Help...What is the "very best" sounding PA / Amplifier available ?

[Nama Ensou]

Originally Posted by hotroad

I gig quite often and always bring my own sound gear. I am an older guy so weight is key.
I have two systems, one for small and one for medium to larger. The HK with a 10" sub and two larger satellite speakers is my choice for larger. Two Bose S1's on poles are what i use for smaller up to 100 depending on room configuration.
Before you spend any money on a system think hard about your audience size and portability. Two Bose S1's and my Elite Acoustics Stompmix 6, both battery powered, make a great home stereo, computer speaker, TV speaker, smaller gig system. Have fun with all the info from this awesome forum.

I agree it's nice to have a couple of options and I've got the HK 608i too and it's my "larger" system. Just bought a JBL Eon One Compact for smaller or battery powered gigs.

[HippieDave]

The Bose ??? Yes it puts out a lot of sound , a lot of midrange sound (where most of sound the vocal and guitar reside) It disperses quite well and it has many followers who love it
Personally I find it be less detailed and balanced than some other options.[/QUOTE]

If you're into the Single case Synapse type system, I'd also look at the Mesa Boogie Rosette...it gets a lot of accolades as an acoustic amp. However, I've been using the EV Evolve 50 for a couple of years now and cannot speak highly enough about it. I sold a traditional multispeaker sound system (EV based) and got the Evolve after A/B comparing it with the Bose L1 system. To my ear the EV is heads above the Bose both in sound and dispersion. I actually go enough for my old system to buy a pair of the Evolves, but one has been sitting in storage waiting for a venue...probably outdoors...where it is needed. I play at a bar and grill with a fairly large outdoor patio that is used for setting up music, and the single Evolve has been plenty.

[penrithrdstudio]

I've heard numerous systems at small gigs/other music events, and remember the best one had HK Audio speakers. The Bose systems are good too but have more of a tendency to sound harsh IME. But ultimately it comes down to knowing how to get the most out of your equipment.