I was looking at the following sound systems:
Fender Passport 250
Peavy Escost

I was told that they are powerful enough to cover a school hall or 500+ students.

I don't know how true it is but I hope to find out from actual users.

Has anyone used the above sound system for school shows? Or have you use other systems that are proven to be easy-to-setup and yet powerful?

I have a Fender Passport 250 and trust me... It will EASILY handle a room that big! This thing is powerful!


Lyndel

I use a Yamaha Stagepas 300. I bought it after directly comparing it to both the Fender P 250 and the Fender PD 250. First and most obvious was that I found the Yamaha Stage Pas 300 at $550 with quality speaker stands and carry bags. Speaker stands are a must for great sound quality. Secondly I actually found the Yamaha to have better sound output, depth and quality than even the Fender PD 250 which runs about $850 with speaker stands.

In Comparing the P 250 and the PD 250 there was little comparison. The PD 250 sounded much better in depth, bass and range. The P 250 just sounded a bit tinny.

THe 8" woofers of the Yamaha just deliver better depth and bass than the 6.5" main speakers of the fender units. The Yamaha amp is rated at 2 x 160 as the Fender 250 is rated at 2 X 125.

I actually find the Yamaha also easier to carry and load as it comes in two carry pieces that split the weight and allow you to walk balanced. The amp fits into the back of one of the speakers.

The PD 250 is one big heavy piece of equipment in it's snapped together carry position. Forget about any chatter you hear about the Fender PD 250 having Bose speakers as it is a rumor that has been perpetuated. Bose was consulted in integrating the speakers thus stretching the actual truth of "Bose integrated speakers".

If you can, go to an audio center that carries both and compare the difference in sound quality and depth. The price difference is a no brainer. I found Guitar Center to carry both Fender and Yamaha. Even the sales guy looked at me and said..."I don't think you even need my opinion do you?" after we listened to all 3 units. But I have to say I didn't buy it through them.

If you are interested in the Yamaha I suggest getting it thru aabaca at aabaca.com or musicbarn.com. This is the only place I know that offers the stagepas 300 w/speaker stands and carrying cases for a price of $550. The speaker stands are nice and heavy duty quality that could handle much larger speakers.

But if you are set on spending money in the fender range...I would suggest getting the Yamaha EMX series which at $750 will get you 450 watts of power...10" subs and enough sound to do a small outdoor concert. Personally, I went with the Stagepas and got myself a nice illusion with the savings.

I didn't even mention the Peavey Escort as it would be a stretch to get quality sound from it to cover a room of 500. It is better suited to library size venue and downward. ANd even then I would prefer something with more richness of sound. You can always turn the volume down but you can't turn the quality up.

Be careful when you hear about units that are "powerful enough to cover a school hall or 500+". Covering a group with "sound" is easy. Getting the people in the rear to hear a quality of sound similar to those in the front and middle is a whole other story(one reason stands are a must). Watching a magic show from the "cheap seats" is bad enough without having it sound like it's coming from a transistor radio.

I use the peavey escort in all my school shows and there have been several that were around or a little over 500 - I have never had a complaint about sound quality or people not being able to hear me clearly. I use the peavey escort with an icue2 and it works great and the sound is fine.

I alo have the Yamaha Stagepas 300 and am happy as heck with it. The first time that I used it was at a school. It was what the doctor ordered! I am really happy with it.


Best
Ray

I own the Fender 250 PD and the Yamaha StagePas. The Fender is my backup PA.

G0THIKE

Yes- it will cover a school easily. I use a Paso system which is not nearly as big or powerful and it works fine for 500. It also depends on WHO you ask!

I went around and found that there is this Fender Passport 250 JBL speakers.

The difference in that this set has JBL parts, which will improve the quality and more durable.

Anyone knows about this one?

I don't know about the JBL speakers, Joseph. I own the Fender Passport PD-250, and it will easily handle school shows in gyms or auditoriums. John is correct about the Fender speakers in the PD systems. They are not Bose, Fender just consulted Bose in developing the speakers. Having said that, there is a big difference in the standard Passport and the PD series. I listened to both and the PD-250 sounded much better, so I opted to buy it.

Regan

Yes, I believe PD-250 was the one that has JBL parts or something like that.

PD-250 is said to be able to cover up to 500 people, that's about 3 babminton courts size right?


I just saw a new Fender Passport and they call it Passport Deluxe PD-500. Can cover much more area and still weights the same!

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0691007000

The cost? At least $1000...


I may want to get that one. But I would like to know if you guys have actually used PD-250 in a school hall (high ceiling), 500+ students and the kids at the back can still hear you.

Joseph...

What you are asking is impossible to answer. No matter what system you have, it may or may not work as well as you want to to in certain buildings. For the most part a system like the 250 should be way more than what you'll ever need.

I understand what you mean.

Thanks for your feedback.

I use a PD250 and it will blast ppl away. It will fill up an auditorium with the speakers set at 5 and the stereo at 3 and sound great. Be careful with the EQ though - too much bass in this system turned up a load will cause distortion.

Joseph,

I have used my PD250 in a lot of different situations......from musical gigs in restaurants, gymnasiums, and outdoors, to magical gigs in small auditoriums and gymnasiums. I have evn used it twice in an arena situation. Of course my audience was seated in front of me, and in a fairly close proxemity, but there were lot's of things going on besides magic all around the place, and the ceilings of this place was unbelievably high. The Passport PD-250 has done fine in all these situations.

Regan

The passport 150 can handle a school system and is much lighter. I have both.

So... Anyone selling Passport 250 and they are willing to ship to Singapore???

There is a passport 250 for sale now in the sale section of the Café.

The Fender Passport Venue can cover schools too. It is a professional sound system that handles medium and large size crowds.