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From: MS on 24 Apr 2008 00:18
I'm looking to get a portable PA system, for an elementary school where I
teach. To be used for music as well as speech.

So, definitely not a pro usage, but being the school's music teacher, I
would like to steer them toward something with decent sound. Portability and
convenience are also important factors, that the system could quickly be
moved from one place to another, not a lot of trouble to setup, not take up
a lot of space.

I'm thinking of perhaps the Yamaha Stagepas 500, or the Fender Passport
PD-500. Anyone here have any experience with either of those two systems?

The Fender costs a lot more, for the same wattage. I'm not sure why.
(Looking at the specs, it actually has smaller woofers, 8", vs. 10" on the
Yamaha.) It includes a couple mics, I think, which I don't think the Yamaha
does, but that in itself is not enough to justify that difference in price.
One thing that appears better about the Fender, in terms of portability--the
whole unit attaches together into one piece (I think), simpler for moving
around, whereas the Yamaha seems to be in two pieces. Anything else better
about the Fender, to justify that price difference?

Or?? Any other recommendations?

(Disclaimer--I know some of the pros won't like the idea of a portable sound
system at all. But again, this is not for pro usage, but for an elementary
school, and I think either of the systems mentioned are probably far better
than the PAs most elementary schools have. (Most are terrible for music.)
Please keep that in mind.

Thank you for your suggestions!


From: Tim Perry on 24 Apr 2008 01:22

"MS" <ms(a)nospam.com> wrote in message news:2STPj.3705$Ks1.1733(a)trnddc01...
> I'm looking to get a portable PA system, for an elementary school where I
> teach. To be used for music as well as speech.
>
> So, definitely not a pro usage, but being the school's music teacher, I
> would like to steer them toward something with decent sound. Portability
and
> convenience are also important factors, that the system could quickly be
> moved from one place to another, not a lot of trouble to setup, not take
up
> a lot of space.
>
> I'm thinking of perhaps the Yamaha Stagepas 500, or the Fender Passport
> PD-500. Anyone here have any experience with either of those two systems?
>
> The Fender costs a lot more, for the same wattage. I'm not sure why.
> (Looking at the specs, it actually has smaller woofers, 8", vs. 10" on
the
> Yamaha.) It includes a couple mics, I think, which I don't think the
Yamaha
> does, but that in itself is not enough to justify that difference in
price.
> One thing that appears better about the Fender, in terms of
portability--the
> whole unit attaches together into one piece (I think), simpler for moving
> around, whereas the Yamaha seems to be in two pieces. Anything else better
> about the Fender, to justify that price difference?
>
> Or?? Any other recommendations?
>
> (Disclaimer--I know some of the pros won't like the idea of a portable
sound
> system at all. But again, this is not for pro usage, but for an elementary
> school, and I think either of the systems mentioned are probably far
better
> than the PAs most elementary schools have. (Most are terrible for music.)
> Please keep that in mind.
>
> Thank you for your suggestions!
>

Well one of my clients bought a passport, it is lightweight and compact.
Sound comes out when it is not broken. When I tried to make use of it I
found it was horrible in every aspect.

I don't have any hands on experience with the Yam bit it looks lots better.

recommend: 2 Yorkville Sound YX-10 (about 200USD ea), 2 stands, a powered
mixer (Behringer about $300 ), cables


From: Phil Allison on 24 Apr 2008 01:33

"MS"

>
> I'm thinking of perhaps the Yamaha Stagepas 500, or the Fender Passport
> PD-500. Anyone here have any experience with either of those two systems?


** I have serviced a number of Fender ( designed and made in China) Passport
units.

Friggin nightmares to fix even the simplest of faults on them.


> The Fender costs a lot more, for the same wattage. I'm not sure why.
> (Looking at the specs, it actually has smaller woofers, 8", vs. 10" on
> the Yamaha.) It includes a couple mics, I think, which I don't think the
> Yamaha does, but that in itself is not enough to justify that difference
> in price. One thing that appears better about the Fender, in terms of
> portability--the whole unit attaches together into one piece (I think),
> simpler for moving around, whereas the Yamaha seems to be in two pieces.
> Anything else better about the Fender, to justify that price difference?


** The Yamaha is probably Chinese in every way too.

A lower price and bigger speakers sounds good to me.

Ya pays ya money and ya takes your pick.



...... Phil






From: Gareth Magennis on 24 Apr 2008 03:58

"MS" <ms(a)nospam.com> wrote in message news:2STPj.3705$Ks1.1733(a)trnddc01...
> I'm looking to get a portable PA system, for an elementary school where I
> teach. To be used for music as well as speech.
>
> So, definitely not a pro usage, but being the school's music teacher, I
> would like to steer them toward something with decent sound. Portability
> and convenience are also important factors, that the system could quickly
> be moved from one place to another, not a lot of trouble to setup, not
> take up a lot of space.
>
> I'm thinking of perhaps the Yamaha Stagepas 500, or the Fender Passport
> PD-500. Anyone here have any experience with either of those two systems?
>
> The Fender costs a lot more, for the same wattage. I'm not sure why.
> (Looking at the specs, it actually has smaller woofers, 8", vs. 10" on
> the Yamaha.) It includes a couple mics, I think, which I don't think the
> Yamaha does, but that in itself is not enough to justify that difference
> in price. One thing that appears better about the Fender, in terms of
> portability--the whole unit attaches together into one piece (I think),
> simpler for moving around, whereas the Yamaha seems to be in two pieces.
> Anything else better about the Fender, to justify that price difference?
>
> Or?? Any other recommendations?
>
> (Disclaimer--I know some of the pros won't like the idea of a portable
> sound system at all. But again, this is not for pro usage, but for an
> elementary school, and I think either of the systems mentioned are
> probably far better than the PAs most elementary schools have. (Most are
> terrible for music.) Please keep that in mind.
>
> Thank you for your suggestions!
>


I've just returned a broken Fender Passsport to a customer because it is a
complete nightmare to repair as Mr Allison says. It has a Switch Mode Power
Supply and is just a piece of dog poo in disguise.



Gareth.


From: Phil Allison on 24 Apr 2008 04:05

"Gareth Magennis"

>> "MS" I'm thinking of perhaps the Yamaha Stagepas 500, or the Fender
>> Passport PD-500. Anyone here have any experience with either of those two
>> systems?
>
> I've just returned a broken Fender Passsport to a customer because it is a
> complete nightmare to repair as Mr Allison says. It has a Switch Mode
> Power Supply and is just a piece of dog poo in disguise.


** OTOH - the Yamaha " Stagepass " powered mixer uses two class D
power amps, a SMPS and is so tiny it fits on top of a mic stand.

The insides must look just like a modern PC motherboard.

Anyone for sheep farming ????




...... Phil


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