Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fine, small, portable PA, April 2, 2008
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect for Small Room Sound Reinforcement, October 29, 2008
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.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great sound for the money, March 27, 2009
I bought this little pa from Musicians friend for 450 bucks (B-Stock) but I couldn't find any thing to make it b stock. It sound great for small speakers. Has plenty of volume for my use. One drawback is the lack of phantom power but I have adapters for that. I also bought the case to carry the system in and it too is of very high quality. I bought speaker stands too and they are very heavy duty as well. This is the perfect solution for me because I perform small venues. If I do a larger room I will use it for monitor. I have seen that the price has gone up in the last couple of weeks so good luck finding it for less that 500 dollars, but even at 600 it would be a good deal.
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