HK PA systems

Subject: HK Lucas PA systems
From: mandotim
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 03:40 PM

Does anyone use/own one of these clever German PA setups? I'm thinking of the one with a single powered bass speaker and two satellite speakers. We are looking to use one for our duo 'Bit on the Side', with two voices, harmonicas, percussion, guitars, 'zook, mandolin and mandocello. (Not all at once!)Any comments on power, ease of use, durability, sound, value for money etc? Thanks
Tim

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: rhyzla
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 04:05 PM

Tim, I looked into buying one for our band 'Rhyzome' about six months ago, and just couldn't quite convince my self that the satelite speakers would handle what we might do, but looking at your instrumentation, I would think it would be good.

Have thought about ebay first?

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: mandotim
Date: 18 Mar 05 - 04:44 PM

Thanks for that; I think I heard one of these systems or something very similar at the Valentines Festival in Sutton Coldfield recently. Will check ebay. anyone else with experience of these?
T

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Mar 05 - 09:15 AM

Saw one at Weymouth folk festival last year in a noisy-ish bar. But nothing like the kind of shit it would have to deal with if you do ordinary pub bookings. If your audiences are not totally respectful I think you need bigger speakers/and or a bloody good monitoring sysytem.

At a local cricket club do I saw a H&K system totally overpowered by half a dozen mouthy slappers. For folk club gigs it would be perfect.

On Paddy's night I saw a concert at The Winding Wheel Chesterfield. They had a Martin System - similar idea small speakers, sophisticated powering. The Winding Wheel is a big cavernous space and I think the room was eating the pretty much eating the support act.

Wisest word I ever heard about PA system was Jerry Garcia - either you eat the room, or the room eats you.

all the best

Big Al Whittle

proud owner of three PA systems - which occasionally eat the room, but just as often get eaten.

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: mandotim
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 03:09 AM

'fresh

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 02:30 PM

The bass bin's a bitch to move around (although you sound as though you're not short of manpower, Mandotim). Otherwise they're pretty good for small, not-too-noisy venues. They have 650 watts total, 350 on the bass bin and 150 each on the satellites (they're powered individually), so there's plenty for your average club gig. The satellites handle a surprising whack of output and with careful EQing they sound good - not tinny or farty as you may imagine. Which leads to the other drawback which is that you need to buy some sort of mixer too.

Don't be put off by the small size of the satellites - small can be good (think Bose!).
S:0)

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Mar 05 - 03:09 PM

I have seen pubs totally drown 2k systems. If you are going onto pubs with low ceilings and noisy hooray henries and carolines, or indeed bellowing oiks, the H+K is just not going to get vocals over them.

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: mandotim
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 02:05 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone; I went ahead and bought one (two years old, good nick, £410 off ebay! Bargain!)Very pleased with it so far. Anyone want a Studiomaster Vision 8/Peavey Hisys2 rig?
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: GUEST,Toenails John
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 05:10 PM

We used a HK L.U.C.A.S System, (There are a range of different ones, Google HK Audio for their website) for about 5 years, and would have no problem recomending them to anyone, The beaut is, Tho "strollin Johnny" never mentioned (no offence) The bass bin is on wheels. onto which the two sat's stack, giving you a neat bundle to push out the door, It does require a knack to lift the bin into a saloon car boot, but hatch's or estates and so forth, no prob.
We seldom were stuck for output volume with the rig, but when we were, we were lucky to be able to borrow a second L.U.C.A.S, as the systems can be linked, giving you 2 bins, 4 sat's & double the output, Mind you we did borrow the 2nd rig, not actually buy it! This was only required, say at large, noisy hotel functions and so fouth.
I wont harp on about the tech of HK systems, their site (very good too) can do that for you, But i will say, it is quick to set up, easy to transport, Good range for the sound due to the crossover in the bin, And overall, 100% reliable. Never had one problem with the rig.

Incidentely, we sold the rig without any problem, only because we had a good year, and decided to lash out on a new rig, and now gig with two Mackie SRM450's. 2 powered speakers, no bin, as what little bass comes from an acc guitar, button accordion and Bodhran, is well handled by these.

P.S
Had them shipped in from Thomann Music in germany, and saved a fortune doing so!

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: GUEST,toenails john
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 05:14 PM

Incidentally, here's thomann's site!

Subject: RE: HK PA systems
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Mar 05 - 05:40 PM

I find the Peavey speakers very harsh. Studiomaster good.

Many love the SRM 450s. I hate them, and think they sound really coarse. Very pricey.