New all in one from Alto - Alto Busker

[Groovekings]

Anyone aware of this new mini battery powered system ? Just came out. Looks interesting. Great price point and the weight is even lower than the S1 Pro+

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...red-pa-speaker

[jricc]

Interesting, it does look like a cop of the S1 except for the fx and RCA out.

Alto makes some decent stuff. While it's not my main rig, I bought an Alto Trooper to leave at a venue I play a lot. It has three 6.5" speakers and a tweeter, so it's a completely different animal, but with a mixer, it sounds darn good. A few people have commented on how good it sounds, one time, I had a recording engineer come up to me and say what is that thing? It sounds great.

[Rudy4]

Yet another offering requiring a Smartphone connection for even the most basic features such as simple EQ.

I also don't get why a manufacturer would produce an amp rated at "200 watts" to drive a 6-1/2" speaker.

[Eastbound]

Looks nice especially for busking

[Groovekings]

This is rated at 200 watts "peak", which is not true RMS watts ( continuous). The real rating would be somewhere like 100 continuous watts total, and some of that would be allocated to the tweeter - likely 30 or so. Think of it as roughly powered like a Fishman mini or thereabouts. about the same power as the Bose S1 Pro also, but a little higher SPL rating

[leew3]

We've use a pair of Alto Troupers as mains for years and so are impressed with Alto gear as well. This looks like a good option and I especially like the low impedance line out. The Bose S1 is rated at 150 W so this one is in the same league in terms of power. Without the mini line array of the S1 the dispersion will likely not be as expansive but it surely looks like another solid contender from Alto.

[necrome]

Looks like a poor imitation of the S1 Pro. It is a lot cheaper and lighter though so there are some advantages.

[takamineGD93]

I am a happy bose s1 user.

I choosed s1 for the nice reviews, and the weight.

I started play electric guitar at age 10 and in a divorced household without car. I still hate amps for the weight and remember what it was like. Growing up, 50 years and a car hasn't changed my opinion.

So i may pick up a second hand one down the line if it's in pair with the s1.

More alternatives = better

[engr_scotty]

Has anyone heard one of these? LF cutoff is 60Hz, which doesn't seem that low.

Also, is the battery removeable? That could be a problem later...

Still, price is good. Weight is excellent... Sound? TBD

[jonfields45]

I recently bought a $125 Alto TX-308 as a 12 lbs alternative to my QSC CP-8 for use as an FRFR for my electric guitar (hard duty!). It is nearly featureless which given the price point seems reasonable, but sound and build quality are quite impressive.

[edward993]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

I recently bought a $125 Alto TX-308 as a 12 lbs alternative to my QSC CP-8 for use as an FRFR for my electric guitar (hard duty!). It is nearly featureless which given the price point seems reasonable, but sound and build quality are quite impressive.

Hey Jon,

I'm really curious about this as another band I'm in needs another monitor on the cheap. May I ask you what your specific impressions are of this Alto vs the CP8 which I know is a solid performer? I'd prob lean more toward the TS over the TX for the DSP and a few more bucks, but I'd still love to hear your thoughts since you own a CP. Thanks!

Edward

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by edward993

Hey Jon,

I'm really curious about this as another band I'm in needs another monitor on the cheap. May I ask you what your specific impressions are of this Alto vs the CP8 which I know is a solid performer? I'd prob lean more toward the TS over the TX for the DSP and a few more bucks, but I'd still love to hear your thoughts since you own a CP. Thanks!

Edward

The CP-8 is clearly better at a higher price and weight. I don't ever plan to take the Alto to a gig in place of the CP-8 which my duo uses as a single high and behind speaker. As a monitor it should do the job. I think of it in the same class as Behringer (in this case a B-208D), only cheaper, no mixer, and a decent handle (the B-208D has no handle).

[wweiss]

Just got the Alto Busker! So far VERY impressed. Haven't done much listening tests, but initial impression, it sounds the same as my S1Pro side by side! Just listening to tracks, no instrument or mic tests. Very clean tone, but little bottom end. At this price/weight I think it is going to be successful.

[edward993]

Thanks for that Jon, I appreciate the specific thoughts! For a floor wedge, the Alto TS (for its modest but hopefully usable HPF for a monitor over the TX model), I am thinking will be fine to avoid the cost of a CP8 or DBR10. Heck, even used the latter two are more than the TS 8".

BTW, good to know from the Alto users on the busker ...looks promising as long as it holds up duress. Interested in more chiming in with live use!

Edward

[jricc]

Originally Posted by wweiss

Just got the Alto Busker! So far VERY impressed. Haven't done much listening tests, but initial impression, it sounds the same as my S1Pro side by side! Just listening to tracks, no instrument or mic tests. Very clean tone, but little bottom end. At this price/weight I think it is going to be successful.

Cool, thanks for the initial report. I wouldn't mind having the Busker as a backup to my Everse 8. My initial concern, when I looked in the manual, it stated this:

Repair-If the battery fails to charge, check your fuse near the power cable
input. If your fuse is intact and it still will not charge, contact Alto
Professional at altoprofessional.com.

Disposal-Bring the unit to a recycling center or dispose of in accordance with
local ordinances

So if the unit no longer charges it is a throwaway? Obviously you could still plug it in, but not if you are a busker (which I am not). I can't believe there is not some kind of user replaceable battery.