Audio noob needing help selecting speakers.

[dartdude3]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a magician and am about to purchase the Shure PG14/PG185 wireless lav microphone system. Now, I'm looking for some speakers to go with it.

I don't perform for large audiences often (and when I do there's usually already a system in place), so I think I'm looking for small-medium sized audience speakers (100-250 people). I'm looking for speakers that can deliver a good sound indoors, as well as outdoors during festivals/gatherings.

On another note, I'm planning on attempting to do some street performances in a city. I'm debating about whether or not to use speakers for this also. I'm looking for something that is fairly easy to carry, runs on batteries, and delivers more of a punch than my actual voice (I can project loud enough to work with a decent sized crowd, I just don't know if my voice will carry outdoors in a city.

I'm hoping to not spend more than $1,000 total (including the $350 I'll be spending for the Shure system). I don't perform often enough to break even on this purchase for a while, and spending any more isn't something that I want to do.

Now, I am MORE interested in the sound system for the street performances and am willing to spend a good amount on that. I know that over the summer I can break even on that purchase by "passing the hat" fairly quickly.

Preferrably, I'm looking for speakers from a company that is known for its quality. If the speaker can work on batteries AND plugged in (delivering a bigger punch plugged in), serving for both of my needs, I'd be a very happy camper.

Any advice, links, brand names of good systems would all be appreciated.

Thanks,
~David

[dartdude3]

Hey again,

I've been browsing around the forums and found some great deals on (removed link). The have a system by "Dual" for 30 bucks that I'm really tempted to get as a "starter" system and another system by Polk that's about $120 and looks like it would actually be good quality.

Anyone have any experience with the website and the quality of their products?

Thanks,
~David

[poppachubby]

dartdude3, I am going to assume your naivety here. The link you posted has been cited as spam and removed from the site. I removed it from your post, as we don't want to expose our membership to such links. I hope you'll understand and please, continue posting here at AR. Welcome!!

[harley .guy07]

I would look at the yamaha club series v speakers. they are affordable used and are very good speakers for the money when it comes to sound reinforcement. You could probably get away with a 15" 2 way pa monitor for starters at least that would be able to do the job and possibly add some subs like the club series v 18" subs just to take the bass load off of the monitors and with this combo I have heard real magic come from them in larger areas. Also don't overlook peavey they are very good for a person looking to get started in the sound reinforcement world.

[dartdude3]

Great! I looked into the Yamaha ones and didn't really like them. But, you gave Peavey a thumbs up, and I was already looking into the Escort 300 system. One of my friends also uses the Fender Passport 300 and highly recommended it. So I think I'll pick between those two unless someone has any other suggestions?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations/opinions on a portable, battery-operated system? OR would using a heavy-duty battery with either the Escort 300/Passport 300 be my best bet?

Thanks!
~David

P.S. Thanks Poppachubby for removing the link. I knew it seemed too good to be true!

[Mr Peabody]

Fender makes good amps. You might want to also see what Electro Voice has to offer, excellent Pro gear.

[woofersus]

To be honest, I wouldn't recommend the Fender Passport system for anything larger than a crowd of maybe 50 people, and it doesn't sound that great. I also wouldn't spend any money on anything I've seen from Peavey since around 1992. I've seen the insides of those things, and it's not impressive.

For a small group of people, I'd be more inclined to buy a single, smaller, higher quality piece of gear. Since your voice is a mono source anyway, you could consider a keyboard amp with built-in mic pres, eq, effects, etc. like those from Roland - or even simpler - a powered PA speaker with a built-in mic pre like the Mackie SRM450 or the JBL EON. (I prefer the Mackie as it's both smaller and more dynamic)

For larger groups you'll need more oomph, but I still like the SRM450's for a small venue unless you need multiple sources. You can use multiple SRM450's or EON's with a small mixer (some decent cheapo ones from Behringer) for a quality portable system. QSC also makes some quality powered speakers that you could use for that purpose. If you really want to use a powered mixer vs. powered speakers, you should probably look at the Yamaha models since they occupy the unique position of being just nice enough not to be crap and anything better is twice as much. The Yamaha club series speakers do offer good bang for the buck, but there are several options. You could look at the JBL JRX series passive speakers and the Mackie C300's. EV used to make some smaller versions of their SX series speakers that you may be able to find used cheap enough to pair them with a powered sub. The SX100's are a little too expensive too consider for a system targeted at $1k.