I've been looking and there is just so much stuff out there, anyone recommend something that isn't overkill for a band that really just needs to power vocals and bass/drum backing tracks at performance volume? I've been looking at the Peavey 15 inch speakers, a QSC power amp, and just a budget Behringer mixer. Trying to keep it under $500 (used value). Thanks dudes
PA systems
- Thread starter lordofthestring
- Start date
ChrisTanakaCanwell
Member
The Behringer Xenyx mixers are fine for what you're doing. Stay away from the older Eurorack stuff if you can though. Also if you want to save more money you could get a Behringer EP2000 or 4000 instead of the QSC amp as the Behringers are essentially the same thing. I'm sure if you were doing some serious sound reinforcement there would be a noticeable difference but for a practice PA it should be good enough.
raisedfist
Member
Although I think a few Behringer things are ok I would steer away from them if possible. I work as a sound engineer in a theatre and we have a load of different PAs through the door all year round and the Behringer montiors and speakers seem to be the budget ones with the most problems from broken power buttons, intermittent power offs etc etc etc. The cheaper stuff which I have seen a bit more of and seems a bit more solid is LD systems, Tapco or Mackie thump, and even some studio spares passive speakers with a QSC power amp which were actually not too bad.
arv_foh
Brian K
I have 2 Behringer EP4000 power amps in my mains at my venue, and they have been taking a beating for 2 years and never quit once during a show... the rest of their shit I can't speak for but their amps are definitely solid
honestly OP, you should increase your budget to $1000 or so and buy some decent gear instead of an underpowered system that you are probably going to blow because it won't be loud enough until you clip the speakers. You're really limiting yourself to "not much" with a $500 budget
if I were you I'd buy a small mixer, and 2 Mackie SRM450s and be done with it. They are powered cabinets, compact, fucking loud, and sound great.
or you could do something like this... Behringer EP2000 and 2 Yamaha Club Series S112V's
when you're matching amps with speakers, pay attention to the speaker's "program" rating, this is the amount of power the speakers are built to handle constantly. use less, you'll probably blow them by clipping the signal coming from the amp, use more and it won't hurt but you should probably turn the amp down so you don't damage the drivers. it's way better to have too much power than not enough.
sweetwater has a pretty kick ass 3 payment plan
fade_2_black
Member
I agree with arv_foh - you're better off investing the money into something that will last.
You wouldnt believe the number of people I've seen pick something up cheap (thinking it was a great idea at the time) and regret it.
In the past I used to work with some very mediocre gear but now after working with more professional systems I wouldn't go near that stuff again.
You'd also be suprised at the smaller systems put out by some of the better bands. For example, I'd pick a pair of EV SX300s on stands and a 18" powered sub (DAS or something) run on a P1200 over any Behringer or Peavy 2x15" + horn mid-highs. Dunno about where you are but if you know where to look in New Zealand you can land yourself a pair of second hand SX300s pretty cheap and they are great! Just wouldn't want to run anything below 80 through them so you would need a sub. But having said that, same goes for any double 15 and horn setup.
You wouldnt believe the number of people I've seen pick something up cheap (thinking it was a great idea at the time) and regret it.
In the past I used to work with some very mediocre gear but now after working with more professional systems I wouldn't go near that stuff again.
You'd also be suprised at the smaller systems put out by some of the better bands. For example, I'd pick a pair of EV SX300s on stands and a 18" powered sub (DAS or something) run on a P1200 over any Behringer or Peavy 2x15" + horn mid-highs. Dunno about where you are but if you know where to look in New Zealand you can land yourself a pair of second hand SX300s pretty cheap and they are great! Just wouldn't want to run anything below 80 through them so you would need a sub. But having said that, same goes for any double 15 and horn setup.
http://qsc.com/products/speakers/k_series/
We have these speakers at our school whenever we have small events that need some sound, and I was surprised how good these little things were. You wouldn't think they'd have so much bass...
We have these speakers at our school whenever we have small events that need some sound, and I was surprised how good these little things were. You wouldn't think they'd have so much bass...
Thanks for the info guys...I'm definitely aware of how to use and manage PA systems, I was just seeing which one was best for the buck. I wouldn't buy anything Behringer unless it was a mixer, just my opinion. I found two of those Mackie speakers that were recommended for $500, so that works perfect for me. I'll let you know how this turns out
