LD Systems DAVE 15 G4X Compact 2.1 Powered PA System w/ BT & Mixer

The LD Systems DAVE 15 G4X (DAVE15G4X) is an active 2.1 PA system for mobile DJs, solo performers, small bands and function venues that need one system to cover a room without a separate mixer or amplifier. It pairs a 15" subwoofer with two 8" satellites on a Class D amplifier rated 1030 W RMS and 2060 W peak, reaching 124 dB average and 130 dB peak SPL with response down to 33 Hz. A 6-channel mixer, Bluetooth 5.0 and an optical S/PDIF input are built into the subwoofer, so microphones, instruments and a phone connect straight to the system. It is used for weddings and private parties, bar and restaurant sound, corporate speech reinforcement and small club dates.

How does the DAVE 15 G4X compare to the DAVE 12 G4X and the DAVE 18 G4X?

The DAVE 15 G4X is the middle system of the three. Against the DAVE 12 G4X it gains 3 dB of peak SPL, 300 W RMS and 4 Hz of low end; against the DAVE 18 G4X it gives up 4 dB of peak SPL and 3 Hz of low end, and saves 9.3 kg (20.5 lb) on the subwoofer you have to lift. The mixer, the connections and the DSP are the same on all three.

Model	DAVE 12 G4X	DAVE 15 G4X	DAVE 18 G4X
Subwoofer	12" / 2.5" voice coil	15" / 3" voice coil	18" / 4" voice coil
Satellites	Two 6.5"	Two 8"	Two 8"
Power (RMS / peak)	730 W / 1460 W	1030 W / 2060 W	2000 W / 4000 W
Max SPL (avg / peak)	120 dB / 127 dB	124 dB / 130 dB	126 dB / 134 dB
Frequency response (-10 dB)	37 Hz - 20 kHz	33 Hz - 20 kHz	30 Hz - 20 kHz
Dispersion (H x V)	90° x 50°	90° x 30°	90° x 30°
Subwoofer weight	27.1 kg (59.7 lb)	34.5 kg (76.1 lb)	43.8 kg (96.6 lb)
System weight	43.7 kg (96.3 lb)	53.9 kg (118.8 lb)	63.2 kg (139.3 lb)
Mains rated power	300 W	400 W	600 W

What those differences mean in practice:

• The vertical pattern narrows at 15". The DAVE 12 G4X covers 90° x 50°; the 15 and the 18 both cover 90° x 30°. The tighter vertical angle puts more of the output on the audience and less on the ceiling and floor, which helps speech intelligibility in a reverberant room.
• The 15 and the 18 use the same satellite cabinet. Both measure 275 x 470 x 260 mm and weigh 9.7 kg (21.4 lb) each. Everything gained by moving up to the 18 comes from the subwoofer, which is 43.8 kg (96.6 lb) against 34.5 kg (76.1 lb).
• The subwoofer is the part you carry. At 34.5 kg (76.1 lb) the DAVE 15 G4X subwoofer is a two-handed lift; the DAVE 12 G4X subwoofer is 27.1 kg (59.7 lb). If you load in on your own and up stairs, that gap can matter more than 3 dB does.
• The feature set does not change up the range. The 6-channel mixer, two combo XLR channel strips, two RCA stereo pairs, optical S/PDIF, Bluetooth 5.0 and the Cluster and Stereo presets are identical on the 12, 15 and 18. Moving up buys output, not functions.
• Mains draw scales with output. 300 W rated on the 12, 400 W on the 15, 600 W on the 18, which is worth knowing on a shared domestic circuit.

For smaller rooms there is also the DAVE 10 G4X: a 10" subwoofer with 4" satellites, 340 W RMS (680 W peak), 120 dB peak SPL, a 110 Hz crossover and 24.5 kg (54.0 lb) for the complete system.

Does the DAVE 15 G4X need a separate mixer?

No. A 6-channel mixer is built into the subwoofer panel. Channels 1 and 2 are full channel strips on XLR combo sockets, each switchable between microphone, high-impedance instrument and line level, with a 2-band EQ for low and high and a reverb offering three presets: small, large and plate. Channels 3 and 4 are RCA stereo line inputs suited to keyboards, synthesisers, drum machines and media players. Channels 5 and 6 are the optical S/PDIF input and the Bluetooth connection.

What is Cluster Mode and when do you use it?

Cluster Mode is a DSP preset for setups where both satellites sit close together on a single T-bar above the subwoofer rather than left and right of the room. Two cabinets that close together would normally interfere with each other, so the preset applies a mid/side split that lets the pair couple cleanly and returns extra headroom and directivity. Stereo Mode is the preset for conventional left and right placement. You select between them on the panel.

How do the satellites mount?

Each satellite has an aluminium dual-tilt flange with a 36 mm socket and two fixed positions, 0° and 5°, so the cabinet can be aimed slightly down onto a seated audience from a stand. To put both satellites on one stand above the subwoofer for a cluster setup, LD Systems makes the DAVE G4X T-BAR L mounting fork, which fits the 12, 15 and 18 G4X.

