What is the lightest PA for busking, still acceptable quality?

[JimandJoni]

OK, small amplifiers don't have great sound quality, what do you think would be the best compromise to have some decent quality, possibility to connect guitar AND mic, and as less weight as possible? To go busking in relatively quiet places, no middle of the street kind of situation.
The smallest I am finding are PAs like Boss Cube or Roland Cube between 5 and 8 kg, the ideal would be something even lighter, like 2-3 kg that would fit in my smaller trolley. Is this just a dream?

[SpruceTop]

JBL Eon One Compact sounds good and is quite light in weight.

[dnf777]

Its not the lightest, nor cheapest, but if I were in the market for a portable amp/pa, not sure I could pass up the new Bose S1plus.

[capefisherman]

Originally Posted by dnf777

Its not the lightest, nor cheapest, but if I were in the market for a portable amp/pa, not sure I could pass up the new Bose S1plus.

+1 emphatically!

[Mobilemike]

QSC K8 on a stand. Killer sound and easy to carry.

[Guitars44me]

The QSC CP8s I just bought are amazing for only 21 pounds. But you would need a power supply and they weigh a few pounds, too…

NUX makes a cute little self powered monitor that weighs only 6 or 7 lbs.

Works OK for a LITTLE BOX.

Have fun

Paul

[Robin, Wales]

Have you thought about not using a p.a. at all for guitar or vocals for the type of quiet busking venue you outline in your post? You may want a guitar with a bit of "cut" like a cheap reso or acoustic archtop, but this is not necessary. My plywood 000 with medium strings will still do the job.

As well as less weight and hassle, the advantage of not using any pa kit is that, psychologically and physically, there's nothing between you and your audience. They come closer, they talk to you, and they put more cash in your case! And in some places there are laws against amplified music.

If you want to be really lightweight and mobile, going busking without an amp is certainly worth a try. But it does take a different mind set to play in public without the "comfort blanket" of a mic' and amp between you and the audience.

[EZYPIKINS]

If busking, I don't see the need for a PA anyway.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by EZYPIKINS

If busking, I don't see the need for a PA anyway.

Depends on the location and what background noise exists.
Try busking on a street in your city or town without amplification where there is traffic and see how that works for you. Try it even with amplification for that matter.

[Rudy4]

Cube Street checks the boxes and doesn't present any obstacle to separate you from your listeners if it's simply placed on the ground in tilt-back mode.

For your use it is plenty loud and sounds nice due to it's twin drivers and true stereo reverb and chorus.

I have owned the Cube Street in the past and used it for smaller gig situations, works fine. I now own and use a Cube EX because I'm using it in a larger band setting most of the time.

[Goat Mick]

A Bose S1 Pro or S1 Pro+ would be perfect for what you're wanting to do and would get you through most restaurant, coffeehouse and pub gigs as well. These are small, lightweight and very portable. You'll get best results if you use a small mixer with it, my preference is my EAE Gigmix because it's so dang small but a high quality mixer as well, however you will need power for the mixer. Busking, I wouldn't bother with the mixer but it makes normal gigs much easier.

[YamahaGuy]

I'll throw this one out there. It's not gonna be the loudest, but the Yamaha THR30IIA. It's got a rechargeable battery built in. The Line 6 GT-10 relay system works with it. And it has a mic input and reverb on the mic channel. Several effects for the guitar.

[nickfromny]

The EV Everse 8... 2 channels, battery powered, with effects built in.. 17lbs. Its a great sounding speaker. Way better than the Bose S1 that I own also

[wweiss]

At 14lbs the Bose S1Pro/Plus is the lightest.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by wweiss

At 14lbs the Bose S1Pro/Plus is the lightest.

Sorry, the Cube Street is 9 pounds 12 ounces.