Stereo (twin) RCA output from mixer to a mono speaker with XLR input.

[rth_discos]

PS. I often take one Polar to smaller functions, did so on Saturday. Worked well.

As I'm also a big fan of the column speakers (the Maui 5 was my weapon of choice), and their performance always surprises me, I doubt the OP can go too far wrong with one of these:

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and...PA-System/2WYE

Or, if volume really isn't needed, then the cheaper 8 inch sub version

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and...PA-System/63A2

Ticks all of the required boxes. Even has RCA inputs, so surely bonus points for that lol!

As a caveat, I've never heard one of these in action, but based on what we're comparing it against in terms of the speakers used so far, I can't see him going far wrong with one of these.

[Excalibur]

As I'm also a big fan of the column speakers (the Maui 5 was my weapon of choice), and their performance always surprises me, I doubt the OP can go too far wrong with one of these:

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and...PA-System/2WYE

Or, if volume really isn't needed, then the cheaper 8 inch sub version

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and...PA-System/63A2

Ticks all of the required boxes. Even has RCA inputs, so surely bonus points for that lol!

As a caveat, I've never heard one of these in action, but based on what we're comparing it against in terms of the speakers used so far, I can't see him going far wrong with one of these.

We're on the same page here Gavin. If we ignore fiscal constraints, we're spoilt for choice. I have heard the 410 and was impressed. For the money, it's in the frame. I think I wouldn't expect the 48 to hack it, but like you, I'd back the Maui 5 to do well. Any of the Mauis second hand, 5, 11 or 28 would be a strong contender.

Steve, I'd expect there's a good chance that the OP has a playout with RCA outputs, or even mini jack. Thus, the wish for RCA inputs on the speaker. Finding the cables to connect different flavours of sockets is the least of our worries, I'd say. XLR are fitted to Pro speakers for exactly the reasons you give, and as you say, a point often missed is that they often have a higher output than other connector types.

[Nakatomi]

Having heard & used active speakers of diferent makes & budgets over the years there's no way I'd trust any active cab that costs under £400 a side to work reliably at parties of up to 80 people at a reasonable volume.

Vonyx, Citronic, JBL, Ibiza Sound, KAM etc aren't what I consider JUNK as such, but when something is that cheap to buy new you have to consider that everything is built to a price target. If that price target is low, performance & longevity are going to suffer. Imagine a triangle with 'cheap' 'long lasting' and 'loud enough' on each side. You can only ever have 2 out of three.

As others have said, if you can't afford to buy a better make brand new, scour the used marketplaces (and dealers) for preloved kit.

My first active speakers were a pair of Mackie SRM450s (mark 1) I got from a geezer on Gumtree. They cost me £250 - less than a pair of brand new bottom rung speakers & I'm reliably informed are still going strong. At my first couple of gigs I used them with a mixer that had only RCA outputs & the sound was FINE.

That said, you should ideally always be using balanced audio going to your PA. I know you said you're not a 'pro' but what's wrong with acting a bit more pro?

If all your audio from Karafun is going through Windows (I sure hope you've disabled all system sounds BTW), you can get all sound to be output MONO no problem. In windows 10 & up (maybe 7 too I don't know) go to Ease of Access settings, find the Audio part & there you should see the 'Turn on mono audio' setting. Tadaaaaaaaaaaaa!


I normally work with stereo, but sometimes I only need one speaker or my speakers have to be set up too far apart for stereo to really work - in those cases I switch my MC7000 to mono on the back. Other times I might play a track in mono because it just sounds better that way. For that I use a free plugin DFX Monomaker. It's great for Motown, NS & Mr Brightside