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[Nathan Ochoa]

If there was one magical wedge that could fulfill every rider that could possibly come through the docks of 2,900 seat national theater, what box would it be? I'm currently close to pulling the trigger on the L'Acoustics x15 hiq boxes, but that's mostly because I'm familiar with them, and I've never had anyone turn their nose up to them. I'm also very easily amused, and the kick stands tickle the s**t outta me... However, I know there are a lot more options out there that I am not experienced with, and I'd really like to broaden my outlook a little and hear what others think on the topic.
So, back to the first sentence...what is the one wedge you all think could fulfill most riders that we will hopefully be seeing more of soon.

[brian maddox]

If there was one magical wedge that could fulfill every rider that could possibly come through the docks of 2,900 seat national theater, what box would it be? I'm currently close to pulling the trigger on the L'Acoustics x15 hiq boxes, but that's mostly because I'm familiar with them, and I've never had anyone turn their nose up to them. I'm also very easily amused, and the kick stands tickle the s**t outta me... However, I know there are a lot more options out there that I am not experienced with, and I'd really like to broaden my outlook a little and hear what others think on the topic.
So, back to the first sentence...what is the one wedge you all think could fulfill most riders that we will hopefully be seeing more of soon.

d&b M4

Admittedly I'm a d&b fanboy, but still. The M4 is just a great all around workhorse. I can't imagine a band that's using wedges turning their nose up at M4s.

You can also turn around and use them as stick speakers for that weird outdoor one off fundraiser that the boss makes you do even though you really don't feel like doing it. so there's that.

[Riley Casey]

This is the answer. Sure there are other first class stage monitors that plenty of touring acts will accept and most are based on the same or very similar coax drivers ( L'Acoustic & Martin to be sure ) but the M4s are the boxes that those bands and their engineers really want you to bring. 

d&b M4
...

[Peter Morris]

If there was one magical wedge that could fulfill every rider that could possibly come through the docks of 2,900 seat national theater, what box would it be? I'm currently close to pulling the trigger on the L'Acoustics x15 hiq boxes, but that's mostly because I'm familiar with them, and I've never had anyone turn their nose up to them. I'm also very easily amused, and the kick stands tickle the s**t outta me... However, I know there are a lot more options out there that I am not experienced with, and I'd really like to broaden my outlook a little and hear what others think on the topic.
So, back to the first sentence...what is the one wedge you all think could fulfill most riders that we will hopefully be seeing more of soon.

There are just 2 that top the rider list - the M4 and X15Hiq.

I recently tested a bunch of wedges ... FWIW;

- The M4 was very good but not amazing, but its been around for quite a while and B&C have made some improvements to their driver designs.
- Clair 1AM's; fantastic.
- L'Acoustic's X12 & X15hiq. The X12 was a beautiful general purposed speaker but the X15hiq was a better as a dedicated wedge; one of the best.
- Nexo P15, a great flexible design, so easy to change the horn pattern, great size and weight but didn't like the voicing at all. It uses what looks like the same B&C driver as the Hiq.  I tried doing our own 2 way setting and could get some great results but that's not the product you would be buying. 
- I suspect the new Martin stuff would be great, but there was not an opportunity to try them.
- Adamson M12's; didn't like the factory passive settings but the active settings were very good ... so we tried some of our own settings and they were amazing, one of the best we tested. There is something special about the Kevlar cones they use. Very clear and loud.
- We also compared everything to our existing Turbosound TMW115's and TMW112's.  These were before Uli and use a very similar driver B&C to the M4; they compared very well but the Behringer association is not good.
- would have loved to be able to try the new Fulcrum cardioid FW15 wedge and dB Technologies new VIO W15T wedge.

I also considered a few other factors; what pattern do you want for a wedge and are coaxial designs better.  The conclusion I came to is you want a relatively hi Q or narrow pattern for dedicated wedge applications.  Some wedges like the X12 have a wide pattern making it a great general purpose speaker, but X15hiq with its narrower pattern was better for wedge only applications.  I also noted that most singers and engineers wanted to have 2 wedges, the coaxial designs produced more noticeable combe filtering when compared to the old standard speaker and horn with horn on the outside.  The conclusion I came to considering people seem two wedges, the microphone maybe in a fixed position or the singer may be every where needing side fill and addition wedges ... being coaxial or standard design probably does not matter.

[Andrew Broughton]

Jumping on the bandwagon.
d&b M4. They're also ridiculously light for what they do. It's like some sort of sorcery going on there.

[Jim McKeveny]

Both the D&B and the L'Acoustics wedges are terrific products. Beware however, they aren't just floor monitors. They are a gateway to an ecosystem.

[brian maddox]

Both the D&B and the L'Acoustics wedges are terrific products. Beware however, they aren't just floor monitors. They are a gateway to an ecosystem.Drug

Fixed it for you.

[Matthias McCready]

Fixed it for you.

You know what they say... "don't get high on your own supply." 

