Howdy everyone and thanks for your comments. I have certainly obtained a lot of valuable information. I'm going to have to see what is available in my price range and make a decision... Gee, I thought that this was going to be much easier!
This is a great forum and I will continue to support it and hopefully, at some time in the future, will be able to contribute, rather than only use.
Thanks, again!
Charlie

Here's the review of the Yamaha PAS300 I did some months ago.


I took the Yamaha PAS system out for trial. It does sound truly amazing. I did return it for two reasons. At the small supper club where I tried it, I had it wide open, as loud as it would go, and it was loud enough. It would not have carried anything larger. The Logitech 2200 is louder.
The other drawback was that the "reverb" was almost totally unusable. It seemed to be a delay, rather than reverb, and just seemed to muddy the sound instead of enhancing it.
I ran my mic through the SD1 and used the effects from there, but I did hook up a mic and try the reverb. Maybe I overlooked something, but I don't think so.
One other small drawback was that it isn't all that easy to reattach the back panels than hold the mixer and cords, particularly in low light. You have to get the little screws in just the right position and then tighten them with a coin. If they don't tighten properly the mixer could fall out during transportation.
It is a great concept, but I personally think they fell a little short.

DonM

It's funny....I sell the Peavy Escort and the Yamaha Stagepass 300 in my store and I really like the sound better on the Yamaha. Yamaha has built a limiter into their stereo amps and you just can't distort this system. I find just the opposite on the Peavey Escort. Turn up the volume and I get distortion. As for the Reverb on the Yamaha, I've learned that if you keep the master turned down, the effect is more like room reverb and the higher you turn it up, the effect becomes more like Reverb with Delay (A very popular Karaoke sound). Now that I've been selling the Yamaha Stagepass 300 for several months I can say that all my customers have been very satisfied and love the size and weight and the fact that you can attach the powered mixer right on top of any microphone stand. The Peavey Escort has a big case which is hard to mount anywhere for easy operation. I also really like that the Yamaha powered mixer snaps right into the back of one of the two 8" two way speakers for easy transporting. As for volume, I have mine set up in my store with the Yamaha PSR3000, Korg PA1X and two microphones plugged in and the sound is loud and clean.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Only way to know is to try it for yourself. The one I tried sounded great and it also sounded loud enough in the store. It didn't work for me on the job though, although I wanted it to very much.
DonM

Altough I use the BOSE Pas system for most of my gigs.....I also use the Samson Expedition for small nursing homes....its a kool little system with a nice on board mixer and efx too...nice portability also.
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1616&brandID=2

QUOTE:"With only one exception I know of, Scott Langholf, everyone loves the sound quality and the system's ability to provide excellent coverage over a broad venue for audiences to 150 people." Gary Diamond

Actually, not that I'm really keeping track of it, but I remember that Scott Yee and The Pro are among others that did not like the Logitech.

I do use the z5500 sub only with my JBL Eon 10G2's. The satellites are no where's close to the sound I get from the JBL's, but then again, I would certainly hope that $1100 speakers would sound better than these satellites.

In the end, it's what works for your purposes and taste.

Best
Scott Langholff http://ScottLMusic.com


[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 08-08-2005).]

Charlie:
I use the Z5500's and love them, I just use the keyboard thru them, (well occasionally plug the strat into the mike jack and use the keyboard onboard mixer and effects) They work great, Gary's got it right for the sound, you have to use the keyboard's E Q to get the great stereo X 2 sound. only problem I have is I have to watch for the mike feedback, ( I should get a better mike) I hear great mid range, and the whole sound sparkles, and the sub bass will not let you down, Its hot.

It produces better quality sound than my Behringer Kx1200 3 ways X 2, and my Yamaha stereo 8channel PA, which has 4 club 15's + monitors. It won't crank like these rigs, but the sound beats them hands down, and I can turn it up to where it hurts, and it dosn't break down. I would recommend this also up to about 150 people in a medium room. or 100 outside.

I see someone said they were going for about $270.00 after rebate with shipping.
I also have had excellent service from Logitech.

If you want to upgrade later to a Bose system, These puppies will make your computer sound terrific. ( the sub will loosen the walls in your house/studio)

It depends what you need these for, also It mostly is recommended by guys who have keybds with onboards, which does add to its quality and strength.

My 2 cents........Cheers........Pose

Okay... before I was just confused, now I'm overwhelmed. I have a lot to think about.
One more thing... many of you have mentioned that I need to adjust the EQ on my keyboard to meet my output needs. My KB does not have an onboard EQ... did you mean the UB1002 EQ?
Now, can anyone point me to a beginner's lesson on audio amplification basics? I'm real foggy on the "WATTAGE" and "POWER" thing.
Thanks again to everyone for your great help.
Charlie

Charlie,
You might get some benefit from these articles.
DVJ
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/band-equipment.htm

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/amplifier.htm
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=amplifier.htm&url=http://sound.westhost.com/amp-basics.htm

[This message has been edited by deatonent (edited 08-08-2005).]

I've been to (through) Alice. You're right there are no music stores near. Or any other kind of stores either.

Send me an email if you get a chance.
DonM
donatwww.donmasonmusic.com
replace the at with @




[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 08-08-2005).]