Hear Technoloiges vs Avioms - Need opinions.

[Guitarkidd]

Our church is looking for a decent monitoring system. Looking for good advise. Give me the good and the bads for both systems.

Regards
GK

[Paris MkVI]

Welcome. I am glad you found CMN - it is a great resource!

Other than seeing it and demo-ing Hear Tech at WFX 2006 in Dallas, I do not have current info about them. We went with Aviom, in part due to the seamless integration with our Yamaha M7CL console.

I mention that because it is one of the factors you will want to consider. How will your choice integrate into any existing system or new system on the drawing boards?

Oh - and going cheap on the earbuds can substantially hurt your investment in this technology.

We have had the Aviom system in our main auditorium for almost three years now. It remains highly reliable and trouble-free. Musicians adjusted to it fairly quickly. A few started with their own cheap earbuds, and quickly learned that was not the way to go.

[bggowing]

Pros:

Avioms have 16 channels (or 8 stereo pairs), presets, and adjustability. They're also pretty much an industry standard (so far) which means if you have visiting musicians they've probably used them.
Hears are cheaper by about half or more, depending on where you buy them and have less of a learning curve.

Cons:
Hears only have 6 channels and a stereo pair (CH 1/2). They advertise it as an 8-channel system but that's not really accurate. They don't have presets and are controlled by knobs. Construction quality is not as good as the Aviom modules
Avioms are more expensive and have a more of a learning curve.

Other:
Both systems are expandable and are connected by Cat-5 connectors. The Hear systems that I've installed are okay and do the job. I personally like the Avioms better but when it comes to balancing functionality and budget the Hear system is an attractive option.

[DTV-Engineer]

We got the Hears and almost immediately replaced them with Avioms about three years ago. I agree with everything that has been said so far, but would add a warning that the connectors on the back of the Aviom mixer are easily damaged, especially if you have it on a mic stand and the stand falls over. We have installed the recently introduced MT-X box on the back of each of our Aviom mixers, which makes the whole unit far more robust.

-- Jeff

[JoshGuerette]

I haven't had the opportunity to demo the Hears, but we went with Avioms and we're very happy with them. They are a "standard", and also easy for beginners to learn to use. The only small issue I have with them is that the user devices (not the main boxes) aren't as well built as I would've liked, a light plastic. But, short of continually dropping them, you shouldn't have a problem.

[Guitarkidd]

Thanks for the replies guys.
Hearbacks start up package woudl get us going with what we need. We would also need a hub at the mixer and hub at stage so that we don't have to run a bunch of cable back and forth. We will also need the analog to digital converter.

Anyone have an idea of what a Aviom system would run for 4 personal mixers coming from an analog mixer and only running one cat5 from the sound room to the stage?

[DTV-Engineer]

Well, four Aviom A-16II mixers at $620, four MT1 mic stand mounts at $31, four L-25 cables at $15, and one AN16/I analog input module at $1,165 would total $3,829. This is a minimal system and is based on daisy-chaining from one mixer to the next. If you add the A-16D-Pro distributor for another $1,325, that lets each mixer home-run back to the distributor (which prevents an upstream failure or bad cable from killing everything downstream), and also supplies power to every mixer over the data cable. Without the distributor, each mixer needs to use its wall-wart for power.

The prices are from Full Compass's web site; I haven't included earbuds, since you would need those with either system.

-- Jeff

[Guitarkidd]

I know the Hearbacks will suffice. We are looking to upgrade several pieces of gear. I know our sound guy has settled on a Yamaha digitial mixer. That really needs to be our first upgrade. With that said we may need to stick with the Hearbacks to keep the budget within reason.

[bggowing]

CCISolutions used to have a 6-pack of the Hear system with the distribution hub for around $1,695.

[rePete]

In the interest of being thorough make sure you at least look at MyMix.

I've heard them but not used them in a band setting.

Interesting concept and you may not need a hub.



Pete

[SamG269]

I'm having a demo of the Mymix on the 12th. I'll let you know my opinions. I've played with the Aviom. I do like it. But if the Mymix is as good or better than Aviom we are definatly going with that. Much cheaper.

[WI Consultant]

Hi,
I am assuming you are considering stage mixing system such as Aviom.
There is a new one coming out, and it will be less expensive. I know that former engineers from Aviom helped develop it. Check it out at elitecoreaudio.com (PM16)

There are other ways to deal with monitoring, depending on your budget, music and tech team skills, and personal preferences. I agree with other contributers, it you are doing in-ear, buy a decent monitor. It is worth it.