This might be the column array we have been waiting for

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jaswrx

DJ Extraordinaire
Feb 15, 2015
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...well, not exactly new, but not really talked about or reviewed.

DB Technologies ES1203db. It uses a dual 12" bass cabinet that weighs 64 pounds (still manageable), has a lot of power, but super efficient and packs nicely.

I would love to downsize and make it easier to pack/load/setup, but nothing I review and test thoroughly performs better than my setup, and believe me, I would LOVE TO DOWNSIZE. I use dual L1s with B1s and T1 for the processing (a vital and absolutely necessary component for the L1 that almost all DJsl skip). I then use Dual F1 subs to augment the low end. It's super impressive for what it is, and the closest thing I have heard is the RCF EVOX12 or the Evolves. Both have positives and negatives.

The Evolves' are super compact, pack a ton of punch for its size, and IMO, better looking than the RCF-- I could see my self-using them. I would probably keep one F1 in this case just to hit the ultra-low notes. The F1 subs actually lacks in attack and punch, but has the rumble of a decent 18" sub, especially when running in pairs

But the DB Technologies ES1203db looks like it could replace my whole system, including the dual F1 subs. I still might be giving up a little in the super low end, but have more SPL everywhere else.

It would be so much less to bring in.

As of now, I have:

2 hard cases for the radiators (each case hold two radiators, equaling 4)
2 power stands
2 B1s
2F1s

so 8 pieces that I load.

The DB would be 4 and pack more punch and take up a lot LESS room in the car, even though the DBs bass cabinet is bigger and heavier than anything I am using.


What are everyone's thoughts?
 
Thanks I like it. I’d like to hear what it sound like. From the video on Full Compass it looks like the sub is wood & with two 12” plus some horn loading it should definitely have some punch. Way more han a single 12 inch. I need to pull up the specs and getbmore information on Db technology. It’s not a company I’m familiar with.

Specs;
Technical Data
Speaker Type
3-amped Stereo System with
two full-range tops and one subwoofer
Acoustical data
Frequency Response [-10dB]
35 - 20.000 Hz
Max SPL
132 dB
MF - HF
8x4", v.c. 1"
Type MF - HF
Neodymium
LF
2X12"
Directivity
97x60°
Amplifier
Amp Technology
Digipro® G4
Amp Class
Class-D
Power Amp Peak
2400 W
Controls
1xOLED Display with rotary encoder w/button
1x Audio signal monitoring LED
1XUSB port (service data)
Power Supply
Fullarange with PFC
Power connection
VDE Socket
Cooling
Convection
Processor
Controller
DSP 56 Bit
Converter AD/DA
24 Bit/48 Hz
Limiter
Peak, RMS, Thermal
Crossover Frequency LF-MF
160 Hz
Digital Steering
Up/Down/Far
Input
Input Channels:
1x Mic/Instrument Combo (XLR/Jack)
2xMic/Line Combo (XLR/Jack)
1XBluetooth built-in receiver
Mix Output
1x XLR balanced output
Mechanics
Housing (Subwoofer)
Plywood with full metal grille
Housing (Tops)
Plywood with full metal grille
Pole Mount
36 mm (M20 Thread)
Handles (subwoofer)
1xtop
1x lateral side
Width (Top)
110 mm (4.33 in)
Height (Top)
460 mm (18.11in)
Depth (Top)
160 mm (6.30 in)
Width (Subwoofer)
360 mm (14.17 in)
Height (Subwoofer)
680 mm (26.77 in)
Depth (Subwoofer)
545 mm (21.46 in)
Weight (Top)
3.3 Kg – 7.27 lbs.
Weight (Subwoofer)
29.3 Kg – 64.59 lbs.
Notes: The data are not binding; dBTechnologies reserves the right to modify the data at any time and without previous notice.
 
I find the Evolves MUCH worse looking than the EVOX .. but to each their own. DB Technologies makes nice gear. It would be nice to be able to hear some of it.
 
It says it has a dispersion of 96x60 but has Digitial Steering Up/Far/Down like the F1 system.

I am so used to having the 180 x 20 degrees from the L1, that this could be a no go for me. I have had to DJ on traditional speakers a few times and absolutely hated it. I love the open airy sound and not having such a sweet spot.

I will get my hands on one within the next 60 days and do a shootout against the L1/F1 setup I have.

I am surprised this system is not talked about more.

I also really like how high the arrays can go. That is my biggest issue with the Bose, it gets blocked too often.
 
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It says it has a dispersion of 96x60 but has Digitial Steering Up/Far/Down like the F1 system.

I am so used to having the 180 x 20 degrees from the L1, that this could be a no go for me. I have had to DJ on traditional speakers a few times and absolutely hated it. I love the open airy sound and not having such a sweet spot.

I will get my hands on one within the next 60 days and do a shootout against the L1/F1 setup I have.

I am surprised this system is not talked about more.

I also really like how high the arrays can go. That is my biggest issue with the Bose, it gets blocked too often.
Price is one, available to listen to as well.

I thought about buying a pair of dbTech Ingenia speakers. They were supposed to be at DJExpo this year, but never showed up (the booth had their name still). I can't hear them anywhere around here easily.
 
I'll keep you updated. I like the footprint of the bass cabinet. Looks to be similar to the K sub, but a lot less weight.

It looks like there are two handles--one top, one side, but no bottom

It comes with the interconnecting poles, doesn't seem you can adjust them though. need to look into it, but as I mentioned earlier, the height is awesome. By far, taller than any of the other arrays out there.
 
