I have been hearing some great things about this Phonic system. First thing is, the price just cannot be beat. For about US$200, you get a mixer/amplifier, two speakers that can double up as monitor wedges, 20 feet of speaker cable and even a dynamic microphone thrown in. Plus I have heard that the sound is pretty good and will suffice for even outdoor. many people in the USA are using this system and there are some sites that sell this as low as US$150! Egads!
Singapore does not have much to offer as far as cheap PA systems are concerned. I do not think you can get something at this price. If you do, it must be second-hand. In any case, this system is able to put out about 100 watts per channel of music power. The speakers have 10″ cone woofers and a horn with a compression driver. Maybe I will ask the local distributor of Phonic here if he brings in such a system. I like Phonic. My DJ mixers after my Tamon were all Phonic and they performed faultlessly. So yeah. I trust Phonic with their systems.
I was walking near the Explanade in Singapore last week with my wife. There was this puppet show that was going to start and there was a PA set up for it. I happpened to glance casually at the speakers being used and saw that they were Tannoys. Interesting looking and no horns. Then I realised that it had to be a co-axial speaker system. There was some time to kill before the show came up so I sat down and waited.
And when the show started, holy cow! man could those speakers rock! Changed my mind totally about these speakers with co-axial drivers. When I got home, I started a search for these speakers and all but could not find a pricing for them. If I recall, this is what they looked like but the speakers I saw looked a little banged up. But the performance…whew!
I like this little PA system. Its nice and small and will make a good monitoring system. I did a review of its bigger brother a week back but I had to post this because its a nice little system, which will be coming out in February 2012 (which is this month incidentally) and today, well, it is a special day for me too! (hint hint!)
In any case, these are the write-up of this piece of equipment, which incidentally was only recently revealed at NAMM, is here:
- Packs up into a single portable unit that weighs 24 pounds
- Removable 5-channel powered mixer with 150-watt (2 x 75) Class D amplifier
- 6-inch low frequency drivers in two-way vented speaker enclosures
- Durable ABS high impact plastic construction
- Three Mic/Line channels with XLR and 1/4-inch inputs
- Stereo 1⁄4-inch and 3.5mm input channel for connecting external devices like MP3 players, keyboards and more
- Bass and treble control on mixer’s channel inputs
- Built-in digital effects processor
- Integrated 1 3/8-inch speaker stand mounts
- Enclosures tilt back for use as floor monitors
- Cables included
- Optional LS2 Lightweight Speaker Stands sold separately
Amd it stacks up pretty well too! Just check this out!
Pretty cool eh! I want one! At the price of US$299, that is a pretty good bargain!
In my daily trawls of the Internet, I come across some really interesting stuff. This is another one of them. When I first saw it, I thought immediately that it was a QSC amplifier of old. It even uses the same alphabets in the model number i.e. PLC. This piqued my interest and I find out that it is manufactured (probably in China) for a New Zealand company named SNW Electronics. This company also seems to manufacture and sell motorbike parts. Maybe they are trying to do something what the Yamaha Corporation is doing, I just do not know. In any case, the specs of this amplifier are, as taken from their website:
Stereo Mode:
Both channel driven 8ohm : 1200W X 2
Both channel driven 4ohm : 1800W X 2
Both channel driven 2ohm : 2700W X 2
BRIDGE Mode:
Bridge Mode 8 ohm : 3400W
Bridge Mode 4 ohm : 5200W
Friequency Response HZ: 20-20K
THD+N: 0.02%
S/N: 90dB
SLEW RATE: 40V/s
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 20kohm
INPUT SENSITIVITY: 0dB
MAX INPUT GRAIN: +_20
HEIGHT : 3U
DIMENSIONS:480W x 465D x140H mm
Gross Weight (kg) :42
It costs about NZD$1200 and it looks like it is a pretty hefty amplifier, with a weight of 42 kilograms. I am not too sure how it performs as the specifications are merely words on paper. The specs look good from what I see but reliability-wise…I ain’t too sure.
I have heard that these powered speakers can give the Mackie SRM450′s competition and they are cheaper than them too. Pretty impressive specifications and they are lot lighter than the Mackies too! Boasting a 1000 watt Class D amplifier and having fuller sound than many loudspeakers in their class. Specifications are
- ELX112 performance with self-amplification
- 50 Hz – 20 kHz frequency range
- Lightweight, cool-running 1000 W Class D amp
- Biamped with 24 dB/octave crossover
- Transducer protection
- Bypassable high-pass for external subwoofer
- XLR, TRS, and RCA connections
- Versatile gain, mixing, and processing controls
- Pre- or post-mix parallel outputs
Not too bad considering. There are two inputs in the back and you can hook up an MP3 player AND a microphone as there is a built-in mixer, of sorts. Flexibility is the key. Might need to check out how much these cost here.
