First and foremost, these systems are anything but flimsy. You can park a truck on top of the sub and speakers--they're built like a Sherman tank. The wires are also high quality--not the old skinny speaker wires that come with home entertainment systems.
As for sound quality, personally, I really don't care if the system costs $300 or $3000 if it gets the job done to the satisfaction of both myself and my audiences. So far, the largest room I've used the Z-2200s in measured about 2,500 square feet and it performed flawlessly. Everyone in the room said they loved the new system and how crisp, clear and wonderful the music filled the entire room.
Guys and gals, we've entered a new era in the world of OMB entertainment. Granted, there was a time when bigger and more expensive translated to better quality. This is no longer the case. Competition, space-age materials and a host of new technological advancements have rapidly transformed this industry to one that is in a constant state of change. If you will recall, it was just a few months ago when folks were downing the Bose PAS system, claiming it would never be able to used for larger venues. Obviously, most of those making those comments were not basing their statements on personal experience. That's why I constantly travel to hear other OMB performers play and sing, and do my level best to objectively evaluate the system they're using.
The same holds true with keyboards. Of all the wonderful, very talented individuals who frequent this form, how many are using custom made keyboards, systems that cost $10,000 or more? In fact, most of us use boards that cost under $2,500 and the average price of the boards we're currently using cost just $1,500 or less. Had the PSR-3000 been available 20 years ago, it would have cost $10,000 or more, and no one would have quibbled about the price. Back then, the rule of thumb was "If it cost more, then it will sound better." The PSR-5700 retailed for $3,200, had 35 styles, a similar number of voices, and a floppy disk drive that was slow at best. Now 15 years later, and for half the price, you can have PSR-3000 that has more features than most folks will ever use--think about it. Even Uncle Dave uses a $1,500 keyboard with his $2,500 sound system. I suspect that within the next five years, another manufacturer will come out with a similar system that will sell for under $500, provide the same or better quality, be lighter, more compact and very rugged.
The bottom line is don't down a system until you've actually used it on the job and can provide an objective, unbiased evaluation based upon performance. Three years ago, I was still lugging around five 3-inch thick loosleaf binders with lyrics and keyboard settings--they're now in a closet. I was also lugging huge speakers, powered mixers, lighting systems, two keyboards, and damned near needed a fork lift to unload the van. Technology has changed all this. Today, it's one trip with the Rock-N-Roller, five minutes set-up time and the dance floor fills.
Damned, I just wrote another book!
Cheers,
Gary
