Should I buy Amplifier or a powered monitor

[dhoom.more]

Hello to all the smart people here!

Just ordered PA4X-76! I am not a pro player.. Just a hobbyist. This is a huge upgrade from PA500 but I guess well worth.

Question: Just for a home use and Jazz party, what is recommendation on speakers?
- A Roland Amp? (Which is Mono)
- Powered monitors? Recommendations?

Thank you!

[karmathanever]

Hi dhoom.more

Firstly, congratulations on ordering this amazing keyboard.

If you are just playing at home, then a good Hi-Fi system might be OK.
I sometimes use my Denon stereo Hi-Fi with my Aaron speaker columns at home, but for performing I use 2 large 1000W powered speakers (not really for home/studio) - I do go via a mixer which has very good EQ adjustments (of course the PA4X itself has a great audio management feature (MaxxAudio)).
I would definitely recommend getting something that gives you stereo then you'll enjoy the full benefit of it.

Powered monitors are fine - make sure they produce/handle a good frequency range (EQ) so you can hear those rich deep basses and drums and also the higher frequency sounds.

I guess also that cost may be a factor and I am sure you'll get some good "brand/model" recommendations in this topic.

Cheers

Pete

[mintjamman]

+ 1 with Pete, Stereo is essential and I would avoid the Roland amps and plump for small venue/home gigs with 2 active 10 inch plus compression horns cabinets which will give you spread and power to cater for the situations you mention, many of these cabinets have design which also allows them to be used a monitors on the floor ( wedge ) they might come in handy if you need to play in a larger environment as they will act as monitors while your main signal is D-i,ed into a bigger sound system. This works as very flexible system more so than the likes of Korgs Pass sound system, Imho and might cost less or around the same for something decent.

[dhoom.more]

Thank you for the reply Pete and mintjamman!

I was looking for QSC K8 but seems to be out of my budget

Looking for something under $500.

May be something like Peavey PVi Portable Powered PA System. But not sure about quality I will get out of it.

More suggestions appreciated!

Thank you!

[kenackr]

I use ADAM 7 studio monitors for the quality sound and range they produce. They stay in my studio and never leave that room. If you have small children that can access the room, they may not be the best choice for you. They are open faced (no grill cloth) so there is nothing to block or deaden the sound, or kids carrying pointy objects.

As always for studio use, the speakers you use should be roughly at ear level so you hear sound that is as clean as it can be with minimal reflections or coloration. My monitors sit on stands to keep them off the floor and angled to make me as the apex of a triangle. My primary musical focus is to write songs, so I look for sound quality as opposed to entertainment quality gear.

[mintjamman]

Not knowing your country makes seletion difficult, The QSC products ae great and wluld be a good choice as would the new JBL Eon range cheaper than the QSCs or cheaper still but with good specs and features are the Alto range of speakers.

[dhoom.more]

Ended up purchasing https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/705/118280

I will let forum know how it performs for my needs as it may be useful for other hobbyist like me

[bud2]

For home use I use the speaker which fits on the keyboard it has a great sound far better than the speakers which come with the Yamaha. I would say it would probably do a small venue.

[dhoom.more]

@bud2: Do you use PaAs? If no what else fits on the keyboard? Curious!