Maui 44. 1,600 W of Power to Blow Anyone Away

After going through the different options in the Maui family, in their lighter and more portable versions, today we take a look at the big brother of the range: the MAUI 44 from LD Systems. Each model in the series is designed to provide different solutions depending on the priorities of each event: weight, portability, power, etc. Even so, they all share the same philosophy: rugged finishes, wide horizontal coverage, aesthetics (little visible clutter, lots of substance), getting the most out of performance, easy setup and few cables. Within these guidelines, the Maui 44 packs an overdose of power reaching 1,600 W, capable of frying any listener looking for maximum “racket”.

As for the brand, LD Systems has been carving out a place in the market for quite a while now. In our view, its success is based on the balance between the quality of its products and their reasonable price compared with other brands offering similar performance. In addition, something that may go unnoticed by those who haven’t yet worked with the company, another of its greatest strengths is the reliability and efficiency of the team that runs, develops and sells the product. German sobriety and efficiency, with a team based in Spain that is diligent and quick to respond. At ISP Música we put things through their paces. Not only when assessing product performance on our test benches. We also tap our resources along the distribution chain to find out how quickly orders are filled, how after-sales service works, how reliable and consistent pricing is, etc. So whether you are an end user, an engineer, an installer or a dealer, you can benefit from a solvent, reliable company that stands behind what it sells. The Maui 44 offers a majestic 1,600 W RMS of power, a frequency range of 40 Hz to 20 kHz and a peak SPL of 129 dB. This line has been designed especially for musicians, DJs, solo performers and fixed installations with high-performance and sound pressure needs.

Construction, speakers and amplification. With compact dimensions of close to two meters tall and a weight of under 59 kg, it is built from 15 mm birch plywood and equipped with two 12" neodymium drivers. The bandpass subwoofer is driven by two Hypex amplifiers, each with its own switch-mode power supply. The vertical array, with a die-cast chassis and integrated cooling system, is fitted with a total of sixteen 3.5" full-range neodymium speakers and two 1" Celestion® tweeters with their waveguide. The speaker wiring is divided into 4 frequency groups; 4 ways individually connected to 4 Class D amplifiers using discrete technology.

Connectivity and sound mixing. The rear panel offers two combo inputs (that is, XLR/6.3 mm jack) as well as left and right channels on RCA. The overall system level is set separately, which allows us to achieve a balanced mix, aiming for a blend of crystal-clear highs, natural mids and powerful lows that deliver punch. The independent mix lets us adapt the system to the room, the column’s position or the particular characteristics of the event.

Digital processing and protection systems. It has a digital processor (LECC) that offers a processing package: “limiter, EQ, compressor and crossover.” Added to the two limiters, we get reproduction of clean, distortion-free signals with a wide dynamic range. As for protecting the system, we find short-circuit, overcurrent and overvoltage protection, which provides safety against unforeseen problems that could “fry” the system, such as faults in the venue’s electrical circuits, excessive ambient temperature, etc.

Setup. As with the rest of the Maui range, the vertical column is assembled without cables, via its multi-pin connectors. Plug and play. Although the Maui 44 is seriously powerful, its dimensions and weight are really tiny compared with other sound reinforcement systems offering this power and dynamic range. This means savings in transportation, handling, staff and time to set up and tear down “the whole show.” And while we’re at it, the handles are much appreciated

The test we carried out on the physical unit was a pleasant one. The manufacturer’s claims hold up: solidity, light weight and setup in a flash. We connected various sources to get to know the frequency range with our own ears rather than on paper and in the spec sheet. To do this, we ran different input signals separately through a mixer, specifically well-mixed CD playback. With this we analyzed what the system delivers on mixes whose sound we already know. We then played mp3 signals from an iPad. With these two “passes” we got an idea of its performance for playing music and prerecorded audio: a DJ approach, or sound for events via players, etc. Later we plugged a guitar processor straight in, plus a few mics, to examine its performance as a stage PA, serving at the same time as a listening monitor for the performer and as a PA for the audience. I confess that, although we already imagined the 1,600 W would be powerful, it’s almost unbelievable that something “so small” packs such a punch. As for the sound quality we got, our impression is that the sound is quite malleable, and we can work the high, mid and low frequencies with some flexibility, ultimately achieving output that fit quite closely to what we were looking for at any given moment.

Conclusions. As the manufacturer says, we think the Maui 44’s distinguishing advantages lie, first, in its rejection of acoustic feedback. This prevents unwanted howling and allows us to place the system almost anywhere in our room or on stage. Second, the horizontal coverage it achieves: 120º, which means we don’t need additional monitors and can get by well (in terms of coverage and power) with this system alone. Looking at the alternatives on the market for generating 1,600 W of intelligible, punchy power, we concluded that its price of €2,399 makes it a good choice when buying a system with good portability, clarity, reliability and ample power. As for market perceptions of brands, you should listen for yourself to what this “beast” can do. With some other products on the market you pay for the brand, getting similar quality and even lower power ratings (at a higher price). Obviously there are “machines” with better sound quality. The trick is to find the balance between price, what you need and what the product can deliver. We conclude that the Maui 44 offers an attractive balance of features. Depending on your specific needs, the type of event, service or gig you usually do, you should consider which “member” of the Maui range best fits the space, price and performance you are looking for.

Specifications. Active system Frequency range: 40 Hz to 20 kHz SPL: 129 dB peak Color: black Total height (assembled) 2223 mm Weight: 58.4 kg Subwoofer speaker: 2 x 12" Midrange speakers: 16 x 3.5" Celestion tweeter: 2 x 1" Amplification (built into sub): 1,600 W Protection circuits: limiter, overcurrent, overvoltage and short circuit. Line outputs: 1 in XLR format Speaker output: 1 Line input: RCA, 6.3 mm jack and XLR Suggested price: €2,399 Distributor: Adam Hall