Forum Home » Sound Reinforcement » Road Test » Peavey Versarray ( ) 5 Vote(s)
| Peavey Versarray [message #215413] |
Wed, 30 May 2007 19:00  |
 Lee Jacobson
Messages: 379
Registered: October 2004
Location: Florida |
Has No Life |
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So after a bit of "behind the scenes" work, via phone calls, emails, smoke signals and the like, this truck pulls up today about noon. Off rolls the following: twelve Versarray tops, in two "sixpacks". These sixpacks are very easily moved by one guy, they are two stacks of three, pinned and ready to go, face to face on/in a little cart. Next comes four of the 2x18 subs, two amp racks, a distro, two of the crank stands, and a cable trunk. Each amp rack contains two VSX26s, two Crest 5200s, and four Crest 9200s. The distro has can ins, and outs for the amp racks, as well as 30A twists, edison stuff, etc. This one will be a somewhat shorter term road test, as they need the gear back in about two weeks. In the meantime, I've got three shows scheduled wherein I'll be checking out this system's various qualities.
One is a street fest thing, where I'll use 3/1 per side for the main stage. That is all the rig I'll need for there, as there are normally 500-700ppl there at any given point during the show.
The second is a grand opening for a new facility for one of my clients. For that, their main concern is having the "talking head" at the podium clearly heard by 2000 ppl, outside. Not a problem, I expect the Versarray to really shine on this one.
The third is a rock show, benefit deal, dunno if it'll be "bands" all day or "musicians" all day, with jamming going on. Either way, with 6 tops/2 subs per side and all this power, I'll be a happy guy.
I will be playing with the lifts tomorrow, hanging six boxes and seeing how they go together. Apparently, the lifts are not just a "crank it up" thing like genies/sumners/etc, so there is a 5 minute learning curve there.
More later,
Lee
Lee Jacobson
Technical Director
Brevard Sound Systems
Titusville, FL
321 536 8476
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| Re: Peavey Versarray [message #215459 is a reply to message #215455 ] |
Wed, 30 May 2007 21:29  |
Tim McCulloch
Messages: 3617
Registered: April 2004
Location: Wichita KS USA |
Has No Life |
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You quoted me too fast. Gee, thanks.
Yes, it leaves a bitter taste. I was told by to see a local dealer, who would have to order for stock, the demo I wanted. No local dealer was willing to take the risk, and I think it silly that I have to try out of state dealers who don't know our firm.
WE ARE PROFESSIONAL END USERS. Not a church committee, a municipal council, or other indecisive, wishy-washy buyer. And we have both cash and excellent credit.
I was unaware of Lee's oratory prowess. I will take notes. 
Tim Mc
p.s. Obviously, the offer to buy is now off the table. It will take some serious convincing.
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| Re: Peavey Versarray [message #215478 is a reply to message #215459 ] |
Wed, 30 May 2007 22:37 |
Lee Jacobson
Messages: 379
Registered: October 2004
Location: Florida |
Has No Life |
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Bink,
The reason I am only using half the rig has to do with what power I have at my disposal for the stage in question. That is all, really. Yeah, I could use all 12 tops and see what they'll do in terms of control, but I am concerned we may not have enough juice to do that, what with EIGHT Crest 9200s if I run the whole rig.
Tim,
Sorry, this rig isn't for ME per se. It is for PSW's Road Test. I am just the lucky bastard who gets to play with it. I don't know what Peavey's demo policies are, so I can't speak to that at all.
FWIW, I am a cunning linguist.....
Lee Jacobson
Technical Director
Brevard Sound Systems
Titusville, FL
321 536 8476
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 Re: Peavey Versarray [message #215514 is a reply to message #215454 ] |
Thu, 31 May 2007 02:48 |
Don Lanier
Messages: 135
Registered: April 2004
Location: Godfrey, I |
Has No Life |
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As a dealer I can say that there really is no demo agreement, when the Versarray was first released we traveled to Meridian for a demo in the parking lot, then another time I traveled to a non dealers farm field to hear it again, unfortunately the wind was blowing so hard at the farm the system was really compromised. I am a HUGE Peavey guy and could I sell a system or two if I had a demo system such as this YES YES YES, But it hasnt happened. I will say the system is all they claim it to be and more, after hearing it in Meridian on Peaveys Corporate HQ parking lot.
