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Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
I usually go with biggest and top of the line, but after borrowing a friend's 250 several times, it's seeming to me as though even for good-sized banquet rooms, I may only need a 150, if it's just being used for my wireless headset and one other mic.
And is the new PRO series available yet? Would a PRO 150 be all I need for banquet rooms, small ballrooms, etc? Looks like the Pro series comes in 150, 300 and 500. Thanks! |
jkvand Special user Johnstown, PA 658 Posts |
My PD150 easily covers hotel banquet rooms and school gymnasiums, with crowds up to 300-400. I elevate the speakers on stands and have no trouble with the sound. It's a great system for that type of venue.
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chmara Inner circle Tucson, AZ 1911 Posts |
That is a very good quesion -- and thge answer is -- it depends.
When I was doing larger stage shows regularly I started with huge Renkus-Heinz Speakers and 1000 watt power amps. These gave me the punch and drive for halls of 1000 -- but are monsters to haul for smaller venues of 2-300. For these I fund the PD-250 ideal. Bigger sound in a small package. However not great for complete coverage in larger halls where you want music to drive and cover..... The PD-250, is much larger than you need, however, for 100 person rooms and small parties where voice is the only consideration. For what I am designing today to replace the big acts I can no longer do thanks to illness -- I find it hard to haul the PD-250 to smaller dates -- and wish I had a PD-150 for these, or could afford to get into one of the newer units if they sound as good. You might want to PM Christian and Katalina and find out what they are using -- I know he takes a sound system with them as he has walked into some pretty hinky situations in various college venues. One thing I can say about the Fender rigs is that they do contain just about everything -- except a show controller for lights and music cueing in the model I have. But they sound great;.
Gregg (C. H. Mara) Chmara
Commercial Operations, LLC Tucson, AZ C. H. Mara Illusion & Psychic Entertainments |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
I have a P-150.
I think its great. It's louder than you can ever dream of.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
Regan Inner circle U.S.A. 5726 Posts |
According to your description the Fender 150 will do what you need it to do....and more. If you only use the 2 mics and use it in the smaller venues. However, if you think you may need it for larger venues, or maybe outdoors, etc, then you may want to consider the 250. I have a PD-250 and I love it. It can handle smaller, medium, and larger venues. I am a musician, so I need more inputs, so the extra channels is a big selling point for me. In fact, I am, going to check into the Pro Series and consider getting a Passport 500 Pro. Not for the power, but for the extra inputs.
I really think 500 watts is overkill, even for me, but I do need those inputs! I wish Fender would make a 250 or 300 watt Passport system with the exact features of the larger 500 watt model, but who knows if they ever will? I know you are concerned about the weight, and so am I. I will admit that the 250 is too heavy. I haven't checked all the models, but I am hoping the Pro Series will be lighter in weight than the older Passports are. I believe the 500 watt Pro model is a few pounds lighter than my PD-250, but don't hold me to that remark. I looked it up a while back but I have forgotten the details. It might be worth checking to see how much a 300 watt Pro model weighs before you make your decision. Regan
Mister Mystery
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Bill Wilson Special user 536 Posts |
Joshua, have you checked out the Yamaha StagePas300? Weighs in at 36 pounds for the system itself. Travel case, speaker stands, will of course add more weight. As far as audience coverage it should do just as well or perhaps even better then the Fender 150 system you're looking at.
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Tony Thomas Inner circle North Carolina 1248 Posts |
I think the Fender 150 will be all you typically need. If more is needed, the venue will probably be taking care of sound. I have bought several systems for various rooms in our church, including the fender 250 & 500. In the Fender Line 150 is priced cheaper, lighter, and can still fill a room. Very nice.
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
I will recommend that if you need a PA for multiple microphone
and a input got with the P150 especially if you have a decent size crowd 200+ that is to be used in a venue that is large or outdoors. Otherwise if its a small room or even a decent size room and you only use one mic and on input I recommend the Roland Mobile Cute for $250. Its around 10lb and has two 7" powerful speakers. I am amazed by it and honestly, I've been toting that around over my P150. I am at a crossroads of whether or not I'd like to sell or trade my P150 in or not...