What are the connections on the subwoofer?

Every input, output and control sits on the subwoofer. Inputs are two XLR combo sockets accepting microphone, Hi-Z instrument or line level (balanced and unbalanced in parallel), two RCA stereo line pairs, one optical S/PDIF TOSLINK socket, and Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP streaming on the SBC codec. Two speaker outputs feed the satellites, each presented on both a multipin connector and speakON. Mains is an IEC C14 inlet accepting 100 to 240 V AC at 50/60 Hz with a rated draw of 400 W. Cooling is convection only, so there is no fan noise to work around in a quiet room.

How heavy is it and how do you move it?

The complete system weighs 53.9 kg (118.8 lb), made up of a 34.5 kg (76.1 lb) subwoofer with two handles and two satellites at 9.7 kg (21.4 lb) each. The subwoofer measures 515 x 575 x 585 mm (20.3 x 22.6 x 23.0 in) W x H x D, and each satellite 275 x 470 x 260 mm (10.8 x 18.5 x 10.2 in). For regular load-ins, the DAVE 15 G4X BAG SET adds a castor board under the subwoofer plus padded covers for all three cabinets.

What changed in the G4X generation?

The G4X revision is mechanical and acoustic rather than a feature update. Cabinets are 12 to 18 mm multiplex finished in impact-resistant polyurea with aluminium front grilles, the subwoofer driver is Klippel-optimised on a 3" voice coil, and both the waveguides and the bass reflex ports are BEM-optimised. Processing is DynX DSP (Gen. 2) with FIR filtering. Each satellite uses a dual 0.5" neodymium compression driver arrangement behind a constant-directivity waveguide, which LD Systems fits to the 15 and 18 to raise output level and tighten directivity. LD Systems states that the 10, 12 and 15 G4X models are each several kilograms lighter than the equivalent previous-generation DAVE.

Specifications

System type	Active 2.1, 3-way
Power output	1030 W RMS / 2060 W peak
Amplifier class	Class D
Max SPL	124 dB average / 130 dB peak
Frequency response (-10 dB)	33 - 20,000 Hz
Crossover frequency	105 Hz
Dispersion (H x V)	90° x 30°
Subwoofer driver	15", ferrite magnet, 3" voice coil
Satellite mid driver	8", ferrite magnet, 1.5" voice coil
Satellite tweeters	2 x 0.5" neodymium compression driver, 1" voice coil, CD waveguide
Mixer	6 channels
Mic / line inputs	2 x XLR combo, switchable mic / Hi-Z / line
Line inputs	2 x RCA stereo
Digital input	1 x S/PDIF optical (TOSLINK)
Wireless	Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, SBC codec
Audio processing	2-band EQ (low, high), reverb, digital effects (DFX), selectable presets, DynX DSP (Gen. 2)
Speaker outputs	2, on multipin and speakON
Satellite flange	36 mm, 0° / 5° tilt
Cabinet construction	Multiplex 12 - 18 mm, polyurea coating, aluminium front grille
Mains	100 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, IEC C14, 400 W rated
Cooling	Convection
Operating conditions	0 - 40 °C, up to 80% relative humidity, non-condensing
Subwoofer dimensions (W x H x D)	515 x 575 x 585 mm (20.3 x 22.6 x 23.0 in)
Satellite dimensions (W x H x D)	275 x 470 x 260 mm (10.8 x 18.5 x 10.2 in)
Subwoofer weight	34.5 kg (76.1 lb)
Satellite weight, each	9.7 kg (21.4 lb)
System weight	53.9 kg (118.8 lb)
Finish	Black
Manufacturer item number	LDDAVE15G4X

Common questions

Is there a version that comes with stands and cables?
Yes. The DAVE 15 G4X DJ package pairs the same system with Odyssey stands and cables.

Can I run a wireless microphone into it?
Yes. Take the receiver output into channel 1 or 2 on the XLR combo socket and set that channel to mic or line to match the receiver.

Can I connect a TV or a karaoke player?
Yes. Use the optical S/PDIF TOSLINK input for a source with a digital output, or the RCA line inputs on channels 3 and 4 for an analogue one.

Can I use it in a room where the satellites cannot go left and right?
Yes. Put both satellites on one T-bar above the subwoofer and switch the panel to Cluster Mode, which is designed for exactly that placement.

Does it come with a warranty?
Yes. This item carries a Free 2 Year Warranty.

How big a crowd will it cover?
LD Systems does not publish a room-size rating, so we will not invent one. As a guide, 130 dB peak SPL over a 90° x 30° pattern is aimed at audiences in the low hundreds; for anything beyond that, look at the DAVE 18 G4X or a second system. Tell us the room and we will size it with you.

Not sure whether the 12, 15 or 18 suits the rooms you work in? Get in touch and we will work through it with you. The rest of the range is in our LD Systems collection, and you can compare it against other PA speakers.