Lite-PA System

[tesseract]

A co-worker has asked me to help his girl with a business system. It'll be a workout/dance-type of atmosphere. His only request is 4 channels and no budget given because he knows nothing about this.

So, I'm leaning on some of you pro-sound members for PA advice. There are neighboring businesses, so high-SPL is not needed. I would like to see speakers that go as low as 50-60 Hz, a 4 channel amp, and a source that can stream internet content, Bluetooth-connectivity from a phone and accommodate a CD/DVD player input. Of course, this will be a budget system.

What can you recommend, AV NIRVANA members?

 

[Tony V.]

I am not sure the intentions of needing 4 channels, is she wanting to have speakers at the rear of the room as well as the front?
A two channel amp that is capable of driving 4 ohm loads would work fine all you need to do is get speakers that are 8ohm. Active (self powered speakers) are another option. What is her budget?

Yourkville make a decent 15" speaker but you need an 3/1 octave EQ to make them sound good but I would do that with any system that I would set up. Used may be a good option to save on cash. Often you'll find Yourkville speakers available for less than half price (around $150-200 for a pair) If you want to up the quality Electro-voice (EV) has some nice speakers as well.
As far as a mixer there are several options I would look for an Alesis MultiMix 8 USB FX as it has a usb input for use with any iPod or android device for music plus microphone inputs and you can hook up a CD player and such. As far as Bluetooth connectivity there are plenty of Bluetooth receivers that you can buy that can be hooked up to the mixer on amazon.

Hope this helps

 

[tesseract]

Thanks, Tony.

I will shop around for a decent mixer (that Alesis looks like it fits the need, nicely), 2 channel, 4 ohm capable amp and 4 passive speakers.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Sweetwater usually has some really good deals on PA equipment.

Back when we were doing Karaoke and DJ services, we were buying a lot of that type equipment.... we had two rigs. We were able to get our local music shop to match online prices in most cases. You might check out your local music store and see what they have. They likely have trade-ins/used equipment on the cheap.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

I would again recommend one of the Bose L1 systems. They sound great, and they are designed from start to finish to actually serve as a PA and a monitor system, to be placed on stage behind the band. That means they don't feedback. I've used and heard these many times, and it's true. They don't feedback. I would say that should be a huge consideration for a workout studio, as they will likely be all over the place with a wireless mic on, and they're not going to want screeching.

 

[tesseract]

Thanks, Sonnie and Thrillcat.

Sweetwater is a great place and we do have a pro sound shop or two in town that might price match. I don't know if they will want to pony up the money for the Bose system, but I'll put it on the recommended list. Used is probably the most cost effective way to go, especially if I can find 4 like speakers that can be tucked into corners.

 

[welldun]

For their needs, I would recommend the EV Evolve 50 system. much like the Bose L1 system mentioned above, it is a small line array system mounted on a sub. Everything including the connections is easy, and the sound is very good.

 

[tesseract]

Whoa, that EV system looks pretty sweet! Probably more than they'd like to spend, but I will put it on the list, yes.

Looks like, for now, she is going to use the set up from her previous building.

 

[tesseract]

Gonna drop this here for future reference. probably more than what's needed, but I can look at others like this.

JBL EON208P | Portable 8 in. 2-Way PA with Powered 8-Channel Mixer and Bluetooth®

Portable 8 in. 2-Way PA with 8-Channel Powered Mixer and Bluetooth

www.jbl.com