LD Systems DAVE Portable Active PA System 12+

PRICE MATCH AVAILABLE!

email: [email protected] if you find a cheaper price for this LD Systems product

Small but impressive!
With powerful sound and clearly defined mid and high frequencies,
the DAVE 12+ provides a portable sound experience. The compact,
very flexible active system has various practical features,
including a patented ±18° adjustable top hat for the satellites,
butterfly handles and an optional castor board.
DAVE 12+ is an ideal tool for entertainers, duos and all smaller
PA system and presentation applications, with an excellent
price-performance ratio. The DAVE 12+ active module features all
necessary inputs and outputs as well as protective circuits.
Transport bags, for the subwoofer and satellites, are also available..

This system does not come with speaker stands

It is hard to believe that such a capable little PA system can be sold at such a low price. The band on a budget should love this system, where the inevitable compromises necessary to achieve a low selling price don’t really reflect in its performance or cabinet build quality. So if you need a PA system that sounds good, yet costs no more than a half-decent guitar and that will fit in a hatchback, LD’s Dave might just become your new best friend

Model: LD Systems DAVE Portable Active PA System 12+
note: Price includes VAT

Amplifier Module Specifications:

Load Capacity: 1x300w RMS (600W Max) + 2 x 100w RMS (200W Max)
Input: 2x XLR + 2x RCA Sockets
2 x Speakon or 2 x Direct Out XLR
180° Phase Reverse
Main Level
Sub Level
ON/OFF Switch
Clip Limiter

Subwoofer Specifications:

Subwoofer Speaker: 12"
Rated Power Capacity RMS: 300w
Frequency Range: 40-150 Hz
Sensitivity (2.83v/Max.) 100/118 dB
Housing: 15mm Plywood Black PU
Integrated butterfly handles
Built in speaker top hat
Dimensions (W x H x D): 450mm x 500mm x 520mm
Weight: 29kg

Satellite Specifications:

Satellite Loudspeakers: 6.5" + 1" CD Horn (90° x 60°)
Rated Power Capacity RMS: 100w
Frequency Range: 150 - 19000 Hz
Crossover Frequency: 3500 Hz
Sensitivity (2.83v/Max.) 100/118 dB
Housing: 15mm MDF Black PU
Input: 1 x Speakon
Integrated butterfly handles
Built in ± 18° multifunction top hat (36mm)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 250mm x 400mm x 250mm
Weight: 8kg

System:

Frequency Range: 40-19000 Hz
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 98dB

In this system the sub is the most sophisticated component, as it includes all the electronics, so I’ll start with that. It measures 450 x 510 x 500mm and houses a single 12-inch driver rated at 300W RMS and powered by an amplifier rated at 300W continuous or 600W peak. Also included in the electronics pack is a pair of 100W amplifiers (200W peak) to drive the tops via conventional Speakon cables, though the review system came without cables, so I guess you have to buy your own. A latching IEC mains lead is provided, which should help avoid accidental disconnection mid gig. And side carry handles are built into the woodwork, so there are no plastic handles to work loose and rattle. The overall weight of the sub is 29kg, which, though quite substantial, is reasonably easy to manage using the handles provided, as long as you observe correct lifting procedures. A standard 36mm pole ‘top hat’ is built into the top of the sub, allowing one of the satellites to be mounted using a standard pole.
Set into the recessed wooden rear panel is a large metal plate holding the electronics and also doubling as a heat sink for the power modules. Four ventilation grilles are arranged along the top, with an inlet fan in the centre of the panel, and judging by the large bolt head that almost certainly holds a toroidal transformer in place, it seems likely that the amplifiers use conventional analogue technology rather than Class D. During my tests the fan was either very quiet or didn’t come on until the system was working hard. Either way, fan noise won’t be an issue. While Class-D amplifiers have the advantage of being very light and powerful, they can be very difficult to repair in the event of failure, so there’s a lot to be said for ‘simple and safe’, even if it does weigh a bit more. A nominal 40Hz to 150Hz frequency range is quoted for the sub.
By way of connections, there’s a pair of balanced combi XLR/jacks for the inputs, along with unbalanced RCA phonos, so you have all the commonly used options available. XLRs are also provided to link the input signal through to further systems should this be required. Two Speakons (two wire) feed the satellites in stereo, whereas the sub receives a mono feed of signals below 150Hz or thereabouts. A phase switch allows the sub’s phase to be flipped, which may be beneficial in some locations, and there are two separate level controls for the sub level and the main or overall system level. Setting the sub level at around its mid position is recommended (by the handbook) to produce the best frequency balance, but with recorded music played from my iPod I found the best subjective balance was achieved with it set only around one third of the way up. An illuminated power switch is sited next to the IEC inlet and there’s also a separate red power LED. If the electronic protection kicks in for any reason — for example, a shorted speaker cable — a rear panel red warning LED comes on.

The compact satellites (250 x 250 x 400mm) are altogether simpler affairs, being fairly conventional two-way, 4? boxes with a limited 150Hz to 19kHz frequency range. They come loaded with a 6.5-inch mid driver and a one-inch constant directivity horn tweeter (90 x 60 degrees) and are fed from a single Speakon connector on the rear panel. An internal passive crossover operates at 3.5kHz so the cone drivers can work within their comfort zone, and the quoted efficiency of the speakers is a healthy 98dB for 1W measured at one metre, where the maximum system SPL is quoted as 118dB. This is adequately loud for smaller venues, and in most practical situations when using the PA mainly for vocals, you’ll probably run out of headroom-before-feedback before you run out of SPL.
As with the sub, carry handles are cut into the wooden sides. Overall cabinet shape is a little more elaborate, with a curved front panel and angled rear corners. Both the subs and tops have rounded edges, which reduces the risk of painful knocks during loading and unloading. A novel feature of the satellites is the use of an adjustable pole-mount socket that can swivel in four-degree steps up to a maximum angle of 18 degrees, so it is possible to rig them high and then aim them downwards to get optimum coverage. Optional carry bags are available for both the sub and the satellites, and there’s also an optional ‘wheel board’ for transportation on flat surfaces.