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Funktion One vs d&b audiotechnik


weblordwill

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I've not had the opportunity to compare one against the other... however, Funktion's Tony Andrews is almost obsessed with sonic accuracy, and I suspect would be somewhat hurt if it was suggested that his products couldn't provide the resolution needed for critical reproduction and listening.

 

 

I've never done an A/B with Funktion 1 vs. d&b (and doubt I ever shall since I can't foresee finding them in the same place very often) but all I can say is that on every occasion I've heard a Funktion system they've had exaggerated bass, "zingy" highs and a definite lack of detail and accuracy in the mids. This has been in at least 3 different venues with a different operator each time, two of whom I knew to be darn good at what they do.

 

It's not a system that will get on my shortlist for theatre use...

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I've never done an A/B with Funktion 1 vs. d&b (and doubt I ever shall since I can't foresee finding them in the same place very often) but all I can say is that on every occasion I've heard a Funktion system they've had exaggerated bass, "zingy" highs and a definite lack of detail and accuracy in the mids.

 

Hi

 

Every time I've used F1 (notably Dance Stack) I've noticed that after nicely setting it up and EQing it with your test CDs the DJs then play the most rubbish tracks you've ever heard. I agree the biggest problem with F1 is that the design focuses too much on clarity at the expense of balance. It's also very unforgiving on low-bitrate MP3s and other compressed nonsense that people like to play through them.

 

One thing I don't like is that the different components have widely different directivity. When using DS and the Infrahorns they are supposed to be stacked together, however fill your dance floor with people and the bass will just keep throwing and the mid tops will stop far sooner. The top box is highly directional and the sound it produces quickly evaporates. Then you get yourself into a catch-22 situation where you need to start adding more mids and tops to compensate for the overly powerful bass, which just equates to cost and higher SPLs.

 

Those of us who remember Glasto 2007 will remember the issues the chaps had with the pyramid stage. The infrabass they used caused havoc with the offsite monitoring - with nothing to stop it it just kept going and going which forced them to keep turning it down during the main performances on saturday night. Some would later blame some rare atmospheric conditions but the essential truth is that F1 didn't do themselves any favours at all that time round.

 

Having said that, despite its foibles I still would spec F1 for dancy-type events.

 

As for saying 'it has no place in theatre' it entirely depends on the application and how well its implemented. Whilst I wouldn't choose it, I'm sure that it could be made to work.

 

All the best

Timmeh

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Hi guys, Pesonally I think both of those systems are great, but I think neither of them will be able handle anything but speach and very low music playback in that size of venue, I would suggest for your buget you look at some other systems, I can put you intouch with the guys than run Nova Audio its a german made system and very good or my be the Audio gear from miltech ltd, both will give you free demos, I think for that buget you wont get a system that will cover all bases in the f1 and d&b brand, the coverage and sound level that moght be required wont be met by either system, have you not though about leasing a system ?
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....but all I can say is that on every occasion I've heard a Funktion system they've had exaggerated bass, "zingy" highs and a definite lack of detail and accuracy in the mids.

 

I heard some smaller RES boxes, but in a hotel conference room, and somewhat close up. Bins weren't used, and I put the somewhat "bright" sound down to proximity. It would be good to hear them in a more controlled environment, but I will certainly take your observations on board...

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I'm horrified that you're even considering submitting your theatre to a function1 system. function1 is a disco box, & a very good job it does for that particular task.

 

function1 being a disco box is a widely held view amongst serious industry professionals. FACT.

 

 

Moderation: Full length quotes of a couple of long posts edited out for brevity.

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function1 being a disco box is a widely held view amongst serious industry professionals. FACT.

I'd agree that it's a widely repeated comment, just as "Meyer is no good for rock and roll", "switch mode psu amps are no good for serious bass" and "the moon is made of cheese".

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function1 being a disco box is a widely held view amongst serious industry professionals. FACT.

I'd agree that it's a widely repeated comment, just as "Meyer is no good for rock and roll", "switch mode psu amps are no good for serious bass" and "the moon is made of cheese".

 

Are you telling me the moon is not made of cheese?

 

Mac

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Having toured with and mixed a wide variety of theatre shows on both F1 and D&B systems (and Meyer and Martin etc) I have to say that all speakers have their respective good and bad points.

 

Saying that F1 are "disco boxes" is, frankly, nonsense however.

