What do you like better Powered speakers or amps?

[JX2 Productions]

What does everyone like better: Powered Speakers or Amps? I am not sure if the powered speakers would make you look less professional or more pro. To me they are a great idea but I also like how there is less weight per speaker. However, we must compensate by having the amp. Again, will the powered make you look less professional since most people can go out and by an inexpensive pair of these? You choose. Let me know.

Erik

party real_coo real_coo real_coo party real_coo [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] cool

[Bill Cronheim]

Erik,

We are all active cabinets here. We have several systems, the smallest being a pair of Mackie SRM 450's and ranging up to a full Fussion system.

Do we look less than professional... NO. Do we sound professional...YES

Consider this, the largest selling segment in pro audio today are active arrays. These are for the big tours.

[KJDJ]

I like un-powered one cable to each speaker

For the $$$ I think active has the best sound because the electronics are "tunned" to the cabinet/driver combinations.

My set-up I use a DBX Driverack PA ahead of my amps to handle the cabinet/driver tunning. This is more expensive but in my situation it offers alot more flexibility.

[Art Dearing]

Powered speakers are what I use. It was a decision that had to be made when upgrading. I found myself doing Wedding Ceremonies not in the same room or building for that matter. Powered speakers gave me the ability to be flexible. Plus, if one speaker were to croak vs only amplifier, I'm still in business, maybe not so if I didn't have a backup amp with me.

Plus, each powered speaker has an output so that they can be easily daisy-chained. One long cord from mixer to sub-woofer, short cable from it to the Main.

In the event your mixer goes down, you can still hook a direct line to the speaker and play via walk-man or portable battery powered mini-mixer that is used primarily for 4 additional mic hookups. You've got a built in volume control for both speakers and CD inputs.

My system for small weddings (150 or less) two RCF Powered 200A mains and two RCF Powered 800's for subwoofers. For larger venue to give more presence I bring along my Mackie Powered 1530's...lots of low end plus 3-way sound. And, if I need even more presence, I bring an amp and my Peavey SP2's with 15" Black Widow. I hook those up to my Zone on the Numark 1250.

Yes, I guess I'm partial to powered speakers. I also agree that the powered speakers are a Load to lift!

"Still spinning after all these years"
"Less Mic, more music for dancing."

[DJ Scott]

Just got into powereds. For weddings and small gigs, I'll run those. For big outdoor events, give me STACKS and RACKS! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

[Mike Mahoney]

Love my powered speakers, my little pick up can pack more punch when I load it full of active components, & the venues like that I am in & out quicker [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

plus, im multi-room venues, I can make things sound better, and when needing a little system for ceremonies, all I need s a mix-2,& a powered speaker. talk about convenient!

[MusicMixers]

For me it was all about the SOUND; compared present system to the new Mackie powered and almost cried; could not bring myself to down size and spend more money to boot; I had SINCERELY hoped to down size by going powered....Just my thoughts.

[Thomas Hamkens]

In all honesty, I'm still partial to the passive system. I haven't heard a molded cabinet yet that has the warmth of a birch cabinet. I also like being modular and with an active system, that isn't possible. I'll keep this opinion until I hear the new EV Plasma series.

[Bill Cronheim]

Thomas,

You must really listen to the Mackie SA 1521's or SR 1530's, both are Active cabinets created out of Baltic Birch... Definately the best of both worlds.

[Thomas Hamkens]

Bill,

Thanks for the advice but everything I've personally heard from Mackie has not impressed me. I like the Mackie mixers but speaker wise, it's a no go. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ph34r.gif[/img]