Micro PA system

[el murdoque]

I am on a somewhat unusual quest.
My home setup is three different pedalboards, an electric drum kit plus a mic for various purposes - all connected to a Behringer Flow 8 mixer. From there I run to my laptop for recording and to an old dB Systems 12" monitor wedge for loud playing and headphones for silent practice.

I'm extremely happy with everything except for the monitor wedge, which is terribly colored and not sounding the way I'd like it to at all. I acquired it about a decade ago, and even then it was old. I'd like to upgrade in that regard.

Here's my list of demands:
-the whole thing should be as small as possible, room is somewhat limited.
-I want to get as close to a flat response as possible
-Sound quality beats volume. First and foremost, I'll be using that thing at home, at non-gigging volume.

It goes without saying that this thing must be able to handle bass.
I was looking at a few options:

Cheap micro PA system (literally). An 8" sub with tiny sattelites.

dB Technologies ES503 Stereo

Compact Active Speaker System Flexibly applicable, Integrated 3-channel digital amplifier with 1000 W power, Used both as a traditional stereo system with a subwoofer and two satellites, as well as a powerful mono system by means of a mechanical...

www.thomann.de

the box pro Achat Mini Bundle

Bundle offer comprising the box pro Achat 108 Sub A Active 8" Subwoofer Power: 220 W - 100 W sub, 2x 60 W top parts, Peak SPL: 116 dB, Frequency range: 40 - 125 Hz, XLR/ jack combi and RCA input, Speaker twist output for top - each 60 Watt,...

www.thomann.de

Small column system:

📢 LD Systems Maui 28 G2 Bundle

Bundle offer comprising LD Systems Maui 28 G2 Compact Plug and Play Column System For monitor and PA sound reinforcement, Discreet look for inconspicuous use, Power: 1000 W RMS, 2000 W peak, Comprises a 2x8" bass reflex subwoofer and two...

www.thomann.de

DAS Audio Altea-Duo-10A

Active 3-Way Column System 10" Bass-reflex subwoofer, 2x 3"/1" Mid-high unit, Class D power amplifier with switching power supply, Power: 500 W RMS (1000 W peak), Frequency range: 40 - 20,000 Hz, Maximum level: 124 dB, Coverage angle (H & V): 100°...

www.thomann.de

...or another active wedge thing, only better than the one I have.

QSC K 12.2

Active 2-Way Full-Range Speaker 2,000 W Class D amplifier, Equipped with: 12" woofer, 1.4" Titan compression driver, Dispersion pattern: 75° axisymmetric, 45 x 25.4 mm multifunctional display / two selection buttons, Presets/EQ settings:...

www.thomann.de

DAS Audio Altea-715A

Active 15" Full-Range Loudspeaker Class-D bi-amp power amplifier, Power: 750 W RMS / 1500 W peak, 1" Compression driver, Frequency range: 45 - 20000 Hz, Dispersion pattern (H x V): 90° x 60, Maximum level: 132 dB, Inputs: 2x XLR/jack combo, 1x 3.5...

www.thomann.de

I will be running the system at home for 90% of the time. I don't have neighbors to account for and can play at a decent volume, but I prefer to turn it up just enough so I can hear all the nuances.

Has anyone here undertaken a similar quest recently and can share some experience?

 

[DonaldR]

I have an EV ZLX-12P top and an EV ZXA1 sub that I really like, for home playing but I can take it out for a small jam or for backyard party if I want.
The ZLX-12 can handle the low B no problem by itself, but I prefer with the sub. The ZLX12P sits on top of the sub with a short fixed length pole.
The ZLX12P can be used also alone as a wedge.

If you don't want to use the top by itself, I would get the matching EV ZXA1 top (8" woofer).

 

[el murdoque]

I have an EV ZLX-12P top and an EV ZXA1 sub that I really like, for home playing but I can take it out for a small jam or for backyard party if I want.
The ZLX-12 can handle the low B no problem by itself, but I prefer with the sub. The ZLX12P sits on top of the sub with a short fixed length pole.
The ZLX12P can be used also alone as a wedge.

If you don't want to use the top by itself, I would get the matching EV ZXA1 top (8" woofer).

I do envy you for regarding a 12" sub with a single 12" top as a micro PA system!
But this is already much larger than what I had in mind.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I use a Yamaha DXR15 to amplify an electronic music setup I write music with. It’s a sequencer running synths, edrums, drum machines, and bass through a mixer.

