Need a battery powered speaker system

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rickryan.com said:
I was asked for a recommendation on a battery powered speaker system. They have a little 50-watt unit now but it's obviously not enough juice. Ideally, just needing spoken-word reproduction for up to 100 people.
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Bose Acoustic Wave system is what I use and I also rent it out for $150.00 per rental..I had one when it was Cassette and then the last one for CDs I bought in 2000. The new ones can play MP3 Discs as well as regular CDs. Mine uses 10 D Cells or a Power Pack.

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/wave_systems/awms/index.jsp&src=mc22350&mersourceid=mc22350&mr:trackingCode=F09AFBC5-ADEB-E111-B56B-0019B9C2BEFD&mr:referralID=NA&mr:keyword={keyword}&mr:match={matchtype}&mr:ad=12361257522&mr:adType=pla&mr:filter=19852567842

Update. My Battereries usually last about ten hours with hard playing. I plug a Bose Mic directly into it and not only does it play CDs/Mp3s but you can plug in an Ipod or similar device. Did I mention that it also has AM/FM Radio? Tour Laptop can be plugged directly into it for home use/Home Theatre.
 
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Only two non-boomboxes I have experienced were the Carvin Stagemate (not bad) and the Anchor Liberty. I have the Anchor. Great for speaking, ok for music. Battery lasts a few hours.
 
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Loneavenger said:
I have the anchor and it's okay, The speaker drzinc posted above looks interesting although i doubt i'd use the mic that comes with it.
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GTD Audio is known for their wireless mic systems. Search the board and you will find many glowing reviews.
 
The unit they have now is an Arthur, 50 watts. Not enough juice. It would be nice to have wireless but most important, must be simple (the Commissioner uses it on his appearances), fairly lightweight, and strong enough to handle 100 people outdoors. They're buying 2 of the 4-channel GTD units. We have a big conference coming up where they need 8 wireless mics. I hooked up mine today and the facility guy went nuts, loved it.
 
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Our DJ buddy Downstate does a lot of beach weddings, she swears by her Anchor rig. The Passport and Stagemate rigs ain't bad either.

A note on power dissipation here ~ you really don't need dance club power for a vocals-only PA. What you need is a speaker system that's designed for good projection and tone in the vocal range. :)
 
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The one you want is the Roland BA-330. Sonically, it gives you the best bang for the buck, has a ton of inputs, true stereo sound, awesome feedback rejection and can run on AA batteries.

Those Anchor systems are overpriced, and I've never heard one that I thought sounded great. They sound a lot like my Carvin Stagemate speaker, which is too heavy to be practical.

Fender Passport systems sound decent but are somewhat cumbersome, and nearly impossible to repair (especially if the casing cracks - handle them with care). I used to own one. Never again.
 
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I looked at them all. the Bose AWM outperforms them all with more options and versatility.
 
ahoustondj said:
I looked at them all. the Bose AWM outperforms them all with more options and versatility.
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How do you figure? The current versions don't even have a microphone input. It is a consumer-grade audio system, not even stand-mountable.

I know you love yours, and I have a few Bose products that I love, but I'd never consider an Acoustic Wave system for a professional sound reinforcement application.
 
B-Sharp said:
How do you figure? The current versions don't even have a microphone input. It is a consumer-grade audio system, not even stand-mountable.

I know you love yours, and I have a few Bose products that I love, but I'd never consider an Acoustic Wave system for a professional sound reinforcement application.
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I am in Alabama right now otherwise i would show you with pics how one can be mounted on a stand. None of the others that others have recommended can play AM/FM. None of the others have a CD?MP3 Player integrated. None of the others can play 10 hours or more on 10 D cells. I have no files on the laptop that I am now using today so I can't show pics to back up to what I am referring. As far as consumergrade, i did notrealize that the MP3s for sale on Amazon and iTunes were Professional and Consumer Grade. Most folks on here buy Consumer/Off the shelf Laptops (i.e. Consumer grade equipment) anyway!
 
