PA Speaker: 400watts enough to gig?

ilmaio · #1 05-28-2011, 03:51 AM

Hi folks,
I have to buy a couple of speaker for my band, since we are starting to going out and ahev some gig.
My question is very simple: how many watts do we need?
We are in 5: voice, guitar, bass, drums and keyboards.
We play pop/rock and we usually play in small pubs/small outdoor parties, so we don't need to much power.

A couple of 4-500watt speaker are enough or should we wait to increase the budget and aim for 1000watt?

Thanks in advance for the answers

blikeng · #2 05-28-2011, 04:01 AM

In my experience you don't need anything more than that. Unless you're going for making the whole audience deaf.

MuzikMan · #3 05-28-2011, 04:24 AM

Measuring output in watts is a big mistake. Case in point: EV zxa1 - 800 watts - Very low output cab (but great sound quality). A billfitzmaurice DR250 with a 100 watt amp would probably kill the EV in output.

ilmaio · #4 05-28-2011, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the answers

So, what do you think of this Yamaha MSR400 ?
It's a 300W RMS speaker, and i found this data
Maximum SPL: 121dB (1m)
Dispersion : 90° (H)/40° (V)

I think that a 121dB SPL is pretty good, am i right?

That will fit perfectly our budget

MuzikMan · #5 05-28-2011, 09:42 AM

For the same money I would try to get the RCF ART310A. RCF ART310A 10" Active Reference Speaker ART 310-A B&H

What are you hoping to run through the PA system? How much coverage do you need? I'm asking because if you need to run bass and drums through the PA it will be necessary for you to include a subwoofer or much larger tops.

ilmaio · #6 05-28-2011, 09:47 AM

We want to run all the instruments through the PA,including bassand drums

steveksux · #7 05-28-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilmaio

We want to run all the instruments through the PA,including bassand drums

You'll need a subwoofer then to do that right.

Randy

modulusman · #8 05-28-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilmaio

Thanks for the answers

So, what do you think of this Yamaha MSR400 ?
It's a 300W RMS speaker, and i found this data
Maximum SPL: 121dB (1m)
Dispersion : 90° (H)/40° (V)

I think that a 121dB SPL is pretty good, am i right?
That will fit perfectly our budget

Wrong 121 is pretty low actually. I have some JBL PRX 512ms that are are supposedly rated at 133db peak. That is over twice as loud as the yamaha you mentioned. If you want yamaha powered speakers then go with these. Buy Yamaha DSR112 Active Loudspeaker | Powered Cabinets | Musician's Friend

stevemac · #9 06-03-2011, 10:48 PM

Offhand I'd say 400W is enough depending on size of places, but it does depend on a bunch of things, as stated above.

TimmyP · #10 06-06-2011, 12:33 AM

Go hear some other local bands, and find out what they are using. Around here, a JBL 722 top and 728 sub per side (or equivalent) is pretty common. Though I've heard bands sound quite nice through a Mackie 450 and sub per side. What's most important are the band, and the talent of the person running the mixer (and not being too loud on stage - that can ruin even the best band and soundperson).