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PA question

Bass_Bear

Bass_Bear

Jun 4, 2008
119
3
Ottawa, Ontario
#1
So hopefully this post doesn't fall into the what not to do in this thread category but here it goes. I was browsing some adds this morning and saw this ad which was a PA system including mic and two acoustic speakers for 350$ CAD. Now I don't know much about PA systems, but I do know that they are normally relatively expensive.

Here is the link to the ad, including a few pictures. Is anyone able to take a look and tell me what you guys think of this deal? I would attempt to evaluate it myself but unfortunately I havn't had the time to educate myself as much as I would like.

Link Removed

Thanks, this is much appreciated.

Cheers,
Jason
 
#2
Not a great deal, IMHO. Here's a 200-watt, 6 channel PA system with a mic (but with 10" speakers instead of 12" speakers) for US $250:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Phonic-Powerpod-620-Plus-S710-PA-Package?sku=630486

And here's the same system with 12" speakers for us $300:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Phonic-Powerpod-620-Plus-S712-PA-Package?sku=630487

Also IMHO, neither of these systems, nor the one you listed, are loud enough to gig with if you have a drummer, bass and a guitar or two with reasonably loud amps and you're gonna play a place with more than 50 customers. They would be OK for rehearsal IF you and your bandmates know how to rehearse at less-than-gig volumes.
 
#4
Bass_Bear said:
Here is the link to the ad, including a few pictures. Is anyone able to take a look and tell me what you guys think of this deal? I would attempt to evaluate it myself but unfortunately I havn't had the time to educate myself as much as I would like.
Click to expand...
You're looking at a 30 year old PA head that was low end when new, and really cheesy speakers. I'd call the system adequate for a rehearsal space, no way would I consider using at a gig. I'd peg the actual worth at half what's being asked.
 
#11
Also depends on what you're planning on doing with it. Are you just talking an instrument for the vocalist or full support for drums, g's, keys, and bass?

I'm all into powered speakers now, fwiw. Good mixer, some processing (optional), and then you can use whatever size active speakers you need and can afford without worrying about impedence matching or hauling around heavy monolithic power amps. You can also upgrade by just adding (daisy chaining) or replacing with bigger units and using the originals for monitors. My current rig has Carvins, my bud uses JBLs.
 
#12
DeluxeRed said:
...

I'm all into powered speakers now, fwiw. Good mixer, some processing (optional), and then you can use whatever size active speakers you need and can afford without worrying about impedence matching or hauling around heavy monolithic power amps. You can also upgrade by just adding (daisy chaining) or replacing with bigger units and using the originals for monitors. My current rig has Carvins, my bud uses JBLs.
Click to expand...

+1!

JM
 
#13
As far as low budget goes, I personally use Kustom with some Nady Subs.
We have a 1500 watt amp for mains/subs and an 800 watt for the monitors.
We don't run to much of the guitars or bass through the PA, just a little. But do mic a few of the drums.
We have 2 Kustom 15" mains that go for about 200.00 a pair, 2 18" nady subs which were about 320.00 for the pair. And a mix of Kustom 10" and 12" monitors which are I believe 50.00 and 80.00 respectively.
Running everything through a 16 channel mackie mixer, don't know the price the guitarist inherited it from an old band.
It's not the greatest sounding PA out there, but it get the job done. We play metal and haven't had any complaints about it yet...may be cause everything else it to loud to notice.
All and all I think the whole setup was around 1300.00 not including the mixer, and you could probably knock the price down a bit depending on how much power you need.
 
#14
scottbass said:
Not a great deal, IMHO. Here's a 200-watt, 6 channel PA system with a mic (but with 10" speakers instead of 12" speakers) for US $250:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Phonic-Powerpod-620-Plus-S710-PA-Package?sku=630486

And here's the same system with 12" speakers for us $300:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Phonic-Powerpod-620-Plus-S712-PA-Package?sku=630487

Also IMHO, neither of these systems, nor the one you listed, are loud enough to gig with if you have a drummer, bass and a guitar or two with reasonably loud amps and you're gonna play a place with more than 50 customers. They would be OK for rehearsal IF you and your bandmates know how to rehearse at less-than-gig volumes.
Click to expand...

Have you tried a Phonic system? I'm just curious. I've been looking at the 780 w/ 15" speakers.
Invalid Link Removed
I've never heard one in "action"...just read about them. Thanks.
 
#15
I've had some good experience lately with Wharfedale stuff. Not enough experience to fully recommend it, but initial thoughts have been positive.

Totally agree on the powered speakers. If you can afford above say, wharfedale/behringer, its good to check out the EON range. Dont know much about the new ones.
 
#16
I absolute agree that powered speakers is the way to go. For most people it will be great sounding, overall cost effective, and easy to set up. For a moderately priced powered system it's a toss up between QSC, JBL, EV, and Yorkville. For high end stuff you're looking at Turbosound, EAW, Meyer, and L'Acoustics.

However, for a budget friendly passive system I love the Yamaha Club series stuff combined with the new QSC GX5 lightweight power amps. Great sounding stuff IMO. There's a ton of them used (Yamaha, not the GX5) and you could get it all for under $2000.
(2) S115 (used) - $300 for mains
(2) S118 (used) - $450 for subs
(1) MG166CX (used) - $300 for mixer
(2) QSC GX5 (New) - $800 for amplification
TOTAL = $1,850
 
#17
I agree with Tomis17 here, I have had great experience with Yamaha cabs. Whether you go active or passive, educate yourself... read, read, and read some more. Check the forums on PSW and then start searching for used gear.

Piecing a used PA together from ebay, craigslist and other sources is the way to go. You'll end up with a much better setup for the same price as some of the pre-packaged PA's you can get new from GC, Musiciansfriend or anywhere else.

Derek
 

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