I was very impressed at the throw and clarity. This thing projects considerable distance and does it with clean pristine audio. Its simple to hang although Im not a fan of Vermette lifts for hanging 6-50lb cabs it works great. The Subs are powerful and have very little backsplash, standing behind the system is relatively quiet, while side to side dispersion was smooth and articulate.
With the Crest Power or the CS Series its a powerhouse and will cover large areas or small gatherings, the pin aiming setup works great and assures constant accurate setup. Ease has the settings for the Versarray and can be used to construct plots for aiming and using the Pin's to setup and aim.
The best part of this system is the small truck youll need to move it, in fact a small U haul trailer works very well, with 2 people its a snap to assemble, hang, lift, and cable. In about 1 hour youll have soundcheck done and actually get to eat the hot meal thats on the rider.
I can understand your dissappointment with Peavey for not making the system available to me or you, But the MagRag will generate definite sales and satisfy inquiring minds. I wanted to use the System last year on the Steel Guitar convention in St Louis but the room design actually negates the use of a line array. Should a system become available for demo use for customers, I hope they put my name on the list. I have had at least ten serious inquirys and have sold Versarry Tops to several sight unseen.
Don Lanier
Pearl Productions
http://www.pearlproaudio.com
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| Re: Peavey Versarray [message #215562 is a reply to message #215459 ] |
Thu, 31 May 2007 09:38 |
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John Roberts {JR}
Messages: 6401
Registered: April 2004
Location: MS |
Has No Life |
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| Tim McCulloch wrote on Wed, 30 May 2007 21:29 |
You quoted me too fast. Gee, thanks.
Yes, it leaves a bitter taste. I was told by to see a local dealer, who would have to order for stock, the demo I wanted. No local dealer was willing to take the risk, and I think it silly that I have to try out of state dealers who don't know our firm.
WE ARE PROFESSIONAL END USERS. Not a church committee, a municipal council, or other indecisive, wishy-washy buyer. And we have both cash and excellent credit.
I was unaware of Lee's oratory prowess. I will take notes.
Tim Mc
p.s. Obviously, the offer to buy is now off the table. It will take some serious convincing.
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This has long been a source of frustration for people at every step of the sales chain (trust me), but historically success has come from a pricing model that doesn't support that level of promotion. Whether its a chicken or egg phenomenon, this has precluded penetration in categories where that is the only game in town. You can't have it both ways, high price stroking, with low invoice. The product will be a good value precisely because it doesn't come with 3 lap dances and a toddy.
It seems to me if there are so many high probability sales that would close from a simple show and tell, and these were collecting cobwebs in a warehouse somewhere, adjustments would be made, I suspect that is not the case. It sounds like there is a dealer distribution perhaps limited in their ability to each field a proper demo system, and/or some uncertainty about whether all these willing buyers will really sign on the line.
This may be an opportunity for an enterprising early adopter to negotiate an even better deal with a small dealer who desperately needs a demo system. The dealer cuts the first customer a better price to get a system in his territory, in exchange the dealer can send potential customers to shows to hear the system in use.
Of course this involves multiple leaps of faith and involves ASSumptions about customers and dealers. If customers want the high end touches, expect to pay the high end prices. It is my speculation that customers would never pay the fully loaded ticket for this badge, so providing full ticket service anticipating a sudden change of heart would be bad business judgement. This may be a self fulfilling prophecy but consumer perceptions are incredibly difficult to change once established.
If these speakers really do what they are supposed to do, and are a fair price, don't invent some unintended slight to preclude giving them a fair shot. Or you could always wait till somebody else in your area buys one, and check it out at their show.
