OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
- Thread starter Aceman
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ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
My rig is
Two powered Carvin PA15s and two powered Carvin PA12s
I just got a Behringer X18R digital PA
It's just awesome
I can send all 18 channels back to the pc individually thru the USB
It has bass and guitar amp models
It is loaded with presets and effect models
Mine has XLR outs but you can get the X18 with 1/4 inch outs that's not rack mount but sits on a tabletop
For about half the price
My rig is
Two powered Carvin PA15s and two powered Carvin PA12s
I just got a Behringer X18R digital PA
It's just awesome
I can send all 18 channels back to the pc individually thru the USB
It has bass and guitar amp models
It is loaded with presets and effect models
Mine has XLR outs but you can get the X18 with 1/4 inch outs that's not rack mount but sits on a tabletop
For about half the price
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
I disagree
My XR18R offers six aux outputs besides the two mains
The aux outputs can be set up for personal monitors for each musician
Powered speakers just simplify setup
My Carvins have a four band eq that I set to center and let the pa do that function
Each speaker has a 400 watt power amp to drive itself
Peavey makes a big two 15 powered speaker that I believe will power one more unpowered speaker as well
Oh yeah my Carvins weigh in at 36 pound and 32 pound respectively
But you are welcome to your opinion
Ace
I would recommend staying away from the Harbinger speakers
Although I know some folks who use them and like them
I disagree
My XR18R offers six aux outputs besides the two mains
The aux outputs can be set up for personal monitors for each musician
Powered speakers just simplify setup
My Carvins have a four band eq that I set to center and let the pa do that function
Each speaker has a 400 watt power amp to drive itself
Peavey makes a big two 15 powered speaker that I believe will power one more unpowered speaker as well
Oh yeah my Carvins weigh in at 36 pound and 32 pound respectively
But you are welcome to your opinion
Ace
I would recommend staying away from the Harbinger speakers
Although I know some folks who use them and like them
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
Ehh.....opinion does not always enter into it....but i thank you for allowing me to have mine.
For a smallish Band/Room, you may very well be right.....especially if you ARE doing it that way. I would think as the number of speakers and monitors increases, the powered speakers would become less attractive.
But i may be stuck in the "past".
I would also have guessed wrong at the weight of your units. That is pretty light indeed. I stumbled onto
a Carvin Rep at NAMM a few years back when he was not very busy. Their Bass/PA gear IS impressive.
It was sad to see Peavey go the direction they did.....but maybe they still make great PA gear.?
good luck
We used a pair of Behringer 15's for may years that never quit.....and they traveled a lot. We might have just gotten lucky with the 4 speakers we had. There always seems to be a big divide of opinion on them.....if i had to guess i would think Carvin was just about always a better choice.
Ehh.....opinion does not always enter into it....but i thank you for allowing me to have mine.
For a smallish Band/Room, you may very well be right.....especially if you ARE doing it that way. I would think as the number of speakers and monitors increases, the powered speakers would become less attractive.
But i may be stuck in the "past".
I would also have guessed wrong at the weight of your units. That is pretty light indeed. I stumbled onto
a Carvin Rep at NAMM a few years back when he was not very busy. Their Bass/PA gear IS impressive.
It was sad to see Peavey go the direction they did.....but maybe they still make great PA gear.?
good luck
We used a pair of Behringer 15's for may years that never quit.....and they traveled a lot. We might have just gotten lucky with the 4 speakers we had. There always seems to be a big divide of opinion on them.....if i had to guess i would think Carvin was just about always a better choice.
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PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
So you want to show up with a PA even at venues that provide PA? Did you have a bad experience recently?
So you want to show up with a PA even at venues that provide PA? Did you have a bad experience recently?
SlyFoxx
Glossless
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
I'm with zz. Once you get past two speakers separate amps and speakers makes more sense.
EDIT...had to leave the house for a bit.
1) I don't find running two cords to each speaker makes things simple.
2) Good speakers tend to last longer than amplifiers.
