TEST: LD Systems Maui 44

Do you know that? The sprinter drives up, the first, still comparatively small sound element is unloaded and from the back right corner you can hear “Oh God, I hope it won’t be too loud”. The normal company party-goer's fear of the sound pressure is almost palpable around 3 p.m. in the afternoon. The same tie-wearer who kneels like a bucket on the dance floor around 12 o'clock in the evening to play air guitar can't be loud enough during the final "Smoke On The Water", even though, according to the neighbor across the street, " Motörhead at Wacken” volumes approached.

So what do you need to make your customer happy? A small P.A. that is as small as possible and as good-looking as possible, which, despite its discreet appearance, can, in case of doubt, pack a hefty pound in the kilowatt range without running the risk of sending the built-in loudspeakers to direct current death. With the LD Systems MAUI 44, there is now a column principle on the market that is equally impressive in both the optical and acoustic areas. Get the pound!


construction

The first impression of the system developed and built in Germany is excellent in several respects. On the one hand, the system consists of three comparatively small elements, which can be connected to form an impressive column in a minimum of time using a plug-and-play connection. Perfectly milled guide slots and the matching steel pins ensure a firm hold, with the signal flow guaranteed via centrally installed plug connections. Tangled cables are a thing of the past. For easy handling in stacking operation, carrying handles are mounted on the back of the columns. When operating indoors, however, it is important to ensure that at least a clear ceiling height of approx. 2.50 meters is required in order to be able to combine the system's plug connection. Party room, basement, approx. 2.20 meter ceiling height? Get out of the mouse!

The actual system consists of a subwoofer and 2 column satellites with different loudspeakers, offering an RMS power of 1600 watts with a peak of 3200 watts at a maximum SPL of 129 dB. As almost always, Class D power amplifiers are used here, without which such power outputs of this magnitude would not be possible. For the bass range, there are 2 12" neodymium speakers with a load of 800 watts, while the column elements with a total of 16 3.5" midrange drivers and 2 1" tweeter drivers also provide 4x 200 watts.

When it comes to portability, the system sets real standards. In terms of weight, the upper column with 10.2 kilograms and the middle column with 7.4 kilograms can easily be moved by a single person, while the subwoofer, despite the light magnets, due to its solid construction in 15 mm birch multiplex and the management of the control electronics with its 40.8 kilograms likes to take up the work of two strong men's arms. Fortunately, the transporter has the ergonomic LD Systems Evolution carrying handles at his disposal, which enable bold gripping from all angles.

In terms of dimensions, it is also very compact. Subwoofer (620 mm x 412 mm x 615 mm), satellites, upper column (120 mm x 973 mm x 144 mm) and satellites, lower column: (120 mm x 838 mm x 144 mm) can be easily stored in the trunk of a small car , mind you, without any wiring. However, it is important that you don't forget the very well locked but still rare Speakon power cable; you can't get any further with the LD Systems MAUI 44 with the classic cold device plug. For ultimate transport convenience, you can purchase a separate roller board, which can be connected directly to the subwoofer using butterfly fasteners. All elements are protected from external influences with solid, black steel grilles.

The entire connection area is built into the subwoofer so that the notorious, unsightly cable bulges don't hang down from the satellites. A treat for the eyes! In the input area we have two combination sockets (XLR/TRS) and two cinch sockets available, with which any signal can be processed. If you want to connect several systems in series using the daisy chain method, 2 XLR outputs are available. If you want it to wobble even more under 40 Hertz, the system also has a separate woofer XLR output.

Two separate volume controls can be used to control the overall volume and the subwoofer portion. This is very helpful for giving your sound a personal touch or for adapting the bass component to the signal present. Four small LEDs provide information about the most important operating states, such as power, peak, applied signal and the use of the internally installed limiter.



Practice

If your own wife comes into the test room and speaks favorably about the appearance of a sound system, the designers must have done more than just good work! In fact, in the right light, the system would even pass as a designer element within a modern residential complex. However, anyone who now believes that LD Systems has neglected the efficiency or even the sound orientation of the system in favor of the optics is very much mistaken.

The first listening impression is very powerful with excellent radiation characteristics. The unpleasant beam of some other systems is reduced to a minimum by the loudspeakers and illuminates both a room and an open-air area acoustically very well. It is noticeable that both the close and more distant listening areas receive sound almost equally well. Personally, I find the separately adjustable bass component to be a great help, depending on the signal present or the room acoustics, to give the basic sound more boost or to protect it from dangerous booming components.

However, due to the massive number of midrange drivers, the LD Systems MAUI 44 has its own sound coloring, which cannot be viewed in a judgmental way. As expected, the mid/high-mid range is extremely present, which makes the highs look a bit “discreet” in direct comparison with a linear filter setting. Here I would possibly add a touch of “shine” with a sum filter. The infamous low-mid hole in the crossover area to the subwoofer can only be heard very discreetly with this design and can easily be concealed if necessary.

In terms of application, the system is absolutely convincing both as a hall sound system and in sidefill operation. Thanks to its beam angle of 120 degrees, you can also reach areas that are otherwise no longer acoustically illuminated by comparable systems. The processor of the amplifier system also has a coordinated system of equalizer, compressor and limiter in order to create the densest possible sound image from the connected power amplifier, which it also succeeds in impressively.



Conclusion

The LD Systems MAUI 44 is an absolute top P.A. the compact class on the market. I have never come across a system that combines excellent sound values with an exquisite appearance and at the same time sophisticated detailed solutions in this form. Once again, German engineering shows that the “Made-In-Germany” trademark is more than just a geographical indication. The countries in the world where you can find such quality combined with a trained eye for detail can be counted on one hand.

Whether a band, solo entertainer or DJ, if you want an ultra-compact, very good-sounding and excellent-looking small P.A. If you're looking for something, you should definitely take a look at the LD System MAUI 44.

Absolute purchase recommendation!

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Additional Informations:


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