PA system recommendation for small-medium venues

morrisonhendrix · #1 04-10-2013, 07:46 AM

I don't know much about live sound and PA systems, but can anyone recommend a good, cheaper PA System for small to medium size venues? Here's what I think it would need to have:

1. More than 4 inputs, maybe 6-8.
2. Enough power, maybe 300-500 watts?
3. It needs to have a powered mixer, and also be able to power at least 2 monitors.
4. Not be real expensive.

I need recommendations for new systems, and for systems that would be a good buy if I could find it used somewhere.

Thanks in advance.

Floyd Eye · #2 04-10-2013, 07:55 AM

Yamaha EMX 512SC and a couple of pairs of used 12" 2 way speakers.

morrisonhendrix · #3 04-10-2013, 09:16 AM

Cool. That's exactly the system I was looking at on Craigslist:

Yamaha EMX 512 Power Mixer, Soft Case, Cables, and 2 - Yamaha BR 15 15" PA Speakers

I would just need some monitors. Any recommendations of say Behringer, or cheaper brand non-powered monitors to go with this?

Any other system recommendations from TB'ers?

DWBass · #4 04-10-2013, 09:36 AM

gearhead1972 · #5 04-10-2013, 10:14 AM

What is your budget?

LakeEffect · #6 04-10-2013, 10:21 AM

I don't know anything about PA's, but this was the deal of the day on musiciansfriend. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid/?icid=200510

mrtanner42 · #7 04-10-2013, 10:36 AM

I'm happy with these inexpensive monitors:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...peaker-cabinet

I'm pushing them with a Peavey 8600

morrisonhendrix · #8 04-10-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Yeah, I see that, but I don't think that will power any monitors.

morrisonhendrix · #9 04-10-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead1972

What is your budget?

I'm thinking the singer's budget

is probably $400-800.

I think he's gonna look into that used Yamato system I mentioned above, which is listed for about $500.

DWBass · #10 04-10-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morrisonhendrix

Yeah, I see that, but I don't think that will power any monitors.

Just waiting on the PA Police to show up...............

I would suggest checking some Carvin systems. May find something decent in that price range. http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/XP800L-PM15

morrisonhendrix · #11 04-10-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Just waiting on the PA Police to show up...............

I would suggest checking some Carvin systems. May find something decent in that price range. http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/XP800L-PM15

Did I say something wrong, or violate a "use only powered monitors" rule?

Great! I like the looks of this one. Thanks!

BayStateBass · #12 04-10-2013, 12:45 PM

Actually, the stuff gets bashed a lot but I bought some monitors from Seismic Audio. They were not expensive at all, and they have served us very well with no problems. They're not "pro" quality, but they also don't command "pro quality" prices, either.

Maybe take a look and see if they have something you'd be interested in.

http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com/...itors-s/18.htm

DWBass · #13 04-10-2013, 01:12 PM

A friend of mine has a couple of those Seismic Audio wedge monitors. Solidly built and sound pretty decent.

moten33 · #14 04-10-2013, 01:17 PM

I have a JBL setup for our band now but still use these very cheap Zebra brand monitors. The jack plate is broken on a bunch of them but they sound fine and didnt cost anything.

I got them even cheaper than this if you keep your eyes pen on the eBay listings.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ZEBRA-MS...ht_3287wt_1129

richntiff · #15 04-10-2013, 01:45 PM

My band has 3 seismic wedge monitors. Cheap, sound ok. Good to start with - or buy used...

gearhead1972 · #16 04-10-2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morrisonhendrix

Did I say something wrong, or violate a "use only powered monitors" rule?

Great! I like the looks of this one. Thanks!

I have the next model up powered mixer, it is worth the extra money. More power and has a third amp for monitors. I got this combo. It served my band well and we were able to sub feed another mixer into it to mic the whole band for some small outdoor shows. I have since upgraded my whole PA, but still use the PM12's for monitors along with a pair of the Seismic Audio SA-10M monitors. The SA monitors are pretty decent for the price, though their sensitivity is lower than the Carvins.

tbirdsp · #17 04-10-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morrisonhendrix

Did I say something wrong, or violate a "use only powered monitors" rule?

No - the PA Police are the guys who will say that anything that didn't cost 5 grand and up is junk

I have a pair of Behringer VS1220F wedge monitors, have worked fine so far. Looks like they are $120 each these days. You could probably find something used though.

morrisonhendrix · #18 04-10-2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

No - the PA Police are the guys who will say that anything that didn't cost 5 grand and up is junk

I have a pair of Behringer VS1220F wedge monitors, have worked fine so far. Looks like they are $120 each these days. You could probably find something used though.

I've used those Behringer monitors before. They belonged to a band mate, but I thought they worked fine for that situation.

Floyd Eye · #19 04-10-2013, 03:03 PM

Well, personally I would have recommended a Mixwiz and a gang of powered speakers, because I think powered mixers are soon outgrown by anyone who is serious, but the OP asked specifically and the model I recommended is the one we started with and it did a decent job. I am sure that whatever the PA police have to say, I will likely agree with, but that is not what the OP asked about so.....

tbirdsp · #20 04-10-2013, 03:09 PM

I bought mine here. The speakon-1/4" cables may be of no use to you though.

http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/-...BEHR-PACKAGE33