DAS Audio SARA, user impressions.

Last Saturday, Konsbud delivered a system from Spanish manufacturer DAS Audio model SARA, with eight SARA-100 wideband modules per side, supported by four SARA-Sub cardioid subbasses and six LARA-Sub subbasses, to Dawid Kwiatkowski's concert in Puck.

The entire event was catered by MS Audio Lighting company Maciej Szmyt. Due to the fact that I am just sitting at Maciek's place drinking coffee, and he has been broadcasting only about this concert since I entered, I decided to write down his impressions. As he begins:

I received a call from Szczepan Sosniak of Konsbud Audio, asking if I would be interested in a demonstration system to test its capabilities outdoors. Of course, curiosity was great but it was accompanied by trepidation. This was due to the fact that he proposed a small amount of system for the size of the area we were to play over. As a rule, I would hang ten DAS Audio Event 210 modules there to sound the area, supported by twelve Event 218 modules.

TWEETER SECTION AND ASSEMBLY

A handful of information about the SARA-100 modules. It is a compact linear system with a symmetrical design and 3000 Wrms of power. The SARA delivers a linear performance of 138 dB SPL MAX and a wide dynamic range, making it ideal for events and medium-sized installations where sound quality and consistency are important.

SARA has two specially designed 8-inch speakers for mid and low frequencies, and a pressure driver for high frequencies with a waveguide with 100° horizontal dispersion. Returning to Maciek's impressions of working on this system, let's start at the beginning, i.e. with the assembly.

Assembly was very quick, involving fastening 2ch pins in the top frame to the system. Angulation of the system was done from the level of the transport trucks. The system used the gravity method to set the preset angles after the system was driven up. That is, zero jerking. It is worth mentioning the connection of the whole system, it is done by plugging in two hybrid cables, in which both signal and power and Ethernet are given.

WOOFER SECTION AND TUNING

The low-end section, which consisted of a total of ten subwoofers, 4x SARA-Sub and 6x LARA-Sub. Both models are fully cardioid, the SARA-Sub has two 18-inch speakers, one facing forward and the other backward. The LARA-Sub has three 18-inch speakers, two forward, one rearward.

Worth pointing out is that this is a true cardioid, the system was hardly heard at all on stage. Once on stage, all that could be heard was the drummer playing, as usual, but you can't do anything about that. As David spoke between songs, we wondered if the system, for sure, was working, but Wojciech Hefal Trusiewicz reported no problems.

After all, everyone knows that hanging the system is only a piece of the success, we turn on and tune, and there it turns out that we can find some interesting solutions, too.

The system, once fired up, caused a WOW effect. At FOH, we had the system managed through a dedicated ALMA application, which proved to be very easy to use and contained all the necessary tools to prepare the system. In addition, it continuously monitored its operation by showing separate parameters for each module. Quite interesting was the Weather Compensation function, which helped us, despite the wind, to configure the upper module so that the "hill" at the end of the square was the same as at the front.

SUMMARY AND OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

Well cool... The system surprised me with its efficiency, speed of installation and ease of tuning (all it took was two EQ cuts, phasing the bottom with the top and FF and the system was ready to go). At 107dB at FOH, which was at 34 meters, the system still had 6dB of headroom. To make things less colorful the downside of the LARA subwoofers is their weight and size. One module weighs 125kg and is 120cm wide, so it can nail a good bull to the ground. This creates a problem in transportation, as it requires a sturdy vehicle with a wide package, preferably a container - not very compact. On the other hand, as I've mentioned many times before, it makes up for it with capability. I think that the system will find its approval with more than one implementer because of its efficiency and very good sound.

From Maciek's story, you have to admit that this is quite an interesting subject. So, if you feel like testing this system, as far as I know Konsbud Audio is open to any suggestions. In addition, the "SARA Tour" is currently underway also I recommend contacting the distributor, and he will certainly dispel any doubts.

photo featured - Konrad Kędzior Kakenski - kakenski.pl