Speakers for outside use/events

[djoutlaw]

I’m looking to get a passive outdoor speaker setup that is lightweight and loud that can cover a large area that will only be used for outdoor events. Here are the outdoor events that I have lined up so far. I have two school carnivals and a fun run around a track. The two school carnivals will be using the football field/soccer fields/areas nearby, their will be several bounce houses with generators making noise, lights with generators, etc. I will be playing music and making announcements. As for the fun run, it’s around the track and they want me to be in the middle on the football field and I would like to be on the outside of a straight away facing the track..

Here are my questions/concerns:
1. What type of (passive) speakers should I get for outdoor events/outdoor parties (what do you use for outdoor events)?
2. Do I need subs or folded horn? (since I’m by myself, I think 2 single 18” subs are the way to go)
3. Should I focus on speakers that are 60x40 or 90x60 for coverage?
4. What types of generators do you use for outdoor events and what specific things should I look for when selecting a generator?

Is there any thing that I have missed?

 

[drzinc]

Whats your budget?
Do you have amps to run your speakers that you will buy?
A good combo would be a pair of true folded horns and some ABS tops.
A good compact folded horn is this one.
A good pair of abs tops are these.

This would make a great combo and you would be able to set it up yourself.

 

[rickryan.com]

Whats your budget?
Do you have amps to run your speakers that you will buy?
A good combo would be a pair of true folded horns and some ABS tops.
A good compact folded horn is this one.
A good pair of abs tops are these.

This would make a great combo and you would be able to set it up yourself.

I'm going +1 on the LM tops. I've recently bought two pair, the 15s and 12s. I prefer the 12s with a sub, 15s for full range. Fantastic speaker for the money and the cover they sell has a flap that can be opened. You can run them with the covers on.

 

[ahoustondj]

There are not too many compromises you can make when doing outdoor gigs. You start transitioning from DJ System to Live Ssystem. Getting speakers that are loud is also not the answer. Speakers that are loud tend to be blaring. You need the right stuff for the job. Also the right stuff is not cheap. You will need projection and power. Added to what DRZINC recommended there are other options. Power is the key, a whole bunch of blaring speakers are NOT recommended.

You also need to charge enough so you can have a helper/roadie. What if it starts raining? Who is going to help you pull out the tarps to cover your gear.
Based on what you wrote:

Here are my questions/concerns:
1. What type of (passive) speakers should I get for outdoor events/outdoor parties (what do you use for outdoor events)? Folded Horns or Double 18" stacks.
2. Do I need subs or folded horn? (since I’m by myself, I think 2 single 18” subs are the way to go) Are you kidding? Two single 18" are barely enough for a medium size hall.
3. Should I focus on speakers that are 60x40 or 90x60 for coverage? The latter.
4. What types of generators do you use for outdoor events and what specific things should I look for when selecting a generator? Check with a qualified Electrician or total up the Total Amps and watts outputs of your system and add about half more of that amount so you have headroom.

Is there any thing that I have missed? If you are not charging enough, you won't be able to afford what it takes to buy the necessary gear. Are you going to buy/rent a stage or will you have the client supply it. Speakers on the ground is not a good idea.

Revised:
Ben just chimed in below. I think you should consult with him so he can design a suitable system for you. As Ben stated if the audience is far back you need a tighter pattern than if they are closer to the stage area.
For example: You can talk loud to a bunch of people directly in front of you so everyone can hear. If people are far back, you have to cup your hands around your mouth and your voice goes farther.

 

[NLFX Pro]

If you're trying to throw that sound a long ways, you may want to consider some speakers that have 50 x 20 patterns. You'll lose a lot of energy into non-lisetning areas with a 40 degree pattern over distance.

Ben

 

[djoutlaw]

Whats your budget? $2000 for speakers/amps
Do you have amps to run your speakers that you will buy? no
A good combo would be a pair of true folded horns and some ABS tops.
A good compact folded horn is this one. I haven't heard of them, where are they located?
A good pair of abs tops are these. This speaker is now on top of my list--thanks for the link!

This would make a great combo and you would be able to set it up yourself.

 

[djoutlaw]

I'm going +1 on the LM tops. I've recently bought two pair, the 15s and 12s. I prefer the 12s with a sub, 15s for full range. Fantastic speaker for the money and the cover they sell has a flap that can be opened. You can run them with the covers on. The 15s are my top choice right now. Have you tried the 15s with subs? if so how did it sound and what subs did you use?

 

[rickryan.com]

I'm going +1 on the LM tops. I've recently bought two pair, the 15s and 12s. I prefer the 12s with a sub, 15s for full range. Fantastic speaker for the money and the cover they sell has a flap that can be opened. You can run them with the covers on. The 15s are my top choice right now. Have you tried the 15s with subs? if so how did it sound and what subs did you use?

Yes I've used them and they work great. There's a subtle tonal different between the 12" driver the 15", IMHO. Not bad but the 12s seem to punch the mids a bit more and that marries up to the subs better. The 12 cabinets are also smaller and lighter than the 15s. Both easier on the back and easier to make them melt into the surroundings. For subs I'm doing a pair of 18" peaveys.

 

[djoutlaw]

There are not too many compromises you can make when doing outdoor gigs. You start transitioning from DJ System to Live Ssystem. Getting speakers that are loud is also not the answer. Speakers that are loud tend to be blaring. You need the right stuff for the job. Also the right stuff is not cheap. You will need projection and power. Added to what DRZINC recommended there are other options. Power is the key, a whole bunch of blaring speakers are NOT recommended.