3) Knobs on active speakers get moved/broken and sometimes you get into one knob/button menu/options LCD screen hell. A case(s) of power amps plus any other processing (X-over, comp, EQ) puts all those controls in one place, not all over the stage and in the case of monitors, on the floor. Plus, after the gig the rack cover goes back on so controls don't get to moving/broken. Next gig...open the rack and walla...everything is right where you left it...at least 99% of the time. Patch in, power up and go.
4) Separate amps/processors are easier to maintain. Pop the cover once a year...blow out the crud and clean all the contacts.
I will admit my way will probably cost you 25% more in the short run. I recommend Allen&Heath mixers, EV speakers, Crown power and dbx processing.
I'm with zz. Once you get past two speakers separate amps and speakers makes more sense.
EDIT...had to leave the house for a bit.
1) I don't find running two cords to each speaker makes things simple.
2) Good speakers tend to last longer than amplifiers.
3) Knobs on active speakers get moved/broken and sometimes you get into one knob/button menu/options LCD screen hell. A case(s) of power amps plus any other processing (X-over, comp, EQ) puts all those controls in one place, not all over the stage and in the case of monitors, on the floor. Plus, after the gig the rack cover goes back on so controls don't get to moving/broken. Next gig...open the rack and walla...everything is right where you left it...at least 99% of the time. Patch in, power up and go.
4) Separate amps/processors are easier to maintain. Pop the cover once a year...blow out the crud and clean all the contacts.
I will admit my way will probably cost you 25% more in the short run. I recommend Allen&Heath mixers, EV speakers, Crown power and dbx processing.
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ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
I'm not sure I understand where the disconnect is
You guys do know that the powered speakers have a signal in AND a signal out
Where the mains can daisy chain to as many speakers as decorum permits
Each one with its own power
In theory, one could encircle a stadium
I can't grasp the reasoning
I'm not sure I understand where the disconnect is
You guys do know that the powered speakers have a signal in AND a signal out
Where the mains can daisy chain to as many speakers as decorum permits
Each one with its own power
In theory, one could encircle a stadium
I can't grasp the reasoning
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
But then someone has to run from speaker to speaker setting the levels?
But then someone has to run from speaker to speaker setting the levels?
Rand-O-Monium
New member
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
We've had "OK" luck w/teh JBLs,but if/when the amp goes,you gotta ship the whole GD thing.
If it was "my" system,I'd prolly go separates for that reason alone.
.02
We've had "OK" luck w/teh JBLs,but if/when the amp goes,you gotta ship the whole GD thing.
If it was "my" system,I'd prolly go separates for that reason alone.
.02
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
i run an all passive setup but its cause i started that way. if i had to do over again, i might do it differently only cause the weight. good passive gear sounds better to me than good class d active stuff. not cause the speakers, but cause the power. old school big heavy power amps sound better to me than digital stuff when pushed. but hauling heavy stuff sucks. your choice.
having your own pa doesnt mean you shouldnt have a sound guy, it always makes a difference. no sound man worth his salt will set the pa and leave it like that the whole show
i run an all passive setup but its cause i started that way. if i had to do over again, i might do it differently only cause the weight. good passive gear sounds better to me than good class d active stuff. not cause the speakers, but cause the power. old school big heavy power amps sound better to me than digital stuff when pushed. but hauling heavy stuff sucks. your choice.
having your own pa doesnt mean you shouldnt have a sound guy, it always makes a difference. no sound man worth his salt will set the pa and leave it like that the whole show
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
curious why you say that dave? i know a few people who love their bose stuff. dont think it would suit acebobs band but for less bombastic stuff they seem to work fine. i have never owned one, nor will i since i already have way more pa stuff than i should
curious why you say that dave? i know a few people who love their bose stuff. dont think it would suit acebobs band but for less bombastic stuff they seem to work fine. i have never owned one, nor will i since i already have way more pa stuff than i should
Progbusters
New member
Re: OK - seriously thinking powered speakers for the band
i hope they improve the technology. I heard some powered PA guitars at the Babymetal show in San Fran. They're a big time act so they must have great rig - but it sounded flat.
i hope they improve the technology. I heard some powered PA guitars at the Babymetal show in San Fran. They're a big time act so they must have great rig - but it sounded flat.
