actually route a left and right signal to it from the mixer... no need for summing and no apparent loss of stereo field sample data ( Yammie owners might like this
)
The Maui LD28s do have a curious "quirk" though. If you stand within 4 feet of them they sound a little muddled in frequency and overall balance of sound, but move out of that 4 feet space and it reverts back to good immediately. So I think some folks have had them too close and are consequently getting a less than desirable sound.
I will add that when I had the Bose systems close to me the sub levels were almost overwhelming. Out in the middle of the room the mix was great, but close to them -
and at some gigs you had no choice but to stick them really close - it was pretty bad..I had to always restrain myself from adjusting the sub level from my perspective, and keep in mind that "out there" it was pretty good.
I did get used to it, but it was annoying. So this "quirk" of the Maui is no issue. I emphasis that outside of this zone they sound really sweet.
The overall sub level and "punch" is okay, although I think the Bose shades it here. But not enough of a difference to justify an extra $2200 for the Bose Model II. And that is
WITHOUT the Tonematch box which adds a further $400+
The sub has twin 8" sub drivers compared to the Bose B1 module which has just the one, but I have to say the Bose B1 module is a bit "cooler" and better designed, although it must be said that the Maui needs to also house all the electronics in the sub unit as well, whereas the Bose has all of this in the separate base unit.
So Bose has 4 bits to connect, and the Maui has 3...no biggie.
I would suggest (as I have not had them at a show yet) that a single Maui would comfortably cover around 150
* seated, and around 75 -100
* dancing. So for a big pub gig I will certainly need two systems, although at a total cost of $2500 for BOTH systems, it still comes in at around $1000 LESS than one Bose Model II.
So far it has all been pretty positive. And I will try to remember to update once they have been blooded!!
Dennis
PS: * = Depends on room shape and type.....
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