Choosing the Best Portable PA System for YOU!

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Portable PA systems come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s crucial to identify your needs early on to find the perfect PA for you and your bandmates. In this video, Mitch Gallagher highlights a selection of Sweetwater’s painlessly portable PAs that deliver stellar sound without the backbreaking weight. Check it out!
After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 imp.i114863.net/Gj30VV
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - Homework Assignment
2:47 - Bose L1 Pro8
3:23 - Bose S1 Pro
3:57 - JBL EON One MK2
4:33 - JBL EON One
5:06 - Fender Audio Passport Event S2
5:49 - Mackie SRM-Flex
6:24 - FreePlay LIVE
7:02 - Fishman SA330x
7:46 - Samson Expedition XP106w
8:27 - Electro-Voice EVOLVE 50M
9:05 - The Wrap-up
#Sweetwater

[@sweetwater]

Leave the backbreaking weight behind! Make sure to like and subscribe while you’re here 😎🤘

[@davidhellegouarch1622]

Hi Mitch! Thank you to sharing this, i'm actually wondering how far can we push portable system like these. What about the HK audio Polar 10/12 ? I guess it's more an european brand, but maybe someone could give their opinions. Do you think that 2 HK audio polar 12 (stereo set) or another portable PA system is great for a band like 1 bass, 1 electric guitar, 2 singers, 1 electronic drums, 1 keyboard ? Having portable PA system is really helpful and I will need it sometimes, but I want to know that if 2 (or even 4, with a delayed pair) portable systems can be appropriate for medium bands (4/6 people) and for small/medium venue like 200 peoples. 1- I'm not too concerned about portability but if i can avoid taking 2 subs and 2 tops I prefer. That's why I'm interested in portable PA Systems. 2- I don't need battery power 3- For about 200 people indoor 4- I think that we will first go into an external mixing board. So two inputs are enough. 5- I need to run bass, and keys to the system. Good low frequency response seems to be important 6- I think that we will first go into an external mixing board. So we don't really need onboard effects and processing. 7- Bluetooth could be great, but not necessary 8- I don't really need smart device

[@sweetwater]

@@davidhellegouarch1622 Hey, David! Portable systems can certainly be pushed. With a band that size, playing for about 200 people, there are portable systems out there that would give you more than enough. You’re totally right though, you’ll want to run 2 or more for that kind of setup. Generally, 2 would be more than enough - anything that needs more volume would likely require a full PA system. When looking through your options, just make sure you’re going with something that has a higher wattage. You’ll want to make sure it can handle all the instrumentation and still push well into the crowd. Then, running the external mixing board would fit extremely well into any of those systems. I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out with any further questions. Nick Pasquino, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 3230, [e-mail]

[@josealfredfernandes]

@@sweetwater which is the loudest portable pa here? Loudest + deep bass for large audience + outdoors + large room.. highest db SPL continuous possible in portable package

[@sweetwater]

​@@josealfredfernandes Hello, Jose! By far the Evolve 50M will be the loudest. But if you're playing for larger audiences (especially outdoors) I'd recommend a more traditional PA setup to give a concert level experience to the folks attending your show. Small/portable PA systems are great for portability and convenience, but for a larger audience that's outdoors, they'll just be providing background music. I played an outdoor gig last year with my 5-piece cover band for about 200 to 250 people. Our PA setup was two dual 18" JBL SRX subwoofers, and four JBL VRX line arrays. That system would been fine if everybody had been grouped together in a roughly 100 x 150 ft area, but they were more spread out, and a lot of the crowd was farther away. So not everybody got a concert level experience even with $17k worth of PA speakers setup. Thanks for the interest! Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@josealfredfernandes]

@@sweetwater woah! SOUNDS GREAT! With due respect brother, may you please share your experience & differentiate between these following subwoofers, which is better and why? Bose Sub2 vs Bose F1 subwoofer vs JBL SRX828SP vs Bassboss Kraken Quad 21 vs McCauley M421 vs Meyer vs RCF SUB 9007 AS, etc.. which has best ROI & which unit offers best performance to price ratio? Overall?

[@fightswithspirits915]

It's a good time to be alive. So many choices and incredible products available to hobbyist and professionals. Thank you Sweetwater and my sales guy! My new TS speakers and SC mixer are rocking the Nevada desert. Coyotes and rabbits gather around to the good sounds. Friends dancing to EDM. When the EDM stops the rabbits either run or are invited to dinner.

[@richardflinders3809]

Years ago I bought a couple Turbosound ip2000s from Sweetwater for when I do solo or duo gigs. Keys, tracks, vocals etc. They’ve worked out great, with no problems whatsoever. 🙂

[@skyace888]

Thanks for the video. I've been using two Kustom PA50 systems for about $100 each for years with a Mackie mixer. Works fine for my casual needs of parties, outdoor movie setups, etc. Very portable too.