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Back to the Evolves... One thing I do not like is how easy it is for someone to just turn up the input channel. I like how the BOSE is on the ground, and the DB seems that one would have to go through the menu to adjust, and hopefully, I can lock it.

The reason I like the Evolves so much is the performance to size ratio. It outperforms an EVOX8, and practically the same as an EVOX12, but smaller, so... what's not to like about the EV. The 12" does very well against the 15" in the EVOX12.
 
Back to the Evolves... One thing I do not like is how easy it is for someone to just turn up the input channel. I like how the BOSE is on the ground, and the DB seems that one would have to go through the menu to adjust, and hopefully, I can lock it.

The reason I like the Evolves so much is the performance to size ratio. It outperforms an EVOX8, and practically the same as an EVOX12, but smaller, so... what's not to like about the EV. The 12" does very well against the 15" in the EVOX12.
Might get "louder", but there's a few here that would take exception to "out-performs" :)
 
looking closer, the size is actually 2 inches wider than my F1 sub, BUT just about 5 inches deeper.

I like the narrow front view point. Looks better IMO.
 
well considering it runs with the EVOX12, and it gets a lot louder, but yes, the sound is subjective, and that's all. I know you like them a lot :)

I personally didn't care for the EVOX8. I was ready years ago to make that switch and was disappointed. Had way much of a gap in frequencies, and really noticeable when standing close.

I suppose this wouldn't be a complaint to most, but when I am used to the BOSE, EVOX8 sounded so thin in comparison, and when I did the shootout, the owner of the EVOX owned both, and totally agreed, but the portability is so much better, which is why he made the switch.
 
Not sure how this works with power, but you chose not use the pole (which I AM NOT a fan of-- ruins the ultra clean look), and use more array elements to stack them, starting with the sub.

That would be awesome, plus it looks a lot better!
 
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One thing for sure is since I have a pair of F1s, I could just buy the Evolve's and stack them on the F1 sub which would also give the EV a lot of height. Would have to find a safe way or just do it what I am used to (putting under table).

I imagine that to be a killer 300 person wedding system for ultra portability. I am going to a basic comparison of the EV and the BOSE, but the two times I have listened, the BOSE sounded a lot better to my ears. Like noticeably better.

One thing I don't like is the mixer section exposed on the Evolves. Reminds me of the JBL one system.

The Bose and RCF have it flush mounted, not raised. The DB Tech has a raised section, although not as bad as the EV.
 
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Well that was fast, I really liked the specs on the DB Technologies ES1203db and was trying to dig up more info or find anyone with them. But today I am out just burning time while my wife shops. And I end up with two of the used EV 12” subs I had been thinking about adding two years ago. I will use them with my 12”powered JBLs when I need a little more low end. I had been using my 2x15” subs if I needed subs. But these with allow me something smaller I could load in my SUV. At was what always I wanted to do that time when gas went over $4 a gallon and I was doing 5hr road trips to MA. I’m still going have a conversation about the DB technologies system in the new year if I go to Namm again.
 
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So I got prices ($2,000), etc. I think it's a great deal if it truly outperforms the BOSE. It needs to really outrun it, not just be a tad better for me to give up the many perks of using the BOSE. One thing I have gotten used to is mounting lights on top of the array, and I don't think you can do that on any other system. If I mount on the pole, it's just not the same or high enough?
 
ok, I have examined the speakers closely, and am wondering does anybody know of a 1 3/8" (speaker tube pole dimensions) to 1/4-20 adapter which I believe is what the bracket on a DJ light is?

If this exists, I can hang a DJ light on top of the speaker since the female pole mount is actually on the top array (on the top)

Looks like this is the one that shows up when I search:
Universal Adapter Lighting Mount On 1 3/8"Poles - DJ Equipment | Music Trends DJ GEAR : Long Island - (https://www.musictrends.com/product/universal-adapter-lighting-mount-1-38poles/)

This is made to go on top of a speaker stand/pole, but would it insert into the female speaker pole mount?
 
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ok, I have examined the speakers closely, and am wondering does anybody know of a 1 3/8" (speaker tube pole dimensions) to 1/4-20 adapter which I believe is what the bracket on a DJ light is?

If this exists, I can hang a DJ light on top of the speaker since the female pole mount is actually on the top array (on the top)

Looks like this is the one that shows up when I search:
Universal Adapter Lighting Mount On 1 3/8"Poles - DJ Equipment | Music Trends DJ GEAR : Long Island - (https://www.musictrends.com/product/universal-adapter-lighting-mount-1-38poles/)

This is made to go on top of a speaker stand/pole, but would it insert into the female speaker pole mount?
CSL Tripod Fixture Mount System - (https://csnl.com/products/csl-tripod-fixture-mount-system)
or
Video Projector Mount Systems - (https://csnl.com/products/video-projector-mount-systems)
 
If I didn't already own sound systems and wanted a small party system I might consider starting up with something like this. However, downsizing is not in my best interest because smaller parties come with smaller invoices and less revenue per event is not healthy.
 

Thanks, the one from CSL look pefect, but just realized that wouldn't work b/c it's the same size as the female side of the pole mount since it's made to be "put on" a speaker stand.

I am looking for something just like that but to be inserted into the speaker, as a pole or stand would.

Does this exist?
 
If I didn't already own sound systems and wanted a small party system I might consider starting up with something like this. However, downsizing is not in my best interest because smaller parties come with smaller invoices and less revenue per event is not healthy.

What do you currently use?