't just any old excited, as a hopeful kid on Christmas Eve, this was different. I had it in my mind that this system was probably assembled while I was at the factory. I may have seen the cabinet panels being cut out, the dowels being inserted, the glue applied, the paint sprayed, the electronics inserted, the man doing the final test or the inspection sheet being signed off, I could've witnessed any of this with my own eyes. This is going to sound weird and creepy, but, when you've seen that, it's not just a speaker anymore.

It's like it's been given ‘life’. Someone used their hands to make it. To sand it. To screw the electronics in.

To hang it on the paint line. To test it and then put it in a cardboard box. I guess, as end users, we sometimes forget the process that has taken place to make our equipment and get it to our door. Now, I'm not saying that random plastic boxes made in their millions in the Far East do not have any of ‘this’, but when you've seen the care and attention with your own eyes, and the whites of the eyes of the people who make up that process, you just see things… differently.

In a misty, romantic hue. Anyway, enough of this soppy talk, let’s focus on the review in hand, the HK Audio Linear 3 Compact Venue Pack. It comprises a pair of HK L3 mid/high cabinets and a pair of Linear Sub subwoofers and comes complete with covers and K&M telescopic speaker poles. In total, you're looking at a power output of 4,800W, perfect for anything up to 250-300 people.

As luck would have it, I just so happened to have a gig coming up for just that number of guests. I gave it a whirl at a graduation party for one of the oldest private schools in the UK at one of the most iconic hotels in my area and, by God, they know how to party! Despite the size of the cardboard boxes the speakers are delivered in, this is a reasonably compact system which means that it will easily fit in the boot of an MPV alongside a DJ booth, a controller and a couple of moving heads and stands.

Like most four-box, fully active systems, the HK Audio Linear 3 Compact Venue Pack is an incredibly versatile and flexible PA system that allows you to perform in any kind of venue, in whatever amount of space you’ve been given. For smaller rooms just use the tops on their own, maybe sneak in one of the subwoofers under your DJ booth for some HK AUDIO LINEAR 3 COMPACT VENUE PACK HK Audio extra ‘boom boom’ at mid-size venues or run two boxes either side of your booth in a traditional layout for maximum punch in large spaces.

The Linear Sub is a solid, bass reflex box made out of 16mm MDF. The tech data reveals its single 15" LF driver delivers 1200W for a maximum peak SPL of 131dB using the built-in HK Audio Class D amp. It’s not particularly heavy either, weighing in at just under 30kg per box, and the multi-grip handles allow you to easily pick it up, whatever orientation it happens to be in. Personally, I find that little touches like this really make the difference.

Well done HK on something that, in the grand scheme of things, seems unimportant yet vastly improves the usability of the product. Around the back you’ll find an array of signal input and output connections. There are left and right inputs on combination 1/4” jack / XLR sockets and two XLR output sockets for each channel. One of these is designed to link to a mid/high cabinet, and therefore passes through the internal crossover, while the other is a straight Thru connection which allows the full signal to be passed to additional subs or separate full-range systems.

The inclusion of both Left and Right inputs on the sub means that in a 2.1 configuration (two tops and one sub), you can hook the stereo output from your mixer/ controller directly to the sub and then connect from there to each of the top boxes. Obviously, if you were using both subs you’d simply run the Left output from your mixer to the lefthand sub and the Right output from your mixer to the righthand sub. In terms of controls, there’s a useful gain pot, so you can adjust the output volume, alongside three two-position switches.

The first allows configuration of the system for using a single or dual sub per side arrangement (HK also offers a ‘High Performance Pack’ which includes four Linear Sub 1500 As together with a pair of mid/top boxes). The second switch allows configuration of the crossover frequency to either 100Hz or 120Hz and the final switch allows the phase of the sub to be inverted. HK AUDIO LINEAR 3 COMPACT VENUE PACK Linear 3 Compact Venue Pack To provide power to the unit there is a single IEC input socket.