[@robertvondarth1730]

Our needs- Metal Band Portable from a trailer Small to large venues Scalable, so we can start small and keep building Powered Single point, but vertically stackable so we can add more speakers as we go.

[@januarymorris9087]

That was good, it would have been nice to have a top two favorite in each category near the end of the video. For example, your top two favorites for a DJ and why, or your top two favorites for a solo artist and why.

[@doodaddy1454]

I'm so old that I remember that the first question about speakers used to be "how is the frequency response on this thing?" Are all speakers so close to "flat response" nowadays that there is no reason to list it? Or is that question not really useful and I'm just old school?

[@yarbgreat1]

I’ve got the smaller E.V 30M. it’s great but kinda want the 50 for that extra low ends and slightly bigger tweeds. still sounds pretty good though.

[@madness8556]

I've just purchased an LD Maui 5 and Maui 5 GO for running in stereo for smaller gigs. These sound fabulous for their compact size and look great as well as being very discrete.

[@lucabertolaso2167]

Look into my channel I've added a cheap 25mm Dome tweeter with a 3.3 uF cap. Waaay better highs

[@madness8556]

I sold the Maui 5 as it has a con that I can't compromise on. That is the lack of XLR output that is featured on the Maui 5 GO. I'm going to get another Maui 5 GO for stereo operation but it appears that the Maui 5 GO is no longer available and has been replaced by the Maui 5 GO 100.

[@robguevara7]

I've never used that brand. Is it comparable to the quality of well known brands?

[@madness8556]

@@robguevara7 LD Systems is a very well known brand.

[@socoop]

I have a zoom L8 mixer and want an active speaker powered by batteries. I want a simple one without any inputs other than XLR from the mixer. Do you have one?

[@lucabertolaso2167]

Maui 5 GO.... Behringer c210b...

[@srulysaftlas2813]

RCF EVOX JMIX8?

[@sdcb27]

I understand it the room and not the people. If you were doing JUST vocals say for speech would you still buy two? Im an auctioneer and looking for a system (Prefer Battery power) for benefit auctions where they dont have sound. Some dont have power. I dont need a ton of woofer just vocal clarity and ease of set up as we dont generally have luxury of preset ups. Just show up and go. I have had house systems go down before because often the event people really arent prepared and know nothing of sound systems. I always carry a portable hailer with me but it sounds like a old farm auction them. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[@sidpierce9219]

You really just need a decent powered speaker with enough power to cover your audience. One speaker, one speaker stand, microphone and cables. Easy..very manufacture makes them, you get what you pay for!

[@jeffrey2199]

Has anyone tried these for Electric drums???

[@benjieramas1537]

For me Samson is the best !

[@maximusheronimus23980]

i would love to have a portable pa set for my digital piano in a nursing home enviroment for around 50 to 100 people

[@sidpierce9219]

Not an array like these models, but we use a QSC CP-8. It is about 20 lbs., small and sounds good. I couldn't believe the low end from this 8" speaker. You can get it in a 10" or 12" as well. I can't recommend the newer K.2 series, the UPS driver has had those more than we have. First, they said to update the firmware, but they have an issue with the amp modules. I was surprised when QSC and Sweetwater was less than forthcoming regarding those high dollar models.

[@willycustodio2463]

how much is the fender passport 500watts 7mic ch.

[@Vanhalen1]

I'm still using 2 Jbl eon 15paks. Tons of power a full eq high, low, mids ect. They don't make them.like this anymore

[@benbatt21]

For an acoustic 3 piece, are you meant to stand behind these column PA systems or are they meant to be setup behind the band?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, Ben! Those can be setup behind the band with minimal risk of feedback (but still be weary of it, and careful). I wouldn’t recommend being RIGHT in front of any speaker though, so just make sure they’re set a little further back, like behind the drummer. Thanks for the interest! Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@dugjay]

Could any of these be used with an electronic drum kit?

