Fender Passport PA - any good?

Someone recommended this PA system to me, as I am still in search of a PA for my solo act. Anyone out there heard of this system before? Again, just vocals and PSR2K will be going through, but I do want some bottom. Thanks!

Angelo

I heard it in a local store and WAS NOT IMPRESSED at all. Especially if your going to play KB and sing thru it. There are many many better choices out there.

I have a Passport 150 for situations where its crucial to be small size, light, compact. In my humble opinion Passport should be a choice ONLY IF your top priority is portability, as the sound quality has limitations. The 150 model (two channels, 75 W each) is very very light (10 Kg) and everything packs together in a box of the size of a big suitcase. There is a mixer with a basic equalizer, reberb, 4 channels, comes also with a (low quality) mic. I heard that, in the same kind of equipment, Peavey makes a better quality package slightly more expensive: Peavy Escort. These sound systems are ideal for lonely travellers, that do "busking" (playing in the streets): you can operate them with a 12V battery as a power source.

I like it very much for very specific situations, but I would never take it to a club or a party. Not enough power, and limited sound quality (the speakers are too small, weak low end). There is a more powerful (and heavier) system, Passport 250. But if extreme compacity and very low weight is not your top priority, I concur with Donny: there are much better choices out there.

-- José.

[This message has been edited by matias (edited 09-30-2002).]

Two years ago, I owned a 150 and I didn't like.
Jose posted all about 150 features.
Chico

I have a Passport 150 and can partly agree with the above comments. For the price there are better sounding solutions. But it is extremely portable! And if you know how to handle the built in equilizer and how to place the speakers, you are able to get a quite descent sound out of it.

It is possible to get a rather smoothe and well balanced sound with good output. (Parties and smaller clubs up to about 100 people.) But the low end IS weak. No real punch there!

It took me a few frustrating bad sounding evenings out before I got it all right. It´s no hifi, but it works!

Regards, Michael

Hi,
I have not heard a Fender Passport so I can't comment on that. However, I own and use a Peavey Escort and find it very satisfactory when used at smaller venues. Sometimes, I use it as a monitor in combination with my larger PA system. As for the bass response I find it quite acceptable. Another positive I've noticed about the Escort is the projection. At 75 or 80 feet the speakers still have a clear "presence".
DVJ