Jump to content

TOA - HX5 - Interesting new line array product from TOA


Pete Alcock

Recommended Posts

with out sounding like a moron it has a very low power rating per box and it sensitivity is not above 100db @ 1w/m, and yes I know that line arrays work differently, and yes each box does a small angle of the array so over all it adds up, but I would think this is for small gigs or even in fills, or it could just be me <_< and having a futher look its say's that the are 2 NL4's and M4 srcew terminals, I think they should lose the screw terminals on the box, 16kg a box is not bad though
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had a good look at the data and to me it doesn't seem to offer anything more than many other compact line array systems on the market. Unless I'm missing something.
You may have missed the $600 price tag for a package that simulates 4 small array elements.
with out sounding like a moron it has a very low power rating per box and it sensitivity is not above 100db @ 1w/m, and yes I know that line arrays work differently, and yes each box does a small angle of the array so over all it adds up, but I would think this is for small gigs or even in fills, or it could just be me <_< and having a futher look its say's that the are 2 NL4's and M4 srcew terminals, I think they should lose the screw terminals on the box, 16kg a box is not bad though
It is primarily intended as an install speaker where screw terminals negate the need for expensive connectors.

 

Mac

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The size, price and weight make this potentially interesting for a number of applications....depending on how it sounds. I wonder who will be the first to try one!

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think I heard this system last week in a hotel bar in Brussels, I only noticed it as it looked like an unfamiliar system and it sounded great, prompted me to stay and listen for a bit! Then I saw the TOA badge......would be interesting to hear again!

 

Very small room - 10m x 10m, with two boxes of it mounted on two manfrotto stands, not sure what it was driven by. Music was Irish / folk.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yo James

 

100db 1W/1M (this system in its "most focused mode") and a 600W amplifier gets you 128db Max SPL. Total rubbish. A d&b E3 is almost as loud.

Not enough headroom to do live contempory music.

 

Its a personal hifi product. Playback system. Disco Dave.

 

Oh and it does not "all add up", it is what it is. Toa have accounted for the "adding up" by quoting the SPL at the different angles.

 

So it's a way for Toa to take some poxy ineffectual cheap drivers and lob them into a tupperware fashion statement and flog it to the masses.

 

So you aint no moron. There is a rat and you smelled it.

 

Cheers

 

Mark

 

 

with out sounding like a moron it has a very low power rating per box and it sensitivity is not above 100db @ 1w/m, and yes I know that line arrays work differently, and yes each box does a small angle of the array so over all it adds up, but I would think this is for small gigs or even in fills, or it could just be me :D and having a futher look its say's that the are 2 NL4's and M4 srcew terminals, I think they should lose the screw terminals on the box, 16kg a box is not bad though
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, the one comment I'd make is that not every SR application needs to reproduce "contemporary" music at high SPLs and I suspect that's not the target market for this gear.

 

As the OP said and I echoed, if the quality is any good there could be some definite corporate applications for a lightweight, inexpensive semi-line array. In a speech-only application where some CEO is wandering around with a clp-on mic and your main worry is feedback, the ability to control the directionality of the speakers could be useful.

 

I'm not a huge TOA fan and am certainly not fully convinced...but I'd like to hear them at least.

 

Bob

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So it's a way for Toa to take some poxy ineffectual cheap drivers and lob them into a tupperware fashion statement and flog it to the masses.

So you aint no moron. There is a rat and you smelled it.

 

Mark... bad day? Really surprised at your comments. Quite why you believe the drivers should be ineffectual, cheap or even poxy without having seen them, is beyond me. My impression is that it's a pretty well thought-out box, supplied with Ease data and a comprehensive manual on eq and flying, and most importantly ought to be capable of providing true line array performance benefits when used in pairs (8 "boxes" per side).

 

Not every venue or application needs dVdosc-type levels, nor has the budget. I can think of a number of echoey Churches and school halls where they would really notice the difference that line array directivity control would bring, were they to be able to afford them. My OP questions whether this product was such a breakthrough. On what I've seen so far, I think it could be. I smell no rat.

 

There's a lot more good science in this speaker than a Bose 802 and look how many of them were sold...

 

Pete.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 10 months later...
  • 1 year later...

Bump. Another year on, has anyone heard or used this system? And does anyone know who might have a demo rig?

 

Or, if they really are so bad, can anyone suggest an alternative that would give me this sort of vertical dispersion in a smallish box/array? Mounting positions are grim, which is why I'm looking at hanging them so high. The system needs to fulfil the requirements of a small theatre, occasional film, and the odd concert. I'm not too concerned if we can't achieve ear-bleeding levels but loud would be good.

 

post-46-1213779897_thumb.jpg

 

Ease Focus plot broadband, flat weighting and max levels. I don't have the need for/or access to, the full Ease, but if anyone feels generous...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SoundSupport have some in their hire stock. I haven't used them personally but other people I've spoken to have been impressed with them for typical corporate Lav, Lectern and a bit of playback jobs. I don't think they'd really be up to theatre use though.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andrew,

 

20db front to back drop in pressure level, by he look on the rough plot, don't do it, will sound really rough and lumpy, looks like all the angles are max, so will get muddier and muddier towards the back.... don't do it, you'll regret it looking at that plot!

 

How bigs the venue, if you think that these will do the job then some good trap boxes, ie DandB 602/902 even used would be far more suitable, and be less embaressing to admit to down the pub! Never seen them, or heard of anyone using them anywhere, even far out to the east when you pick up local sound on a tour... A 902 under a 602 in cradles and parrot perches would be a lot more suitable for a small venue, non of the cheap line arrays sound decent enough for daily use by anyone with a critical ear... let alone theatre, the low frequency lobeing off the back of most of the budget ones I have heard/used has made gain before feedback practically unusable.

 

Theres my £4.57

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Judging by the screw termials could these boxes be designed towards more the "PA install market"

 

Sure Iv seen a very similar TOA product recently installed as part of the new public address system at liverpool lime street train station.

 

TOA `s route seem to stem from the public address tannoy type of stable.

 

In my experiance TOA stuff is quality gear but always seems to be a little on the pricy side , while being very good , cheaper equivilent

products seem to also exist.

 

Matt :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.