Question by : what is the difference between a portable pa system for a speaker and a portable audio system for musicians?
We are a group that meets at various locations monthly and need to buy a new speaker system. We want one that won’t weigh too much. Someone told us that there is a difference and we should avoid buying a system from a music store. We have also been told that a Yamaha is our best choice. I’m a bit leary since Yamaha, in my mind, is a music based product line.
Best answer:
Answer by percival.sweetwater
Audio ranges from 100 Hz up to 20,000 Hz. (Below 100 Hz is also audio, but usually only applies to subwoofers). Audio amplifiers require design to accommodate all of those frequencies in uniform fashion. Cheaper amps don’t do it as well, but they still do it. Speakers are also designed to handle that wide range of frequencies.
For PA’s, the human voice covers mostly 3000 – 5000 Hz. A MUCH smaller ranger of frequencies. So design is a lot easier, and components are cheaper. Same for the speakers.
If all you need is a PA system, why spend lots of money for frequency response that you won’t use? On the other hand, if you need a music system, a PA is going to tragically disappoint you.
Yamaha builds music systems, PA systems, piano keyboard systems, motorcycles, and who knows what else. It’s good brand. Nothing wrong with a Yamaha PA system. Who cares if it’s “music quality” since 1) it’s not, and 2) it’s still cheaper? But Yamaha is an internationally recognized brand and will cost more on that basis, alone. So there are cheaper PA systems made by off-brands, but reliability and warranty may render the price savings useless.
Don’t buy a PA system from a music store, since music stores have limited business and rely on expensive music systems to generate their income. They’ll also inventory other stuff, such as PA’s, but raise the price to make it worthwhile for them. A brand name PA from a warehouse store is the exact same PA from a music store, but at a lower price.
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