BEST powered monitors for small gigs that won't break the bank?

[backalleyblues]

Howdy gang!!!

Played a gig last Friday, and one of our powered monitors (an original Mackie Thump 12A) decided to die at the start of the night. It appears the power amp has given up the ghost, and at the cost to fix it (more than $200!) it seems to make more sense to just buy a new one-these speakers are over 10 years old, and have a lot of miles on them.

We are NOT going to in-ears (can't stand anything in my ear!) and mercifully our stage volume is rather manageable-we rarely have feedback issues. We only put vocals and acoustic guitar through the monitors, which certainly helps with the feedback control, and helps not to over stress the speakers. We don't need top of the line, but we don't want junk either, just good reliable pieces of gear.

I'm going to keep the one working monitor as a spare/emergency speaker, and buy 2 new speakers. I'm trying to keep it to around $300 per speaker (sorry no QSC in my budget!) 10" or 12" woofer w/horn. What has been working for all of you out there?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[sax4blues]

2021 I bought the Harbinger V2310 10" and have been very pleased. We have even used them without a mixer putting one vocal and one guitar in each side. The Bluetooth is great for break music.

 

[sequencepro]

Howdy gang!!!

Played a gig last Friday, and one of our powered monitors (an original Mackie Thump 12A) decided to die at the start of the night. It appears the power amp has given up the ghost, and at the cost to fix it (more than $200!) it seems to make more sense to just buy a new one-these speakers are over 10 years old, and have a lot of miles on them.

We are NOT going to in-ears (can't stand anything in my ear!) and mercifully our stage volume is rather manageable-we rarely have feedback issues. We only put vocals and acoustic guitar through the monitors, which certainly helps with the feedback control, and helps not to over stress the speakers. We don't need top of the line, but we don't want junk either, just good reliable pieces of gear.

I'm going to keep the one working monitor as a spare/emergency speaker, and buy 2 new speakers. I'm trying to keep it to around $300 per speaker (sorry no QSC in my budget!) 10" or 12" woofer w/horn. What has been working for all of you out there?

Thanks in advance!!!

I recommend the QSC K8.2 for small/medium venues. It’s small, lightweight, and really delivers in sound quality and durability for less than $1000. I own a large concert venue, and have lots of more expensive speakers available, but this relatively inexpensive unit is what I personally use for small/medium-sized gigs, because of its light weight, small footprint, and good sound quality.
If you have to “cheap-out”, look at the Alto TS408 ($249) or TS 410($299). (Be sure it’s the TS series, NOT the TX series, which are cheaper but simply not up to the task.) Both the TS408 and TS410 deliver decent sound quality at moderate volumes, and are head and shoulders above the similarly priced Mackies, Behringer, Harbingers, etc. IMHO.
But, if your budget allows, go for the QSC K8.2. If you’ve been using a Mackie Thump, you’ll notice quite a difference in sound quality and clarity. It may be a little more expensive, but after purchasing several hundred thousands in sound equipment over the years, I’ve learn to “Buy Once, Cry Once”. By the time you by 2-3 cheap speakers, you could have had a much better one that will last, and sound better every night.

 

[runstendt]

You might want to look into something like a Behringer 205D. They’re small, but they can sit on a mic stand and be positioned pretty much anywhere you want. We’ve used them for years without having any issues with them.

 

[mfguitar]

JBL IRX108BT
We only use 2 for a pretty loud 6 PC band and they sound great! Plenty of power and they weigh less than 18lbs. each. We bought ours for under $300 each as an open box so look around. If you are on a tighter budget the Mackie 450s are going for around $200 used. Mine are 20 years old and still kicking, they are quite heavy though.

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

I always recommend the QSC K line, but if a $200 repair is out of your budget, the street price for the QSC's will be, as well.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

A few of my friend have these used as floor monitors
Small, powerful sound great
( I use the discontinued Fender 100 Watt 10" powered ones)

Amazon product ASIN B0B9ZP6D61

 

[schmee]

Howdy gang!!!

Played a gig last Friday, and one of our powered monitors (an original Mackie Thump 12A) decided to die at the start of the night. It appears the power amp has given up the ghost, and at the cost to fix it (more than $200!) it seems to make more sense to just buy a new one-these speakers are over 10 years old, and have a lot of miles on them.

We are NOT going to in-ears (can't stand anything in my ear!) and mercifully our stage volume is rather manageable-we rarely have feedback issues. We only put vocals and acoustic guitar through the monitors, which certainly helps with the feedback control, and helps not to over stress the speakers. We don't need top of the line, but we don't want junk either, just good reliable pieces of gear.

I'm going to keep the one working monitor as a spare/emergency speaker, and buy 2 new speakers. I'm trying to keep it to around $300 per speaker (sorry no QSC in my budget!) 10" or 12" woofer w/horn. What has been working for all of you out there?

Thanks in advance!!!

The Alto stuff is quite good. I think they have 10 and 12" powered speakers. Mine and my neighbor's sets have been bulletproof for 3 years.
Amazon product ASIN B097J4FCFF

 

[backalleyblues]

I’ve heard good stuff about the Altos, glad to hear it confirmed!

I was offered another Thump 12a through a friend for $50, so obviously I’m going to snatch that up-but at some point in time, probably soon, I’ll have to pony up for new monitors altogether, as the mackies are getting on in years and parts are made of unobtainium … wish I could afford the QSCs, I’ve heard them and yes they’re great! But I can probably get 3 Altos for the same money, so that is the more likely route I’ll go.

 

[Guitarteach]

The little 8-10” Altos are the best bang for the buck. Very clear sound and has XLR pass through for a pair or to feed an IEM.

 

[haggardfan1]

+1 for Alto. I have a pair of TX208 monitors, and a Live2404 mixer.

The monitors are a great value, although Alto apparently held the cost down by providing only XLR connections. Easily solved with adapters or 1/4" to XLR cables, then a simple mic cable to link them.

I will add that for the price, the mixer is the absolute best I've ever run or owned, including Mackie, Yamaha, Soundcraft, Peavey, and Phonic. It's well laid out and color coded, and the preamps and channel compressors are outstanding. I've been thrilled with Alto products.

 

[Fret Wilkes]

One more vote for Alto. I typically use two TS310 with my electric band.

Last gig with the fiddle band I used just one TS208 in the center and it was perfect.

I've only got praise for Alto products!

 

[RCinMempho]

We have 4 8" Altos we use for my acoustic duo. 2 for mains. 1 for a monitor and one for a backup. 90% of the time we don't use the monitor and just sit the speaker stands slightly behind us.

(I use a DBX GoRack between the mixer and the speakers. Best little anti-feedback gadget ever for small gigs. One channel for the mains that are daisy chained. One channel for the monitors if we use them.)