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Title: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: duane massey on June 03, 2014, 08:40:05 PM
Hey, guys and girls, I have an acquaintance who is building a small jazz club (100 cap) and is looking for my input on powered speakers. I have only used the K-series a few times, and have no hands-on experience with other brands. I will not be involved with the install nor the operation, but I am at least trying to give them a better suggestion than the local GC.
13' ceiling, stage protrudes into center of room, so coverage will be tricky, but their budget for the speakers only is under $5k. Jazz, no dance or DJ's, no rock/edm/etc, so quality might be a higher priority than spl. They (and I) know it's not going to be ideal, but their original plan was 2 speakers on sticks with 1 sub.
They don't have to use powered spks, but they have been led down this path somewhat already. They have console, mics, etc, just need FOH.
I'm thinking QSC, JBL, EV, Yamaha, etc, but open to others as well. Thanks.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Thomas Le on June 03, 2014, 08:44:21 PM
If it's quality you're after, have you considered a local contractor? Maybe some install speakers could do better than ones that are on sticks.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Cailen Waddell on June 03, 2014, 09:09:36 PM
For under 5k you could maybe squeak out some Danley boxes.  Especially for such a small room.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Milt Hathaway on June 03, 2014, 09:58:35 PM
Believe it or not, coverage may not be as difficult as you think. If you can get the mains a little ways off stage (about equal to stage depth if possible) you can get away with having the mains mounted right on the upstage wall. Depending upon the room you'll want 75 to 90 degree boxes for this (I've been using one EV ZXA5-90 powered box per side in rooms of about 150 to 175 people) but the coverage will be fine. The spill off stage from a jazz group tends to already be a good mix so front row patrons hardly even need to hear the PA. Even when I've had a vocalist coverage has been passable (and the vocalist only needed a single ZXA1 box as a monitor).

Typically the most I need to get out of the PA for jazz groups is about 6 to 9dB of gain over the stage spill. I've never needed subs, never needed to mic the kit, and some bassists needed only light micing.

My experience is primarily with bebop/dixieland jazz, so YMMV.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Robert Weston on June 03, 2014, 10:01:14 PM
Hey, guys and girls, I have an acquaintance who is building a small jazz club (100 cap) and is looking for my input on powered speakers. I have only used the K-series a few times, and have no hands-on experience with other brands. I will not be involved with the install nor the operation, but I am at least trying to give them a better suggestion than the local GC.
13' ceiling, stage protrudes into center of room, so coverage will be tricky, but their budget for the speakers only is under $5k. Jazz, no dance or DJ's, no rock/edm/etc, so quality might be a higher priority than spl. They (and I) know it's not going to be ideal, but their original plan was 2 speakers on sticks with 1 sub.
They don't have to use powered spks, but they have been led down this path somewhat already. They have console, mics, etc, just need FOH.
I'm thinking QSC, JBL, EV, Yamaha, etc, but open to others as well. Thanks.

We use the Yamaha DSR115 speakers at bars and other smaller venues.  Though, we also use one JBLPRX718 sub with them.  The DSR's sound very good.  They have a "contour" setting on the back that basically boosts the bass (not sure of the freq. we don't use it for the shows we do), but also boosts  the high freq.  The 60 degree vert. horn helps a little with the coverage upfront.

http://www.yamahaproaudio.com/global/en/products/speakers/dsr_series/specifications.jsp


Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Justice C. Bigler on June 03, 2014, 11:04:35 PM
I think you can get a pair of Meyer UPJ-1Ps for just slightly more than $5,000, maybe $5,500. I think they would sound great as a pair of mains for a 100 capacity jazz club.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: duane massey on June 04, 2014, 01:10:30 AM
There are several possibilities as far as placement, lack of budget will narrow it down quite a bit. There are no local contractors to speak of, but they are talking to a couple of "companies" in the neighborhood who basically a little less knowledgeable than your local GC guys. They will probably wind with a mobile-type system, but I am at least going to give some options to consider.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Corey Scogin on June 04, 2014, 01:36:26 AM
For under 5k you could maybe squeak out some Danley boxes.  Especially for such a small room.

This.  If the coverage works out right, the small, wide coverage boxes should do well...SM100, SM100F, SM100B.  It may be a little tight on that budget but well worth any extra that can be thrown at it.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: John B. Miller on June 04, 2014, 11:28:18 AM
+1 on the Meyer UPJ's. Perfect for your application. If you're not picky, used ones are readily available for less $. If you want full range system, Meyer makes a little single 10" powered subwoofer that you could even use with UP-Juniors.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Cailen Waddell on June 04, 2014, 11:52:03 AM
If it's on sticks and easily accessible, powered isn't bad, but if you fly something I would rather keep amps on the ground.... Personal preference.


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Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: cliff truesdell on June 04, 2014, 01:10:29 PM
Might want to look at a few boxes in RCF's line up. NX and the upper Art 7## series.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: duane massey on June 04, 2014, 06:27:18 PM
Thanks for all the input, guys. I'll post the final outcome if and when I know what they decided to do.
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: Othmane Alaoui on June 04, 2014, 10:02:20 PM
Thanks for all the input, guys. I'll post the final outcome if and when I know what they decided to do.

Look after nexo ps series ! Meyer upa and cheaper, yorkville unity or Danley !
Title: Re: Suggestions for powered speakers for jazz venue
Post by: John Moore on June 05, 2014, 12:00:20 AM
Look at some the Tannoy coaxial boxes that have great dispersion / coverage, you would be amazed at the coverage and sound quality..we just heard demos on some, as we are in dealer limbo now trying to decide to be one or not...however we were impressed with the coax boxes and output, clarity, etc. and size was scaled back due to coaxial components used....