dB Technologies ES 503 set

This is now my second ES 503. As others have pointed out, a real strength of this system is being able to run true stereo as well as 'dual mono' with a second unit. The flexibility is essential for me having to set up for small venues as well as larger (sometimes having to split the system across two rooms). Having come from running a similar system using and active sub and passive satellites but with a 15" sub driver with an inbuilt Class A amp, the weight saving is incredible. Although there's not quite as much depth with a 12" driver compared to a 15", the 12" on the ES 503 feels punchier (which works well for me using the system mostly for playing house music). The overall sound quality is excellent and if anything punches well when driven quite hard. I was worried about the frequency response topping out at 15k, but needn't have worried - This is a PA system, not a studio monitoring set-up and most people can't hear above 13k !



This system did succeed in vibrating the beer glasses off the shelves playing at a local pub.



What I didn't like very much (but can live with it), is navigating the settings but once set, the job is done. I'm not hugely keen on where the outbound audio connections are made at the bottom of the back panel (I'm getting old - once bent down I can't get up) The speaker pole diameter is quirky, but then again, the slimmer stands are more elegant than the more common 35mm ones.



I would wholeheartedly recommend this PA, particularly if you need to be flexible in how you set up. Two sets are perfect for just about any configuration from a small pub with 20 people up using a single system in stereo, to medium sized venues using a pair of ES 503's catering for perhaps 200. I'd also recommend getting the bags. For all the quality sound and flexibility, the units will benefit from a bit of protection.

Very pleased with this product. It is the only quality line array technology system on the market at this price break that can be configured in stereo. As a keyboard player I've come to know just how bad your £2,000 digital piano can sound in mono. Most mono systems simply sum the left and right signals, this produces some horrible nasal sounds, due to the phase cancellations this causes. The Bose L1 and the JBL EON 1 do this. The ES503 sounds as good as these systems when configured as a mono line array. When configured in stereo the ES503 blows them away totally! The output power of the ES503 is better than either the L1 Model II and the JBL EON 1. The bass performance from the 12" speaker is very good. Infact the ES503 has a very coherent and musical sound quality that enables you to hear the pitches of instruments very clearly. I've used it live as a PA for our duo (2 Vocals, Keys and Pedal Bass) and for a band rehearsal 3 Vocs, Guitar, Bass, Keys and Electronic Drums. Both via Behringer X18 Mixer. It works very well for smaller venues. The only issue I've had is the built in compressor limiter seems to be linked to the input level rather than the output level of the mixer. So if you don't keep the input gains down you get compression even if the overall sound level is quite low. I've found setting the L and R inputs to about -4dB solves this. Otherwise very happy!