Looking for a PA system that won't break the bank.

[Skodster]

I know absolute squat about PA apart from not plugging in to the wrong impedance speakers and not spilling beer into the amp.

My PA would need to play to a maximum size of a hall the size of a single tennis court. It would have to take my mic'd up 5w amp, three vocals, a keyboard and possibly a bass drum.

It needs to be fairly cheap but deliver the goods reasonably well. I guess that my question probably betrays my ignorance.

What should I be looking for in terms of brands and wattage?

[maltingsaudio]

Your budget would be handy to know but also I'm assuming you can add drumkit and bass to the level of noise you want it to compete with, that said a pair of 300/500 watt powered speakers would be a good place to start with regards to price anything from £300 to £3000 depending. Brands RCF Studiomaster Mackie Wharfdale HK Nexo Fohn LD Systems Bose Turbososund and Electrovoice in no particular order

[jim_branning]

thomann own brand. cant be beat for price and you get a 3 year free warranty. as good as any of those other brands, they are all made in china now after all.

also dont underestimate peavy pa gear, bulletproof and very good.

this peavy system from thomann is about 500 quid for example (Peavey PV215 / E 800 Amp Set):

[Skodster]

I have decided on an amplifier that suits.



£379 and 500w per side. I will probably go for JBL as they get good reviews and seem to be well priced.

[maltingsaudio]

thomann own brand. cant be beat for price and you get a 3 year free warranty. as good as any of those other brands, they are all made in china now after all.

also dont underestimate peavy pa gear, bulletproof and very good.

Err no

As good as the Thomann boxes may seem to you they do not sound as good as other more proffessional boxes, also please remember warranty isn't a guarantee and it certainly won't cover burnt/blown drivers.

In my opinion good shout for the amp head it willl give you 2x 250 watts a side at 4 ohms or 2x 150 at 8 ohms (spec sheet here http://www.mackie.com/products/ppm608/pdf/PPM608_SS.pdf ) The 500 watts they claim is a peak it could produce in a split second measured under laboratory conditions. What it can produce all night is the RMS figure,
so now go for some 200 watt 4 ohm cabs or 100 watt 8 ohm cabs to go with it I would avoid 15" as it is unlikely to give much on the bottom end for kick or keys but should be a good vocal set up