Powered Speaker rec

sbmackie · #1 06-09-2019, 04:03 PM

Hello,
For open mic simplification and expansion:
Using a LB Artist for pre amp/effects/monitor. Sending post effects to a powered speaker on a stick.
Budget is sub $500 all in. Used is good. Lightness is good.
Recs?
Scott

GmanJeff · #2 06-09-2019, 04:35 PM

The EV ZxA1 is the lightest good quality powered speaker you'll find, and works well for vocal and guitar freqs. Can be used as a floor monitor later in a larger system.

keith.rogers · #3 06-09-2019, 04:50 PM

I'd look for a used QSC K10.2. I played a few times at an open mic (small-ish place) and that was the sole PA speaker. They sent everything through it, including the odd bass guitar.

Petty1818 · #4 06-09-2019, 05:35 PM

Original QSC K speaker. Either 10 or 12. Not a huge fan of version 2 which actually is good as the originals can be had for great prices.

Methos1979 · #5 06-09-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petty1818

Original QSC K speaker. Either 10 or 12. Not a huge fan of version 2 which actually is good as the originals can be had for great prices.

Just curious what it is about the .2's that you don't like compared to the originals?

ceciltguitar · #6 06-09-2019, 05:51 PM

You might like QSC CP8

YamahaGuy · #7 06-09-2019, 08:39 PM

Yamaha DBR12.

The Kid! · #8 06-09-2019, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GmanJeff

The EV ZxA1 is the lightest good quality powered speaker you'll find, and works well for vocal and guitar freqs. Can be used as a floor monitor later in a larger system.

Those are a solid choice.

Daniel Grenier · #9 06-10-2019, 04:12 AM

Consider, as mentioned above, a QSC CP8 at about $400. It’s got all you need.

Petty1818 · #10 06-10-2019, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methos1979

Just curious what it is about the .2's that you don't like compared to the originals?

The CP8 are a great recommendation. As for the .2's, I personally find they lack bass compared to the originals. I remember when version 2 first came out, people went on and on about how much clearer they sounded and how much better the bottom end was. I think it was a little bit of just being impressed by the whole package. However, I have auditioned the two versions side by side and spoken to a few dealers and the point often comes up that the originals are a bit warmer, with a nicer bottom end (especially if you click on the "deep" mode). Just my take away.

Rudy4 · #11 06-10-2019, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbmackie

Hello,
For open mic simplification and expansion:
Using a LB Artist for pre amp/effects/monitor. Sending post effects to a powered speaker on a stick.
Budget is sub $500 all in. Used is good. Lightness is good.
Recs?
Scott

Roland Cube Street EX with a single speaker stand.

https://www.roland.com/us/products/cube_street_ex/

You can call your preferred dealer and get in under your budget. Although billed as a "battery powered amp" if you have AC power available then it's even better.

jonfields45 · #12 06-10-2019, 10:13 AM

I think any of the lower end name brand (QSC, Yamaha, JBL, Makie, EV...) powered PA speakers will do the job. I like the CP8 but I understand EV has a new 8" model in the same price range that is even lighter.

For my money I would avoid a guitar amp. They are all quirky and if you like the quirks they are wonderful and if you don't... A simple flat frequency response with a few switchable options for floor monitor, pole mount, and external sub are all you really need. If you want to use the PA speaker without your amp (as I do) then a guitar preamp pedal will give you the missing knobs and effects. I've even stopped bringing our mixer to gigs. In the final analysis it was just another set of redundant volume, EQ, and effects controls to be mistakenly set wrong. We are using a TRS cable to put our guitars into the CP8's 3.5mm stereo input and an XLR Y-cable for the two (identical SM58) mics. We played a huge outdoors gig last Friday set up this way and even with the 6 dB hit for the XLR Y-cable we still had plenty of headroom to set the mics as loud as required.

fitness1 · #13 06-10-2019, 10:18 AM

I've been VERY happy with all the Alto gear I've been using over the last few years.

TS212 or 312 on a stand will go a long way

Sound great and not that heavy at all.

The Kid! · #14 06-10-2019, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petty1818

The CP8 are a great recommendation. As for the .2's, I personally find they lack bass compared to the originals. I remember when version 2 first came out, people went on and on about how much clearer they sounded and how much better the bottom end was. I think it was a little bit of just being impressed by the whole package. However, I have auditioned the two versions side by side and spoken to a few dealers and the point often comes up that the originals are a bit warmer, with a nicer bottom end (especially if you click on the "deep" mode). Just my take away.

That deep mode is the worst feature on those speakers, IMO.

zhunter · #15 06-10-2019, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Kid!

That deep mode is the worst feature on those speakers, IMO.

I guess it depends on whether they are pushed much but I'm a say no to the deep mode. I don't think even the 12" speakers can handle the deep mode content. While we are not a loud rock band, we do play with some level. At our volumes, deep adds a murky quality to my ear. It might work at really low volume though. Kind of like a loudness button on a stereo.

That is why they put it on a switch.

hunter