FTB Amico 10 USB vs LD Systems DAVE 12 G3

First point of business. If you are a small band/combo you would profit from having a 10-channel mixer. If you are a DJ you don’t need that many inputs and you are paying for technology that takes money away from the main thing you need which is PA amp and speaker part of the unit.

Second point. In the beginning there was the LD Dave and the HK Audio Lucas Nano system. Now almost every serious manufacturer of PA gear has a set like this. And it seems that the next (current) generation is more focussed on line array top units, including the new Curve series from LD. At the show in Frankfurt I spent some time with the RCF alternative. RCF is well-known for producing high quality long-lasting gear (one of the reason you see their gear a lot in rental environments) and this set looked and sounded great. Not cheap, but then neither is the FTB.

Third point. As with all things audio, trust your ears. Don’t buy without listening to your shortlist, preferably in direct A-B comparison. And always with your own music, pick one or more tracks that you are very familiar with, so you can compare to what you are used to hearing.

Good luck with your choice.

All the systems I described are portable. The arrays often existing of as little as two to as much as 8 small speakers (2 or 3″ for example), making them very compact but with excellent sideways and vertical dispersion. And the subs are usually 8″” to 15″ versions.

Not sure where you looked at RCF gear, but they are and have been a mainstay in PA systems since forever.

This is the portable version I was talking about: http://www.rcf.it/en_US/professional-speaker-systems/evox/evox-8

I have great PA now (Mackie HD-series), but if I were to buy something new, this would be it (although I might opt for the Evox-12).

Another option (for example) is the Bose L1 Compact. Haven’t heard it myself but some people mentioned it on this forum and seemed enthusiastic about it. https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/portable_pa_speakers/l1-compact-system.html#v=l1_compact_black

And this is the new LD Systems Curv I mentioned: https://www.thomann.de/nl/ld_systems_curv_500_ps.htm?offid=5&affid=1&subid=362010NL&subid2=LD+Systems+Curv+500+PS&origin=boost&gclid=CMvMscGnoM4CFaEW0wodZI4BjA

Peavey is traditionally more conservative. Aka not using the newest technology and not being at the forefront of innovation. However this also makes their products usually very solid, sturdy and reliable. I have played with some Peaveys and they all were not excellent at anything, but also not bad at anything and very reliable.

I like the HK, very good sound, and good package.

I am not so fond of the sound of Eons for DJing.

You are most welcome!