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[Ben Witter]

I am a band director and have been tasked with buying a complete sound system (mixer/amps/rack/cables/speakers/subs) for my band room. This needs to last me for MANY years and I want to make sure I get the absolute best I can get. I have been furiously researching online for the the best setup and haven't really found "the one". I was going to get a Peavey XRS-8 mixer, a Peavey IPR2 7500 amp, 2 Peavey SP4 (powered by the mixer), and 2 Peavey SP218 (powered by the amp). However, I came across a post somewhere along the line that said one should stay away from powered mixers. They recommended powered speakers, namely the JBL SRX series. So I'm kind of back to square one.

I don't know a lot about ohms and watts and bi-amping and all that technical stuff, which is why I am reaching out to the professionals. I just know I want a system that is LOUD (with high clarity and fidelity) and has a ton of bass. I want the shop teacher across the school to feel my beats! I also need something that I can just plug cables in and it will work. I am familiar with a mixer/EQ interface so using that I can handle, but I want it to be an overall easy setup process. I'm sure there will need to be a filter applied somewhere along the lines, either by the mixer or the speakers themselves.

Here is a little more information regarding the system itself, which will hopefully help inform your answers.

Usage: The speakers will be used mostly for backtracks the band plays along with as well as general music listening. While waiting for performances we usually rock out pretty hard. Mostly to modern music with lots of bass, hiphop, pop, alternative, rock, etc. They will also be used for reference recordings and well as the occasional concert playback. I am 99% sure they will never need to be used with a mic, either for speaking or for instrumental amplification. They are mostly for listening. But who knows? It's nice to have the possibility. Most of the time the music will be coming from an iPad.

Install: These will be semi-permanently installed. So size/weight does not matter. I can think of only a few instances they will ever need to be moved from the band room. However, I am not interested in hanging them. I'd like them on the floor or a stand.

Speakers: I'd like 2 mid/highs and 2 subs. My line of thinking is that 2 dual-18s would be impressive sounding subs, but I do want to make sure there are enough mids/highs to cut through.

Brand: I do not care about brand. I just want the best speaker I can get within my budget. I want something that is rugged and well built; something that will last for many, many years. I want it loud with lots of room to spare, and deep full bass. I get one chance to buy my "dream" setup and I want to get it right. Ideally I would like to purchase them from a place that provides a warranty and free shipping!

Budget: $12,000 is my absolute limit. That includes the complete setup: so mixer, amp, rack, cables, speakers, and subs.

I appreciate any insights you can give me or any directions you can point me. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Thank you.

[Dave Pluke]

However, I came across a post somewhere along the line that said one should stay away from powered mixers. They recommended powered speakers, ...

Hey Ben,

I would also recommend avoiding a powered mixer. They typically offer less power and functionality than discrete components. And, if one internal component fails, you're out several functions. How many inputs do you need now? How many will you need 'MANY years' from now?

Everything has a trade-off. With Powered Speakers, you'll need to run signal and A/C cable to each. Running A/C through a classroom needs to be done with care. But, built-in Digital Signal Processing (DSP) developed for each particular box has definite advantages.

Individual components are more complicated to configure, but A/C only has to run to the rack, with lower voltage cable connecting the speakers.

It's good you're looking at dual 18" subs for that application. To my way of thinking, both Subs and Top Boxes should be of the same type (powered or non-powered) and probably best if they're from the same manufacturer.

Dave

[Woody Nuss]

Pick a mixer with a good Ipad interface. You may find it more convenient than a dedicated mixer position and your students will train you 
And yes, powered subs with poles and powered tops. Nearly every company has good stuff in this segment, Yamaha, QSC, JBL, etc

[Riley Casey]

While powered speakers may provide some reduction in parts count they may not be the best choice for gear that is expected to last for many years. Even the biggest and best manufacturers of speakers have a pretty poor track record of supporting repairs or replacements for built in amplifier electronics. If you want to be sure this PA is usable in ten years buy passive speakers and separate amplifiers.

