Harbinger MLS800 (Budget Bose Compact Clone)

[martingitdave]

Saw this demo'ed tonight at my local music store.

http://harbingerproaudio.com/product...al-line-array/

The controls are limited. But, the thing sounded very good! They played a Taylor 814ce with ES2 and a SM58 and the sound was clear and powerful. The bass was surprisingly good for a little unit. Paired with a TC Helicon Play Acoustic as the vocal processor and guitar DI, it could be a killer wine bar combo for under $1000.

[DavidE]

Someone else posted a review of a side by side comparison of this unit, the Bose compact and the JBL Eon One. Very interesting.

[SpruceTop]

$700 bucks ain't bad but this is about the closest to infringement on the Bose Compact design I've seen!

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by DavidE

Someone else posted a review of a side by side comparison of this unit, the Bose compact and the JBL Eon One. Very interesting.

I'll check it out.


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[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

$700 bucks ain't bad but this is about the closest to infringement on the Bose Compact design I've seen!

Agreed. Just without the DSP.


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[TheShadowKnows]

Yes, it is about as close as you can get on infringement looks wise on the base. But the distinctions are:
1. it's about 20% larger
2. the array is in 2 sections which connect to the top of the base horizontally. The Bose connects through the base to its bottom vertically.
3. The Harbinger has a 2x 130watt power amp. Bose, 2x 60watts.
4. Different preamp / channel configuration on the Harbinger.
5. is a LOT heavier than the Bose (total weight).

In January I found on the internet the preliminary report submitted to the FCC for this unit. It looked to be something that was already in production in China because it had a different badge / brand on it. I'm guessing Harbinger wanted to take this already made item to the U.S. market & did all that was needed to make it so.

Bose really can't really do anything regarding copyright violations in China because the government is pro local manufacturer (or so I've heard. correct me if I'm wrong). But I'm sure Bose legal 'could' raise a stink when something similar is brought to the U.S. market. My guess is that Harbinger contacted Bose for 'permission'. It wouldn't make any sense to do all that work & get shut down by Bose' legal department.

Takamine had that problem with a near perfect copy of Martins back in the 80's. They got the cease & desist letter from Martin then changed the design. But Tak was making those Martin copies in Japan / Korea for years before exporting them to the U.S. Then they got clobbered when exporting them. If I'm missing anything about this story, someone, please chime in & correct. Thx.

[MikeBmusic]

Definitely would want to use an external mixer to be able to EQ the mic and guitar separately.