Ok guys, So I"m looking to buy some Portable PA Speakers because Currently I use 2 Peavy Cabinets and each have 2 15' speakers and a tweater. They are GREAT but just not convient for me because I have a car and I always have to have my friend drag them around. BUT I'm on a budget, so I was looking at some PA speakers that would fit in my car, and for now I need something to get me buy without spending a lot of cash and for doing small parties well around 200 people or less. I found some KUSTOM 15's on line and they are only $99 each. Now they are Way cheaper than name brands but the price sounds so good for now. Can anyone give me any insight on these? I dont know if I should buy them or not or if they are just a bunch of crap. I DJ mostly hip hop, house, alternative and R&B. Please Help. The LInk to these speakers if you want to see them is http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kustom-KPC15-15-PA-Speaker-Cabinet-with-Horn?sku=600816
SPeaker Help and Advice
- Thread starter Chandrez
- Start date
Breathe deep, Rocky...Go to your happy place.
There is no place like home.
There is no place like home.
There is no place like home.
There is no place like home.
Breathe deep, Rocky...Go to your happy place.
There is no place like home.
There is no place like home.
While I understand why djrox posted this.... here's the advice:
DON'T BE CHEAP!!!!
If you can't afford even entry level speakers (Kustom are barely entry level, entry level speakers)... save your money until you can.
There are a lot of options out there for compact systems that would blow your mind and probably blow your wallet up.... buying cheap is only going to cost you more in the end if you decide to take this serious one day... you'll end up replaceing gear sooner than later because what sounded like a good deal today... tomorrow you'll realize you threw your money into a garbage disposal.
SAVE... SAVE... SAVE...
Chandrez,
Joker summed it up for you. If you really seriously want to get into the business then you may want to consider getting a loan to buy quality gear. The payments are a cost of doing business so it can be a tax write off. If you get enough gigs per month, it will pay for itself.
Joker and some of the others have compact systems and you can PM them for further information. We also have Gear sponsors on this forum who offer credit and can help you in your selections to build as you go.
Breathe deep, Rocky...Go to your happy place.
There is no place like home.
There is no place like home.
Fellas,
Psssst, save your breathe.
There is no place like home.
There is no place like home.
Fellas,
Psssst, save your breathe.
Lots of people have made the mistake of buying inexpensive speakers when starting out only to find out that they wasted their money. Most cheap speakers are junk. For $100 you are not going to get a decent speaker and Kustom speakers are far from what ANY good DJ would consider good sounding speakers. You're better off with Peavey or Yamaha entry level speakers, but those aren't that great and they aren't $100 a piece either.
You need to go to at least a couple of stores that sell PRO level audio gear and listen to some different speakers to find out how much you are going to need to spend. craig's list is a great place to get good used gear, but it takes some time and patience. Good luck.
You need to go to at least a couple of stores that sell PRO level audio gear and listen to some different speakers to find out how much you are going to need to spend. craig's list is a great place to get good used gear, but it takes some time and patience. Good luck.
See if Ben of NLFX has something out on the prairie for you. He's a sponsor here and has helped several of our members with just such a scenario. And he'll stand behind what he sells. 
Agreed, avoid cheap brands like Kustom and Crate. These things are marketed to wannabe musicians and are generally disposable. Some of the inexpensive/off brands are simply home stereo baskets in a pro box. Feed 'em with a pro amp and you'll let the smoke out.
Used gear stores are rife with the stuff for good reason.
Agreed, avoid cheap brands like Kustom and Crate. These things are marketed to wannabe musicians and are generally disposable. Some of the inexpensive/off brands are simply home stereo baskets in a pro box. Feed 'em with a pro amp and you'll let the smoke out.
Used gear stores are rife with the stuff for good reason.
Kustom used to be good brand back in the day but no more.
They still make the Tuck and Roll PA sytem for musicians but its basically not the same. I heard they got bought out a long time ago and are not the same company that made the amps in the 60's and 70's.
They still make the Tuck and Roll PA sytem for musicians but its basically not the same. I heard they got bought out a long time ago and are not the same company that made the amps in the 60's and 70's.
Buy quality = Spend $$$$ once in a very long time.
