View Full Version : How about Powered Speakers?
Mandomania
May-27-2004, 9:26am
What do you think of powered speakers instead of amp/mixer or powered mixer for a bluegrass band (i.e. all acoustical instruments and voice)?
I like the Mackies that we use!
Mandomania
May-27-2004, 9:34am
Which mackies?
Dennis Schubert
May-27-2004, 9:38am
On the plus side, no power amp means less items to carry, maybe less trips to/from the truck. Quick & compact.
But you'll still need a passive mixer for your mics. And you'll need an electrical extension cord to power each speaker, as well as a line-level cord from the mixer -- instead of just a speaker cable. And you won't have the flexibility of plugging in one or two more passive speakers (borrowed or rented) to your system for more coverage. Individual components give you a little more flexibility.
Pete Martin
May-27-2004, 9:58am
I forget the model # of the Mackies, but I have used them on a number of gigs and always liked them, much better than the Eons. Wish I owned a pair.
We have the SRM450's....They are really good. Been using them for about two years and never a problem...Built like a tank. They have handled all the conditions we have encountered thus far!
mandofiddle
May-27-2004, 10:08am
I've used both the Mackies and the JBL eons, and have liked both...
JBL EON Powered Speaker (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040527100551012041052071663701/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/600210/)
JBL EON Powered Cabinet (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040527100551012041052071663701/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/600200/)
Mackie (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040527100551012041052071663701/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/605255/)
JMUSIC
May-27-2004, 11:11am
We use the Mackie 1530 towers with a CFX12 mixer. Awesome speakers.
Dennis Schubert
May-28-2004, 5:50am
Our most common setup is to use un-powered Mackie C-300 speakers (unpowered version of C-450) for mains, and unpowered JBL EON-10's for monitors. For small-to-medium gigs, these are powered by a Mackie 808S combo mixer. This particular mixer will let you use one to four 8 ohm cabinets for mains, and up to four more for monitors. We can also use these speakers as part of a larger setup when needed. Have used the EON-10's for mains in small venues, have also used the C-300's for monitors on occasion. These sound fine, and the powered versions should sound just as good.
Mike Crocker
May-28-2004, 6:16am
For a long time I used two personal 50 watt Yorkville powered monitors in my bass rig to give me a "sweet spot" on stage. They could be daisy-chained from the line-out jack on my back line 200 watt amp, or from the PA if necessary. They were wedge shaped and would sit at two possible angles. I also used them for acoustic guitar amps with an outboard EQ and DI, and in my teaching studio for electric instruments. I dealt them for another piece of equipment, but I wish I hadn't.
Generally, I think powered speakers are great, especially for smaller gigs.
Peace, Mooh.
onlyagibsonisgoodenuff
May-28-2004, 6:42am
We use the JBL Eon-15 speakers with a small mackie mixer. I'm sure the Mackie powered speakers are better, but they're a gob more money. And there's tons of money to be made in bluegrass music, you know!
MartinD_GibsonA
May-28-2004, 9:53am
We've been using DAS powered speakers since we started three years ago. #It's not that they cut down on equipment, because you still need a mixer for the mics (assuming you use multiple mics). #With unpowered speakers and a mixer/amp combo, you stll have the same number of pieces to carry. #However, there are several wasy in which we've found them to be valuable:
One night when we got to a gig, we found that the "stage" area was so small that we couldn't put our rack anywhere. #We just reached into the parts bag, pulled out an AT4033 mic and plugged it directly into a powered speaker. #Sure we didn't have any sort of EQ, but at least we were able to perform.
Since each speaker has its own amp, it also has its own individual volume control. #We've played gigs where we needed one speaker to be louder than the other, and we couldn't have done that with a single volume control on an amp feeding both speakers.
Powered speakers can be daisy-chained to a much greater extent than passive speakers. #I think ours will handle five in a line, which means we can have up to ten running. #We actually used six on one occasion; try that with a power amp and passive speakers! # ;-)
Don Smith
mandroid
May-28-2004, 10:19pm
FWIW, Parts_express.com has a mixer{3 channel}& amp to build into your DIY cabinet.
one amp will drive 2 speakers, house and monitor for example, or a 2nd, slave cab.
If you have a shop for F5s, speaker cabs are a snap!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif
piiman
May-30-2004, 8:34pm
just did our first gig with a pair FBT powered speakers, Mackie mixer and a AKG 1000 mic.It was an outdoor gig and all performed very well. I really liked the speakers, they sound great and had power to spare. It only took maybe 10-15 minutes to set up and we were ready to play. we played for an hour and a half with no adjustments or problems. A great time was had by all.