It’s sounds great at pretty much any practical volume.

A smaller trap box/wedge should do most of what you describe.

 

[Jack]

It may not be the best option on your list (I haven't tried them all), but the qsc is a great option. I've got hundreds of gigs on my pair as mains, wedges and bass backline.

 

[Sam Reese]

QSC CP8s are small and clear sounding. The column systems aren't point source. At close proximity this can be an issue. I used to have Turbo sound IP2000s so I can attest to this.I add a Yorkville YXL10SP if I want to use my 2.1 micro rig. Good luck!

 

[DonaldR]

I do envy you for regarding a 12" sub with a single 12" top as a micro PA system!
But this is already much larger than what I had in mind.

Last line of my post was a 12" sub with a smaller 8" top
I suggested the 12" top just because you can use it also as a standalone wedge. A 12" sub is the minimal you can go for direct bass and drums IMHO.

 

[Bonecat]

In my rehearsal studio, I use a pair of powered JBL PRX 812 speakers on wall mounts and a single Behringer sub. I bought all of the speakers used for less than the cost of any of the options you listed. With a little attention to room tuning, it sounds very good.

 

[el murdoque]

In my rehearsal studio, I use a pair of powered JBL PRX 812 speakers on wall mounts and a single Behringer sub. I bought all of the speakers used for less than the cost of any of the options you listed. With a little attention to room tuning, it sounds very good.

I am impressed by your bargain hunting skills then. I did a quick search and the best I found was 1350 for a pair of used JBL PRX 812.

 

[DirtDog]

Small, cheap and good. Pick any two.

 

[DirtDog]

Small, cheap and good. Pick any two.

But seriously, what’s the use case? Is it just you in the room alone or are you jamming with other musicians?

 

[el murdoque]

But seriously, what’s the use case? Is it just you in the room alone or are you jamming with other musicians?

This is the me alone in my room setup.
I have proper amplification, should it be required, but I play mostly ampless, going direct to FOH when gigging.

 

[DirtDog]

This is the me alone in my room setup.
I have proper amplification, should it be required, but I play mostly ampless, going direct to FOH when gigging.

Any interest in headphones? Or do you need to feel “the breeze on your knees”?

 

[el murdoque]

Any interest in headphones? Or do you need to feel “the breeze on your knees”?

I got a set of Sennheiser HD650 connected to the mixer for when I can't play "loud", but prefer to play without whenever I can.
The headphone cables really tie me down and get in the way more often than I'd like.

 

[el murdoque]

I feel like I have to add this:
I also have a barefaced stack sitting there, with a Tonehammer 500 on top. But even a single barefaced cab feels either like it's being choked, or it's too loud for the room. I basically never play them at home for that reason.

 

[TheReceder]

I run QSC k12.2s for mains in a lot of shows with kw181s for subs. The cheaper and smaller qsc CP8s for monitors. I think K12.2s for home might be a bit of overkill. unless you have a pretty large space. On occasion, when I felt lazy I'd even use a k12.2 for my bass on stage.

A couple CP8s with a small sub might be plenty.

 

[Aloe]

I had good results with connecting output of a mixer to amplifiers.

I recall, I used a Flow with a Phil Jones S-77 for some time and if wasn't bad.

 

[DirtDog]

I got a set of Sennheiser HD650 connected to the mixer for when I can't play "loud", but prefer to play without whenever I can.
The headphone cables really tie me down and get in the way more often than I'd like.

Yeah, I hear you on the cable tangle issue. I have a set of HD650s I use exclusively for home practice. Also have an EV PXM-12 wedge monitor but rarely fire that up at home. That’s more of a live situation thing if I can’t easily run my IEMs.

If I bypass the headphones, I’m using my studio reference monitors at moderate volume

 

[el murdoque]

Yeah, I hear you on the cable tangle issue. I have a set of HD650s I use exclusively for home practice. Also have an EV PXM-12 wedge monitor but rarely fire that up at home. That’s more of a live situation thing if I can’t easily run my IEMs.

If I bypass the headphones, I’m using my studio reference monitors at moderate volume

If logistics allowed, I'd just get a small sub for my Neumann KH120A monitors and use them, but those are in another room.
I love the sound of the Sennheisers and use them when I play, but it's really tedious being leashed when tinkering around with gear.

 

[brianrost]

QSC wedge for the win.