Way back when, quite a few years ago, I was contemplating getting a portable public address (PA) system for events and such. I was looking at two brands, namely the Fender Passport series and the Peavey Escort series. The Peavey Escort was one that piqued my interest and I must say that I do find it appealing to this day. The only thing that turned me off though was the mixer that is seated in a coffin, as can be seen in the diagram above. The specs of this thing, as per the Peavey website are:
- - Two-way speaker system with 10″ woofer and piezoelectric horn
- - Five-channel powered mixer
- - Four XLR mic inputs with 15 V phantom power
- - Two stereo line inputs
- - 60 mm faders
- - High quality digital reverb
- - 300 Watts output power (150 Watts per channel) with DDT™
- - Five-band graphic equalizer with FLS
- - Two folding speaker stands
- - One PV®i cardioid dynamic microphone with cable
- - Two 25′ speaker cables
- - Storage compartments for microphones, cables and accessories
- - Convenient package with luggage-style wheels
- - Weight Unpacked: 52.50 lb(23.813 kg)
- - Weight Packed: 64.00 lb(29.029 kg)
- - Width Packed: 16.62″(42.2148 cm)
- - Height Packed: 39.75″(100.965 cm)
- - Depth Packed: 17.62″(44.7548 cm)
That is what the unit looks like when it is open. The mixer portion looks too big though. It would have been nice if I could detach it and just put it on a table or something like that. The beauty of it is that when it is closed, it looks like a pod:
Relatively easy to carry, looking like a big suitcase. The thing even has luggage-style wheels so that you can wheel it from place to place. The speaker stands are included and fit in the box very nicely. The mixer portion looks like this:
The only issue I have with this is that it does not have a headphone output. I suppose that we cannot have our cake and eat it too. There is a 5-band graphic equaliser and the usual reverb and such that are available on many other portable PA offerings by other manufacturers. But the beauty of it is that Peavey throws in a free cardioid microphone with this!
Not too sure how much this costs in Singapore currency but I dare say that this thing is a solid bit of kit and I am pretty sure is well-worth the price.
It seems that all-in-one systems are the rage these days. many manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon to provide such systems and Wharfedale Pro are no exception. This PMX 700 system is their offering. It looks pretty powerful too. Basically, the PMX 700 System package comprises of a PMX 700 powered mixer, a pair of PTX-12 2-way loudspeakers, a DM1.0 dynamic microphone and the necessary cables to connect the system. This is unique because none of the other offerings from Yamaha and Behringer throw in a microphone. Besides, there is a whole plethora of effects in the effects bank to satisfy almost all vocalists, if need be. The speakers even have pole-mount adapters so you can mount them on stands. This system is able to pump out about 250 watts continuous and 500 watts program. More details are available on the website here
Just when I thought that the Yamaha Stagepas family of portable audio set all boundaries, I came across this. Looks like almost everyone worth their salt is doing this now. Samson is one of the other players in the professional audio industry churning out portable sound units. The beauty of this? It even comes with an iPod dock! According to their website:
Samson introduces their most versatile and inclusive PA system to date: The Expedition XP510i.
Adopting the same principles of portability and simplicity that made Samson’s Expedition XP308i so popular, the Expedition XP510i (XP510i) is an all-in-one portable PA system that offers outstanding power and convenience. The pro-level performance of the XP510i begins with a pair of dual 2-way speakers with 10-inch woofers, complemented by a 1-inch titanium tweeter in a 60° x 90° horn. These speakers will provide dynamic low-end qualities and broad dispersion in any performance space.
The XP510i features an internal 500 watt Class D powered mixer equipped with seven total mic/line and stereo inputs, phantom power, an integrated iPod dock, and ten studio-quality 24-bit digital effects to shape a customized sound for each and every performance. In addition, the speakers, mixer, and integrated 1 3/8-inch speaker stand mounts can be transported as a single compact bundle that weighs just over 50 pounds.
Thanks to its clever design and comprehensive feature set, the XP510i Portable PA offers an ideal solution for a variety of PA applications.
Well, there you go. Boasting the same power as the Stagepas 500. Looks pretty good and check this out: The two speakers sort of “slide” together from the front for east storage. The mixer cum amplifier is stored the same way the Yamaha Stagepas is stored…at the back of the speaker!
