Anyone has got a good recommendation for a “pa” system for small BBQ partys? We did a live performance once with my mid field monitors + hifisystem and it was kind of awful sounding. Would be cool to run on built-in power. Found stuff like Teufel rockster with different reviews. Any good recommendation? Low price would be good.
I own and enjoy a “LD Systems Dave 15 G3” system for the last 2 years which would easily cover such events, and doubles as a nice indoor system for watching movies and jamming with. Would be confident blasting techno to 50-80 bodies with it.
Not sure where you are or budget but around 1000 euros will get you one new (made in Germany).
Nice wooden cabinets, 2.1 system with built in amps and sounds pretty well balanced, nice low end & balanced highs, and all in all pretty portable considering its abilities. Been pretty reliable.
It doesn’t have the gimmicky bluetooth, built in dj mixer or battery of the Teufel but with satellite speaker stands and reasonable cables, would offer more flexibility re. speaker placement.
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Looks appealing indeed. Do these kind of PAs exist with running on battery or is a generator needed when you want to do sessions in the countryside. (this is a plus for Teufel stuff)
No you would need a generator for off grid for this one, but then you would possibly anyhow for lights etc. As for other 2.1 PA systems having batteries in them? really not so sure, but I would not feel confident on long term battery capabilities or the manufacturer claimed 20hrs in Teufels case (who can say what future tech holds though, would be nice to have greener energy)…
These are more aimed for buskers but our local art centre bought one for their dance space and find it grand 
https://m.thomann.de/ie/ld_systems_road_jack_10.htm?o=14&search=1524811806
I use a lowly minirig + sub combo for my outdoor needs, which would not really be powerful enough for this kind of things. I’ve been GASing the new Bose S1 battery powered portable PA lately, just not sure I’d have enough use for it.
Have you checked this? It was announced this year at NAMM:
Battery is not included, you gotta buy it as an add-on.
Reckon this one would be powerful enough for you? Of course its not nearly as powerful as systems outlined above, but its 100% portable with decent battery life specs…
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I thought about getting this one, how is the indoor installation ? I.e. could it be run at lower volumes also? Is the sub hearable also with low power? For outdoor usage - is it waterproof? Is it possible to add more sub /tops to the system later on?
Did you hear the Curve 500 System, the reviews says that the SPL is a bit too low. I dig the design from the pictures - but i would like to run small techno events.
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Seen the bose s1, but a review stated that it’s not suited for “techno party” music due to its lack in the bass department. Bose stuff often lacks bass but compensates it with boosting the low mids afaik. Quite good for aux in CD music stuff but I am afraid about doing it with live music. Did you hear one in real life? Would be interesting to compare it to Teufel rockster / air. For the same price you could almost get two rockster air and do stereo sound
Its fine for indoor installation. I can control the overall volume as well as a separate ‘sub’ volume, so its easy to get a balance, and even at low volumes get a nice full tone.
As for outdoors in the rain, well I haven’t had that particular experience, but I would aim to keep especially the sub undercover as the amps and processing are inside it.
The Curv system looks nice and compact, as well as scaleable. Haven’t seen or heard it in person though. One issue… the sub only 10" versus Dave G3 15". Thats definitely gotta make a difference.
A pic of my setup currently in the dining room…
edit: and yep its got a pair of balanced outs for sending off to another amp/pa/foldback etc
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That’s one nice dining room setup
Cheers. Haven’t had it above 1/3 max volume inside. Windows and neighbours ;)…
Does it sound like a Hifi system, or more dry? Can you compare it to monitors ?
Sound?
it simply doesn’t have the high end sparkle of Adams monitors, but not much does.
It feels quite balanced though, and the bass gets low enough to feel and easily controllable while the mids are forward and the high end has just enough sizzle, which seems to escalate as the volume does… definitely a ‘wetter’ sound than monitors, and in the environments I have tried it (only taken it outside 2 times + home), its impressed with its presence.
All I can 100% suggest is go and listen to a few systems in person, with music you know well.
There might be other options out there now. I was prioritising portability balanced with spl & a budget and this seemed the best option at the time, though its still being sold 2-3yrs later so thats a good sign.
Under Covid I can’t go to my favorite J-style karaoke parlor 
Backyard yowling it is!
Currently thinking of the Yamaha StagePas, Peavey Escort,
Electro-Voice Evolve 50, JBL EON One Compact options. QSC K12.2 would be my dream, but $$$$.
Any thoughts on someone who’s set the same up recently for outdoors? Mixer and mic in ideal, stereo speakers, easy setup, something I can dump under a tent in case of rain.
We’ve got a pair of the JBL EON 610s plus a Mackie DLM 12S for our living room/party system. They’re not the quietest speakers in terms of self-noise when you’ve got nothing at all coming through them, but they’ve been rock solid otherwise. No built in mixer, but the tiny Mackies are pretty cheap. The Mackie sub in particular I give solid marks to for a system you’re going to have to haul around regularly — it was notably lighter than anything in the same output class, like a good 5kg. Makes a huge difference when you have to move it.
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I do this every year. You really just need two powered speakers. Mind the power connections if it starts raining. Know where you need to shut off power immediately. You might want a 10x10 tent. I wouldn’t bother paying more than 400-500 USD for a pair of powered 12 inch speakers. Nobody will care about how they sound. You’re outside. You’ll want stands for the speakers. Just use an old mixer and mic. You might only need one speaker.
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Yeah, you’re not wrong really. I should just ping someone on my local CL for some monitors and use my SSL2 interface to bring the mics in (don’t even need a mixer, actually!)
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…solid loudness, good low end, crisp clear responsiveness, all also mobile by running on inbuilt rechargeable batteries for a reasonable amount of time…?
check for teufel soundsystems…
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What about Sounboks 3! This thing sounds nice after the recent updates. A friend of my mine has 10 of them and makes money by renting them to parties. They have the oomph other speakers are lacking and can get really loud
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I bought the yamaha stagepass 400bt, they do sound good. They have an active fan on the back, not ideal for lower volume, but after 80db not a problem. The portability is good. (handels, mixer and cables in the back of the loudspeaker)
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