JR
https://www.resotune.com/
"A bus in a console is spelled with one 's', but you can buss your girlfriend while riding in a bus."
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| Re: Peavey Versarray [message #215607 is a reply to message #215585 ] |
Thu, 31 May 2007 12:19 |
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John Roberts {JR}
Messages: 6401
Registered: April 2004
Location: MS |
Has No Life |
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| Tim McCulloch wrote on Thu, 31 May 2007 10:52 |
JR-
If Hartley says "sell it this way" that's what will happen. My disappointment comes from finding out there *is* a rig for the Road Test but not being told so.
Hearing a system deployed and operated by someone else is like taking a car for a test ride, rather than a test DRIVE. The BadTastingLiquorFest® is not a realistic way for me to evaluate a rig, nor is hearing one installed in a HOW as that's not our intended use. To date, those are our options.
It will be fun to read Lee's observations, and I wish him and the Versarray well.
Tim Mc
{spell-check works, but doesn't do verb tenses}
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Exactly... but even Hartley can't make customers pay top shelf prices for even top shelf product, by just wanting it to be so, mainly IMO due to his success with lower priced mainstream product. I have already speculated on what I expect would happen if he tried. The customer really does cast the final and most important vote in such things.
FWIW if I was still inside the walls and over product management (like I was briefly), I would try to get a demo out to at least one or two influential LABees, like it appears somebody has. I wouldn't pick my prospective reviewer based on criticism in public rants.
Sometimes the squeaky wheel just falls off.
JR
https://www.resotune.com/
"A bus in a console is spelled with one 's', but you can buss your girlfriend while riding in a bus."
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| Re: Peavey Versarray [message #215768 is a reply to message #215682 ] |
Thu, 31 May 2007 19:18 |
Lee Jacobson
Messages: 379
Registered: October 2004
Location: Florida |
Has No Life |
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I saw a question about the distro, so here goes. It is NOT the new Peavey "rackpack" type distro. It is a custom buit unit, mini cam in/thru. Outs include edison, L5-30, and 50A/240V twistlock deals. Interestingly, the breakers appear to be magnetic switch things. I have not cracked the distro open. I DO plan to, don't tell Boomer! The other thing I noticed re: power distro is that each amp rack is fed with a single 50A/240V twist. Sounds like a bunch of juice, right?? Each amp rack has FOUR Crest 9200s, two 5200s, and a pair of VSX26s. Also of note, there appears to be no breakers in the amp racks, at least none I can see from the outside. This is not as uncommon in touring rigs as logic might suggest. I happen to be of the mindset that you want each amp on its own branch circuit, via a "rackpack" type distro. This way, if one amp in the rack shits the bed in such a way as to trip a breaker, it won't kill the whole rack. I know Randy had that happen on a tour with either Cyberlogic or some other euro-amp. To this day, or at least last time I worked with him, his amp racks are not individual branch circuits. Not picking on Randy here, just illustrating the fact that the way these racks are wired is not all that uncommon. I've seen LOTS of racks that way. Mine, no, but others....
I played with the crank stands today, and flew 6 boxes. Nice rigging. The stands are not just a "crank 'em up" affair, but they assemble into a 13' tall mast, which the "cradle" rides up and down. You undo a bit of cable, then pull the top of the mast off, and add in two pieces of mast, then reassemble the thing. Takes longer to type than to do. FIGURING OUT how to do it the first time, however, took a few tries~! The boxes go together real quick, and setting the angles is a snap, or a click of the pics, if you prefer.
My plan for tomorrow, again mostly due to the power I have to tie into, is to hang 6 boxes per side, but only run the top 4, over one sub per side. The stage this rig will be used on has a steel drum band. ALL steel drums, plus a regular drum kit. No bass player, keys, gtr, vocals, nada. I expect good things.
I'l get lots of pics tomorrow. Might even share a few with you guys! 
Lee
[Updated on: Thu, 31 May 2007 19:20]
Lee Jacobson
Technical Director
Brevard Sound Systems
Titusville, FL
321 536 8476
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