Hi Phil; I've tried the Thomann Box jobs, and I agree, they are great for the money (I use a Bose rig as well, two of the PAS systems, or a big Mackie rig for bigger gigs). What appeals about the helicons is that they mount on the mike stand and act as nearfield monitors, and they have an input box on the floor that allows the artist to blend main monitor mix with their vocal and/or instrument via controls on the unit itself. All of this while still sending a dry signal to the front of house sound desk.