Six String
Well-Known Member
Ok... the great debate. Not even player has to worry about a PA system because either the sound man takes care of it or somebody else in the band does. But let's hear the pros OR cons of both sides of the question.
Powered vs Non-Powered Speakers
- Thread starter Six String
- Start date
Powered speakers are WAY better than they used to be. Meyer Sound makes some very good units.
It really comes down to the application. I was at an airshow recently where the powered speaker deployment was pretty interesting. A small, portable generator was located at each speaker, providing the power. Each speaker had a wireless receiver attached to the speaker rig. This allowed the speakers to be deployed without running any wires at all from the mix!
But, again, it comes down to the application.
It really comes down to the application. I was at an airshow recently where the powered speaker deployment was pretty interesting. A small, portable generator was located at each speaker, providing the power. Each speaker had a wireless receiver attached to the speaker rig. This allowed the speakers to be deployed without running any wires at all from the mix!
But, again, it comes down to the application.
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
Powered speakers have really come a long way. There are many being made now with really nice built in amplifiers...however I still think a great amp and passive speakers are the better sounding of the two...and another "but"...I use powered Monitor Speakers and FRFR PA speakers...
OP
Six String
Well-Known Member
I also have both powered and non-powered. I admit that most of the time I use the powered speakers because it cuts down on the amount of stuff I have to haul. I also have 5 mixers (all powered) but the powered speakers are great with non-powered boards.
Since I am not playing as much as I once did, I have to look at cost, size and utility. I have the 12" non-powered regular speakers and 15" non-powered bass bins but most are from the "old days" before the powered speakers. I push them with Peavey and/ or Crown drivers. I still have these, but usually use my powered speakers. I use the 16"- 1600W "biggins" for larger or outdoor venues with 10"- 200W (w/ horn) Behringers and Pyle Pros 8" - 400W for monitors. But the nice thing is that I have used the 10" and/ or 8" for mains and monitors for smaller venues. Some may not like the brands, but either in my opinion are well worth the money spend. Mine have more then paid for themselves.
Since I am not playing as much as I once did, I have to look at cost, size and utility. I have the 12" non-powered regular speakers and 15" non-powered bass bins but most are from the "old days" before the powered speakers. I push them with Peavey and/ or Crown drivers. I still have these, but usually use my powered speakers. I use the 16"- 1600W "biggins" for larger or outdoor venues with 10"- 200W (w/ horn) Behringers and Pyle Pros 8" - 400W for monitors. But the nice thing is that I have used the 10" and/ or 8" for mains and monitors for smaller venues. Some may not like the brands, but either in my opinion are well worth the money spend. Mine have more then paid for themselves.
Col Mustard
Ambassador of Perseverance
Personally, I believe that great progress has been made in the PA equipment field.
In many ways, less is more. The days of humping huge and heavy cabs around are over baby.
And just in time for me to get old.
So my group uses powered speakers and a non-powered board. We've been able to do most what's asked of
us using a pair of Behringer mixing boards and a pair of Behringer 400 watt powered speakers. This equipment
is very small, and takes up a small amount of cubic space in the mini van. For us, that's crucial... fitting it
all into one vehicle makes the difference between profit and loss sometimes. Cork sniffers might sneer because we're not using _______________ (your fave brand here) but we just
get the job done without fuss, and don't worry. And we do get invited back, so that says
worlds.
Last summer we played an outdoor gig where we felt that our 400 Watt mains were not quite adequate.
so we mulled that over, reluctant to invest more money in equipment we wouldn't use much since we're
so damn old, but finally when a pair of Harbinger 600W powered speakers went on sale at M/F, I bought
them with our joint credit card. We've only used them once, but they do carry further. Another gig or
two and they'll pay for themselves.
It really comes down to logistics IMHO... purists will go into spasms of bliss about this rig or that rig,
tube amps and sub woofers... rack mounted f/x and processors... but it still all has to fit in the minivan.
If it's too expensive or too bulky or too damn heavy, forget it.
In many ways, less is more. The days of humping huge and heavy cabs around are over baby.
And just in time for me to get old.
So my group uses powered speakers and a non-powered board. We've been able to do most what's asked of
us using a pair of Behringer mixing boards and a pair of Behringer 400 watt powered speakers. This equipment
is very small, and takes up a small amount of cubic space in the mini van. For us, that's crucial... fitting it
all into one vehicle makes the difference between profit and loss sometimes. Cork sniffers might sneer because we're not using _______________ (your fave brand here) but we just
get the job done without fuss, and don't worry. And we do get invited back, so that says
worlds.
Last summer we played an outdoor gig where we felt that our 400 Watt mains were not quite adequate.
so we mulled that over, reluctant to invest more money in equipment we wouldn't use much since we're
so damn old, but finally when a pair of Harbinger 600W powered speakers went on sale at M/F, I bought
them with our joint credit card. We've only used them once, but they do carry further. Another gig or
two and they'll pay for themselves.
It really comes down to logistics IMHO... purists will go into spasms of bliss about this rig or that rig,
tube amps and sub woofers... rack mounted f/x and processors... but it still all has to fit in the minivan.
If it's too expensive or too bulky or too damn heavy, forget it.
67plexi
Ambassador of Amps
I still use both I love the sound of the Crest power amps the USA made. I have QSC K12 monitors they say 2000 watts 1000 watts RMS they work fine in small clubs for monitors
My better 1/2 got me a EAW self powered system tri amp with 6 1000 watt monitors they blow away the QSC K12's the police shut us down the first time we used it sounds fantastic
But when our band plays out we use Keith my sound man for over 30 years Keith fills up 2 maxi vans that's for outdoor gigs
At practice I'm the sound man and use the old school system 200 watts per channel 3 way EV's with a Allen and Heath QU-16 board.
My better 1/2 got me a EAW self powered system tri amp with 6 1000 watt monitors they blow away the QSC K12's the police shut us down the first time we used it sounds fantastic
But when our band plays out we use Keith my sound man for over 30 years Keith fills up 2 maxi vans that's for outdoor gigs
At practice I'm the sound man and use the old school system 200 watts per channel 3 way EV's with a Allen and Heath QU-16 board.