Yamaha STAGEPAS 300 Portable PA System

by Yamaha

Product Features

• Has all the power and high-quality sound you need
• Combines a built-in powered mixer and 2 PA speakers
• Built in reverb on the 4 mic channels
• Incredibly easy to use
• Great sound has never been so portable

Product Details

• Item Weight: 47 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 47.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000P1G0VW
• Item model number: STAGEPAS 300
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,032 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #6 in Toys & Games > Electronics for Kids > Karaoke
  • #32 in Musical Instruments > Live Sound & Stage > PA Systems

Product Description

The STAGEPAS 300 was the first in the line of complete compact PA system offerings from Yamaha. It was designed to give quality minded musicians, performers, speakers and other presenters a solution for their smaller performances, without sacrificing high fidelity and professional appearance. The mixer of the STAGEPAS 300 also contains the two 150 watt digital power amplifiers, and it resides in the back of one of the two passive loudspeakers that complete the system. The other loudspeaker has a convenient accessory compartment for the included speaker cables or other gear. This mixer has 8 total inputs. 4 are mono and can accept either microphone or line level instruments, and there are two stereo inputs to accept line level stereo sources like keyboards or CD players. Digital reverb is included onboard the mixer along with EQ or tone controls. In addition to providing simple operation, the mixer will operate installed in the speaker cabinet, out on a table or on a microphone stand with the optional adapter. Simple quarter turn fasteners allow easy removal and replacement with a coin.. The loudspeakers systems offer an 8” long travel woofer and 1” titanium high frequency driver assuring full fidelity sound. Due to their compact design, the loudspeakers require an external bracket to adapt for tripod stand use. The travel case accepts the speakers with these brackets attached. At less than 40 lbs, this system plays well beyond its size with remarkable fidelity.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine, small, portable PA, April 2, 2008

By 

S. Lutes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yamaha STAGEPAS 300 Portable PA System (Electronics)

I first auditioned the Stagepas300 several months ago, along with a friend, and we judged it relative to other portable PA's in the ~$500 - $1000 list price range. He immediately bought one, I soon did the same. We are both acoustic solo players/singers (since the late 1950's) who occasionally work with one or more other musicians doing mostly folk, old time, early country and bluegrass, and ragtime and country blues repertoire. Think acoustic music in small to perhaps 1,200 sq ft sized venues and you'll have an idea where this PA is a very strong contender and good value to boot. Other applications, especially those employing larger ensembles, electric instruments, or high decibel levels in large spaces deserve beefier gear in order not to disappoint.

The build quality is very good for an inexpensive portable PA (much more so than the rivals I kicked around a bit). I use only microphones but the XLR, ¼", and RCA input jacks all feel good. Onboard phantom power would have been much appreciated and its lack is one of the weaknesses of the Stagepas300. Others have derided the reverb effect, but I use only the lightest amount for enhancing vocal ambience and have no complaints. I've also acquired the pole mounting hardware for the speakers and the adapter for mounting the mixer on a mike stand--they're a bit pricey, but, all-in-all, the whole thing still cost me only around $500 and it looks and sounds great. If your needs increase, this set up is extremely easy to upgrade/expand without becoming at all obsolete.

More than anything else, the Stagepas300 sounds very good. Yamaha makes good mass market audio gear and the 300 has solid, smooth output. The electronics have a 20Hz-20kHz frequency response with reasonable specs; the speakers are rated at 55Hz-20kHz and if you use good quality microphones and cables this is probably what you get in terms of audible response. It's quite good, very little audible distortion at moderate volume levels and little hum or other noise--a very smooth and natural sounding output. There are limited hi and lo EQ abilities on all the input channels, but I'm pretty much into the `straight wire with gain' philosophy anyway. Just to round out the set up FYI. Bob uses two Shure 87a microphones, I use two CAD C-195s and two Astatic CTM 1000A dual capsule cardioids condenser mikes (when playing in a duo) and I can't really tell much difference in the output.

We're both very happy with our Stagepas300's. If your expectations are reasonable and this review resembles you, chances are that you too will be very happy playing and singing through this system.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent But Slightly Frustrating Product, November 22, 2010

By 

Paul R. Potts "Software Developer" (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yamaha STAGEPAS 300 Portable PA System (Electronics)

So I bought this originally to do some small DJ/dance type things with an eye towards using it for live music.

