This sound system packing 50,000 Watts from eight 11ft speaker stacks is the handy-work of James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) and David & Stephen Dewaele (Soulwax / 2manyDJs).
Back to the original question: 'Would you trust a 50,000 Watts home made sound system?' In this case it's a firm YES!
Designed for the trio's intriguing Despacio project, which took place over the 18th, 19th and 20th July 2013, this incredible sound system is more than just a mass of amps and woofers, as you can imagine.
We could have written a blog on the concept of 'Despacio' alone - a night based around the English meaning of the Spanish word 'Despacio' - Slow. An event where the music policy is vinyl only, played between 95-115bpm '..the concept of taking records and slowing them down on the turntables to produce this swampy, sexier effect," explains David Dewaele.
The 8 speaker stacks circle the dancefloor / audience and despite it's huge power rating, it's not designed to overwhelm with loudness but optimum sound quality. How refreshing is that?!?
David Dewaele highlights the fact that the original disco sound systems started life as big Hi-Fis. Dub systems then evolved to a more specific system aimed at large masses of people 'moving around the pre-recorded music'. Then your disco systems, evolved to incorporate both principals forming the nightclub system.
Then with time, speakers and sound systems became smaller, more discreet in some cases and compromise on quality for price etc means as David puts it, we ended up with speakers
'That can range anywhere from a bunch of shit piled up and run in the red to make drunk people not hear other drunk people very clearly, all the way to the modern awesome-sounding club / dance PA rigs, which, to my old-dude ears sound totally sweet if you play modern dance music, but don't tend to reproduce ˜Hells Bells™ particularly satisfyingly."
As you can see with current examples such as the impressive Yamaha DXR range, technology took over and speakers became smaller, more compact and more powerful. In the case of the Yamaha DXR range, they even feature DSP processing for enhanced digital control and performance.
You've only got to look at the Wharfedale Titan 312A and 315A series to get a view of how lightweight and portable modern PA speakers are - a powered speaker that weighs less than 11kg per speaker!
"As time went on, smaller, more efficient boxes and drivers were built with minor compromises to the quality but massive advantages in size, power requirements, et cetera. Each time one of these small evolutions happened, there was another small compromise (in my mind) and eventually we wound up with the modern club system. That can range anywhere from a bunch of shit piled up and run in the red to make drunk people not hear other drunk people very clearly, all the way to the modern awesome-sounding club / dance PA rigs, which, to my old-dude ears sound totally sweet if you play modern dance music, but don't tend to reproduce ˜Hells Bells™ particularly satisfyingly."
The main components of the Despacio sound system come from McIntosh - who's previous projects include, supplying amplifiers for the Woodstock festival in 1969, as well as some of the cleanest amplifiers known to man!
As an aesthetic touch, you'll notice the sound system stack's front panels feature blue VU meters, adding a classy and mesmerising touch to the performance.
If you were fortunate to check out Despacio, please leave your comments below - we'd love to hear your opinions of this project.
Designed for the trio's intriguing Despacio project, which took place over the 18th, 19th and 20th July 2013, this incredible sound system is more than just a mass of amps and woofers, as you can imagine.
We could have written a blog on the concept of 'Despacio' alone - a night based around the English meaning of the Spanish word 'Despacio' - Slow. An event where the music policy is vinyl only, played between 95-115bpm '..the concept of taking records and slowing them down on the turntables to produce this swampy, sexier effect," explains David Dewaele.
The main components of the Despacio sound system come from McIntosh - who's previous projects include, supplying amplifiers for the Woodstock festival in 1969, as well as some of the cleanest amplifiers known to man!
As an aesthetic touch, you'll notice the sound system stack's front panels feature blue VU meters, adding a classy and mesmerising touch to the performance.
If you were fortunate to check out Despacio, please leave your comments below - we'd love to hear your opinions of this project.