guybrush threepwood Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Just an idea I've had (which might be a terrible one), but I wondered if there are any negatives in using a powered PA speaker as a rig? I'm enjoying a pretty clean, crisp sound at the moment, so could it be a good idea to pair one with a preamp? I'd then have stage sound and DI covered. I know there might be some styles that really need an amp, but I'm mainly only playing jazz, folk and a bit of blues these days, so I thought it could work well, be a light carry, and lower in cost. I heard one of these and thought the low end was pretty good, and the specs aren't bad at all. http://www.altoproaudio.com/products/ts212 Am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) My experience with using budget powered PA speakers is that they run out of low end headroom pretty quickly when used as a dedicated bass rig, but admittedly at least on paper the one I used to use a rehearsal amp was lower spec that that one. I'd probably want to be rocking 2 of them for any moderate volume gig. If I personally was going to go for a powered speaker for bass, money no object then I'd stump up for one of [url="http://barefacedbass.com/product-range/FR800.htm"]these[/url]: Edited February 23, 2016 by bassman7755 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Could also cause problems if you have to adjust volume mid gig as it will be on back of speaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 [quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1456244679' post='2986988'] Could also cause problems if you have to adjust volume mid gig as it will be on back of speaker. [/quote] Nope. You'd adjust it on the preamp out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 If you buy a decent enough PA speaker, then yeah, I would take a PA rig over a bass rig any day for my rig. A decent top will run as good, if not better than an equivalent bass cab. Of course, it all depends you having the preamp of your choice in between your bass and PA cab(s) to get what you want. A PA cab loaded with speakers with 4" voice coils. Yup. Yes please. I've not got experience of the cab that you have posted... so in this particular instance, your mileage may vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunton-hobbit Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Mmm .... I'd look at Barefaced as well, at least their kit is rated in UK power levels (rule of thumb with Yank stuff is to divide it by four). Otherwise, it depends on your venues, for pub/cafe work I can see no real issues, but I'd need convincing about bigger gigs...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Firstly be reassured it isn't a bad idea or even a new one. It's no different from using a stage monitor either really. having given long complicated answers to this question in the past I've thought of a simple one. The bass speaker in the PA speaker is pretty much like the bass speaker in a dedicated bass rig. Cheap ones won't handle the power or deep bass well. Don't expect to get similar quality for much less than the cost of a bass speaker and amp. Any saving will only come because they are made in greater numbers. The bass output is limited by cone area in exactly the same way. So a single 10" cab won't do it, or probably all but the very best 12's, so you are going to need a pair probably, though you could add a sub. Bass speakers should be optimised for bass and often are voiced for bass. PA speakers may have a gentle roll off to give better clarity elsewhere or optimised in other ways for full range sound. They will almost always have a flat response which may not be to your liking, though i like the sound they give whenever I use mine. Like buying anything the best advice is to try before you buy to see if you like the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Just looked at the link. The Alto's won't really be 500W as that will be shared between the horn and the bass speaker. With a 2.5" voice coil the speaker will handle no more than 300W if you are lucky, less at low frequencies so think of this as the equivalent of a cheapish 300W bass combo. Alto sound OK but aren't really anything like top of the range, they are kind of best of the cheapies. The plastic cab is likely to resonate quite a lot with bass going through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guybrush threepwood Posted February 23, 2016 Author Share Posted February 23, 2016 Thanks for the replies guys, good to know I wasn't completely off the track! Hadn't thought about the plastic cabinet with bass though; I guess it could create lots of vibration! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I always have preferred the sound of my bass through P.A speakers instead of bass amps. Full range and utterly crystal clear. That may be some bass players idea of hell though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jassbass Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 I recently bought a pair of behringer b312a powered pa speaker's for backline, very powerful and more than enough bottom end easily. Was going to use my bassbone preamp with one them,well one of them, no need for 2,but got a tc rh450 for a great price and trace 2x10 cab.so I've never tried the pa speaker's at a gig,bit I'm sure it would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted February 24, 2016 Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) Some of those at Maplin are worth a look too. http://www.maplin.co.uk/c/dj-studio-and-audio/live-sound-and-studio/pa-speakers?gclid=CLWftoT5kMsCFVG6GwodFicPiw Someone at the Herts Bass Bash had some. They were certainly impressive for the money. Edited February 24, 2016 by Grangur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guybrush threepwood Posted February 25, 2016 Author Share Posted February 25, 2016 Seriously, maplin? Maybe I'm too much of a snob! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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