Karaoke Forums

Hi All,

I was wondering what your thoughts might be about the system that I'm cosidering putting together.

2 Bose 802 speakers, 802C controller, and Bose 502 bp subwoofer, with 425 watts going to the 802's, and 700 watts going to the 502 sub. Also using a dual 15 dbx Eq, along with a dbx compressor for the vocals, along with a Lexicon MPX 400 for effects. Oh, and last but not least, a Mackie 1202 Vlz Pro mixer.

I am curious as to your thoughts and opinions, because outside of my area, I don't recall any KJ's using the Bose 802's and subs.

Thanks for reading this,
B.T.

"No highs, no lows, it must be Bose" - a pretty common mantra in the pro-audio realms. Seriously while the fidelity of a Bose system is excellent, take a look at the specs for frequency response and compare it to other systems on the market and you'll see what you're missing. Bose does a very nice job in the consumer world, but I've never been a big fan of their PA gear. The Mackie 1202 is a decent console and will be a workhorse for you, nothing flashy, not the most accurate out there but dependable and solid. DBX comps and EQ's are a good choice, so is the Lexicon EFX processor. Pretty good rig overall just be aware of the limitations of that PA choice.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

You might want to reconsider the 15 band GEQ. That is pretty limited as far as system correction goes, and if you need to tame some feedback, it will be a pretty rough tool.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

I pretty much agree with Tony on this one, your out board gear is adequate but you might want to explore some other PA options. A 31 band EQ would also be a better choice in most cases than a dual 15 band.

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Quickness of mind will deceive the eye

Thanks to those who have responded so far. Tony, I've heard the mantra before about Bose. I heard these speakers and sub on a KJ's system, and the sound was very good. I asked him about his EQ, which is a dual 15 band. He said that he actually only uses one side of the EQ. He has the audio chain "Y'ed" up to the EQ. He says the Bose controller is not only a cross-over, but it also acts as an equalizer, to a degree. The graphic EQ is mostly to control feedback.

You had also mentioned that the Mackie mixer wasn't very accurate. May I ask what you would suggest instead? I'll take all of the help and advice I can before plunking down my hard-earned cash. Also if you or anyone else have suggestions for speakers, I'm only too happy to listen

Thanks agai, everyone,
B.T.

My system sounds different from room to room. Sometimes it sounds fantastic and other it's very good. He just may be in a room that makes that system sound very good. 99 other rooms it may not.

It depends on how many people are in the room and how close they are to the front of the speakers.

Do you want to sound as good as the other KJ or better?

That is not a good idea. http://www.rane.com/note109.html

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

In that price range (sub $1000 small format mixers) you're going to find the same issue with most mixing consoles, it's not just Mackie. The inaccuracy issue is comes in forms of inconsistencies between pots (knobs = potentiameters = pots). On one input attenuator (gain, trim, it has many names) a 1/4 turn may affect the signal more than the same 1/4 turn on the next channel. Additionally, the markings on those boards (for say 0dB or the frequency on a sweepable mid) are close approximations but not necessarily exactly accurate. These are things that aren't really a problem but become an issue to someone used to working with higher end concert format desks. Allen & Heath and Soundcraft small format boards tend to be a little better than Mackie and Yamaha for instance but the Mackie and Yamaha both do an acceptable job.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

IMO the quality of the mixer is largely irrelevant until you have good speakers and mics. I'd also rather have a good outboard FX unit than a better mixer. I still have a Behringer XENYX 2442FX in my B-rig, and I don't plan to replace it until after I have spent money on another MX400XL FX unit for that system.

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Jeff Wheeler, moonlight DJ/KJ

Couldn't agree more. Especially in the club world mixing bands or karaoke, the differences between the consoles in negligible. Now connect that Mackie to a Martin line array and compare it to a Yamaha 4K, you'll hear the difference. But not in the world that we're talking about here.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

There are some local KJs here in my town that use the Bose 802s, and I hate them. For $750 a pop, you can certainly do much better for a karaoke application. The 802s perform like a $200 speaker as far as karaoke IMHO.

Same thing with the sub. Bose makes great near-field subs, but you aren't going to really be able to hear this thing except for on the stage, or only withing about 10-15 feet of whereever you put it.

For that hefty budget, I think you can do much much better.

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Thank you to all who responded. I greatly appreciate your input. I will certainly look to alternatives as you suggested.

Thanks again,
B.T.