Let's talk floor monitors

[gbrooding]

separate in the cabinet is my preference

Why is that? Just curious as to the difference?

 

[powmetalbassist]

Sorry I may have mis-spoke, separated is just always what I've used. It seems pretty standard on a lot of monitors, speakers, cabs. Not sure I've seen/heard a lot of the others.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

There are some dual use powered speakers out there that can be used as wedges but also as a small PA. If you are on a budget it means you could use these wedges as an option for small coffeehouse gigs and then use even small speakers for monitors*, for a lighter load in. Sound pressure level perception is logarithmic so 150W calls floor monitors/small PA speakers can be good for 'unplugged' gigs.

* You can get specialised tiny personal monitors but active studio monitors pulled out of your studio on low stands can work.

If you don't do coffeehouse gigs, then this is not useful information.

 

[drummer5359]

Over the years I've owned and used a bunch of different monitors. Through buying, selling, trading I worked my way up to a set of four used Peavey SP 115 M floor monitors. They are unpowered, I ran them originally with an older Crown. Eventually I moved up to a lighter weight, higher power QSC amp to run them. There wasn't ever a stage that they didn't handle great for us. I ran them about ten years in everything from classic rock and blues to acoustic gigs, small pubs to to big outside stages. I love those monitors.

Alas, I'm getting older and they are not getting lighter. I just started upgrading to QSC K series powered speakers. They have a built in 1,000 watt amp, are light weight and sound great.

These are not cheap and not a short term solution, but something to strive and save for.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I may get hammered for this, but for cheaper monitors, try Kustoms. I read some reviews saying they are not sturdy, but I've had mine for over a decade of weekend use, and never had a problem. At your price point you can get a couple and power amp.

 

[rust_preacher]

A liquidation sale has a pair of ancient (relatively) NOS "Road" made in USA wedges, 12" + horn, 75 W.

Does anyone have any advice regarding these, in terms of "stay away at any cost" or "if you get a good price snatch them" level?

These would be for practice in a garage-like space. 2 guitars or guitar + keys, vox, bass, drums or electric drum set.

Okay, even though there's little knowledge to be obtained anywhere, I took a plunge and got one of these monitors. The other is at the seller's "other" warehouse and he needs to dig it out of there.

I tried this at a low SPL in an office and it sounded really, really good.

I mean, really good! The monitor, although being NOS from 2001, had a few nicks in the tolex and one foot was missing but the seller gave me a whole new set of sturdy rubber feet to change on it. The tweeter has a real wire pot for changing the level. The 12" Celestion seemed super-sensitive.

I am on my winter leave so if anyone asks, I will take a pic or two after I return.

 

[Geri O]

An inexpensive way to go IEM is to go wired, which may not be practical, if the guitarists and bassist are wireless...

Based on a last-minute need for a Gospel recording date, I bought a Rane HA6 headphone amp and 6 Shure E3 in-ear buds. The Rane has 6 headphone outputs and a main input, but each output also has an input that can be used instead of the main input so you have the capability for 6 mixes. It works very well for temporary situations where the players are mostly stationary and the E3s are reasonably adequate, although I would up getting Sony MDR7506 headphones for the drummer.

This is simply a suggestion, if your band is very energetic and moves around a lot, this probably won't be practical for your use.

My choice of wedges would be the Yamaha CV series of wedges. Very reasonably priced (a little higher than I've seen folks around here paying) and sounds great. For powered wedges, the DB Technologies DVX DM series have served our PA company very well, but they are running $1300.