I'm in the slow process of putting together a PA system and am debating whether I should go with powered speakers & monitors or use an independent amp. I already have a mixing board. What do you guys think?
Pros and cons of powered speakers/monitors vs. unpowered and separate amps?
- Thread starter KokoTele
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ce24
Poster Extraordinaire
I like powered skrs.........all signals are matched to the spkr.......most efficient for one that is not an audio pro and just wants to be able to set up quick and know its gonna sound good....IMHO
Powered speakers here too, bi-amping is more efficient so I would think cleaner, ofcourse you can do it with un-powered speakers but why mess with it unless you have a really big system. Down side might be if an amp goes out but I think that's unlikely, plus the extra cost. But for a system with equal output you'd need several out board amps for bi-amping and monitors and the cases to put them in, so that way can get expensive too.
Very simple set up, even monitors.
Very simple set up, even monitors.
chulaivet1966
Friend of Leo's
I'll chime in.....
I used my tried and true JBL4410's for almost 22 years (May 1990 - Dec 2011).
I loved them and knew them well.
In my desire to get small (because I work alone now) I sold a lot of stuff over the last few years and the JBL's along with my JBL/Urei power amp (purchased with the 4410's) were on the block too.
In December, after significant research I made the jump to powered studio monitors and purchased the Rockit 8's and I'm happy camping.
So...I can only comment as to the 'pros' of going powered.
If there are 'cons' I can't comment on that because I don't find any.
EDIT: I use a mixer also (Behringer 1622FX - Dec. 2010) but I think of it as a glorified patch bay because I mix in the box.
Also...based on subsequent responses I can see how using them in a live venue would not be as ideal/practical as using them in the recording environ.
Hope that helps a bit.....carry on.
I used my tried and true JBL4410's for almost 22 years (May 1990 - Dec 2011).
I loved them and knew them well.
In my desire to get small (because I work alone now) I sold a lot of stuff over the last few years and the JBL's along with my JBL/Urei power amp (purchased with the 4410's) were on the block too.
In December, after significant research I made the jump to powered studio monitors and purchased the Rockit 8's and I'm happy camping.
So...I can only comment as to the 'pros' of going powered.
If there are 'cons' I can't comment on that because I don't find any.
EDIT: I use a mixer also (Behringer 1622FX - Dec. 2010) but I think of it as a glorified patch bay because I mix in the box.
Also...based on subsequent responses I can see how using them in a live venue would not be as ideal/practical as using them in the recording environ.
Hope that helps a bit.....carry on.
I do not like powered speakers. At all. I was stuck using them for two years in a recent band because the band leader owned them and insisted on them, and I'll never buy a set.
Cons-
1. WAY more cables to deal with. In addition to speaker cables, you need power cords for every speaker, that are never long enough, so you need extension cords too. Routing cables can turn into a huge hassle, and a big mess.
2. Say you run a basic system, two mains and two monitors, that's four power amps plugged in and drawing power from the stage, which in most bars and restaurants is only one circuit anyhow. Add a couple of guitar amps and a bass amp to that, heaven forbid you use any lights, and wham, you're popping breakers.
3. If you lose an amp, you're dead in the water until you can repair or replace your speaker. There's no way to work an active speaker passively with a backup amp or powered board. It's just a paperweight once it takes a dump.
4. HEAVY. Powered speajers are heavy. With modern passive NEO cabs, you can get a 15"/horn main that'll handle better than a 1,000 watts, weighs under 30 pounds, and sounds like a million bucks. I know, because I have a pair of them.
If you really want a powerful, great sounding, ultra light bar system, look into Carvin stuff. I have the XP1000L mixer, which runs 400 watts right, 400 left, and 400 to monitors, with 10 LZ inputs, and tons of great features, and weighs about 13 pounds. I then have a pair of passive Carvin LM15 mains, which are the ones I mentioned above, and a pair of Carvin PM 12 passive monitors. The mains weigh 27 pounds each, the monitors come in at 24 each.
So I have a 1200 watt 10 channel system that weighs less then 120 pounds, and sounds GREAT. Plus, with class D power amps in the powered mixer, that 1200 watts is only about 300 watts of current draw on the stage circuit. Never gonna pop a breaker, and runs cool as a cucumber.
I've been using this system almost two years now, anywhere that house PA is not provided, so probably a little over 200 gigs. So far, totally reliable. But even if I were to have a mixer failure, I could still power my speakers with my old JBL board and CS800. I wouldn't be anywhere close to stuck.
The powered speaker thing, to me, was a huge PITA and usually a total inconvenience. I won't do it again.
Cons-
1. WAY more cables to deal with. In addition to speaker cables, you need power cords for every speaker, that are never long enough, so you need extension cords too. Routing cables can turn into a huge hassle, and a big mess.
2. Say you run a basic system, two mains and two monitors, that's four power amps plugged in and drawing power from the stage, which in most bars and restaurants is only one circuit anyhow. Add a couple of guitar amps and a bass amp to that, heaven forbid you use any lights, and wham, you're popping breakers.
3. If you lose an amp, you're dead in the water until you can repair or replace your speaker. There's no way to work an active speaker passively with a backup amp or powered board. It's just a paperweight once it takes a dump.
4. HEAVY. Powered speajers are heavy. With modern passive NEO cabs, you can get a 15"/horn main that'll handle better than a 1,000 watts, weighs under 30 pounds, and sounds like a million bucks. I know, because I have a pair of them.
If you really want a powerful, great sounding, ultra light bar system, look into Carvin stuff. I have the XP1000L mixer, which runs 400 watts right, 400 left, and 400 to monitors, with 10 LZ inputs, and tons of great features, and weighs about 13 pounds. I then have a pair of passive Carvin LM15 mains, which are the ones I mentioned above, and a pair of Carvin PM 12 passive monitors. The mains weigh 27 pounds each, the monitors come in at 24 each.
So I have a 1200 watt 10 channel system that weighs less then 120 pounds, and sounds GREAT. Plus, with class D power amps in the powered mixer, that 1200 watts is only about 300 watts of current draw on the stage circuit. Never gonna pop a breaker, and runs cool as a cucumber.
I've been using this system almost two years now, anywhere that house PA is not provided, so probably a little over 200 gigs. So far, totally reliable. But even if I were to have a mixer failure, I could still power my speakers with my old JBL board and CS800. I wouldn't be anywhere close to stuck.
The powered speaker thing, to me, was a huge PITA and usually a total inconvenience. I won't do it again.
beep.click
Poster Extraordinaire
The controls for powered speakers are ON THE SPEAKERS. On the BACKS of the speakers. If you have to make an adjustment, you're walking over to the speaker, and you're adjusting from BEHIND the speaker.
I have and use a powered speaker, but it's good to be aware of their limitations and inconveniences.
I have and use a powered speaker, but it's good to be aware of their limitations and inconveniences.
sonserve
Friend of Leo's
Yup.
Look into the Carvin gear. Good stuff, and reliable. Get the covers, cables, and a couple of their carry bags. Put the free mikes in a box for spares...
I use a mix of powered and passive. (Passive high/mids, powered subs and one powered monitor) These days power amps are getting more powerful and lighter every day. But having amps/crossovers and DSP matched and built into the cab is a nice feature. Having an extra cable doesn't bother me that much, but often there's never an outlet near the front of the stage. A high powered two space four channel power amp would totally take care of my monitor needs.
