Advantages: Very versitile, sounds good
Disadvantages: Some may find it heavy

...The Mackie SRM450 is an extremely versatile speaker. It has the advantage of built in amplifiers, together with thermal and overload protection. I run a hire firm, pa2hire.co.uk, and we like these for several reasons - for one, they are difficult to damage, you can't overdrive them very easily as the limiter kicks in. Secondly, they have excellent sonic characteristics. We also use d&b Q7 and HK concert touring (contour) speakers, these are far more expensive, but the Mackie SRM450's stand up surprisingly well - especially at moderate volumes. The more expensive speakers sound a little more hi fidelity, but you certainly pay for this. The dispersion pattern is wide, and very even. There is no tendency for beaming (high directionality at high frequencies). Of course the other nice thing is you can use these as powered monitors... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent quality and very little if any background noise.
Disadvantages: I would advise using a seperate bass speaker if these frequencies are being used.

...The Mackie SRM-350 offers great quality sound, and performs excellently in live situations. I have used my set of these for many live situations, and the sound has always been absolutely brilliant. if you are looking for some good quality speakers at reasonable price these are what you want. as a single speaker this could be used to expand your's existing PA, or be used to monitor mono mixes. Weather in a live situation or being used just to monitor or listen to CDs or works in progress, they will produce excellent sound quality. This quality speaker from mackie produces excellent sound quality on vocals, and instruments alike. This speaker really stands out from the rest with an excellent live sound, and durable too, with a free gig bag making it even easier to transport.... Read review

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Advantages: Cool display, solid feel, motorized front panel, remote, Sound quality
Disadvantages: Stereo imaging not the best, not good with female vocals

...One of the first car amplifiers I ever owned was a small 40 watt CLARION, and I was thoroughly impressed with it. That was 19 years ago, and I've never forgotten the name CLARION since! CLARION still produce quality gear, and the DXZ748RMP is no exception. I got the clarion for a very reasonable price, and for what I paid the features and quality are far above what you can expect from other brands. For just over £140 delivered the radio came with a remote, motorized front panel, huge colour changing display, and a rated 53 watts per channel x 4. A similar Alpine would cost twice as much with very similar sound quality. But how does it sound? There is a lot of debate, if you read through a couple of reviews, about the sound quality of the Clarion. Some like it, some love it, and some hate it. Generally though most reviews I read... Read review

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Advantages: Top sound quality, physical design, optional subwoofer
Disadvantages: None as yet!

...A fantastic speaker! I use two of these mainly for my band and have found them to sound exceptional for the price. They have a really wide dispersion meaning that everyone in the room can hear the highs, as well as the lows, which believe me are not lacking from what you may thing is a small 12" speaker. I have also used the SRM450s as floor monitors at other events, thanks to their wedge design when layed on their side. The SRM450 is fairly weighty, but easy to put up and take down on your own. The speaker has multiple carrying points and even flying points! One think to watch for is that the XLR inputs are not locking. If using as a floor wedge then loop the input cable around the handle to make sure that it doesn't get pulled out if someone catches a cable on their foot. Picked mine up from gak.co.uk with two black tripod stands... Read review

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Advantages: Spacious, friendly, within walking distance of town
Disadvantages: Expensive, no facilities

...Having birthdays within 4 days of each other, Les and I decided a couple of years ago that we would stop exchanging gifts and instead, put the money we would have spent towards a weekend away together. Last year it was New York, this year it was Dublin. We booked the trip at the beginning of January on the internet via Expedia; we didn't have any hotels recommended to us so decided on the Clarion Stephens Hall Hotel as they were offering a deal on their suites - it was my birthday after all !! ~~ Getting There ~~ Once we arrived at Dublin airport, we caught the 'AirCoach' to the hotel. This is a 'luxury' coach service that drops off at 15 key points around Dublin Centre, including right outside the Clarion hotel ! The coach was very comfortable, boasting large, leather seats and plenty of storage space. The 'ticket... Read review

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Advantages: Smart and sexy
Disadvantages: None

...Ok so as far as ICE is concerned you want something that is able to blast the windows out of the person living 200 miles away without worrying about quality...right? WRONG!!! what is wrong with you people. So how about high quality sound reproduction with an excelent volume factor? sound good? Thought so, Enter the clarion DXZ648RMP Just look at it, right away, its got those lovley little chrome bits on the sides with black plastic rubber and grey rubber in the middle. It looks that little bit different. But it is that good. Setting this up is a doddle, has three RCA setups, 2 outputs 1 input. Meaning 1 sub output (bridge it for multi amps and subs at the amp please) 1 for say rear speaker amp outputs and an input for your dvd player. This player has CnET which means its designed to work in conjunction... Read review

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Advantages: great views, excellent breakfast, clean friendly top class hotel, great location
Disadvantages: Can be a little busy, if that's really that bad!

...The Clarion Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden is one of the largest in the city. Situated on Södermalm (the South Island) it's in a busy, trendy location just around the corner from all manner of bars and restaurants, and is literally across the road from Skanstull tube station which will take you to the central station and the city centre in around fifteen minutes. It's very easy to find, signposted from the station, and illuminated from the outside by fetching red and blue lights of an evening. It's a four star hotel, and prices are according. Prices vary considerably depending on the season and the days (nights) you wish to stay, so it's worth checking different dates if you can be flexible - you can pick up quite a bargain! Of the price ranges through the week we stayed there we averaged 1000 - 1500 SEK a night (approx. £70 - £110... Read review

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Advantages: Location, price, clean rooms, good equipment levels.
Disadvantages: Limited choice of breakfast, no view from the room window

...Stayed at the Clarion Hotel & Suites Selby for a week, it was very conveniently situated 100yds from a sub way station which is only a couple of stops from downtown Toronto. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants & shops should you decide to stay locally. It was built in the late 19th century & Ernest Hemmingway stayed there with his wife in the 1920s. The hotel still has that period look about it which won't appeal to everyone. Our room was situated in the basement & had been recently refurbished, the room was clean & quite well equipped with en-suite bathroom with shower/bath. Other facilities include air conditioning, telephone, comforatble queen size bed, iron & iron board, multi channel TV, sitting chairs, wi-fi, hair dryer & ample drawer & wardrobe space. The only thing missing was a view, our window looked onto a part external... Read review

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Advantages: Wonderful Taste
Disadvantages: Can ruin your bowels

...® Cooler Another one for hazy days. Put ice in a chilled water jug, add one measure of Curacao, 2 of Cacao, one of Dubonnet and top up with GUINNESS®.” So why not give some of these a little try after all it could be a nice change from the norm:) I could try and explain to you how it is made but as I am not a real ale buff and never have done brewing at any point in my life I thought I would give you the website link to get any other information you may require:) www.guinness.com This is the official Guinness website. www.ivo.se/guinness Another resource for you that delves into the true mysteries of Guinness and all it entails. The basic stats for a Guinness are: Guinness OG: 1052 (13.2 Plato) Alcohol: 4.4% abw, 5.5% abv BU: 50 Colour: 9.5 Eckhardt's Scale ( This would translate into something around or over 50 SRM... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent turn based game (Hex map or Tabletop)
Disadvantages: Preparation prior to play

...'s, LRM's, SRM's, Flamers, Swords and Hatchets, etc). The history behind the game setting is nicely done, with a lot of stuff that you can buy or read from the web. But my advice, enjoy the game before you start creating your own federation.... Read review

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