HK Audio Elements Acoustics One

116 Guitarist January 2011
£1,566
GUITAR AMPS
HK Audio Elements
Acoustics One
£1,566
The latest portable, modular full-range PA system for solo
performers and duos by Mick Taylor
S
o, guitarists and PA
systems, then… endless
connections, tons of
spaghetti leads, big heavy boxes
– it’s not really a part of the
gigging process that anyone
relishes, is it?
HK Audio, Germany’s highly
regarded pro audio brand (the
same people who design and
build Hughes & Kettner guitar
amps) has a neat solution to the
pain of PA systems. This
innovative new modular system
comprises active and passive
bass units, a mid/high line-
array cabinet and some very
clever cableless poles, stands
and mounting options.
On test here we have the
simple one-bin-and-two-tops
system that, when fully erected
using the EP1 pole, stands a
little over two metres tall.
Setting it up is simplicity
itself, the connections between
them being made when the
components are stacked
together – it’s extremely neat,
and mercifully quick. Our sole
concern is if HK decides at
some point in the future to
change or modify the
connection system, which
might cause compatibility
issues. At least you know where
you are with cables and
standard jack/XLR/Speakon
connectivity. On the upside, the
E-Connect system is incredibly
neat: this rig looks about as
elegant as a PA ever could.
Integrated into the E110 Sub
A subwoofer (the big box at the
bottom) is a 600-watt class D
digital power amp, which
drives everything. Controls and
connections are minimal; a
TRS/XLR input where you plug
in your chosen source, a
‘through’ port that sends a
line-level balanced signal to
other Elements amps/powered
monitors or what have you, and
a Speakon speaker out for
connecting further Elements
speakers. Just make sure you
don’t exceed the number of
total cabinets outlined in the
manual. Finally, there’s a
The Rivals
All of the following include
their own preamp/mixer,
which the Elements system
does not. The superb Bose
L1 Model II system with T1
ToneMatch module (£2,597)
is a more complete solo or
duo rig, but not as flexible as
the Elements system for
building a bigger PA. The
Fishman SA2200 SoloAmp
(£1,299) is the simplest
PA-on-a-stick solution – all in
one box – and very good it is
too for hassle-free gigging.
Also, do check out the SR
Technology Jam 400
(£1,071): less stick, more
PA-in-a-box, plus in-built
digital effects.
Photog ra P hy by SIMo N LEES
It’s loud, it’s clean and it reproduces
whatever you feed it with… as long as
it’s not stereo, of course
switch to configure the correct
output/EQ going to the mid/
high cabinets. Diagrams make
sure you can’t get it wrong. But
what to plug in?
In Use
The Elements system is
designed to be used with a
mixer. The only input gain
control is a +4/-10dB switch;
use the former for XLR line-
GIT337.rev_hk 116 12/3/10 5:21:25 PM