Hall Speakers: Small Amplifier

[dhicks]

Hello All,

 

In our main hall, we currently have an audio setup that includes two LD Systems Stinger 8 G2 speakers, rated at 200W RMS / 8 Ohms each, about 10 years old. We currently have those driven by a 19" rack-mountable amplifier sat in a box behind our stage, along with other 19" kit (mixer, DI box, etc).

 

We're thinking to reduce the amount of kit in our sound system - none of the staff have used any of the mixer / DI box parts in years, it's all redundant equipment. I'm thinking we could replace the amplifier with a smaller one, ideally a size that we could mount on a scaffold pole out of the way. We would then use an all-in-one speaker / Bluetooth / mic receiver unit (probably a Behringer B112W with wireless mic add-on) for staff to connect devices to and lead the output of that into the amplifier.

 

Can anyone suggest an appropriate bit of kit? I guess I'm looking for something that can take a single XLR input and drive two 200W speakers. A search on Amazon gives results ranging from around £20 up to £2,000.

[PotNoodleTech]

To be honest I would go with an outboard small mixer like an 8 channel on a desk area where a PC/laptop could be placed. This is teacher facing so they are more likely to use it (compared to one rack mounted hidden in a cupboard).

 

It will drive the amp directly via XLR out. You'll get an easy to use up down slider main volume control and with 6 to 8 inputs, the flexibility to be able to plug in a couple of microphones a guitar and a PC if you ever need to?

 

I recommend Allen and Heath if you want something with high quality sound to last 10 years - but Behringer is cheaper for sure.

[dhicks]

It will drive the amp directly via XLR out.

 

Yes: the bit I'm trying to figure out is which (nice, small) amp? The plan is to use a Behringer B112W as the "mixer" - it has a couple of XLR / jack inputs, it acts as a bluetooth receiver, we can plug a couple of wireless mics into it as well. If we have a bigger production on we can add a temporary mixer as needed, or maybe add (as you suggest) a small 8-channel or similar, also strapped to the same scaffold pole (we're very short on space). The thing I need to figure out first is what amp I need to drive the two 200W / 8 Ohm speakers. They have Speakon connectors, if that's any help. I guess I'm looking for something with a single XLR input and two Speakon outputs?

[PotNoodleTech]

Hi why change your amp is your amp in the rack mount working ok? if so leave it and just run the new mixer back into the rack mount amp.

[dhicks]

why change your amp

 

It (and the rest of the 19" rackmount equipment stacked on top of it) is too large. We are planning, at some point, to put a partition wall in accross the back of the hall, loosing the area behind the stage.

[Chris_Cook]

What do the LD systems speakers get used for?

 

If it were me, I'd install Active speakers like the BT speakers you have suggested on the wall, or the LD systems ICOA equivalent

 

I'd then provide a double XLR connection plate at the back of the venue for events that need to be run from a sound desk. That can then be put away when not needed.

 

The downside of these active speakers is you need to get power and signal to them. You can run the audio over cat5e if needed, and you can get RJ45 to XLR boxes for not a lot on amazon. You could also get a Bluetooth transmitter, but there will be delay.

 

Active speakers are probably the way to go if small space is a concern.

 

I think you will struggle to find a small amp to drive large speakers. Behringer do some fairly light-weight rackmount class-D amps which could go in a small data cab on a wall somewhere. RMS values should be taken with a pinch of salt as there is no standardized way of measuring it. It also doesn't account for quality - just how loud will it go even if it distorts.

 

I'd also recommend avoiding cheap radio mics if they are going to be used for anything important. They tend to cause problems and frustration after a while.

 

I'd also be careful about strapping things to scaffold poles if they are not designed for it. You need to make sure its not going to fall down or prematurely collapse in a fire. Your schools public liability insurance may not cover you if equipment is not properly installed.

[dhicks]

What do the LD systems speakers get used for?

 

Currently, just playing audio from the PC-and-projector setup. People keep using small, portable speakers in the hall and wondering why the sound quality isn't so good, they could do with an easier-to-use setup.

 

I'd install Active speakers like the BT speakers

 

Sorry, what is a BT speaker?

 

you have suggested on the wall

 

The partition wall isn't there yet, all this kit might get shuffled around again if we do get it built.

 

The downside of these active speakers is you need to get power and signal to them.

 

I was thinking of a couple of Behringer B208Ds:

 

https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0313-ACF

 

I should be able to take an audio signal from the main Behringer B112W to the first B208D, then daisy-chain to the second.

 

Active speakers are probably the way to go if small space is a concern. ... I think you will struggle to find a small amp to drive large speakers.

 

That's very useful to know, thankyou.

 

I'd also recommend avoiding cheap radio mics if they are going to be used for anything important.

 

We have a set of cheap-but-okay 4 Chord mics that have lasted very well. The plan is to use the two Behringer mics for daily use, saving our set-of-4 and set-of-8 mics for bigger events. The Behringer mics are cheap enough that if/when a child breaks/looses/eats one we can replace them.

 

I'd also be careful about strapping things to scaffold poles

 

My plan is to put the Behringer B112W on its own floor-standing pole stand next to the current scaffold framework, giving it a nice solid base to stand on.

[Chris_Cook]

By BT I meant the Behringer B112W Bluetooth portable speaker you want to put on the pole.

 

The behringer kit does give good results at a good price. I just find when cheap kit goes wrong its just before the most important event of the year. Radio mics seem to be particularly bad, but that can happen with anything. I've seen big high end sound desks turn into smoke machines at the wrong time as well. Our Behringer X32 has been running for 10 years now with very few issues. Also if they are 2.4Ghz, is that going to cause issues with your Wifi?

 

Does the B112W get used for anything else? If doesn't and its got wall mount brackets available, I'd just get a second one of those and link it with the mix out connection or bluetooth.

 

3 speakers daisy chained might sound odd especially if they are of different types. Adding a second of the same type would be simplest. You could then get audio cables installed between the speakers and from the projector connection point to the first speaker.

[dhicks]

Also if they are 2.4Ghz, is that going to cause issues with your Wifi?

 

The 2 VHF mics that came with the older Busker PA unit have started getting some interference, we now have a pair of Behringer 2.4Ghz wireless mics. They've not had a a great deal of use so far, we've only had them a few weeks, but they do seem to be better quality / more reliable so far.

 

Does the B112W get used for anything else? If doesn't and its got wall mount brackets available, I'd just get a second one of those and link it with the mix out connection or bluetooth.

 

I'd like to get a couple of speakers above head height. Our main hall used to be the Danish embassy's reception room and is covered in listed panelling, we can't screw anything to the walls, hence the free-standing scaffold framework we have the curtains and speakers attached to.