Quality budget PA system for basement

[defunkted]

I'm looking to purchase a budget PA system for a permanent basement installation. This PA system will mainly be used for acoustic music with percussion and vocal so sound clarity is a big factor.

I've been looking at powered mixers like the Yamaha EMX series with a couple the new Carvin three-way LM153 speaker hung in the corners. In theory, the three-way speaker should give me more clarity that the two-way speaker, correct?

In any case, I'm open to suggestions and also would like the explore a passive mixer option with a decent power amp.

Thanks!

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by defunkted

I'm looking to purchase a budget PA system for a permanent basement installation. This PA system will mainly be used for acoustic music with percussion and vocal so sound clarity is a big factor.

I've been looking at powered mixers like the Yamaha EMX series with a couple the new Carvin three-way LM153 speaker hung in the corners. In theory, the three-way speaker should give me more clarity that the two-way speaker, correct?

In any case, I'm open to suggestions and also would like the explore a passive mixer option with a decent power amp.

Thanks!

It is a bit loaded the question that is budget and clarity together.

My answer is 2 Electrovoice ZX1 (2 way 8" with horn, can be used as monitors as well)and 2 Electrovoice SB-122 (12" sub used in a passive mode)
the amp would be a Electrovoice CP2200 amp.

I like it light so I use a CP3000S.

I have this set up at home. Works great will bi-amp it later

It makes a very compact and clean sounding system with a good punch that could do small venues if needed.

There are some good small mixers out there and if you opted for a powered mixer you can drop the amp. (make sure its got the head room 500 a side should be good.

My 2 Watts.

[defunkted]

Thanks for the reply.

I guess I was asking for a bit much putting budget and quality sound in the same question.

I wasn't aware of these speakers and they look like they would be an excellent choice for good clean sound. I was initially thinking of hanging two 15" Carvin or Yamaha mains in the basement but it would probably have been overkill and not very clean for vocals and acoustic.

Mounting one of these ZX1s on top of the SB-122 and putting them in opposite corners should do the trick. Connected in parrallel should amount to 4 ohms per stack.

I'm looking at the Yamaha EMX512SC and it runs 500W per channel at 4 ohms which should be a perfect match.

Any other suggestions?

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by defunkted

Thanks for the reply.

I guess I was asking for a bit much putting budget and quality sound in the same question.

I wasn't aware of these speakers and they look like they would be an excellent choice for good clean sound. I was initially thinking of hanging two 15" Carvin or Yamaha mains in the basement but it would probably have been overkill and not very clean for vocals and acoustic.

Mounting one of these ZX1s on top of the SB-122 and putting them in opposite corners should do the trick. Connected in parrallel should amount to 4 ohms per stack.

I'm looking at the Yamaha EMX512SC and it runs 500W per channel at 4 ohms which should be a perfect match.

Any other suggestions?

Your welcome

Thats is one of the nice things about them you can use them with a pole in the middle.

I find them really good used the ZX-1 as monitors and the newer ZX-3's as mains with lots of punch the only thing that would have been nice for that show was 4 SB-122's and full tri amp the ZX-3 are biampable

But if you can check out the EV web site http://electrovoice.com

there is some nice sound with out breaking the bank but then you can as well

[defunkted]

One more quick question.

I think two SB-122s would be overkill and I'm thinking I might get two ZX-1s One in each corner run in parrallel to get the full 500 watts out of the amp and then the other ZX-1 connected to the SB-122 in third corner.

What do you think, will one SB-122 balance things out enough? Again, it's only percussion and small acoustic instruments and vocals. I do want a lot of warm presence coming out of the speaker though. These ZX-1s aren't too bright, are they?

Thanks again,
Frederick

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by defunkted

One more quick question.

I think two SB-122s would be overkill and I'm thinking I might get two ZX-1s One in each corner run in parrallel to get the full 500 watts out of the amp and then the other ZX-1 connected to the SB-122 in third corner.

What do you think, will one SB-122 balance things out enough? Again, it's only percussion and small acoustic instruments and vocals. I do want a lot of warm presence coming out of the speaker though. These ZX-1s aren't too bright, are they?

Thanks again,
Frederick

One SB122 might work just find it has a nice round having 2 of each aside and i use them in the dinning room when there not out :P you can always cut bass if needed.

I do find that when you use the ZX-1 as a monitor the bass is more pronounced but they are a very clean sound and smooth the bottom end is lost when on a tripod or pole mounted but the SB-122 solves that in 2 ways
one it has a pole mount on top to mount the ZX-1 and has in and out on the SB122 so you just go from amp to SB122 then the the ZX-1 and all is done. The end result is I can play classical to reggae and not loose any of the sound and I was just playing some Celtic harp and the sound was just so clean My sweetie was blown away even though the SB-122 at that point did not sound at all when taken away it did alter the sound and loose the lower notes not as pronounced. But were well rounded when all speakers were were working I work in 2 channels.

I am going to borrow a amp and processor and try them out in biamp mode.
Do a A and B test on channel as is amp to speakers and the other Biamped

I can get the stuff because I work for a EV dealer part time when he is doing shows and needs repair of equipment.

You may want to see if there is a dealer in the area were you live and check out the ZX-1s there.

I have no issues with them at all