Inexpensive PA recommendations?

[Ovibos]

Have y’all got recos for an inexpensive PA?

Going to use it for backyard movie nights, but also for jamming in the garage and playing backyard/block parties.


Needs:
- Stereo
- Powered
- 4+ channels
- Reverb
- Supports adding a vocal monitor
- Nice to have: portable, case, stands

Looking at stuff like Fender Passport, Yamaha StagePas 400i, Peavey Escort, etc.

What’s peoples’ experience with these or others?

I was looking at maybe used but a lot of them seem pretty rough, like it’s a piece of gear that doesn’t get love.

 

[WEDGE]

I have a Yamaha mono setup and I
like it. Easy to use and sounds good. Price was great when I got it compared to similar. Not full on pro stuff but for a versatile smaller set up (300 watts) it’s hard to beat. Setup is super quick too.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Another yes for Yamaha. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

A pro singer/teacher I know uses a Yamaha system and they’re pretty darn good.

They’re called Stagepas. Different kits, wattage etc.

 

[Black Plaid]

I wonder if this would work: https://mackie.com/products/srm-flex-portable-column-pa-system

Not sure if it's stereo or not, but seem to tick all the other boxes.

 

[Wakester]

The wife uses the Yamaha EMX 212s for karaoke and DJ. Plenty loud for what you want it for.

 

[Ovibos]

Somehow I also left off Behringer. Seems like a player?

 

[danktat]

I have a Harbinger set up. The board is passive and the speakers are active. (So a monitor would need to be active too).

Harbinger L1202FX You can manipulate 12 channels out of it. (4 XLRs). Has built in affects. I picked it up for under $100 on reverb.

Harbinger VARI V1012 These powered speaker were on one of those "Stupid Deal Of The Day" things for HALF PRICE from Musician's Friend. So I got them BOTH for a little over $200.


2 Mr. Dj SS250 Pro Adjustable Extending Height Tripod DJ PA Stage Speaker Stands Snagged for $40 on Reverb.

If you check the reviews, the main complaints are for DJ type use where there needs to be an extremely heavy bass response for hip hop style music. I find that it works fine for decent size venues for vocal stuff and some acoustic guitar stuff.

 

[RickP]

The best route is to go with a mixer and powered speakers/monitors. My suggestion is to think beyond what you need right now so you don’t waste money needing to replace equipment later.

Mixer: Go for something with plenty of inputs and enough aux outputs to give you a few individual monitor mixers, and with WiFi iPad control. Something like Behringer’s Rack 32 or Presonus 16.0.2 give you flexibility you won’t outgrow. Just depends on which form factor you like:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/X32Rack--behringer-x32-rack-digital-mixer
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SL1602USB--presonus-studiolive-16.02-usb-digital-mixer

Powered Speakers: Anything that provides enough juice for your needs. Something like this will take you anywhere you want to go, and can be converted to an awesome floor monitor if you go to larger PA gear in the future.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K12.2--qsc-k12.2-2000w-12-inch-powered-speaker

This may be a slight overspec for what you listed, but you won’t lack for function, won’t need to replace anything soon, and everything here can be integrated into a larger system when your need dictates.

Good luck!

 

[Deleted member 5962]

The best route is to go with a mixer and powered speakers/monitors. My suggestion is to think beyond what you need right now so you don’t waste money needing to replace equipment later.

Agree 100%. I do not want to offend anyone so please take this in the spirit it's intended. I'd avoid those super portable setups and get a small, but real setup. Small Yamaha and Soundcraft mixers are good, and RCF makes very good powered speakers that aren't that expensive. HD10s for example. Two of those and a Soundcraft small mixer like the one I have would be about a grand, and orders of magnitude better than the stuff (OP) mentioned. Heck, one HD10 and a Soundcraft mixer is barely over $500.

 

[Ovibos]

Agree 100%. I do not want to offend anyone so please take this in the spirit it's intended. I'd avoid those super portable setups and get a small, but real setup. Small Yamaha and Soundcraft mixers are good, and RCF makes very good powered speakers that aren't that expensive. HD10s for example. Two of those and a Soundcraft small mixer like the one I have would be about a grand, and orders of magnitude better than the stuff (OP) mentioned. Heck, one HD10 and a Soundcraft mixer is barely over $500.

Now you got me thinking.
I might go lower end on the speakers (Kustoms?) but hmm....

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Now you got me thinking.
I might go lower end on the speakers (Kustoms?) but hmm....

I got an ad today for $409 for an HD10. WORLDS better than the Kustom stuff. Buy used QSC, Yamaha or RCF and a good small mixer. Seriously. You'll be so far ahead of the game if you do.

 

[Ovibos]

I got an ad today for $409 for an HD10. WORLDS better than the Kustom stuff. Buy used QSC, Yamaha or RCF and a good small mixer. Seriously. You'll be so far ahead of the game if you do.

I know what used speaker cabs will smell like in advance. Pass.

 

[bodia]

I know what used speaker cabs will smell like in advance. Pass.

Actually, I’ve got a QSC CP8 that I was using with my Kemper. Upgraded to a Kemper Power Kabinet. QSC is lightly used, in my non-smoking basement only. Yours, if you want it, for a great price.

 

[Wakester]

I know what used speaker cabs will smell like in advance. Pass.

I have a set out in the garage that still reak of cigarettes and alcohol. They've been out there 12 years. (Insert puke emoji here)

 

[RickP]

I have a set out in the garage that still reak of cigarettes and alcohol. They've been out there 12 years. (Insert puke emoji here)

Closest I had…

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I know what used speaker cabs will smell like in advance. Pass.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1748222648...,osub=osub,crd=crd,segname=segname,chnl=mkcid

Wow... what a link! Good deal though.