 

To get back to the original question.....

 

Get a speaker system specified for your venue rather than buying what's available at the moment. get the experts in - ask speaker manufacturers and companies that specialise in installations to come down and talk to you about coverage, SPL, cost, wiring etc etc etc.

you can get speakers colour matched to the venue....

Get lots of quotes at all price points - you could always install a main system now and then add delays in a years time....

 

good luck!

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Ben,

 

Not replying directly to your question - but I also cant belive no-one else has said this yet-

 

call up a couple of sound install companies, explain to them your needs and budget. get someone in to do a survey and recommend a system / spec.

 

On a personal note, I would chose d&b over F1 for a theatre install. It just has a warmer sound I find.

 

but yeah, get someone in to look over the space. NOT a sales rep !! An accoustic sound designer. You need a true honest opinion - and not from someone who will recieve a bonus for shifting another 'few of these boxes' !!

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Are you telling me the moon is not made of cheese?

How best can I break this news to you... ? ;-)

 

Hi

 

In true BR pedantry I will say as neither have you actually been to the moon then you aren't qualified to comment.

 

Unless one of you can provide some scientific evidence?

 

And my comment on the speaker-bashing is that if you think that it's rubbish, then I challenge you to design and market your own, turn it into an award-winning product and a global company.

On that day, maybe, just maybe, I will actually listen to what you're saying.

 

Sincerest hopes for the future

 

Timmeh

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Are you telling me the moon is not made of cheese?

How best can I break this news to you... ? ;-)

 

Hi

 

In true BR pedantry I will say as neither have you actually been to the moon then you aren't qualified to comment.

 

Unless one of you can provide some scientific evidence?

 

Timmeh

An extract from the script of the show I'm currently working on:...

 

LISTEN TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT FACT; THE MOON WAS INVENTED IN 1904, BY THE GERMAN PHILOSOPHER, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, AND AS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNEW IT IS MADE COMPLETELY OUT OF CHEESE. IT TAKES A HUMAN BEING APPROXIMATELY TWELVE DAYS TO EAT THEIR WAY FROM...

 

 

...ONE SIDE OF THE MOON TO THE OTHER.

 

 

THE MOON'S NEIGHBOURING PLANETS ARE...

 

...MARS AND...

 

 

...SATURN. NOW, MARS HERE...

 

 

...IS MADE OF BREAD, WHEREAS SATURN...

 

 

...IS MADE OF HAM. AND ONCE A YEAR WHEN THESE THREE PLANETS ARE IN PERFECT ALIGNMENT...

 

 

...THEY FORM A COSMIC CHEESE AND HAM SANDWICH. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THERE IS LIFE ELSEWHERE IN THE UNIVERSE, BUT THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO LIFE ON THE MOON OR ANY OF THESE OTHER PLANETS. THERE ARE NO ALIENS HERE.

(Stage Directions omitted for brevity)

Now, if that's not scientific, I don't know what is.....

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Not replying directly to your question - but I also cant belive no-one else has said this yet-

call up a couple of sound install companies, explain to them your needs and budget. get someone in to do a survey and recommend a system / spec.

 

Really? No, Really?

 

err....

 

Get a speaker system specified for your venue rather than buying what's available at the moment. get the experts in - ask speaker manufacturers and companies that specialise in installations to come down and talk to you about coverage, SPL, cost, wiring etc etc etc.

you can get speakers colour matched to the venue....

Get lots of quotes at all price points - you could always install a main system now and then add delays in a years time....

 

Apologies!

sorry, misread your intention and I don't know how to modify my posts! beers on me.....

that's what you get for posting at this time of night!

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I'm horrified that you're even considering submitting your theatre to a function1 system. function1 is a disco box, & a very good job it does for that particular task.

 

function1 being a disco box is a widely held view amongst serious industry professionals. FACT.

 

 

Moderation: Full length quotes of a couple of long posts edited out for brevity.

 

Ha Ha this is funny! You obv have no experince with Funktion One.....

 

Yes Funktion is favoured in medium scale Dance events due to its sound but in no way EVER does that mean its disco box. I work with it on a regular basis doing various diffrent shows.

 

Please note It is not my system of choice but it angers me to see people who are clearly not experinced with it slaiting it..... Sitting in a theatre listning to it is NOT experince. Every engineer makes every box sound different.

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