For DJ'ing a small party (under 50 people or so) it does a pretty decent job -- the sound level gets fairly loud. There isn't a whole lot of deep bass but it sounds fairly natural and clean.

It makes a reasonable PA for a live discussion sort of activity with, say, two presenters and a third mic for people in the audience. I used it with a Shure SM-58 and got compliments on the sound quality. The amplifier module has a built-in fan that is fairly noisy. Don't set your mic down near the amplifier module even if it is turned down. You'll get electrical noise through the speakers.

It's not so usable for live music, and here's why. The mic inputs provide no phantom power, so I can't use them with anything other than dynamic mics such as the aforementioned SM-58. None of my condensers (such as a Rode NT-5 that I like to use for mic'ing an acoustic guitar) will work. I'd have to chain on a separate mixer with phantom power or something.

If you're going to sing with a band, you probably want some vocal processing. With this system you have a two-band EQ (low and high). That's it. There's no notch filter to reduce feedback, and no low cut filter to reduce rumble or mic handling noise. When you go to sing along with a guitar amplifier you'll miss the lack of compression and so mic technique becomes critical to maintain volume (although, to be fair, this is a problem with any powered mixer setups that don't provide channel strip options like compression).

The reverb effect, as has been mentioned elsewhere, is pretty horrible except when set very low.

If you try to put an electric bass through it you'll be disappointed. I have a line out on my Roland bass amp but through the PA, the fundamentals for the lower strings are pretty much nonexistent. You'll need a subwoofer. Unfortunately Yamaha does not seem to offer one that is really designed, powered, and priced to work with this system.

I bought the bag and I've carted it around a few times. It is pretty easy to set up and break down and the bag has room for a couple of mics and some cables. So that part is nice. Getting the amplifier module in and out of the speaker is a little fiddly and the little screws that hold it in place, and the foam that keeps it from rattling, are a bit fragile.

It doesn't come with a mic stand adapter for the amplifier module; it's a special order item from most stores. That's awkward. The module usually winds up sitting loose on a table or something; once it has a bunch of cables attached, it is a little vulnerable.

In retrospect I wish I had gotten something else; I'm not quite sure what. Maybe the 500-watt system, or maybe something else entirely. I will probably be trying to replace it in the near future.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for Small Room Sound Reinforcement, October 29, 2008

By 

John Palmer (Scarsdale, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yamaha STAGEPAS 300 Portable PA System (Electronics)

I play guitar in a band that plays 60's vintage soul jazz (sax, keyboard, guitar, bass and drums). We play small venues. Strictly speaking, only I should be allowed to have an amp and everyone else should be playing acoustic "au naturel." Pure we ain't. At the same time, we are not a rock band.

As the "volunteer" sound man for the band, I wanted a PA that would supplement the amps we already have: one for keyboard, one for bass and one powered monitor that I use to hear myself play, along with everyone else (except the drums). The goal was to project a blended sound to the audience that would be biased towards the mid-range/high frequencies. No need for chest thumping bass. What bass we need comes through a dedicated bass amp, the keyboard amp and my monitor.

The Stagepas 300 worked perfectly in this role. Before the Stagepas, my bandmates had a lot of trouble hearing themselves. With the Stagepas, we were able to get a good, hi fidelity blend for both audience and band members at a reasonable level of volume. My bandmates were ecstatic!

As the default "roadie," I wanted a PA that would be easy to transport, set up and take down. I also wanted flexibility so that I could plug in an iPOD to do sound checks (via RCA connection cable) and have outputs that could go to the powered monitor with an independent volume control. Stagepas 300 totally nailed these requirements. Couldn't be easier to setup. I was ecstatic! In this area, it is great that Yamaha sells a rollaround "suitcase" custom made to transport the Stagepas 300.

I can see other applications for the system. I'm sure it would work well as a rehearsal PA if you wanted to jam to recorded music. In larger spaces, I also think it would work well as to drive a monitor system connected to a more high-powered PA that a larger space would probably require.

In sum, I'm completely satisfied...a hero to my bandmates and audiences alike.