Portable PA system for PA800

oracle · Post by **oracle** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:02 pm

Friends, need your advice. I'm looking to buy an ultra-portable PA system to serve as an amplifier for my PA800 and accommodate a guitar and two mics.

This is for fun playing not to earn money so here's my search criteria by order:

- Portability and size
- Easy on the pocket
- Good sound quality (last but still counts)

also, what's the advantage of having two speakers here? don't mind something that works on one speaker and grows someday to twins.

thanks

Reuben · Post by **Reuben** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:55 am

Hi,
This discussion on the M50 forum may help:http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... ht=#296440
Ive got the Yamaha Stagepass300 and am very happy with it.
All the best,
John

Rob Sherratt · Post by **Rob Sherratt** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 12:29 pm

Likewise, I think for portability and value for money my StagePas 300 system is excellent. In my opinion it is the best 150 watt per channel system on the market, and it's very handy being able to use the amplifier/mixer either inside the cabinet or mounted separately. Very good sound quality that rivals my predecessor speakers which were Alesis Studio Monitor M510's. If there is a deficiency with the StagePas 300, the internal fan can be noisy if the box is mounted vertically inside the speaker cabinet. If the box is separated from the speaker and is mounted horizontally, there is no problem.

I would have a slight preference for the StagePas 500 system which is not much heavier but delivers 250 watts RMS per channel, and the speaker "top hat" connectors are integral to the cabinets. With the StagePas 300, you have to buy bolt-on "top hats" if you want to mount the speakers on speaker poles. And then the StagePas 300 speakers don't fit in the Yamaha wheelie case unless you remove the Top Hat connectors first.

Best regards,
Rob

oracle · Post by **oracle** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:11 pm

Thanks guys,

Rob, I checked the specs on the StagePas 300 and the speakers sure are small, clean and powerful exactly as you said (I drew the dimensions of the rolling case on my white-board and was impressed by the small size when everything is compacted together). Only confusion I have is the "top hats" issue that you raised. Do you mean by "top-hats" as the mounts in this picture?
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Con ... 6811&CTID=

Is this the same Yamaha rolling case that you were referring to? not sure but it looks like they managed to pack everything with mounts. Maybe I didn't understand the "top-hot" term.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-YBSP ... 1152473.gc

Thanks Reuben, reading through the posted thread I came across someone who tried the M50 through a home stereo. I smiled because I was tempted once to put the keyboard through my Harman Kardon AV Reciever and high-end home theater speakers. Just too afraid to even try to hear how it would sound.

eamon · Post by **eamon** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:57 pm

The Yamaha Stage Pass 300 is good & the 500 is an excellent but heavy kit. I have the 300 myself - but I rate it as a compromise. Note the EQ has no Mid control, which is necessary to inhance the right hand - i.e. piano. Where I know there is EQ available on the PA800 to me it's just not sufficent with the PA800. Let me suggest a pair of Peavey PR 10 speakers. They are a two-way speaker system that are lightweight yet rugged for live music or speech applications and will handle 400 watts program and 800 watts peak at about $150.00 amazing price & sound. Now find a cheapish 200 watt (or higher if possible) power amp & small unpowered mixer or a 4 channell (or higher if possible) powerd amp at a good price. Another possibility is to just use an unpowerd mixer on top of the PA800 into the Stagepass 300 for your keyboards. This way you have volume, Bass, Mid, Treb @ your fingertips. The other members can plug in direct to the Yamaha directly & your sorted. You can also use the 4 outputs from your PA800 into the small mixer into the Stagepass for splitting your layers. Enjoy the buzz.

Rob Sherratt · Post by **Rob Sherratt** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:47 pm

Hi oracle,

I may have used the wrong term. Yes those stand adapters are what I meant. They are bolt-on extras for the StagePas300 but the StagePas500 speakers have speaker stand mounts built-in. Also the transport case you found is similar to the one I have but mine is too small to transport the speakers with stand adapter connected. Maybe they fixed the design.

Hi eamon,

Yes there are a few facilities missing from the StagePas300 mixer/amp, and I might at some point purchase a different mixer/amp when I can afford to do so. The thing that really bugs me is the noise from the fan on the Stagepas300 mixer amp. I really want one with a monitor bus, three band EQ on each channel, and pan on each channel, plus no fan. However I will keep the StagePas300 speakers which I think are great value and good performance. I've been drooling over the Behringer PMP1000 mixer/amp, at 289 Euros from Thomann, and I'd appreciate comments from anyone who has one.

Best regards,
Rob

eamon · Post by **eamon** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:51 am

Hi Bob, most amps will have a fan. However it's the continuous running that can be annoying with the StagePas but only in silent venues such as church ceremonies or conference settings. But it's inaudible in a gigging situation. I use Dynacord 600 & 1000 Powermate desks with Dynacord Delite Speakers & the StagePas for vocal/instrument monitors. The 600 has one fan, & the 1000 has two fans, but they are triggered only when the desk requires cooling. Top of the range gear, but still annoying fan noises given the venue & application. A separate powered amp with a heat-sync grill along with an unpowered mixer is the only way of avoiding a fan noise cutting in/out, or whirring all the time. The Behringer has a fan. Note that it’s power: 2x 250W/4 Ohm. Unless you purchase 4 ohm speakers you’re only going to get 2x125 watts from it. Not enough for the most tame gigging situation. The Peavey PR10 @ €163.00 (n.b. they are 8Ohms) & the Behringer PMP100 Mixer/Amp @ €289.00 = Total: €452.00. The StagePas 300 = €511.00. So if starting new it’s worth it to keep searching for the perfect match. A more powerful desk here & your in business. IMO for what it’s worth, Behringer is not the reliable equipment. Check this out, not a desk configuration, but look @ the specs for very little extra: Soundcraft Gigrac 1000 ST Powered Mixer, OR Yamaha EMX 512 SC, Powermixer. I think it's worth waiting for the right head & speakers as seperates if at all possible.

Rockitman · Post by **Rockitman** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 4:24 pm

Rob, I have the PMP5000 which I mostly use for a full band practice or small venue. It works great and sounds good. The only thing I do not like is there is an audible pop in the speakers when you turn the unit on, even with the master fader down. (There is no mute at power up, like most powered mixers/heads have) Beyond that it has great features for the money.

oracle · Post by **oracle** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:50 pm

Has anyone tried the Fender Passport Deluxe 250 or the 150?

If so how does it compare to the Yamaha Stagepas 300?

thanks,

paul · Post by **paul** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:11 am

oracle wrote:Has anyone tried the Fender Passport Deluxe 250 or the 150?

If so how does it compare to the Yamaha Stagepas 300?

thanks,

I use the Yamaha stagepas 300.......sounds really great. I have added
a sub woofer.........its awesome.

Paul

elvisron · Post by **elvisron** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 12:59 pm

Try the Bose L1 compact.

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/sho ... /index.jsp

Ron.

a.schemkes · Post by **a.schemkes** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 4:58 pm

elvisron wrote:Try the Bose L1 compact.

Ron.

He's on a budget.... this is real expensive,.

try some EV ZX1 with any powered low budget mixer.

They are really small and lightweight

movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY15JOnCGj8

paul · Post by **paul** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:32 am

elvisron wrote:Try the Bose L1 compact.

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/sho ... /index.jsp

Ron.

I have used it once...and I WANT IT...

...but the price...

cheers

Paul