[Dave Garoutte]

You know what they say... "don't get high on your own supply." 

That's what the LPF is for.

[Robert Lunceford]

What are the top contenders for self powered wedges?

[Helge A Bentsen]

What are the top contenders for self powered wedges?

Meyer MJF210.
I work with a band who rarely mentions monitor sound, but everytime they get these it’s a talking point in the dressing room.

[gordonmcgregor]

Meyer MJF210.
I work with a band who rarely mentions monitor sound, but everytime they get these it’s a talking point in the dressing room.

That's because one of them tried to move them

[Jim McKeveny]

Meyer MJF210.... a talking point in the dressing room.

But are they a talking point in the front office? IOW do they quietly & continuously make a return? The business is littered with "sounds great (for xxx)" stuff.

"Rider friendly" can equal economic suicide. 50/100+k$ in an irrational/aspirational play can get a company an insert (Yay! We've arrived!) in a trade paper/site, but add no recognizable value to the enterprise. Infrastructure items: Mic kit(s), stand kit(s), XLR, and the sensible/timely transport & packaging of them produce better ROI. (And skilled, properly-paid  people. Maybe that first).

 Good Sound Fast v. Art Sound Slow (ASS). Being an ASS gets you drummed out quickly.

 Buzzkill?

[Helge A Bentsen]

But are they a talking point in the front office? IOW do they quietly & continuously make a return? The business is littered with "sounds great (for xxx)" stuff.

"Rider friendly" can equal economic suicide. 50/100+k$ in an irrational/aspirational play can get a company an insert (Yay! We've arrived!) in a trade paper/site, but add no recognizable value to the enterprise. Infrastructure items: Mic kit(s), stand kit(s), XLR, and the sensible/timely transport & packaging of them produce better ROI. (And skilled, properly-paid  people. Maybe that first).

 Good Sound Fast v. Art Sound Slow (ASS). Being an ASS gets you drummed out quickly.

 Buzzkill?

The times we got these it was either house wedges or the rental company owned by the Meyer distributor brought them.
I have no insight into the economics of their operation

All the riders I've seen lately says "PSM1000 or any wedge".

[Mal Brown]

I know it's more a lounge item but the Yamaha DHX-12M looks pretty good in the 'or any wedge' category.  Self powered, co-ax, nice floor profile. Pole cup. My guess based on size is it won't produce much below 80 and probably nothing below 65...  Is that a limiting factor on a pro wedge ?  other than in the drum position ?

Might not be the thing for ah, Limp Bizkit/Soundgarden levels but for bands running quieter stages maybe the Yamaha is one that can fill a need ?

[Alex Cheng]

I know it's more a lounge item but the Yamaha DHX-12M looks pretty good in the 'or any wedge' category.  Self powered, co-ax, nice floor profile. Pole cup. My guess based on size is it won't produce much below 80 and probably other below 65...  Is that a limiting factor on a pro wedge ?  other than in the drum position ?

Might not be the thing for ah, Limp Bizkit/Soundgarden levels but for bands running quieter stages maybe the Yamaha is one that can fill a need ?

Has anyone heard these yet, or the passive CHR12M? Curious to see how Yamaha's first coax speaker is, esp. given its inexpensive price point.

[Kent Clasen]

Has anyone heard these yet, or the passive CHR12M? Curious to see how Yamaha's first coax speaker is, esp. given its inexpensive price point.

Alex-

I don’t think they have started shipping. Yamaha said late fall IIRC.

Noticed Nexo is doing their first coax, as well. May be related?

https://www.nexo-sa.com/systems/p-series/modules/

[Doug Fowler]

Alex-

I don’t think they have started shipping. Yamaha said late fall IIRC.

Noticed Nexo is doing their first coax, as well. May be related?

https://www.nexo-sa.com/systems/p-series/modules/

NEXO moves slowly. 

The PS series was so successful it gained "if it's not broken why fix it?" status. 

I was never privy to actual numbers but they do far more sales in markets we in the US don't think about (much).

[Mal Brown]

I'm hoping it isn't a NAMM special ... Not Available, Maybe May ;-)

[Nils Erickson]

One more vote for M4... lightweight, sounds great, easy.  Nobody complains about this wedge.

[Peter Morris]

This is what is inside some of these wedges ...

[Bharat Bajaj]

If there was one magical wedge that could fulfill every rider that could possibly come through the docks of 2,900 seat national theater, what box would it be? I'm currently close to pulling the trigger on the L'Acoustics x15 hiq boxes, but that's mostly because I'm familiar with them, and I've never had anyone turn their nose up to them. I'm also very easily amused, and the kick stands tickle the s**t outta me... However, I know there are a lot more options out there that I am not experienced with, and I'd really like to broaden my outlook a little and hear what others think on the topic.
So, back to the first sentence...what is the one wedge you all think could fulfill most riders that we will hopefully be seeing more of soon.

1. Lacoustics x15
2. Dnb M4
3. Dnb Max 2

[ProSoundWeb Community]