Speaker Recommendations for Pa3x

Gnashetta · Post by **Gnashetta** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:54 pm

Hi,

I've recently begun playing in a 5-piece band. At the moment I'm using a small Bose Compact L1 for amplification, but was wondering (since the Pa3x is a stereo keyboard), whether to either buy another Bose Compact to utilise the stereo imaging effect, or alternatively whether to opt for a different speaker set-up. My dealer tells me, two JBL EONS would sound great?

Unfortunately, I'm not too trusting of dealers these days (for example one will tell me that my present Bose set-up is great, while another dealer tells me they are so bad they won't give them shop space).

As I'm not very knowledgable, I was wondering if any of the more experienced users of this forum could give me some thoughts and/or advice on what set-up to consider.

Paula

DonM · Post by **DonM** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:12 am

I've been using two Compacts for a couple of years now. I love them, and haven't found any job they won't handle. I play 5-6 nights a week, and have for 30 years.
Before that I had two of the original Bose L1 systems. After getting the Compacts, i never used them again, because I didn't want to carry them around.
I believe there is nothing on the market that can compare favorably with Bose.
One Compact will handle most of the jobs I do, but two sound so wonderful, that I always use them. Besides, I have a backup in place should something go wrong with one of them.
If I were you, the choice would be to continue using one Compact, or get a second one. I had JBL Eons and I find the Bose are much more suitable for what I do.
Hope this helps.
DonM
www.donmasonmusic.com

keysman · Post by **keysman** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:50 pm

I have recently purchased a Samson PA set up & I have to say the sound is absolutely fantastic. 500w RMS from each channel, plenty of power for reasonable sized gigs

The gear is actualy supplied by Korg so it compliments the Pa3X.
Hope you find what you are looking for but these are worth a look.
Cheers
John.

http://www.samsontech.com/samson/produc ... o/aurod15/

http://www.samsontech.com/samson/produc ... txm/txm16/

Gnashetta · Post by **Gnashetta** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:52 am

Thanks Keysman,

I was thinking about active speakers (my fault for not saying).

I checked out your link and these are passive speakers, but clicking some more links took me to The Samson Auro D415 (much cheaper than the JBLs my dealer recommends though heavier).

Thanks for 'throwing this one into the pot' (hadn't thought about Samson until you mentioned them).

All comments/advice will be invaluable to me in ultimately making a decision.

So thanks again for this help and info'.

Paula

Lanco · Post by **Lanco** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:04 am

Hi Don

How big a crowd/hall do you feel 2 Bose Compacts can handle?

stephenm52 · Post by **stephenm52** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:17 pm

I use a Bose Compact with my Pa3x. I'm very happy with the single Bose unit, but then again I only play a few gigs each month. Like Don I had the original Bose Model L1. Once I got the compact never had a need for the original Bose. My largest audiences are about 100 people.

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:46 pm

The tricky thing about running a true stereo rig is that some instruments, like piano, are panned bass left - treble right. It adds to the realism in headphones but not in audience perceptions unless your speakers are not more than ~10 feet apart (think a big steinway grand) -- wide separation means half the audience won't hear your right hand piano parts over the thud of your left.

That said, having a second speaker for more coverage in a live rig is a good thing. And I highly recommend getting a B-2 bass extension if you're looking to maximize your sound. Having better low end response really fills out your sound and its the one place that the L-1 and Compacts need the most help.

If you are happy with the Compacts, by all means stick with what you like.

I have a JBL Eon (1st gen) system that I'm happy with, but I know its limitations. It's good for playing in one direction (away from stage) and higher volumes but if you're not in a band with a true FOH/front line then it may not be for you. The only true advantage it has over the Bose is price.

I think the bose monitors (any of them) really shine in a surround scenario, like if you play piano in the middle of a bar or if you need to project to the extreme left and right as well as center. If you have gigs like that, or low volume gigs that you still want good penetration for, then stick with the Bose system.

BB

the_boss81 · Post by **the_boss81** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 10:12 am

Hi,
I can't understand it - you all buy so good, expensive keys - and spoil the outcome with toys PA like EON etc.
BR

billbaker · Post by **billbaker** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:22 am

I play with a band that has full front of house tri-amped non-"toy" PA

It scares the crap out of every wedding planner that's ever seen us haul it in. It takes 3 or 4 guys between 1/2 hour to a full hour to get in place, wired up, wrung out and sound checked. It sounds great, and we've never had a complaint once we've started playing.

But you aren't always playing for 500 or 1000 people, sometimes its 20 or 50. That "good" system is complete overkill.

For small or solo gigs I'M the only one moving gear. I will go for my "toy" eons any time. Two eons on sticks and a powered sub can handle just about any room up to ~150/200 guests. Most of the sound goes where you aim it -- namely the dance floor -- and not much further. Perfect.

My eons are close to 10 years old and aside from replacing one tweeter that got ruined when it got completely soaked in the rain at an outdoor gig I've had no problems with performance or reliability.

If that's a "toy", I'll take 4 more like it.

BB

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 4:06 pm

I use two (old version) JBL EON 10s (on my workstation; not an arranger, but that really does not matter much).

However, I use them as monitor, as PA system I suggest using at least a 15" version, optionally added with a sub woofer (depending on the music).

They are very light and active speakers ... of course you can use a non 'toy' PA system, but as said before, depends on the space you need to fill with music.

the_boss81 · Post by **the_boss81** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:34 pm

Billbaker, I understand you...
But with a better PA you could have more fun, more details etc. better sound from your expensive Keys & vocals of course. But its of course your case - BR

liongold · Post by **liongold** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:20 am

Since the sound spectrum is so vast in all arrangers, would a good 3-way system sound cleaner than a 2-way? A friend has Peavey SP-5s over PV 118 subs powered by a Peavey 8600 and a Peavey 1500 power amp. He wants to go to a pair of QSC KW 153s(active) to replace everything. He wants his new 3x to sound as good as possible, so I told him the gang on the forum could heip him out. Any suggestions?
Liongold

the_boss81 · Post by **the_boss81** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:52 pm

A 3 way system is only a compromise if he will only have 2 Boxes and play "full range" - but it can not replace everything (a sub-sat system).
If 2 or 3 way - its only a sat speaker - both create a full system only with sub(s). - for real full range - BR