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Author Topic: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups  (Read 7947 times)

Gerry Seymour

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Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« on: June 29, 2014, 07:53:15 PM »

I am looking at some of the (very) small speaker/personal PA systems for small groups. I've seen some really cheap (in both senses, I assume) products from some of the usual suspects, as well as some less-cheap versions. Has anyone had any experience at all with the waist-worn (and similar size) products for supporting a single presenter's voice?

Here, I'm talking about groups under 75 (at larger sizes, my training client provides audio support). This is primarily to allow me to talk a little softer - my voice is normally loud enough to talk to up to 80-100 people without support, without much issue. The problem here is that I often speak for 6 hours a day, up to 4 days in a row. That can create a lot of strain, especially if the room is cold (had that last week with a group of about 40, and strained my voice).

My limitation here is that I'm trying to keep all of my gear in two bags (for flight).  I carry one suitcase with all of my clothing, etc. for a week. My other bag is currently an 18" catalog case, which contains all of my training equipment (notes, cables, gaffer tape, and all the other little sundries for the day of the seminar). I don't have much room, but would like to add a speaker to what I carry (I currently only carry a speaker when driving, as my current solution won't fit in my suitcase with my clothes).

What I hope to find is something to keep in my training gear as a standard piece of kit. I'd love it if it has some sort of integrated mixer (at least input for mic and PC), but I can always pick up a tiny mixer if needed. IK Multimedia's iLoud is currently high on my list to replace my current speaker (a GoSpeak Pro), but I'd like to also find something smaller, which would also travel as a backup when I'm driving. I've seen tiny "tour guide" models by VocoPro, Nady, and the other cheapo providers. Has anyone seen/heard/used any of these?
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Gerry Seymour

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JayWolf

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2014, 03:35:40 AM »

For price and size Mipro might be worth looking at. I've seen them around quite a bit, seem to sound half decent too
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Doug Fowler

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2014, 12:27:18 PM »

I use a Galaxy Micro Spot for this very purpose.  It's just enough to keep me from having to overwork the vocal cords.  I see they now have some wireless solutions as well.

http://www.galaxyaudio.com/HotSpots.php
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Robert Healey

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2014, 09:23:23 AM »

The EV ZxA1 is probably a little bigger than you are looking for, but it would be perfect for the situation you describe. If you can carry another bag, EV makes a bag with a shoulder strap that holds two Zx1s.
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Gerry Seymour

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2014, 07:47:06 AM »

Sorry for the lack of responses, folks. I actually forgot I'd posted this. I came in today to post exactly this question, and "Hey! Look!!"

Thanks for the help.
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Gerry Seymour

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Gerry Seymour

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2014, 07:54:07 AM »

I use a Galaxy Micro Spot for this very purpose.  It's just enough to keep me from having to overwork the vocal cords.  I see they now have some wireless solutions as well.

http://www.galaxyaudio.com/HotSpots.php

That certainly is small, and should do what I need. Thanks!

Have you heard their Nano model? I'm wondering if it would be sufficient for me. Maybe I can demo one somewhere...
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Gerry Seymour

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Gerry Seymour

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2014, 07:58:41 AM »

The EV ZxA1 is probably a little bigger than you are looking for, but it would be perfect for the situation you describe. If you can carry another bag, EV makes a bag with a shoulder strap that holds two Zx1s.

That is bigger than I can work with for airline travel (another bag is simply not in the plans), but looks like a good solution for when I'm driving. Thanks!
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Gerry Seymour

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Gerry Seymour

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2014, 08:10:02 AM »

I use a Galaxy Micro Spot for this very purpose.  It's just enough to keep me from having to overwork the vocal cords.  I see they now have some wireless solutions as well.

http://www.galaxyaudio.com/HotSpots.php

Update: It looks like Galaxy has discontinued the powered version of the Micro Spot. That's a shame. Now, for a powered option, it's either the Nano or the Hotspot.
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Gerry Seymour

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George Friedman-Jimenez

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2014, 12:53:34 PM »

I haven't heard the Meyer MM4-XP but noticed it on the Meyer website and have thought about uses other than distributed sound. Has anyone had any experience with this speaker in a portable application?

http://www.meyersound.com/sites/default/files/mm-4xp_ds_b.pdf
https://www.meyersound.com/sites/default/files/mps-481_ds_b.pdf

It is very light for a Meyer speaker (5 lb with power supply) but requires an external PSU MPS-481.
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Gerry Seymour

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2014, 09:50:45 PM »

I haven't heard the Meyer MM4-XP but noticed it on the Meyer website and have thought about uses other than distributed sound. Has anyone had any experience with this speaker in a portable application?

http://www.meyersound.com/sites/default/files/mm-4xp_ds_b.pdf
https://www.meyersound.com/sites/default/files/mps-481_ds_b.pdf

It is very light for a Meyer speaker (5 lb with power supply) but requires an external PSU MPS-481.

