Before anyone says, "Use the search engine," I know this general topic has been discussed. Having said that, I went out to a local music store to try out the Fender PD-150. I was expecting more in the volume area. Then I tried the Stagepass 300 -- more volume and not much more price.

My question. Of those of you who HAVE used either of these, what has been your experience. I'm wondering if either would produce enough sound to fill a gym with about 350 kids in it? I use music in my shows as well. Has anyone had a good experience with either of these in this type of environment?

This should be posted in F/X.

Hi Scott. I can only speak of the Fendor Passport 150 as I have one and have owned and used it in numerous shows over the past few years. Simply stated, I love it. It has not let me down yet. The 150 watt system packs enough of a punch. In fact I have played theaters of 500+ and also gyms full of kids with it and it has been plenty loud enough. In fact I did not even half to go anywhere near half volume to do it. The sound is good quality sound. It should certainly be more than adequate for a gym of 300+ kids.

I also like the fact that it is made well enough that it is easy to carry and set up. everything locking into each other works out wreally well for me and I can set up the full system with the speakers, stands, headset wireless mic and my music in under 10 minutes easily.

It gives you 3 main channels where you can plug most anything into and has your main stereo channel. This gives me plenty of leeway in how I want to set up my show. I usually have my iPod system in the strero channel, then my wireless headset mic and then a back up wireless handheld. That still leaves me with an extra channel if I need it.

I really like mine and the volume and power has never been an issue for me at all. I use this system for when I do outdoor festivals and fairs and it works just fine for my wife and I. I hope this is of help to you. If you have any other questions on the 150, please just ask.

Kyle

Hi Scott

I can speak on both. I have used the Fender PD 150 and own the Stage Pass 300. My experience was pretty much the same as yours. I found the 300 packs a little more punch than 150. The largest group I have used it for so far was about 200 and that was outside. The 300 handled it no problem. I think it could handle a group of 350 in a gym. Both systems are nice I just thought the Stage pass 300 had a little more to offer in features, sound and mobility. If you go with the 300 be sure to purchase the case that goes with it. The case makes transporting it a breeze as its on wheels and has an extending handle. Feel free to PM me if I can answer any other questions for you

Scott

I have the stagepass 300, never heard of any case that goes with it though. The amp packs into one of the speakers and you have 2 pieces. My experience was the same, I set them both up and compared at a music place and I thought the 300 really went way past the Fender 150. And through the supplier I get the 300 from it came with heavy duty adjustable speaker stands with storage bags. For the money it was no comparison. I thought it rivaled the 250d in sound quality as well.

I own a pd-150 and a peavey escort. To answer your question about the gym with 350 kids - the pd-150 will handle it easily. So I guess it just comes down to personal preference, as the other would also handle it. I like the pd-150 because it is not very heavy and very easy to get in and out - very compact!

Hope that helps!
Chad

Here is the case I'm talking about. I got mine at Guitar Center. Case was $99.00

Copy and paste the entire URL into your browser.

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Cont......,00.html

Thanks for the input everyone. I really like the size, easy storage and price of the PD-150, but having tried it out in the store, it just seemed so quiet. Of course I was using the system mic -- which isn't very good. I needed to put mouth right on the mic in order to get a decent volume out of it.

What would you say is the upper range as far a crowd size and coverage for the PD-150?

Especially with a handheld mic, the PD should be plenty loud. Perhaps it was plugged into the wrong place?

The Stagepass is a more flexible system as you can use it amp as a mixer with other Powered Speakers (JBL EON) for example.

You could also use it with some real tiny speakers for a small gig.
Maybe just one speaker.

I've never compared but people seem to like the sound better and it is certainly a more flexible system overall.

I like the size and weight of my PD150, I have yet to run into a situation where I needed more power, if this was the case I would demand on my rider that the client would have to supply me a bigger and more powerful PA system.

I believe if you are peforming at a large theatre or stage, usually there is already a PA system in place that can handle the room.

Cheers,

Robert.

PS. I have used my Fender PD150 for 350 children in a gym with no problems.

Love the PD 150!!! I use it all the time in my schools shows almost daily and most shows ahve 500 plus kids in there.

Ken

I'll second what Ken said. I perform with mine at every school show I do and many times there are around 500 in a gym/cafeteria. And if you perform for 1000 people in an auditorium that has decent acuostics, you can use it for that with no problem as well - I speak from experience.

The PD-150 is more than enough for what you are looking for.
I have both PD-250 & Stagepass 300; They are great.
I used the Passport PD-250 for small shows and the Yamaha Stagepass for really big shows outdoors or Stage Hypnosis Shows.
Also listen Frank's advice.

I was just looking at the website for the Fender,

http://www.audiolinks.com/FenderSpecials......odCmc8IQ

They have a reduced price for the Repack system without the stands at $499 including (if I read it correctly) wireless Nady microphones.

I'm interested in this system for home parties, party rooms and up to gyms, but am considering the system without the stands to save on money.

How important are the stands for a show using voice and music? would it be a mistake to not get the stands?

To connect different apparatus like Microphones, Musical Instruments, Instant Reply Console, Mixer and so, it’s better to use the Stagepass 300.
Good performance, power and more flexibility.

Once again, I shall speak from my own experience using it in 100's of school show performances. I use them without the stands and often just sit them on the floor and they cover the area fine. Also, I will often sit them on a chair to get them up a little as there are almost always chairs available. And if you are performing with bleachers behind you you can almost always find somewhere to sit them that is fairly high up.

But I don't use the speaker stands with the fender and still have no problem with sound.

That's been my experience. I don't know much about the nady mics, I use a very good shure headset mic that works great and I have never had a problem with it!

Thanks Chad, that's good enough of a recommendation. I can always buy the stands later if I decide they are needed. I just didn't want to buy them if they didn't make a substantial difference. Less to set up, less to lug around and less to buy.

Thanks

Stands are cheap. Stands are lightweight. Stands help a lot. They keep it from being too loud near the speakers and keep it from being too quiet away from the speakers.

The people sitting furthest away should be able to see the speakers from where they sit.

A crowded auditorium full of kids soaks up a lot of sound.

Use speaker stands and get those speakers UPPPPPPPP!

Stands also help to put the speakers up high enough to reduce feedback.

Which is one reason I like the PD-150. Its been designed so you can stand right in front of the speakers without any feedback. That much I tested out, and it worked.