Compact PA system for c. £500?

[maturin23]

Hi all

We might need a PA system for an upcoming training event - been quoted around £200 for a commercial day hire including set up.

It may be a good opportunity for my company to buy one

Any ideas what one can get for around £500? This event will be voice only but might be good to have one that would double up with the office band.

Would this be any good? Looks a little weedy to me, but nice and portable.

http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-sound/beh...

Any suggestions?

[maturin23]

Just had a quote for £575 inc VAT for a Yamaha Stage Pas 400i and two wireless headsets.

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/p...

[coach]

yamaha Stagepas500 are well thought of

Or go with a small passive mixer (yamaha or behringer) and a system called The Box or Achat from Thomann (European Music gear online retailer ) which come in many sizes of active setup with a sub as well for a bit more low end punch

TBH with that budget it won't be super quality but will get you by

[coach]

The only problem with the 8" speakers is a weak low end in my experience

[maturin23]

The 600i has 10" drivers - just getting a price on that.

[greengreenwood7]

mackie srm450? would be second hand but would have enough to turn voice into a bit of a DJ type party for the office....add in a cheap second hand mixer and the jobs a good'un?

[timbob]

I think if you're going for a band as well, £500 is only just about enough for a pair of halfway usable speakers without including a mixer as well unless you look second hand.

To get anywhere near the volume needed, you need to be looking at 12" drivers and 250W per speaker. Make sure this is the continuous power rating, not the peak. I'd bet a month's wages that those 10" Behringer speakers are not a "genuine" 450w each.

I've had good results using Studiospares own brand PA equipment. Their active range are pretty good value - have a look at their 12" Fortissimo active range.

[stiglet]

I had the same requirement a year ago and went for an "old school" solution of Bose 802s , a Crown power amp and a Yamaha 8ch mixer. All were sourved "previously enjoyed" from fleabay all for £5-600 as I recall.

The Crown is pretty much bullet-proof and the sound from the 802s is surprisingly good - plenty loud enough for a hall sitting 2-300.

They do pop up from time to time so worth keeping an eye out

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PA-System-Bose802-802con...

[Lordbenny]

How big is the room, how many people? You'll be suprised how little you need to spend if you only need to fill a tennis court sized room, speech only. You dont need stereo, just one speaker/stand is all you need. do you need a wireless mic or can you get away with a mic on a lead?

[Markh]

would recommend this to be honest

http://www.gigrac.com/gigfacts/gigrac600.htm