good PA System - out of the box or build it?

[nopoetic]

i have a few questions on buying a good PA system setup, im looking for something with at least 450watts either out of the box (prebuilt) PA system. or something i can build myself that will give me good quality and maybe even more wattage. I've been looking at Nady products but i've heard they are crap.

if Nady are reliable (i'd like more opinions on their products) then this is what i would consider getting.....

Nady XA-900 Pro Stereo Power Amp (900watts) - $200
2 Nady PS115 2-Way Speaker (500watt handleing) - $100each
Behringer Eurorack UB1202 Mixer (i dont need many channels) - $100

this would only cost me around $500 for a powerful PA system, but i dont know the quality of Nady. am i better off spending more money and going with all Behringer products?

can anyone suggest a better PA system, maybe prebuilt or something i can get for around the same price. my budget on a PA is around $650 i guess.

[Treeline]

Don't try to build a system unless you simply have no scratch at all. You'll have a duct tape / bailing wire kind of thing that will do in a pinch.

Your budget and the power you want just don't go together. That's a problem that will require you to change your expectations or come up with another thousand bucks.

So let's look at the assumptions - and lets think like a porgrammer for a minute:

How is this system going to be used? 450 watts is a lot of punch for a single act.

Is this for a full band or a one or two person act?

Full bore electric / shredder / industrial genre stuff or acoustic ragtime and occasional jazz?

You mentioned you didn't need many inputs. How many and for what uses?

Outdoor venue, or football field, or indoor dance hall, or retauraunt & lounge use?

The answers to those questions will head you in a particular direction.

If its just you, or you and one other person, you could use up to four or five channels at the most. That suggests an acoustic act tailored to the small bar / lounge / community center / vacant church concert type of gig. 250 watts or so is enough, but barely.

If that's the case, look at the small Carvin systems, the Fender Passport Pro (larger, black units) and some of the entry level MF packages , maybe a Yamaha head and a couple of speakers. I'd avoid NADY as a general rule; its gear is all price leader stuff - not real great sound. You're in the $ 600 - 1000 range already.

Next step up is the JBL / Yamaha / Mackie systems - around $2K and packing lots of punch for the money. They are genereally in the 800 - 1200 watt range, but the sound quality varies widely.

I did a lot of research and almost went with the Passport Pro system - then when time came to buy it, I ended up biting the bullet and went with a Mackie board and SRM450 powered cabs. They're incredible sounding, but not cheap.

[TimOBrien]

nopoetic, I feel you pain.... I'm looking at PA gear myself.

But remember the old adage:

"You can have 1)Good 2)Easy 3) Cheap

Pick Any Two....."

[nopoetic]

yeah, i think i've come to the conclusion that Nady sucks. so im gonna just save the money for a Yamaha package for about $950. it comes with a Yamaha EMX66M 600 watt powered mixer and the Yamaha S15E Speakers with Axman speaker stands and various mics and cords. the speakers and the powered mixer are both good quality. and this PA is just for practice with my band or useing it at very small shows if i need to. its basicly just something i can use to record decent vocals with. this is the best i've found that will serve my purpose.

[Treeline]

Sounds like a plan...

[amphicar47]

yorkville 2 year even if you drop it warranty. check out audioeast.com my wife gigs 6 nights a week in key west.
the nx20 speakers are so light and kick