You also need to charge enough so you can have a helper/roadie. What if it starts raining? Who is going to help you pull out the tarps to cover your gear. School events (jr high/elementary) that I do are limited on what they can pay; but for other events (corprate, etc) I agree--but I'm not going that route yet. So these school events I do by myself--so I'm looking for a quality system that is simple and light weight to set-up that I can transport in my car.
Based on what you wrote:

Here are my questions/concerns:
1. What type of (passive) speakers should I get for outdoor events/outdoor parties (what do you use for outdoor events)? Folded Horns or Double 18" stacks. I'm looking for light weight2. Do I need subs or folded horn? (since I’m by myself, I think 2 single 18” subs are the way to go) Are you kidding? Two single 18" are barely enough for a medium size hall. I'm looking for something that I can lift in/out of my car easily
3. Should I focus on speakers that are 60x40 or 90x60 for coverage? The latter.
4. What types of generators do you use for outdoor events and what specific things should I look for when selecting a generator? Check with a qualified Electrician or total up the Total Amps and watts outputs of your system and add about half more of that amount so you have headroom. thanks

Is there any thing that I have missed? If you are not charging enough, you won't be able to afford what it takes to buy the necessary gear. Are you going to buy/rent a stage or will you have the client supply it. Speakers on the ground is not a good idea. Schools don't have stages, they don't pay enough to rent a stage--I will use speakers on top of tripods

 

[djoutlaw]

If you're trying to throw that sound a long ways, you may want to consider some speakers that have 50 x 20 patterns. You'll lose a lot of energy into non-lisetning areas with a 40 degree pattern over distance.

Ben

What speakers do you suggest that have a 50x20 pattern?
Would a 90x60 pattern be better for an overall general application?

 

[djoutlaw]

Yes I've used them and they work great. There's a subtle tonal different between the 12" driver the 15", IMHO. Not bad but the 12s seem to punch the mids a bit more and that marries up to the subs better. The 12 cabinets are also smaller and lighter than the 15s. Both easier on the back and easier to make them melt into the surroundings. For subs I'm doing a pair of 18" peaveys.

If you don't mind telling me, what peavey model is it? I am now debating on whether I should go with carvin subs or another brand. What are your thoughts?

 

[djoutlaw]

Yes I've used them and they work great. There's a subtle tonal different between the 12" driver the 15", IMHO. Not bad but the 12s seem to punch the mids a bit more and that marries up to the subs better. The 12 cabinets are also smaller and lighter than the 15s. Both easier on the back and easier to make them melt into the surroundings. For subs I'm doing a pair of 18" peaveys.

I forgot to ask you; are you using an external crossover with your set-up and what amps are being used?

 

[CMWAT]

you can forget about "light weight" when doing outdoor events as big as a football field.i've never seen light weight and loud go together at an outdoor event that big.think possibly 70lbs and up for speakers.and please buy amps that can drive the speakers or they will sound terrible.

 

[rickryan.com]

If you don't mind telling me, what peavey model is it? I am now debating on whether I should go with carvin subs or another brand. What are your thoughts?

I'd go with the carvin subs over the peavey (at what I have - pv118). Sensitivity on mine are 95db and the carvins are 100db. There's a huge difference. I'm using the peavey ipr3000 amp and love it. Just bought another for my 2nd rig this week.

 

[SoftJock Rick]

I'd go with Peavey's outside.

Check out the SP series. Built like a rock (and heavy as one too). You can't beat Peavey for dependability. The things will hold up yer house if needed, and still play music.

Stay away from the plastic stuff, no matter what brand, and don't use pole mounts. Keep your stuff on the ground, then work up. The wood resonates with the Earth, and produces great tone that carries well to the crowd. From my experience over the decades, Peavey uses good wood, and it works the best outside, and can handle the enironment.

 

[djoutlaw]

I'd go with the carvin subs over the peavey (at what I have - pv118). Sensitivity on mine are 95db and the carvins are 100db. There's a huge difference. I'm using the peavey ipr3000 amp and love it. Just bought another for my 2nd rig this week.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[djoutlaw]

I'd go with Peavey's outside.

Check out the SP series. Built like a rock (and heavy as one too). You can't beat Peavey for dependability. The things will hold up yer house if needed, and still play music.

Stay away from the plastic stuff, no matter what brand, and don't use pole mounts. Keep your stuff on the ground, then work up. The wood resonates with the Earth, and produces great tone that carries well to the crowd. From my experience over the decades, Peavey uses good wood, and it works the best outside, and can handle the enironment.

The sp3 was on my list, but like you said they are very heavy.
Having speakers on the ground wouldn't the crowd block/soak in the sound; whereas on tripods the sound is carried over the crowd heads and may travel further than on the ground.

 

[USDJ]

I'm really fond of these:

View attachment 24328

JBL SR4719X. A pair of these works wonders for me driven with either a Crown MA5000VZ or a Crown I-Tech 8000. Make1 pretty darn good BOOM! Big, Heavy, Wooden and won't fit in a car!

Best,

Paul

 

[ahoustondj]

I'm looking for something that I can lift in/out of my car easily

You are kidding me right? :yoOMG: You are planning for an outdoor rig/gig and you think equipment for that would fit in a car? :yoohno: Good Luck friend.:yoDur:

 

[SoftJock Rick]

The sp3 was on my list, but like you said they are very heavy.
Having speakers on the ground wouldn't the crowd block/soak in the sound; whereas on tripods the sound is carried over the crowd heads and may travel further than on the ground.

That's why I said work from the ground up, but keep the speakers physically coupled via the wood cabinets.

You'll lose all the earth resonating effects by putting them on metal poles, and/or using plastic speakers.

There's also the issue of how you want to zone outdoors. Unless yer doing an 80,000 seat stadium, I think you'll want to create a certain zone where the sound is loud, and then let the resonance and drifting carry out to the back. This way people have a space to come to if they want to be involved closely with the music, yet they'll have plenty of space where they can talk normally, yet still hear the music as a part of the background ambiance.