[Mike Caldwell]

At least your thinking big already, many times a way too small of system is put in at a location and then the next day they want it to perform like a big system!

I'm going with Riley on the passive system, you can rack up all the needed equipment in a rack that is portable and just connect the speaker lines.
You may want to think about a headset wireless mic, it would make it easier to talk to the classes all day long.
For what your wanting you will be at least looking at a bi-amp system.

Would this ever at some point be used for an on field performance amplification system?

I would look into a pro installer, sound company....not a weekend DJ to put the system together and package it for easy use.
If your somewhere around Western Ohio I know one!!!

[Paul G. OBrien]

A pair of JBL SRX835P's over a pair of SRX828SP's would certainly meet your requirements, matching the performance these deliver with passive speakers would require a rack with 4 amplifiers and a highend DSP processor loaded with the manufacturers presets... which won't come cheap, so powered speakers are much better value these days.
RCF, Yamaha, EV, and a few others also have boxes in this range of performance so you do have options if the "JBL SOUND"  isn't your preference. For track playback only you won't need to spend much on a mixer, it only needs to have balanced XLR outputs and a USB input, if it also comes with a few mic & line inputs that's a bonus... something like the A&H ZED60-10FX for example

[Weogo Reed]

Hi Ben,

    Good on you for asking advice for a quality system!

    Is this in a school?
Hearing loss is permanent; I suggest hearing preservation be a consideration in what you are doing.
As a teacher You are modeling good hearing health practices.
    The WHO has a lot of good information on hearing health.
Here's a good document on concert volume levels:
 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240043114
Another view:
 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/rock_concerts_cause_hearing_damage_after_mere_28_seconds_world_health_organization_warns.html
Learn about psycho-acoustics and what drives the desire for 'louder'.

    One step in this direction is to get the speakers up high and tilted down so the people in the front
aren't absorbing so much of the sound before it can get to the back of the room.
This will also help preserve the hearing of people in the front.

    A significant part of the sound experience is the venue's acoustics.
Your goals of 'clarity and fidelity' can be significantly enhanced by good acoustics.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

[Mike Caldwell]

A pair of JBL SRX835P's over a pair of SRX828SP's would certainly meet your requirements, matching the performance these deliver with passive speakers would require a rack with 4 amplifiers and a highend DSP processor loaded with the manufacturers presets... which won't come cheap, so powered speakers are much better value these days.
RCF, Yamaha, EV, and a few others also have boxes in this range of performance so you do have options if the "JBL SOUND"  isn't your preference. For track playback only you won't need to spend much on a mixer, it only needs to have balanced XLR outputs and a USB input, if it also comes with a few mic & line inputs that's a bonus... something like the A&H ZED60-10FX for example

A one over one  per side stack would only need two amps and could be one with a pair of XTi's for what they would be looking for speakers.

[Dave Garoutte]

I'm a fan of powered speakers for smaller systems. They are optimized at the factory for power handling and sonic quality. 
They also provide a more flexible usage: you could take a single speaker out with a mic for a simple PA.
Look at Yamaha DZR series with a 7 year warranty.  RCF NX is also good. Both have decent subs available.
JTR makes excellent subs.
I think the next level up will be over your budget.

For your stated use, a small mixer like the A&H ZED series are fine.  Since you're primarily playing tracks, EQ and FX are not a major issue. You can always upgrade later or rent if you have more input needs later.
Spend your money to get the best speakers you can afford, as they are going to  be the biggest influence on sound quality.

If you are set on tripods, get some that can get the mains up high as stated in another post.

[Mike Caldwell]

Last year I did a schools portable rack / cart system with Yamaha CXS18 subs and CZR mains powered with Yamaha amps.

Works great for them, plug and play set up, four conductor Speakon from the cart to the subs and a pass through jumper to the top box.

No power to deal with running out to the speakers and a heavy duty cables for the connections.

[ProSoundWeb Community]