PA System Advice

[MagicMusic]

I am starting out new after a 4 / 5 year absence from the mobile disco world and I have a budget of around £1000 for my PA.

I am getting lost trying to decide what to buy (:bang: ) and wondered if any of you guys could recommend a reliable amp / speaker combination.

In the past I used mostly crappy gear and spent the night stressing about whether the amp was gonna blow or not, this is something I want to avoid!

I understand the theory behind live sound but we all know that where audio equipment is concerned, tech specs often don't actually paint a true picture and I would appreciate the benefit of your experience.

I have considered a pair of JBL Jrx125's but I am leaning toward having seperate top and subs. Perhaps this is because this is what I was taught at college i'm not sure.

I need a loud system which can handle house and techno music but is also suitable for the cheesy pop and golden oldies :)

All help is greatly appreciated,

Thanks in advance,

Charlie.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

All im gonna say is...................can of worms :D

Does it have to be speaker/amp combo...or would you consider powered speakers?

[Jiggles]

Do a search on the forum. There's plenty of threads about it.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Do a search on the forum. There's plenty of threads about it.

Generally I agree callum...but have you tried searching for something as generic as this when your new to the forum. I lost the will to live looking for threads when i first joined :)

[Jiggles]

You have to start somewhere. If he gets an idea from them and works from there. :)

[DJMaxG]

JBL, RCF, Peavey, EV etc are some of the top names, so therefore reliable or their reputation wouldn't be so high.

Lighting : I Prefer LED, the most modern - no bulbs to blow etc

I'm sure if you post a list of what you aim to purchase, our fellow members will be say whether it's worth getting or not.

JRXs are pretty good as they're made by JBL, obviously.


If you use Powered/Active/Amplified Speakers, then you can easily add or remove a speaker without being concerned about ohms law, blowing it, underpowering, overpowering or bridging etc.

For the 1k budget, you won't get much.

It might be worth just going with a single active sub woofer, and passive/active top cabs.

[djsteve10]

JBL, RCF, Peavey, EV etc are some of the top names, so therefore reliable or their reputation wouldn't be so high.

Lighting : I Prefer LED, the most modern - no bulbs to blow etc

I'm sure if you post a list of what you aim to purchase, our fellow members will be say whether it's worth getting or not.

JRXs are pretty good as they're made by JBL, obviously.


If you use Powered/Active/Amplified Speakers, then you can easily add or remove a speaker without being concerned about ohms law, blowing it, underpowering, overpowering or bridging etc.

For the 1k budget, you won't get much.

It might be worth just going with a single active sub woofer, and passive/active top cabs.

Another quality post by Max here,

So where does LED lighting come into speaker purchasing??

And I have heard the JBL JRX125's and they don't sound bad at all but I will say that they are heavy cabs so if you work in venues that has bad access or stairs then maybe take a look at seperate subs and tops. For a budget of £1000 for subs and tops your best bet is Class D Design LTD.

[DJ Frankie]

Personally im a big fan of RCF, have had the ART 300 passive speakers for more than 10 years now and (Touch Wood) have never let me down. You would even be able to pick up a Active pair i would imagine within your price range.

[MagicMusic]

Cheers for the info so far people. I did try and found out as much as possible by searching the forum but that only added to the :bang: factor!

The main reason for considering those JBL's was that i might be able to get a pair on the cheap from someone I know.

I am now leaning towards active speakers having spoken to a few folk in the shops in town. I'm thinking 2 tops and 2 subs.


The best way I can put it is this, all the taxi drivers in glasgow drive Skoda's now, they aint flash and they certainly dont carry any kudos in the style stakes but they are reliable and work almost all of the time hence why they get used.

I guess I'm asking if there is a particular brand or series which fits (loosely i can move) my budget.

Sound is the most important thing to me and i want to get it right. If that means spending extra then fine I'm cool with that it just means I'll have less cash for bells and whistles.


What do you guys think of the Wharfedale Pro ranges? I've noticed them bundled in PA packages and the guy who was helping me in the shop today recommended them.

Thanks for the help, keep it coming :)

Charlie.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

My advice would be to get along to the glasgow sound centre which is in anderston just of argyll street,You will get to try different systems before you buy.this i find is a must before you part with your cash

I find they are very helpful

They do the mc gregor mytec range along with plenty of others.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Its been said a few times before but speaker quality is in the ear of the beholder. As gary (Soundmaster) has said, you best bet is going and having a listen...which you should be doa s Glasgow isnt exactly the sticks :)

[Sapphire Disco]

Take a look at these I use Studiomaster and would only ever change for RCF

http://www.desgreymusic.co.uk/speakers/studiomaster-3/studiomaster-vsx15sub-15-subwoofer.html
http://www.desgreymusic.co.uk/speakers/studiomaster-3/studiomaster-vpx12-12-active-speaker.html

[MagicMusic]

My advice would be to get along to the glasgow sound centre which is in anderston just of argyll street,You will get to try different systems before you buy.this i find is a must before you part with your cash

I find they are very helpful

They do the mc gregor mytec range along with plenty of others.

:approve:

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. Having visited the Glasgow Sound Centre and checked out the McGregor speakers I can't see past them.

The sound quality is fantastic and you get loads of power. The system I'm going for actually had my jacket vibrating all over the place.

I demo'ed a hard dance track and a Michael Buble track and they both sounded great, deep, well reproduced bass and crystal clear even at a really high level.

The speakers are really light and I was amazed at how light the bass bins are. Its nice that they are a British company too.

Thanks,

Charlie.