Cannon Online's News Blog

DEAL #1: Right now when buying a DBX Driverack PA+ get a free DBX DB12 Active DI and 30′ Clarity Cable

DEALS 2 + 3: When buying a pair of either the DB Technologies OPERA 405D or 605D active speakers at their already great new lower prices, receive a free pair of carry bags and Athletic speaker stands in bags.

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Very limited numbers available (this week or until stocks run out). To check out these 3 deals please click here.

With all of the current TC Voicetone models gradually being replaced with the newer XT range we have a bit of stock of some of the old models clearing at 40% off. To have a look please click here.

We have a new section with stock that either we no longer intend to carry, we can no longer offer at a special discounted price, is superseded or is no longer being imported into Australia. To have a look please click here.

Chauvet designs innovative LED lighting in the USA. Just arrived – a selection of both PAR56 and PAR64 fixtures arriving as well as the 4BAR™. 

The the 4BAR™ is a pack-and-go must have for DJs, bands and other performers who want a simple quick to set up complete LED wash light system. This 15-channel DMX system includes a three-pedal foot switch, adjustable tripod, packing bag and transport case. Each of the four low-profile lights can be positioned independently. For more information including a video demonstration please click here.

 The LED PAR 64-36, available in both black and polished each feature 36 high-power 1W red, green and blue LEDs that produce a bright, narrow beam that is ideal when a concentrated light is needed. We couldn’t wait to plug one of these in when they arrived. We were amazed at just how bright one of these is! We also observed that each can has a a piggy back 240v plug and even an IEC male and female socket for powering multiples. For more information please click here.

The SlimPAR™ 56 is a LED PAR can housed in a casing that is only two inches thick, which allows it to go where other PAR cans don’t fit. Powered by 108 red, green and blue LEDs, the fixture offers 3- or 7-channels of DMX control. It also provides static colors and RGB color mixing with or without DMX, built-in automated and sound activated programs and a variable speed pulse effect. For more information please click here.

In case you are not familiar with the advantages LED lighting has over traditional incandescent light here is a summary:

• Stay cool: LEDs generate much less heat than PAR cans or traditional lamps
• Go green and save some green: LEDs do not consume a lot of power. They are much more eco-friendlier than traditional lamps. In general, you can link dozens of units in just one single circuit.
• No worry about fragile bulbs and lamp changes: LEDs last much longer than traditional bulbs- usually between 50,000 to 100,000 hours.
• No need for gels: LEDs offer a myriad of color possibilities without the need to use gels, as in traditional PAR cans.
• Lighter weight = More Portability + Easier setup
• Efficiency: LED washes produce colored lights more efficiently
• More colors: LED washes produce millions of colors with RGB mixing
• Longer life span: LEDs last between 10,000 and 100,000 hours compared to just thousands of hours in a quality discharge lamp
• Silent operation
• No duty cycle: Because they generate very little heat, well built LED fixtures are less prone to overheating, eliminating the need for duty cycles

Chauvet designs innovative LED lighting in the USA. Within a few weeks we have a selection of both PAR56 and PAR64 fixtures arriving as well as the 4BAR™, a pack-and-go must have for DJs, bands and other performers who want a complete LED wash light system. This 15-channel DMX system includes a three-pedal foot switch, adjustable tripod, packing bag and transport case. Each of the four low-profile lights can be positioned independently. For more information please click here.

In recent years Road Ready Cases have become the market leader when it comes to professional road cases. Built to withstand the rigours of the road, there is now no excuse not to protect your valuable equipment with the best cases around at these new lower prices.

To view our range of Road Ready cases please click here.

Due to the sustained strength in the Australian Dollar there has been a significant price reduction for most P.Audio speaker components. Examples include the BM-D750 MkII 2” exit compression driver now being less than $200 and the 4” voice coil 600watt RMS Challenger C15-600EL dropping to under $300. For all available P.Audio speaker components please click here. If you have previously downloaded a full pricelist we will email you the new one shortly. If you have not and would like one, please click here. As always reseller enquiries are welcomed.

