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Newbie DJ, desperately need PA system suggestions

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  • August 20, 2015 at 11:46 pm #2243161
    bob6397
    Participant

    My advice would be to spend as much as you can – you get what you pay for.

    At the budget end of the market, your options (as you have found out) are quite limited.

    I would make sure that you get 15″ drivers if you are not planning on buying any subs – a decent sub will set you back around £500 for one from any brand. Buy 12″ drivers if you are getting a sub though.

    Personally, I use a pair of Mackie Thump 15’s – I’ve had them since December and love them – note that these are the 2014 model actually called “Mackie Thump 15” and not the eariler version called “Mackie Thump TH-15A). The older model is much less powerful and sounds a lot worse – these have the grey grill on the front whereas the new ones have a black grill.

    These will cost around £500 GBP for a pair.

    Another option which gets good reviews are Alto TS115A – these will also cost around £500 GBP for a pair and receive good reviews.

    Slightly upmarket, I have heard a lot of positive feedback about FBT X-Lite 15’s – These will cost around £650 a pair but apparently are worth the difference.

    I would not pay any less for a pair of speakers – they will not do your music justice.

    bob6397

    August 21, 2015 at 12:37 am #2243191
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    I have excellent experience with the Mackie HD-series. The 18″ (HD-1801) for once is actually better (tighter at higher volumes) than it’s 15″ little sister. I use one with two HD-1221s. Up to 100-125 people I turn down the sub by 3-6dB or they are overpowering!

    When needed or possible I add two Mackie SRM-450v2s that I bought used, but relatively new. Still the one sub seems plenty of umph for as many as 250 people. Sound quality is excellent, as is the build quality. I listened to many speakers and with the only exception of the TurboSounds, these outshone the competition in no small way. This of course is for my ears, yours might be different.

    And that is the second tip, after Bob’s you get what you pay for, namely trust your ears. Try to go to a place that has many speakers to try out. Bring a track you know well and that you know how it should sound like to your ears. Run ‘m hard (not of that whimpy living room level testing that sometimes goes on in showrooms, you’ll never play them like that after all) and don’t be afraid to push them to the limits. It’s the one time I think you can forget the 0dB rulez and Red=Bad rules! 😀

    August 21, 2015 at 1:05 am #2243231
    Ronnie EmJay
    Participant

    As you’re new to it all, rent a good system, it’ll be cheaper. Make sure it’s costs are covered by the fee you’re getting paid, or they can rent/insure it directly themselves.
    Once you’re making enough money and have enough gigs lined up, then think about buying equipment.

    The guys who posted above know more than me about what to buy for a mobile setup, I play in clubs, so take their advice on gear.

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