That looks pretty interesting. Even with the external PSU, it's pretty small. A bit heavier than some consumer-grade options, but pretty small. It would be interesting to get the U-bracket and adapt it to be mounted on a mic stand or photographer's tripod.
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Gerry Seymour

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Jordan Wolf

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2014, 12:33:39 AM »

Gerry, a Mackie SRM150 might work, but you could also look into the SpeakEasyfrom Remote Audio...I've thought about one for backstage cue monitors as a tech.
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Gerry Seymour

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2014, 07:21:59 AM »

Gerry, a Mackie SRM150 might work, but you could also look into the SpeakEasyfrom Remote Audio...I've thought about one for backstage cue monitors as a tech.

The SRM150 looks like one of the better options for car travel (I missed that one, somehow, when looking at similar units). The SpeakEasy is closer to the size I'd need for airline travel, and looks a bit better equipped than some that size. The battery power is a nice extra. I wouldn't depend upon it, but there are times when it would be nice to pack up the power cable at lunch. Their specification of battery life is annoying ("more than a full production day of typical intermittent use").
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Gerry Seymour

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Cailen Waddell

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2014, 07:50:09 AM »


The SRM150 looks like one of the better options for car travel (I missed that one, somehow, when looking at similar units). The SpeakEasy is closer to the size I'd need for airline travel, and looks a bit better equipped than some that size. The battery power is a nice extra. I wouldn't depend upon it, but there are times when it would be nice to pack up the power cable at lunch. Their specification of battery life is annoying ("more than a full production day of typical intermittent use").

We use a number of the behringer knock offs of the srm150. They are very successful for our application.  The sit on a steel institutional multimedia cart with a projector and are used as laptop speakers in classrooms.  One group that meets in one of our rooms bought a wireless mic they plug into it, as they have a lot of elderly members.   If feel the sound quality is fine, and we really can't do much better for the price.  No reliability issues in 3 years.   


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Doug Fowler

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #13 on: July 21, 2014, 12:10:44 PM »

That certainly is small, and should do what I need. Thanks!

Have you heard their Nano model? I'm wondering if it would be sufficient for me. Maybe I can demo one somewhere...

Have not heard the Nano, sorry.  FWIW I use a $50 AT headset mic, boost the treble and bass on the Micro and it sounds pretty good.  Measures surprisingly well, too.  I leave it in its box and pack it. 
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Gerry Seymour

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2014, 04:48:50 PM »

Doug and Cailen, thanks for the additional input. Time for me to chew on the info a little and just make a decision. May not need to pull the trigger for a couple of months yet - traveling by car mostly ATM so I can pack some of my less-compact gear, and working mostly small (and short) corporate workshops where I don't need amplification, anyway.
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Gerry Seymour

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grant brewer

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2014, 11:39:52 PM »

Doug and Cailen, thanks for the additional input. Time for me to chew on the info a little and just make a decision. May not need to pull the trigger for a couple of months yet - traveling by car mostly ATM so I can pack some of my less-compact gear, and working mostly small (and short) corporate workshops where I don't need amplification, anyway.

Gerry--
I might also suggest you look at our Traveler line of PA systems, especially the TV5i and TV5X
Here: http://galaxyaudio.com/Travelers.php

both are great solutions I believe to what you are looking for in the PA system, as both will fit into a bag easily for airplane travel.  With built in Bluetooth on the TV5i, it could be the perfect solution by just adding one of our wireless option, or use your standard wired mic as well.

Thanks,
Grant Brewer
NSM, Galaxy Audio
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Mac Kerr

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« Reply #16 on: July 25, 2014, 06:33:48 AM »

Gerry--
I might also suggest you look at our Traveler line of PA systems,

Thanks,
Grant Brewer
NSM, Galaxy Audio

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David Kaiser

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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #17 on: August 05, 2014, 01:28:29 AM »

I own several of the waistband PA speakers. I have not used them yet in that application. I have used one to monitor a phone in the totally enclosed room next to me. I place a lav mic next to the phone and run it twelve feet through the door to the computer station I am at. It lets me hear the phone when it rings. The background noise at UPS is pretty high. I have never had a problem hearing the phone with this speaker.

For a portable speaker I would reccomend the Anchor An1000x Speaker. It has an IEC power cord, 50 watts of power.  and is very compact. There is also a companion speaker. I have four of these units, and have covered a crowd of 100 with 2 of them at half volume. It is rated for 100 people with one speaker. I used two for purposes of symmetry and coverage.
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Re: Tiny Speakers for Audio Support for Smaller Groups
« Reply #17 on: August 05, 2014, 01:28:29 AM »


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