Need some advice on a PA

[zestystrat]

Our band just became PA-less, took us off guard and a lot of our cash is tied up in merch.

Anyway we have a mixer so we are looking for a power amp and speakers.

New, used, we don't care.

Here is the power amp we were using before: http://www.shsaudio.com/SA2500_738d8...191a8d179.html

We never had an issue for outdoor or club gigs.

With speakers we just ones that are not back breakingly huge.

We can spend up to $1000, prefer to spend less.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or help would be appreciated?

[tone4days]

if you were happy, can you buy another copy of what you had?

or can you rent out sound in order to play gigs, sell some merch, and save up some dough for a better PA?

[zestystrat]

Sure, that's an option on the power amp, not on the no name speakers.

Clearly I didn't need to post here to just buy the same thing, thats always an option.

If there is something better that someone has tried, I'd like to check that out.

[soulohio]

K series by QSC or

those i Series by QSC if you need tour ready grunt and a better concert presence

both powred and sound great

edit: won't fit in your budget

so get some Yamaha Club series and power them with your own amp

[billm408]

We're using EAW's. Don't remember the model, but it's a 2 way 15" + horn. If I was running subs, I'd go with a 12's though. Great speakers.

[GCDEF]

I wouldn't go anywhere near that amp. Best bet would be used powered speakers. New Mackie Srm450s are $549 now I think. They'd be a decent option too.

behringer's got some new speakers that look interesting too.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ker?sku=600564

[Jazzydave]

I just picked up a set of JBL Eon G2s (powered) locally and they're fantastic for the application. You might check around and see if you can find any local deals. I have the 15"s and they're plenty loud enough - any louder and the venue better be supplying the PA!

Some simple powered speakers and a passive EQ should do the trick. There are tons of great "used" products out there by Mackie and the likes. Just because its not new and fancy with a ton of flashing lights doesn't mean its not good.

[loudboy]

Originally Posted by soulohio

so get some Yamaha Club series and power them with your own amp

Pair of Clubs w/12s, and a used QSC PLX series 2402 would be a really sweet rig. You'd still have a spare channel for a pair of monitors, too.

[waxnsteel]

Originally Posted by billm408

We're using EAW's. Don't remember the model, but it's a 2 way 15" + horn. If I was running subs, I'd go with a 12's though. Great speakers.

On his budget, he gets one speaker.

[zestystrat]

Thx everyone for the suggestions. Please keep them coming.

[m@2]

Best bet would be used powered speakers

thats the route i went.

[Jazzydave]

They've already been mentioned but the Yamaha systems are really great for the price. There was a few setups with a powered mixer, speakers, stands, cables, etc for around $600 on craigslist recently. I used an EMX powered mixer (I think it was the 8-ch one, was overkill for me!) while playing over in England. It worked great and was easy to set up.

Also, you might look into these. I was considering them until I found the JBLs. Depends on how many channels you need but...

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...uct=XP880-1502

or...

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...uct=XP880-LM15

or this one comes with the stands...

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...uct=RX800-1502

And I've been hearing GREAT things about these XR series...

http://www.music123.com/Peavey-XR-83...69688.Music123

and the Yamahas...

http://www.music123.com/Live-Sound-P...?src=yamaha+pa

And if you want to snag a good deal on some speaker stands w/o getting them in a packaged deal, show this ad to your local Guitar Center and make them cough up that price match plus 10% difference they advertise. For the bag and two stands, that's a pretty good deal. I just bought this set at my local GC and walked out of there paying around $84 for it. You can also just buy it from Music123 if you don't mind waiting - shipping is free!

http://www.music123.com/On-Stage-Sta...22798.Music123

On one last note, buying used is always a great way to save some cash but you also have to consider who had it before you. If it wreaks of smoke and boos, knobs are missing, and its seen some heavy use, I'd steer clear.

You can piece together a pretty decent system for under $1k (I've had to do it a few times over the last 10 yrs). Check all the major sites and see who has the best prices - shipping is a killer on this heavy equipment so that free shipping from music123 not only saves you quite a bit coming in but also taxes.

As much as I hate to say it, you might go to your local Guitar Center and say, I've got $1k and this is what I need. I'd probably roll with the Carvin, Peavey, or Yamaha packaged sets though - pretty good bang for your buck.

I hope this answers your question a little better!

[Roark]

PV stuff is good bang for the buck.

[Plague Dog]

Yamaha.
Bet quality for the buck you're going to find.

[bigroy]

We use JBL 12" 2-ways on sticks, powered with half of a QSC RMX 2450 amp and use the other half to drive 4 12" 2-way Yamaha monitors. We have a single Crest powered sub that we feed via an aux out on our Mackie 1604 mixer. Dual 15 band eq, and a TC FX unit. We only send some of the kick and bass and a tad of acoustic guitar to the sub. It's fairly light, portable and the sub at 1000w does a nice job in most small to mid sized rooms. Mostly bars, weddings, private parties. We carry a spare power amp in the trailer just in case.

We've even done a few small outdoor shows with good results.