The Best PA System

As a musician, I can't convey how important your PA system is to your performances. The first thing to consider is how many members are in your group? You will need a mixing board with enough channels to handle all of the instruments and microphones and whether you need a powered board or not. If your speakers have their own power then you can purchase a less expensive board with more channels. This all comes down to how much you have to invest. If you have an unpowered board and speakers you can also choose to run a power amp. The next is the size of venues you are playing at and whether you are playing indoors, outdoors, or both.

Our group plays small venues to outdoor festivals so our PA is a versatile Roland that can support the larger venues. Many years ago we had a five-piece band that included drums and bass and we had a 16 channel mixing board with powered speakers and monitors. Now, however, we are an acoustic duo and we run our system on a Roland that runs both my guitar and vocals and my other guitar player has a Line 6 amp. Occasionally we have other players sit in with us and they will run on their own amps and if they sing they typically have a small 4 channel mixer such as a Behringer with a powered speaker.

Another very important point to factor in when choosing your PA system is the genre of music you are playing. If you are playing heavier music to a larger, louder crowd you are going to want a bigger system with enough watts to handle a lot of volume. If you are a smaller group playing folk or softer songs then a smaller system with less wattage should suffice for both indoor and outdoor venues. One system that has become very popular is the Bose PA system for solos acts or duos. It's a stand-alone system that has excellent sound. However, the drawbacks are, it is very expensive and I have heard from friends that it's not a great system for outdoor venues.

Whatever your choice of music or use for your PA it's a good idea to do your research and get with one of your local music audio technicians that can help you get the PA that best suits your needs. I am going to review some systems that I have had experience with and some that I haven't, but that I have been curious about.
1. Bose Compact Portable PA Systems

The fabulous thing about the Bose system is that it allows you to cut down on the gear you are toting around with you because it is a stand-alone system. It cuts down on the setup and breakdown time. The downside is the price. Many customers have complained about the price and the sound quality. Others have been very happy with the sound. It isn't intended for large venues or outdoor use. Prices on the low-end range from about $850 to approximately $2600 + on the high end. Overall rating were 5 stars, however, one keyboard player said it wasn't useable at all for his keyboard.

2. Roland Acoustic Chorus ac-60

This is the PA that I use and I absolutely love it. I run both my guitar and vocals through this. I was running a similar Ibanez unit and was never satisfied with the sound quality of either my vocals or my guitar. This little PA is surprisingly heavy but comes with a great carrying case that holds both my mic and my CD player that I use when I am on breaks that plugs right into the system. I have used this little amp in both indoor and outdoor venues and it packs an amazing amount of sound. For some indoor venues, I never get above a 3 on the master volume and I have never had to push it over a 7 or 8 master volume for outdoor venues. It averages about a $500 price tag and got 5-star reviews down the board. I would give it 6 stars.

3. Peavy Audio Performer Portable PA

This system is popular for the sound quality and the price tag of around $400. It has a powered mixer, PV microphone, 2 speakers, cables, stands, a carrying case and much more. Many people have used this great little system for everything from auctions to rock performances and it has received great reviews. One customer did state that it didn't have enough power for larger venues. It says it has 100 watts but to them, it seemed closer to 20 watts.
4. Fender Passport Venue PA System
This PA system has an amazing 600 watts of power for medium to large audiences. It has a 10 channel mixer, 2 band EQ, reverb and volume control for each channel. For such a small system it is considered incredibly powerful for running an entire band. It has USB ports to allow you to record, playback and mix your sound. It has a price tag of about $950 and has received 4.4 out of 5 stars.
5. Behringer EUROPORT EPA900

At 900 watts, this portable PA packs amazing sound in a compact system. It has 2-450 watt speakers with built in amps, It has 8 channels, 10"woofers to get the best sound out of your low end, FX Processor, and an FBQ feedback detector. It comes in at around $790 and packs great sound for the price and portability. It got 3.5 out of 5 stars. One customer said that one of the speakers blew after just 7 uses. I would recommend buying it with consideration paid to how loud you intend on playing.
6. Yamaha Stagepas 600i

680 watts of power push this system with a 10 channel powered mixer, and 2 speakers. It can run indoor and outdoor venues easily according to the manufacturer. It has a variety of different configurations and can be used with other pieces of PA equipment. It was rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and has a price tag of $900. There was one complaint that the mixer stopped working after 5 months.
With that being said, there are obviously a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a PA system, whether you are a professional musician, karaoke DJ, a preacher in a church, or an auctioneer. I highly recommend going to a couple of different audio engineers at a music store and going over your needs as well as what venues you play or intend on playing. Your sound can make or break you and it's not something to consider lightly for the pro musician. You may have to throw the budget out the window to get exactly what you want, depending on how picky you are.

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