I've been playing at rest homes, nursing homes, and a V.A. hospital for the last eight months using my PAS - maybe 25 performances - and not once has anyone ever asked me to turn it down - or turn it up.

Is this common in the community? Or am I just lucky?

I've had both "turn it up" and "turn it down" ... usually its at the same gig.

To me this is exactly as it should be. If the artist hears himself as his or her audience does, then that is ideal.

The Cylindrical Radiator(r) speaker is designed to come as close to that ideal as possible in our science and engineering.

Imagine a fine arts painter who visually experienced his or her art differently than his or her customer. Wouldn't that be ridiculous? And yet, that is what we argue in our research happens when you have monitors for players and PA for audience. The artist and audience hear completely different things. Worse, the artist can't experience the sound their audience experiences. Oy Vay, what a world!

So now, guitarget, I see you in front of your Cylindrical Radiator speaker, whose radiation pattern is bathing you and your listeners in the same sound field. This is fundamental, profound, and absolutely scrumptious, in my humble opinion.

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Imagine a fine arts painter who visually experienced his or her art differently than his or her customer.

Funny you should mention that, Ken. Here's a link on that very subject you may find interesting, or simply do a search on El Greco and astigmatism.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Alan Steinberger,

I just got in from the Woodbury Wellness Center in Hampstead, North Carolina where I performed for about 30 older folks, most of them in wheel chairs. No one said a word about my volume, even I thought it was a little loud myself in a few places where I had to push my voice.

However, there was one very elderly gentleman about 15 feet from me who made continuous noises the entire hour I played. He almost got me a couple times - I had to "smile quietly to myself" on more than a few occasions - but if I had to testify in court, I would say he was trying to sing along with everything I was playing. It was singing, but non-intelligible singing - like I experienced at the V.A. hospital.

So, if you're a musician thinking about buying a Bose PAS, and you can't shut out audience noises, you may possibly want to reconsider. I hear it all out there - very well, I might add; when they sing along - when they rattle their wheelchairs - when they whisper to each other - but I shut it all out and play my songs.

And so far, they like it!

If you haven't played a Taylor 12 string through the Bose PAS yet, you are missing out on thunderous wonderfulness of epic proportions.

Have a great day, Guys-At-Bose!

Don "guitarget" Ward

Don,
My mom is a resident in a skilled nursing facility, she has little to look forward to during the course of a normal day. It is people like you that make life special for those that have little to live for. I know it makes my mom's day when someone comes into the facility to provide entertainment.

Thanks for bringing joy to those who need it.

Jeff
http://www.theunmentionables.com

We (Rivers West http://www.RiversWestMusic.com) played for my mother-in-law's 90th birthday celebration, in the dining hall of her retirement village. Two guitars, bass, three vocals, and drums (non-miked) drums through two PAS's. We worked very hard to keep our volume down, but were SURE that the little old ladies that they wheeled 4 feet in front of us were going to FREAK. BUT... they all just loved it - all smiles, clapping, singing along, very complimentary. Possibly the most appreciative audience we've had in 100 gigs over the last two years.

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Possibly the most appreciative audience we've had in 100 gigs over the last two years.

Well, that about says it all, Mike!

Glad to hear about all those who work in nursing homes, assisted living and senior centers. We, Deuces Wild, have been at it for years now. My partner Georganne (vocals) and I, Lou (keys/vocals) have found great joy in this venue. The crowd loves us and is 100% into every song we play for them. And also with the PAS we can play at a volume that is pleasing to everyone. If more musicians would take a real hard look at the senior population and their love for music, it's all the more reason to reach out to them. It is so gratifying to see them smiling, singing along and even dancing in their wheelchairs! Just contact your area facilities and speak to the recreation directors! These great folks need us!!!

great link, Alan. Gee - in figure 3, I could swear that Whistler's little girl is standing right in front of a PAS!

I hadn't noticed that. It even looks like the Bose logo's at the right height. Good catch!

'Been playing lunch every 3rd Thursday of the month at our downtown senior center for several years. 'Wished I could volunteer more but time is limited. Ours is a poor center but musical stimulation brings many great benefits to everybody involved. The staff, guests and me get a lot of good outta these performances and if you can contribute it's a great way to give back a little to our communities.