they tune theirs horribly, and never ever truly let it off the leash. Smartbar knows how to EQ the rig to fit the room, and their four point setup creates that classic "bass pocket" that any veteran electronic music fan will tell you is the only true way to experience the music. The quality of EQing and sonic superiority of Funktion1 is evident the minute you hit the floor. Where else can you feel the bass in your legs, and carry on a conversation on the floor, b/c the hi's hit only where they need to, the mid's sit perfectly in the middle where the belong, and the low end comes up from, well, the bottom, and completes the package?
I've never had a bad experience with staff, bouncers, doormen, or security, which I must say is downright odd for a club in general, and specifically Chicago. The location (basement of the Metro, far off from the rest of clubland Chicago) has a lot to do with it. Like true dance music in general, it's sought out, it's not casually encountered, and this place is definitely a destination.