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Need help with picking the right spekaer/PA

M

marama

May 27, 2022
10
2
#1
Hi!
So my use case:

Practice room with computer with audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett 18i8) connected to SOMETHING playing recorded music 90% of the time. 10% of the time is used for playing instruments (bass guitar, e-drums and guitar).
First I was looking ad studio monitors, but now I'm more focused on compact PA, narrowed down to
- Bose S1 pro
- JBL One compact
- Electro Voice Everse 8

I understand Bose S1 pro might not be the best for bass guitar, so I'm leaning towards Everse 8 being a goood balance.
What are your thoughts on this? Am I missing something? Should I rethink everything?

Thanks
 
#3
#4
In my opinion the Electro Voice is likely to be a very good choice. A friend and I provide sound as a retirement-hobby business, and we use EVs. We had a collection of various other mis-matched mains, and monitors, but upgraded to the EVs and they sound excellent. We have ZLX, and ELX series speakers, and the ELXs really sound the best to my ears.

I think the Bose systems are over-priced considering the size of a venue they can cover, (maybe not a consideration in your intended application), but the "PA on a stick" concept works for some applications, (like a couple singers/acoustic players, but not for a loud rock band) in a small-ish space. They are convenient to set up. Again, maybe not what you really need.

The JBLs are not bad, but my opinion of the sound quality they have is not as good as the EVs.

I have been thinking about buying an EV Everse 8 for use around the house, and as a portable blue-tooth speaker for playing recorded music outside, in my back yard, or away from the house, but they are not cheap, (750.00$). It can run on battery, which is a feature I like for my intended non-pro live sound use.

For your application, you may not take advantage of the battery operation, so why not consider a pair of EV ZLX-12BT, or ZLX-15BTs for less money if you don't need battery operation. These do have blue tooth capability. The EV ELX do not have blue tooth capability, but their other attribute as mains or monitors make them the best choice if you don't need blue tooth, but do want the best sound.

Even though you are planning to use this as a music room monitor, and my suggestions may seem to be more venue live sound oriented, I think I would rather have more than I need in the practice space, and have something I might use as a monitor, or even a main outside to studio might come in handy.

If small and portable is important, then EV Everse 8 is the way to go.

Thanks for letting us spend your money. ;)

Just my opinion.
 
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#5
WayneP said:
As far as the others, any reason why you’re only looking at battery-powered speakers?
Click to expand...

No, I don't need battery at all. I'm looking for something compact. Since I'm in an apartment building I don't even want the Watts (i.e. my neighbours don't want them). I just want something to sound good with instruments and HiFi music, and not be too bulky.
 
#6
Hoochie Coochie Man said:
For your application, you may not take advantage of the battery operation, so why not consider a pair of EV ZLX-12BT, or ZLX-15BTs for less money if you don't need battery operation.
Click to expand...

Hi. Nice call, but anything larger than the Everse 8 might be too large for my small room and I'm not sure I'd benefit from larger woofers with my modest use case. I'll be tax deducting it so price is not so much of an issue, it's more the size that limits me. I don't even know how loud will I be able to play before the neighbours start knocking on the door I guess I'll really be playing low volume, so not even practice level but low volume jamming when I'll be tired of using headphones.
 
#7
marimba,

Based on your last post, I would then recommend the Everse 8.

I bet that you may find a use for both the blue tooth, and battery operated capability.

I say this never having heard the 8, but based one our experience with all the other newer EV products, I bet it will serve you well, and sound good. I have researched other similar products trying to find one priced less than $750.00, and nothing comes close on paper.

I will probably end up with a pair eventually. (Other G.A.S items are higher up[ on the list however).
 
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#10
How loud do you need to be? I use a pair of M-Audio BX5a powered monitors (current model is the BX5 d3), they sound fine with DIed bass. Small and cheap ($300 a pair new, less used).

A powered PA cabinet is overkill for practicing at the computer. The battery powered ones don't even specify wattage because, guess what, off a battery you can't have very high wattage. I have a Roland Street Cube EX rated at "50 watts" that runs off 8 AA cells or a wall wart. My BX5's are 70 watts RMS each, but of course run off wall current. I've never run the two side by side (I use my Roland for busking) but it's not a 50 watt RMS amp by any stretch of the imagination.

Looking at prices like $750 for the Everse 8, well, I'd really suggest auditioning some studio monitors at your local music store (if you have one).
 
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#11
I read great review about Yamaha HS8 as studio monitors, can also be used to play guitar/bass with your modeler.

You can also go with smaller studio monitors and add a small subwoofer. I have an EV ZXA-1 sub that I like a lot mainly because of the size/weight (you can match the ZXA-1 top latter if you want).
 

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