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I'd chose the L'Acoustics Kiva/Kilo

7 (22.6%)

I'd chose the D&B Audiotechnik T-Series

9 (29%)

Both systems are equally great within their spectrum.

8 (25.8%)

Neither one, there are similar but better systems available.

3 (9.7%)

No idea... I am lost... But I'd like to find out.

4 (12.9%)

Total Members Voted: 31

Voting closed: August 16, 2014, 10:12:35 AM

[Kurt Nyberg]

Attention Live Sound Experts and Pro Audio Engineers,

We are intending to procure a compact high end sound reinforcement system for our media and event production company. After extensive research we have concluded that either the L'Acoustics Kiva or the D&B T-Series would suit our applications the best. Event Functions typically ranging from 50-600+ Guests, Indoors and Outdoors, Speech and Music.

The rigs we are looking at are:

L'Acoustics
12 x Kiva
4 x Kilo
4 x SB18
3 x LA4X-CE (or 2 x LA8)

vs.

D&B Audiotechnik
12 x T-10
4 x T-Sub
2 x B2 (or 4 x B4)
2 x D80

QUESTION - As per your opinion which system is better and why?

Here are the links to the two systems:

L'Acoustics from France
http://www.l-acoustics.com/products-kiva-31.html

D&B Audiotechnik from Germany
http://www.dbaudio.com/systems/category/series/black-range/t-series.html

Furthermore, should you have any other suggestions or comparisons i.e. similar products from other brands please do let us know why you'd chose it over the above systems.

Thank you in advance

[Mark Rombouts]

I would go with L-Acoustics. Both systems are very good. But I like the sound of L-Acoustics Kiva better than the German option.

Maybe you should have a look at the SB15m subwoofer. Very nice package with Kiva, much beter than de Kilo in my opinion.

I think I would go with LA8 amplifiers instead of LA4(x). More power from the same compact system.

12 Kiva
2 x SB15 (or even 4)
4 x SB18
can run on only 2 LA8 amplifiers.

[Kurt Nyberg]

Thanks for your advise Mark.

I had heard that the Kiva has a slightly higher output and a warmer sound
however that might also depend on the amps used etc.  To combine the Kiva with the SB15m's is a good idea...

What I like about the D&B T-Series is that the T10's can be converted to point source and in combination with their D80 the rig becomes a rather smart setup that can be controlled wirelessly via i-pad.

Do you have any suggestions in regards to any other brand that has similar compact line array's with maybe an even better sound? I.e. how does Nexus, Meyer, Adamson compare ?
   

[Kurt Nyberg]

That's a nice D&B T-Series setup.

[Chris White]

We have the Adamson Spektrix boxes and I have been really impressed with the low frequency extension for such a small box. We power ours with the PLM10000Q and they are a perfect match.

You may want to look into getting a demo of the Metrix Boxes. The only thing is the Adamson boxes are 5 degree vertical for the standard and 15 degree for the wave downfill boxes. Which means they cant be used as a point source like the T10.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Chris Johnson [UK]]

I think the T sounds quite a lot better than the Kiva. And if you do go Kiva, don't buy the Kilo (which are completely useless) and buy the SB15M instead.

However, the Kiva goes a lot louder...

[Christian Güssmer]

For the french solution you should really take the LA8 - and btw: with their "network manager" they have a fine remote control software.

A rather different approach would be the Martin-Audio MLAmini, I only heard it's larger brothers, but they are outstanding.

[Kurt Nyberg]

Thank you all for your time and advise.

Looking at the poll and your comments it seems that we won't make a mistake in any case, whether we procure the L'Acoustics or the D&B Audiotechnik system. Both systems seem to be top of the line mini line array solutions.

I personally do prefer the ergonomics and design of the L'Acoustics Kiva but I equally fancy the practicality and point source capability of the T-Series and the advanced technology of D&B's high end D80 amplifiers. There will be a new LA4X and LA8X amplification available for L'Acoustics early next year and the network manager provides equal flexibility and remote control anyway.

In conclusion, it will likely depend on the best offer and dry hire facilities in my area. That said I will have a look at the Martin Audio and the Nexus Geo's but
in Dubai nearly every rental company stocks L'Acoustics, Meyer Sound or D&B Audiotechnik while Martin Audio, Nexus and Adamson are not very common here.

I will post an update on our final decision as well as a system review.

Kind Regards
 
PS: If you have any further suggestions or comments... please shoot...

[Daniel Ravald]

I recently listened to Coda Audio's Viray and got really impressed. IMO it sounded better than Kiva.

[Kurt Nyberg]

Well gentleman, thank you all for your kind replies.

I need to mention that we haven't got any system at this stage. At present we are frequently renting anything from small Meyer UPJ's and L'Acoustics XT etc. to larger LA systems with technicians etc.

Locally labor is cheap however the hardware is rather costly to rent and it significantly reduces our overall margins to rent equipment while it results in unnecessary dependencies and complications.

Our winning brands are D&B or L'Acoustics and we have now broadened our horizon a little to the below:

D&B Audiotechnik
T Series = Ups: Compact, Flexible, Point Source | Downs: Not as Powerful
Q Series = Ups: Flexible, Point Source | Downs: Complicated
V Series = Ups: Powerful | Downs: More Complicated, Less Flexible
E Series = Ups: Very Flexible | Downs: Not as Powerful, Only Near-field

L'Acoustics
Kiva, Kilo = Ups: Compact, Flexible, Point Source | Downs: Not as Powerful
ARCS2, Wide/Focus = Ups: Powerful, Simple | Downs: Heavy
XT, P = Ups: Compact, Flexible | Downs: Not as Powerful, Only Near-field

While we love the Kiva we feel that the ARCS2 are easier to handle and deliver a better punch only beaten by the V's from D&B Audio. The Kiva or the ARCS would ideally be supplemented with XT or P's and equally the T or V could be supplemented with the E-Series.

Main question for us at the moment: Kiva or ARCS with XT.

[ProSoundWeb Community]