[@sweetwater]

Hello, Douglasfotografix. You could easily use any of these with an electronic drum kit! That said, and as a drummer myself, I’d recommend going for one with a subwoofer if you can swing it. My only gripe with an electronic drum kit is the lack of vibrational feedback, especially from the kick drum. A subwoofer really helps to rectify that. Thanks for the interest! Cody Kraus, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1766, [e-mail]

[@Elazarko]

Can you please recommend me a portable pa speaker with STEREO line-in inputs? For playing outdoors with friends with a digital piano. Budget under $500-700

[@sweetwater]

Hello, Elazar! Most, if not all, of our portable PA systems can receive two outputs from a keyboard. There's a lot to talk about as far as what sized system might be right for you. Feel free to reach out to me directly! Thanks for the interest! Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@jamesandrewband]

Do any of these have better built in vocal effects or reverb ? Planning on gigging with bass guitar , backing tracks and 2 vocalist including myself

[@sweetwater]

Hello, James! Out of all these I'd prefer the EV Evolve 50m, or one of those comparable Bose systems (and add on one of their mixers, the T4S or T8S). Both are great options and have good on-board effects. Thanks for the interest! Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@jasonbate1756]

The JBL EON ONE MK2 has Lexicon Reverb, Chorus and Delay. Along with DBX Compression. The MK2 is a really great unit.

[@OnlineMD]

About the BOSE S1 PRO: The Microphone Preamp is PATHETICALLY WEAK! I just traded in mine for a new EV EVERSE8. Wow, wow, what a difference! A remarkably powerful and yet clear microphone preamp and umpteen EQ settings. The Everse8 is the NEXT GENERATION; sorry, S1Pro, goodbye! Though, used with a Mixer, the S1Pro is perfectly fine in terms of volume and clarity.

[@strumminfuel4625]

Good to know thanks. Someone else was complaining about the fact that If you turned off the phantom power you turn both channels off you couldn't isolate them?

[@mr.jlausd3769]

the prices aren’t mentioned

[@iamjarrettdean9358]

Would have really preferred you give the prices as well with the descriptions.

[@jeuby3695]

8:26

[@carlosdiaz5486]

QSC K10.2???

[@sidpierce9219]

My UPS driver has seen our K10.2 more than we have. There's a ton of bad amp modules since last spring.

[@joserossy5085]

Ld maui 44g2 then we talk.

[@madness8556]

Make that 2 of them! 😊

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Singer/Songwriter ? That term makes no sense, a singer is not writing songs while performing on stage. What about One-Man-Bands ? Most of those systems are designed for people who play guitar, some of us use keyborards, needeing some bass power that guitars players do not need. Which one would you suggest for a singer/keyboardist who also uses a drum machine and whose repertoire includes a lot of latin music (salsa, merengue, mambo, etc) ? Thanks for your opinion, Blessings from San Juan PR 🇵🇷

[@kwatts4372]

Hi Luis. I hear you bro. It seems like majority of videos and websites show guitar players but I'm also a 1 man show. I rap and do poetry. So I'm looking for a portable system I can take on the road to perform my music live at small to medium size venues indoor/outdoor.

[@godsonbrowne]

Hey guys. Great questions. I use a Bose L1 Model 1S+B2 for E.Bass, Keyboard, Drum kit (mic'd Kick drum only) and Vocals/Flute. It works great with no monitors needed. Placed behind the band, we hear everything the audience hears. 180° coverage. Edit: We play Reggae, Soca, RnB, Jazz Fusion, Pop and also Piano/Flute duets. I'm from the island of Grenada. P.s. We purchased the Bose T4S mixer (sold separately) for all the inputs mentioned above. The new Bose L1 Pro systems include 3 channels now.

[@jadestewart3519]

But people what to here the unit. Speally the vocal but no one on KZbin do this . what's wrong

[@superblondeDotOrg]

Smaller is better. All live sound guys crank the volume toooo loud ! Pushes away the audience 110% of the time.

[@martint3431]

I agree! Smaller IS usually better and more capable of accomplishing the task than we realize. Even a relatively small rig can be “intimidating” to some audiences. I play solo performances daily in senior living communities all over the Kansas City area, using the Bose L1 Pro 8 which many of us would consider a “small” rig. I’ve had a few folks say “Oh, no. This is going to be too loud” before I even finish setting it up (which, literally takes less than one minute). Fortunately I am able to laughingly tell them “It only looks loud, but it’s all adjustable. I’ll make sure no one gets hurt.” Then I typically play some background music and gradually increase the volume to get the audience “warmed up” before I actually start performing. After the first song or two, I usually ask “Can everyone hear me ok without it being too loud?” Then I make adjustments as needed. In the band, volume control is out of my hands. And yes, our terrific sound man likes to hear the PA in all of its glory, the drummer hits pretty hard and the bass player (still) uses a 500 watt amp and 410 cab onstage. Usually we are able to make adjustments to keep the clients happy. Once again, I agree, smaller is better! Just bring the right tools for the job and don’t “overdo” it!

[@ezdj]

So, i bought a Yamaha

[@derekseed]

If only this guy could speak faster and breathe less between words.

[@NareshKumar-ff6iy]

Everything is copied from bose design

[@Sooraj_JOSE]

[@Sooraj_JOSE]

😇