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ahoustondj said:
I am in Alabama right now otherwise i would show you with pics how one can be mounted on a stand. None of the others that others have recommended can play AM/FM. None of the others have a CD?MP3 Player integrated. None of the others can play 10 hours or more on 10 D cells. I have no files on the laptop that I am now using today so I can't show pics to back up to what I am referring. As far as consumergrade, i did notrealize that the MP3s for sale on Amazon and iTunes were Professional and Consumer Grade. Most folks on here buy Consumer/Off the shelf Laptops (i.e. Consumer grade equipment) anyway!
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The suggestion was for spoken-word reproduction. CD players are quickly becoming extinct, and I'm not sure why you'd need an AM/FM radio built into a PA system (do you have an AM/FM tuner installed in your DJ rack)?. The only "versatility" included with the Acoustic Wave system is a single mini-jack line input. Don't get me wrong - the Acoustic Wave system sounds great, but it's just not useful for PA applications without an additional mixer. Unfortunately, most mixers will require AC power. A Bose Compact will also require AC power, but it would be a better choice for this application due to its design and input options (and lower price, too).

There were a few reasons that I recommended the Roland BA-330 - most important to me is having a variety of input options, and it doesn't let down in that regard. It's got 2 XLR mic inputs, four channels with 1/4" line inputs, a pair of RCA inputs and a stereo mini-jack input. Regardless of what somebody shows up with - a guitar, an iPod, a keyboard or just a microphone, it's useful. It's also ridiculously rugged, with plastic protectors on the corners and bottom. It runs for up to 12 hours on cheap AA batteries, has a battery status indicator and the active anti-feedback circuitry works well. All in all, it's practically indestructible. The flip-out pivot arm is genius, the standard speaker-stand mount on the bottom is useful.

The price is right: around $600.
 
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Looking at the Roland right now, looks promising. This may be the first purchase of 2013. ;)
 
B-Sharp said:
The suggestion was for spoken-word reproduction. CD players are quickly becoming extinct, and I'm not sure why you'd need an AM/FM radio built into a PA system (do you have an AM/FM tuner installed in your DJ rack)?. The only "versatility" included with the Acoustic Wave system is a single mini-jack line input. Don't get me wrong - the Acoustic Wave system sounds great, but it's just not useful for PA applications without an additional mixer. Unfortunately, most mixers will require AC power. A Bose Compact will also require AC power, but it would be a better choice for this application due to its design and input options (and lower price, too).

There were a few reasons that I recommended the Roland BA-330 - most important to me is having a variety of input options, and it doesn't let down in that regard. It's got 2 XLR mic inputs, four channels with 1/4" line inputs, a pair of RCA inputs and a stereo mini-jack input. Regardless of what somebody shows up with - a guitar, an iPod, a keyboard or just a microphone, it's useful. It's also ridiculously rugged, with plastic protectors on the corners and bottom. It runs for up to 12 hours on cheap AA batteries, has a battery status indicator and the active anti-feedback circuitry works well. All in all, it's practically indestructible. The flip-out pivot arm is genius, the standard speaker-stand mount on the bottom is useful.

The price is right: around $600.
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If you know anything at all about Bose and it's products you will soon realize that when it comes to Mids/Highs/Vocals, Bose really excel! The reason that I think the Bose AWM is more versatile is that it with its battery pack, you can put in out in the open, on a beach, not worry if it rains on it and the damn thing sounds fine. Take it indoors and it is a compliment to any decor. I never said that the other options are bad or won't work. I am only stating my own experience compared to the rest. You can set that Bose AWM atop a Grand Piano and it look elegant. Try that with the others. Did I mention renting it out for small parties, business conferences for $150.00 a pop? ;)
 
I would look at APC power inverters to use what you have existing...........they work great for servers and other electronic equipment..... may not be the cheapest route....but the most versatile
 
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