Pro-speakers/PA

[Wannabubble]

What would you guys recommend for a PA system in about the $1,300 range?

The components my band is looking for are for now: L/R speakers, amp (if not self powered), monitors for band, and mixing board (at least 8 channels) We'll add more as we go on, but we are looking to buy/put together a small "starter set"

 

[Drum]

I have been playing in bands for close to 40 years. One of the best PA systems I have seen is the Bose L1. I know that the system costs more than the usual systems out there but the sound and convenience make up for it. You won't need monitors for the band because you can put these Bose speaker columns behind the band. Check out some of the videos regarding the Bose L1 on youtube. I think you will be impressed. I just saw a band over hte weekend using them and they sounded clear and loud.....
Be sure to check Youtube and search for Bose L1.

 

[Wannabubble]

Well as I said, We need atleast 8 channels. That system seems to only have 2. Plus it is too expensive for what we need right now.

Any other recommendations? I'm looking at you jamie2112!

 

[Hi Ho]

Bose? Really?

For $1,300 I would look at Mackie, Yamaha, or SoundCraft mixers, and Yamaha, QSC, or select Behringer amps. There are many different speakers available.

What type of music does your band play? You can get a pair of Yamaha S112v 12" speakers for a pretty good price but they aren't going to rock a room with bass. You need a sub for that. The S115V's will fill a larger space but cost a bit more.

A pair of Yamaha A12M's would make decent monitors. There are others I would choose, but they are not in the budget.

A Behringer EP4000 is probably one of the more powerful amps in it's price range. You could use it to power both the mains and the monitors.

A 12 channel mixer like the Yamaha MG166CX would allow for expansion in the future.

The S1112v's, A15M's, mixer, and amp come in at around $1,799. You can get cheaper gear but I see no point in investing in crap speakers and a lot of cheap PA speakers are pure crap. I have little experience with Behringer PA speakers. They may have some good ones but I wouldn't know. I do have experience with Behringer mixers and I avoid them. The ones I have used were not well built.

You also have to consider the cost of cables. Mic cables add up fast. Even if you buy them from Monoprice.com, the cheapest very good quality cables I have found, it can still add another few hundred dollars. That's not to mention a snake. If you aren't placing the board on the stage you will need a snake. A decent one is $200 or more.

Microphones? You didn't mention them so I assume you have them already.

You might check locally for used equipment. Besides the microphones and cables, much of my PA system was put together with used equipment.

 

[Wannabubble]

Thank you very much for the recommendations! I know alot of people have recommended Yamaha equipment. From the yamaha stuff I have used before, it's always seemed to be good stuff.

We're kind of a blues/funk/rock mixture.
http://www.myspace.com/echolake (I'm never going to miss an opportunity to plug my band )

The S112v would probably be fine for us. Most of the time our bass player has to turn his amp down cause its too loud and boomy.

As for cables I know we have some but I'm sure we'll need to get more. And yes, we will probably be needing a snake. I think we have all the mics we need at the moment. 2 shures for backup vocals, a sennheiser for our lead vocal, a audio-technica 1400 wireless for my sax, and an unknown (I'm just not sure what it is) mic my guitar player got for his amp.