Full BFM PA

[Ron P]

I've been using my BFM PA system now for about a year, so I thought I would give my review and post a few pics. I love seeing other's pics!
The last time we played was New Years and it was great! The PA was smokin'! It was a good sized room - maybe 40'x 80'. I had my T48s (24", 3015LF) wall loaded, of course, in a "W" pattern w/ a DR250 (deltalite, HP filter, original melded piezo array) on either side and 2 WH 10s up front. There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said. The system simply sounded sweet and everything seemed well balanced.
I can't get over those T48s! There have been places where we only used one against a wall and it rocked! They are simply amazing subs. I built them with 3/4" BB on all the outer panels and a 7 ply cabinet grade ply for all of the inner panels. I thought about building a pair of the T39s for size/weight considerations. But being sort of "old school", I decided that it was better to be safe than sorry and that bigger was better. I may yet try the T39s.
As far as the DRs, after reading all the posts comparing the various DRs, I wonder if the DR200s would have been enough for me. Some of you make very compelling cases for them. I had also considered the 280s, but it was Bill's "hammer vs. sledgehammer" analogy that steered me to the 250s. As soon as it gets warmer, I intend to retrofit them with the melded array. That will also give me the opportunity to put the throat filler in.
The BFM stuff replaced some Yorkville gear. We had a pair of L704s for tops. These are 3 way tops - 2x12", 2x6s, and compression driver. I think they sound great, but they are heavy, so you really don't have any choice but to set them on the subs (L1004) on either side of the stage. They looked cool, BUT, I'm sure we experienced plenty of frenqency cancellation and comb filtering because of it.
New Years was actually the first time we ever used the WH10s. We tried them on 2 other occasions and for various reasons I got frustrated and swapped them for my old monitors. To be fair though, I've never really had the time to set them up and EQ them properly. They did provide great coverage for us this night. I would have liked more high end from them, but HEY, I'm the soundguy. I could have turned it up! DUH! I guess beer was more important. I am considering retrofitting them with the new melded array but that is further down on my list. I also intend to build some WHs with the melded array.
All in all, I couldn't be happier with this stuff. It's a great learning experience and fun to do. And it does sound great!

Anyway, here are some pictures. I hope this works.....

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... G_0576.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... G_0574.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... G_0575.jpg

[psjon]

Thanks for posting the review. You're at where I want to be with a complete BFM P.A.

Question: In this photo http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... G_0574.jpg
along the right side what is on the far right tripod and looks like it's facing the band?

Thanks.

[Vuja de]

Appears to be a side fill (monitor)

[Ron P]

This is true. It's a Yorkville E12 - monitor for the keyboardist. Eventually, I intend to replace those commercial cabs with BFM's.
I'll add that my Yorkville subs suffer from the same problems as any other dual 18 reflex box - distortion, lots of thump up close but gets lost further out, frequency cancellation, hot spots, etc.. To be honest, I think we have always had a problem with not enough kick drum. These problems are practically non-existant with the T48s and proper placement. The Titans have so much authority IMO.
I loved the sound of the L704 tops, but they are big and heavy and getting them into the air required putting them on the subs on either side of the stage and we all know the problems there. The DRs are every bit as good - clean, clear, and of course more efficient which means loud or louder with less power. Let's not forget, they're alot lighter too.
I've only done one brief a/b with one Yorkie top and one DR250. Honestly, the Yorkie was fuller sounding. But then the Yorkie has 2x12", 2x6" and the compression driver. I suspect that 2 DR250s would sound every bit as full and still come in lighter weight.
No doubt about it, I'm a BFM believer!

[chad]

I could have turned it up! DUH! I guess beer was more important.

I too, am a cheese-head and in a strange way kind of agree

[DAVID_L_PERRY]

That lot looks great

Couple of things:-
Any reason your subs are pointing away from each other here:-


Just have them bang next to each other pointing at the wall..

With my wedgehorns, and no eq, I simply dont like the sound at all, its nasty, but once you drop the 600hz region down a little, the honkyness is removed and they start to sing....thats horn loading for you....they need EQ to get them sounding natural.

I will be building some more to replace my heavy 1x15 JBL monitors

Dave

[Dave Non-Zero]

Hav you never read the placement sticky Dave?!

http://billfitzmaurice.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=398

[/url]

[DAVID_L_PERRY]

Quickly goes and shoots himself........one of these days I will get it right....

As I said....great use of sub placement........

[Sydney]

Excuse me Ron:
I wondered if you had V-coupled yet?
If so had an opportunity to compare the placement in you pic ( which is what Dave Non-Zero just posted ) to this:

And your comments.

[gdougherty]

Excuse me Ron:
I wondered if you had V-coupled yet?
If so had an opportunity to compare the placement in you pic ( which is what Dave Non-Zero just posted ) to this:

And your comments.

I've done both. V-plating does get a little more output but in many situations the floor space required to wall load indoors just isn't there. I've played a few larger rooms where I could v in a corner or up against a wall, but those aren't too common. Without a v-plate you might as well just stand them upright and save the floor space. Outdoors I always v-stack at the very least. I haven't built a proper plate yet but I'll occasionally lay a sheet or two of plywood across the top I used to have in the van. Tossed those so I'll need to look into making a proper plate. Probably make it big enough to cover the subs, outdoors in front of stages the full sheet ade a nice work surface during setup and tear down.

[Ron P]

I too have done both, but not indoors. In my neighborhood it just isn't necessary to V-plate indoors. At least not with the T48s. In fact most of our gigs could do just fine with just one T48 properly wall or corner loaded. I do think it's necessary to V-plate outside where the only boudary is the ground. That is when I have used the V-plate.

[Ron P]

David P. - Thank you! That is actually the first time I tried that configuration. I thought I'd give it shot and see how it worked. Worked great. The room filled nicely with low end. BTW, did I miss something somewhere? WHY did you sell your system? Those DR280s of yours were ROCKIN'.