Looks interesting but I think I will take my Stagepas over these.
I think I have covered just about all the companies that make small-format mixers. I have had my eye on this one by Behringer but the only problem is that there are no dealers in Singapore bringing them in. Its a shame really because this one looks pretty good, judging from all the positive reviews I have been reading about them. Its the same as the Alto ZMX52 and the Wharfedale Pro Connect 502 I covered recently. The surprising thing about all of them is that they all name their mixers the 502. makes me wonder if they are produced in the same factory in China! The specs are, according to the website:
State-of-the-art, phantom powered XENYX Mic Preamp comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps
Neo-classic “British” 2-band EQ for warm and musical sound
Main mix, stereo CD/tape plus separate headphone outputs
CD/tape inputs assignable to headphone output or main mix outputs
High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
The only thing this mixer does not have that the Wharfedale Pro and Alto ZMX52 has is Phantom Power. Aha! Got you there Behringer! But all in all, a great unit and I like it.
Those guys in the US are pretty lucky. They have a whole host of systems that they can buy from various companies catering to the beginner or professional DJ. I had a look at this system from B-52 and it looks pretty good. You get three-way speakers (trust me, that helps a lot with vocals) and a mixing wedge with 6 channels…all for about US$900. Not too shabby if you ask me. These are the specs that I got from this website:
- Master Controls
- 7-band master EQ section with slide potentiometers
- LED meters display left and right channel output power levels
- Conveniently located master level control with a large knob
- Level control for monitor output
- Stereo Power Amplifiers
- Output stage with discrete, high current output devices – not integrated IC amps
- Output power of 2 x 300W RMS with high headroom
- Very efficient cooling, utilizing a large heat sink and two direct-flow fans with variable speed control for quiet operation
- Power supply with low-noise toroidal transformer and a dual voltage (115/230Vac) selector switch
- Comprehensive amplifier and speaker protection circuitry to guard against short circuits, DC offsets, over-heating, turn-on thumps, and subsonic and supersonic frequencies.
- Built-in high quality stereo clip limiter
- Equalization customized to enhance and optimize speaker system performance.
- 7-Channel Mixer Features
- Four channels (Ch. 1-4) with balanced, combo 1/4″ & XLR mic inputs & balanced 1/4″ jack line level inputs
- 48V/DC phantom power on balanced combo 1/4″ & XLR inputs for condenser microphones
- Phantom power can be switched on/off separately on two pairs of inputs
- The phantom power on/off switches are securely recessed behind the front panel to avoid accidentally switching them on/off
- PAN, 3-band EQ, monitor level and effect level controls on each channel
- Stereo input channel (Ch. 5) with high impedance 1/4″ stereo input can also be used for mono acoustical instruments with a pick-up or as an extra mic using the combo 1/4″ & XLR connector
- Stereo 1/4″ input with a high |Z| input impedance to connect variety of stereo sources
- Combo 1/4″ & XLR inputs to connect either mono acoustic instrument with a pick-up via the 1/4″ TRS connector or low impedance dynamic mic via the XLR connector
- Pan/Balance, 3-band EQ, monitor level and effect level controls
- Stereo input channel (Ch. 6) for stereo sources
- Dual stereo inputs with 1/4″ TRS and 3.5mm mini-jack to connect any 2-channel source
- 3-band EQ, monitor level and effect level controls
- House input with stereo RCA connectors and a dedicated level control
- This input is located within the Ch. 6 section but is, in fact, a totally separate 7th input for a stereo house source such as a CD player
- Loudspeakers
- 3-way rear-ported speakers substantially outperform traditional 2-way designs in virtually every application
- 10″ high excursion woofer for extended and tight bass
- 6.5″ midrange with oversized magnet for clarity and wide coverage area
- 1″ exit phenolic tweeter on an exponential horn matches the acoustic response of 6.5″ midrange driver
- Premium quality crossovers with air core inductors and Mylar capacitors for clean and unrestricted SPL peaks
- Light bulb protection circuitry on the tweeters for worry-free operation
- Built in suspension points for permanent installation
- 16-guage steel grilles, rubber feet and a conveniently located top handle
- Included Accessories
- Two 20′ speaker cables (with 1/4″ plugs)
- Two speaker covers
- One mixer/amplifier carrying bag
As you can see, you get a lot of kit for US$900 and I dare say it will work just fine…for small wedding venues and small conferences. The mid-range driver can take care of all the frequencies lost by most of the two-way systems we get nowadays so you can use this system for karaoke. 300 watts per channel is pretty good wattage too. I think this is a pretty affordable system for what it offers.