Every now again along comes a new and innovative product that fills a niche. If you’ve ever been stuck for somewhere to store your guitar safely, without having to put it back in the case, or short of a conventional guitar stand, the Guitar Hanger is for you. The Guitar Hanger is ‘The next logical step in storing your guitar!’

To watch the controversial Guitar Hanger video or learn more about this new product please click here.

Whether researching Mackie SRM450, RCF ART310A, P.Audio X or the new QSC K series, when purchasing powered speakers what are the major points to consider?

Firstly and foremost for what application are these speakers intended? Are they to be used for front-of-house or monitors? Obviously you will need a more powerful model if they are to be used as stand alone front-of-house speakers as opposed to being stage monitors. Some models have a better side on angle for use as stage monitors.

What is your budget? There is no point considering speakers that are around $3,000.00 each when your budget is a third of that for a pair!

Sound quality and SPL are more important than appearance and/or size. What onboard controls and/or processing do the speakers have? Weight can also be an issue. RCF ART and P.Audio X-Class for example feature speakers with neodymium magnets. Thus when you add the weight of their amplifier module to the lightweight speaker components the total cabinet is similar weight to comparative passive speakers. Are protective carry bags available? With these your speakers over time will remain in pristine condition.

Reliability should also be a major consideration. Obviously avoid models that you have heard break down often or that people are complaining about on online forums. Length of warranty period and ease of servicing down the track should also not be overlooked.

When going to a showroom to listen and test prospective powered speakers be sure to take along a CD that you are familiar with as a listening point of reference. Hiring speakers you are seriously considering for a night often proves very worthwhile.

You will pay more for the major brands but chances are they will have better resale value. Better still think ahead and future-proof your self. For example purchase speakers that will do an adequate job for front-of-house now but can later be used as stage monitors when you decide to upgrade.

To see what we currently have on offer please click here. If you are still confused give us a call at Cannon Sound where we are only too happy to share our experience and help you make an informed choice!

These days if you want big bottom end in a portable PA package a worthwhile consideration is a sub satellite powered speaker system. With a huge range of  these speaker systems on the market, all of different sound and build quality, not to mention a huge variation in their prices, it’s well worth listening to a few before making your final decision….But how do you know which speakers are right for you without listening to all of them?

The above questions all confronted Jeremy Holcombe of the Doc Holcombe  Folk’n Country Band a Regional NSW Folk, alt-country and bluegrass band consisting of  vocals, guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins and washboard. For the bottom end they use a Big Foot stomp.

“…..I went looking for a powered sub to get that fat bottom end out of our BIG FOOT stomp. I “test drove” all the usual suspects – Mackie, Yamaha, JBL, etc. Those big powered subs are expensive – and I still had to take care of the cross over issue, because I was intending to add the sub to an existing system.

Then I saw the Motivity Systems on Cannon’s web site; I was a little dubious that they could do the job for the price point, so I went out to the warehouse at Brookvale for a listen.

I couldn’t believe what I heard. They sounded great. I was, however, still a little dubious about the unknown reliability of something that was a “no name” brand to me at that time; but based on my previous dealings with Daniel (he had never steered me wrong before!) I did a deal on the AS – 1500’s, and took them home……… with my fingers crossed!

Now, I have been gigging with them for the last year or so, at our regular pub beer garden and dance hall gigs. They continue to give the band the big bottom end thump we wanted for our stomp; but also, that sub brings out the bottom end in the acoustic guitars as well as the vocals. (We have a baritone vocalist that likes to think he’s Johnny Cash. He is happy!)

Don’t be deceived by the small size of the satellites either. When you have a big powered sub doing all the low end grunt work; it frees the satellites up and makes their high end work a lot easier. The punch and clarity of those little satellites is remarkable. (We ended up using our existing 2 way 15” FOH speakers as floor monitors!)

And…….I have had no reliability or maintenance issues at all. They just do the job.”

To check out the Motivity range please click here.