Buy junk = Spend 3 or 4 times the amount $$$$ ($$$$ for junk + $$$$$ for quality = 3x+)
Buy once and be happy.
Buy junk = Spend 3 or 4 times the amount $$$$ ($$$$ for junk + $$$$$ for quality = 3x+)
Buy once and be happy.
But you are ignoring the fact that such qaulity gear may not fit in the trunk of the mid-80's sub compact that serves an the main mode of transport.
trust me - he doesn't....My man Rox is an acquired taste...like asparagus.
It may taste terrible; there's lotsa good stuff for you inside...
It may taste terrible; there's lotsa good stuff for you inside...
Terrible? Don't you mean different, tasty, and/or refreshing?It may taste terrible; there's lotsa good stuff for you inside...
Wiz,
Sarcasm, in order to be effective AND humorous, has to have, as a central component, the truth.
Have you forgotten the wrath hurled upon me by the Catfish Rights Association Party & Empowerment Responders(C.R.A.P.E.R.s) when I replied with direct and untempered honesty in other threads. I recall you were throwing some there, too.
I have no effect on the urinary output or fragrance of others.
Nah, Tuck has moved on to Dynacord
It takes some time to get used to but once you're inside the vault the information available is incredibletrust me - he doesn't....My man Rox is an acquired taste...like asparagus.
It may taste terrible; there's lotsa good stuff for you inside...
AAAAaaaarrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! MUST NOT MAKE COMMENT
Y'all are a mess! What say we pick up a collection to buy the Dude either a mini van or some good gear. 
Chandrez- really , in spite of all this craziness, everybody means well. Most have gone through what you are thinking of doing. And that is buying inexpensive gear. And the truth is, cheap gear is most of the time a direct reflection of the quality put in a product, although there are some exceptions here and there.
However, if that is all you can afford and you need gear to fulfill some commitments, then go ahead, you have to ultimately do what is best for you and your situation. Just be smart with how you use your gear and be aware of its limitations. If you can wait and save for better gear, then definitely consider renting gear for now. It is also a good way to sample what is out there and help you decide what is best for you.
However, if that is all you can afford and you need gear to fulfill some commitments, then go ahead, you have to ultimately do what is best for you and your situation. Just be smart with how you use your gear and be aware of its limitations. If you can wait and save for better gear, then definitely consider renting gear for now. It is also a good way to sample what is out there and help you decide what is best for you.
The following is not directed at or to ahoustondj.What say we pick up a collection to buy the Dude either a mini van or some good gear.
F dat! Earn it and you can have it.
What say we stop acting so foolishly and self righteously brotherly that we only succeed in aiding those that are detrimental to and foster a negative public opinion of our craft?
Let the music leeches and the "friend's brother" with the IPud and borrowed active Gemini boxes suffer the results of their own selfish purposes.
Better yet, commit only to activities with which you have the tools, skills, and capacity to properly perform.
As someone who now suffers from a consistent lack of money, here is what I have learned. Your milage may vary.
Buy the best quality that you can possibly afford, even if it takes you a year to save up for what you need.
When I first started out several years ago, my requirements weren't that great. I bought a second hand peavy system that had all the basics i needed *microphone, cords etc* but it still cost me $800.
Compared to what I have now, the peavey system is a complete piece of crap and I am amazed that I ever got by with it..
the bottom line, as others have said. If you want a serious business, you have to have serious equipment.
That does not necessarily mean going out and spending thousands of dollars either tho.
There are companies that make decent*not excellent but decent* equipment, at very reasonable prices. Behringer is one such company in my humble opinion.
just my two cents
-James
Buy the best quality that you can possibly afford, even if it takes you a year to save up for what you need.
When I first started out several years ago, my requirements weren't that great. I bought a second hand peavy system that had all the basics i needed *microphone, cords etc* but it still cost me $800.
Compared to what I have now, the peavey system is a complete piece of crap and I am amazed that I ever got by with it..
the bottom line, as others have said. If you want a serious business, you have to have serious equipment.
That does not necessarily mean going out and spending thousands of dollars either tho.
There are companies that make decent*not excellent but decent* equipment, at very reasonable prices. Behringer is one such company in my humble opinion.
just my two cents
-James