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
Supposedly there is a rule of thumb that you need about 1 watt per person if you're in an outdoor venue, and about half of that in an indoor venue. And we are talking RMS wattage (actual average watts), not "peak" wattage, which is not a real-world or useful measurement but unfortunately is often quoted by PA system manufacturers and retailers.
Of course, room acoustics, speaker placement, type of mic and lots of other things can affect this, and it's just a very rough rule of thumb (or maybe an old wives' tale or an urban legend?). But at least it's a start. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I prefer the carvin stagemate.
better sound runs on battery you can bring just one to a small gig and skip all the setup of 2 speakers to an amp.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
Thanks for all the advice. Quick note to Regan, looks like you're in luck. The new PRO series doesn't have a 250, but does have a 300, I think. It's 150, 300 and 500.
I'll look into the Yamaha and the Carvin. Does that have just 1 speaker, or 2? I can't imagine being happy with 1 speaker in a ballroom... |
Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
The Carvin StageMate is an all-in-one speaker. It has a built-in mixer amp and runs off a sealed lead acid battery. You can purchase an "extension" speaker to use with it.
I have the StageMate and extension speaker. I also purchased a second sealed lead acid battery so that it would run longer without a charge. (There is a place inside the StageMate for a 2nd battery.) Here's the info on it: http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/si......0&cid=10 |
Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
Looks like it costs a bit more than the new Passport 150 Pro, which comes with 2 speakers. Is a smaller size the only advantage?
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Michael Messing Inner circle Knoxville, TN 1817 Posts |
Actually, the StageMate is larger than the Passport 150 Pro. The advantages are better sound because it has a full 10" woofer and a horn tweeter in the speaker. (A larger woofer will provide a fuller sound and better bass response.) The other advantage is convenience. In circumstances where you only need to use the StageMate without the extension speaker, all you have to do is put it on a stand, connect your mic and music and turn it on. There are no power cables since it runs off a battery and you don't have to run a cable to another speaker.
With the Passport 150 Pro, you have to run speaker cables to each speaker and the power cord to the "power tower." In addition, you get a better selection of inputs on the StageMate. There are 3 XLR inputs, four 1/4" inputs and an RCA input. Please don't think I'm knocking the Passport 150 Pro. If it will cover all your needs, it's a convenient and lightweight system that sounds good for what it is. On the other hand, if you prefer better bass response, the ability to run off a battery and all-in-one convenience, the StageMate is a great PA. I had the original Fender Passport P150 and a Fender Passport P250 and I seriously considered purchasing the rechargeable battery system they had for them but it was really expensive. (About $250.) I don't think they make a battery system for the newer Passports. I do my share of outdoor shows so the battery option is important to me. Even though I have a terrific JBL PA system (a pair G2 10 speakers and a mixer), I rarely use it because my StageMate is so much more convenient. If I need to cover a larger audience, I add the extension speaker and it takes care of it. If I only could have one PA system, I would get the StageMate and extension speaker. |
Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
Thanks so much for the guidance.
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robertwong Loyal user Calgary, Canada 212 Posts |
I use my Fender PD-150 more than I use my PD-250 as the 150 is smaller and lighter to carry. I do like having the option of using more power for bigger venues which is why I purchase the PD-250.
You may be able to find the PD series for a good price as the new Fender Pro series is coming out, although I do like the new models, there is not enough of an up-grade for me to purchase a new system. I feel that both my Fender systems will continue to work for me for a long time. Good luck in your search! Cheers, Robert. |
wdwfan71 New user 100 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-28 21:13, wandboy wrote: Hi Joshua, I also use Yamaha Stage Pas 300. As above it's comparable to the Fender 150, (slightly better in my opinion). Be sure to check out the rolling case that's available for it, makes lugging the thing around a breeze. http://www.yamaha.com/ca/productdetail.h......RELATION http://www.yamaha.com/ca/productdetail.h......31&CTID= |
Glen Regular user 121 Posts |
Does anyone have a comparison of the passport 150 to the 150 Pro??? Need to make a decision real soon here and I'm going with one or the other. thanks for any help, Glen
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