Sadly there’s no pass-through to power another box which might be a bit off-putting for some (you’ll need to run four separate IEC mains feeds to power the whole system). I totally get why there isn’t an output, but with other manufacturers including one as standard it could be something you’ll miss. HK may want to consider powerCON as an alternative power option in the future. IEC is convenient and still fitted to a lot of other sound and lighting gear, but I have noticed that more and more manufacturers are slowly switching to this more reliable locking variety of power connection.

Now let’s move on to the top box, the L3 , which, like the sub, is made from 16mm MDF. It’s really light too, at just over 20kg, and the same multigrip handles as found on the sub make it an absolute dream to move around, whichever way up it’s facing. Internally you’ve got a 12” woofer paired with a 1” horn, both driven by an internal class D power amp with a power rating of 1200W for a whopping maximum SPL of 135dB. On the back there are three udio Linear 3 Compact inputs: two XLR / 1/4” jack combi intend to use it sockets and a stereo RCA, each one other option allows with its own gain pot.

One of the HF to ‘flat’ or ‘contour’, combi inputs is switchable between being recommended mic or line level, which – along with the cabinet in the stereo input – makes it perfect basically just rolls for use at a wedding ceremony the high frequencies or for background music during decreasing the a dinner. There are two XLR Thru During testing in sockets under the combi inputs. rooms, especially Thru A outputs Input A, while Thru false ceilings, I did B can be switched between Input the Contour setting B only, or a mix of all three inputs. it took some of the the ceiling and back Unlike some other manufacturer’s where it should be. systems, HK Audio have opted to not offer a fancy DSP for users Don’t let the lack to play with.

Instead what you DSP put you off. do get are two simple switches. know their stuff when One that allows you to set the LF sound, and sometimes to ‘flat’, if you’re connecting it to much control can an external sub, or ‘boost’ if you a dark, murky path, 8844 Venue Pack full-range. The messy results. The Linear 3 F112 A you to set the is designed to sound awesome the the latter moment you turn it on, and it does. when using smaller rooms. It On its own you get a great sound out some of with an incredibly detailed top without and bottom end.

It’s certainly overall volume. punching above its weight for a some smaller 12” without a doubt. Driven hard those with low, you don’t get that feeling of your find that having ears being pulled off, which means was handy as for smaller parties of up to away from people you can certainly use them into the room on their own. However when you connect all four of a detailed boxes up together, that’s where the The HK boffins magic happens. The whole thing it comes to just comes together beautifully in having too perfect sonic harmony.

You get lead you down solid, thumping bass as standard, resulting in reliable mid-range and an incredibly detailed top-end, whatever type of music you’re playing. From the front, the matching metal grilles give you the sense that this system means business. Ok, so it might lack the bells and whistles of some of its competitors when it comes to a fancy pants DSP with a big screen, or Bluetooth connectivity, but if all you need is a system that can be assembled in minutes, delivers high SPL with amazing throw and sounds amazing from the moment you plug it in, the Linear 3 Compact Venue Pack will leave you smiling.

Protection wise, the whole system is fully covered. Signal/Peak LEDs on the back of each box keep you up to date with what’s happening. Additionally, a mixture of multiband limiters and subsonic filters, as well as thermal, short-circuit and over-current protection, all work together to keep your investment safe and backed with HK Audio’s impressive five year warranty and reliable German engineering. It really is vorsprung durch technik! HK AUDIO LINEAR 3 COMPACT VENUE PACK Compact 2 with on-jog 2 MIC CHANNELS STANDALONE 2 mic inputs with EQ and 2ch / 4 input unique feedback EQ works elimination computer FREE 24HR 2 DELIVERY westendDJ Central : 10-12 Hanway westendDJ N.

London: 970 North Tel: 020 8208 channel controller display MIXER ON JOG DISPLAY mixer with 2.7” HD display with without a track information, waveforms, cue points and artwork YEARS 0% PRICE MATCH FINANCE PROMISE Street, London, W1T 1UB Circular Road, London, NW2 7JR