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Im looking to build a mobile DJ Sound System. I want to use powered speakers and do away with speakers and amp setup. I'm looking to accommodate at least 300 people.
This is the equipment I was thinking of getting:
I assume I will connect them in a daisy chain style?
PS. This is my first ever sound setup. I currently own a Pioneer DJM Mixer.
Thanks
The main disadvantage is generally cost and modularity, the advantage is simplicity. With an amp and passive speaker system, you can invest separately in a good amp and good speakers. You can upgrade one without the other and you have more flexibility in how you can upgrade. Also, generally, higher quality combined speakers will be more expensive than similar quality from a separate amp and speaker combo.
Generally, most active speakers are kind of so, so, but there are some good sets made. The big thing is that they are jack of all trade type solutions. They have the simplicity of combining the speaker and amp in an easy to use package, but they also don't generally have a great amp or a great cabinet. To get one that is good, you have to pay and they are still linked so that if the amp fails you need to repair the speaker instead of simply buying a new amp. Similarly, if the speaker breaks, you need to repair it rather than simply replacing the speaker.
I generally haven't seen a set of powered speakers that I would recommend for someone who understands how to properly setup an amp and speakers. I generally mostly see powered speakers being used for foolproof setups that need to be done by average users that don't have experience. Ultimately though, if you need the ultra portability and quick setup, they may be worth the premium and upkeep costs for your situation.
A powered speaker will generally cost more and be heavier, since they integrate the amp.
If you are going with 4 speakers, and want flexibility in adding more in the future, it may be worth it to go passive. Behringer makes some nice 4 channel amps that are lightweight, look for the iNuke series.
I have 2 of the 10" Behringer active speakers and they are handy for quick setups and monitors, but I would not want to deal with 4 heavy active 15" sized ones.
Also, not sure about your setup, but adding a crossover after your mixer and before the amps to split the lows/highs does wonders for the sound and helps protect your amps/speakers (whether active or passive) from being overdriven with too wide of a range.
I like the idea of the active set up and I'm also not worried about the weight of them.If the speaker blows( which shouldn't if you handle the set properly) you can just unplug,sound may suffer but the party goes on(may be expensive but you could have a spare/2nd hand speaker to hand,just as you would a back up amp. My concern is that can active 18" subwoofers give out the same deep bass as a passive 18" bass bin?if I can be convinced they can I'm gonna go with an active set! Anyone know if they sound the same or better and is it down to the more expensive the speaker the better sound!
Powered systems will not provide the bass response that you want if you are providing sound for a band. If you are simply doing the DJ thing go with the simplest and most convenient (powered). If you want to amp up the bass presence then add a powered sub woofer to do that. In virtually all live applications best sound comes from a passive system with good amps, 31 band eq, a crossover for the bass and separate bass cabs. It is very difficult to reproduce the sound quality of high end components and frequency response matched to the venue in a all in one powered system. If price is the major concern then go with powered speakers but if you want quality then go with the separate components and passive speakers and monitors.
