Let's talk portable sound systems

Tony V.

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Maybe the tittle is not quite correct but do any of you have semi portable sound systems that you use and if so what have you found that works?
I've still got a small system that consists of 2 Yorkville YX15 speakers that I've updated with some EV15" drivers.
A Samson servo 600 driving them and a Yamaha YDG2030 eq, a Yamaha MX12/4 mixer. I have an Audio technica t4100 handheld wireless and a Denon DNT620 CD/tape player (don't use it much but still handy to have just in case) all in a rackmount case that's on wheels.
I still need to get a decent sub for it as I do have an old QSC MX1500a amp to drive one in that rack as well I just need to find something used that's not too big to move around.

Over all when I've used it a handful of times a year it's worked well. The Yorkville's are kind of the upper end of cheap speakers but with the EV drivers in them they pound out the sound cleanly in a room as larg as 2500sq ft without issues as long as I don't push the low end to much. I've gotten 110db out of them (50-1800Hz) standing 20ft back in that 2500sq ft space, surprising considering that they are not high end (I'm sure the EV drivers help) but like I said it really needs a sub as I am missing a lot below 40hz and even higher in larger spaces because I have to roll the bottom end off the louder I need to go. The one thing I need to say is the Yorkvilles need the EQ because "flat" they get really harsh at loud levels, with the EQ I can really dial them in and they sound good enough that I've gotten a lot of compliments from people saying that it's one of the few times their ears are not ringing after an hour of them pounding out music. I also don't push out the music at rediculous levels like at so many receptions I've been at (I'm sure you know what I'm talking about)
This weekend the system goes out to do a wedding reception and dance after for a family friend but it's in a really small venue not much bigger than 1000sq feet.

Are there others here that have access to a "road system" like this and what do you like or want to change.
 

tesseract

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I'd love to have a portable system to haul to family/friend GTGs. Thought about it making one, someday. Yours looks like fun, Tony. I'd want to be able to stream Tidal from wifi wherever I went.
 

JBrax

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I have a JBL Eon XT515 that sounds amazing and easy to transport. It’s served us well for years now.
 

Travis Ballstadt

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As a video producer by day, by the time I'm off work and on my personal time, the last thing I want to do is lug sound equipment to a family gathering.

I invested in 4 of the JBL Flip 4 bluetooth speakers. When you're just talking about background music for something like a family event or for tailgating, they're perfect. They can all sync to each other, and then to your phone or iPod for playback. The range is pretty good, as well, so I just scatter them around. That way the music is never so loud in any area that you can't have a conversation, but everyone can hear it. I've been thinking about picking up an Extreme 2 to add al little more low end and volume, but it hasn't been

They also fit perfectly in a bottle cage on my bike for listening while I ride. And again, if I'm riding with others, we can each have one on our bikes, we can all hear the music, and we don't have to yell at each other for conversation.

Not really what you were asking, but I've found them to be a really effective solution and they sound pretty good. It's an expandable, quick, portable, and easy solution for a variety of different occasions. Grab 1 while heading out alone on my bike, or when going out to work in the garage. Grab a couple for a backyard grilling session. Grab all of them when I'm heading out to the park or a tailgate.
 

Todd Anderson

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Those JBLs are really cool. My kids have them... it's amazing how good they sound (and the fact they link together is neat!)
 

JBrax

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Klipsch rb-51 II
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Thanks for the tip on the JBL Flip 4! I just bought me one for pretty much everything thrillcat just mentioned. I’ll still use my JBL Eon for the heavy lifting.
 

Travis Ballstadt

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NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
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NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
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NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
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NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
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NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
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SVS PB2000
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JVC DLA X790R, Lumagen Radiance Pro 4240
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SeymourAV Proscenium 124” diagonal 2.40:1
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Harmony Elite - Moving to Unfolded Circle Remote 2
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They still have those?
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The first time I showed up to a tailgate with them, our whole group was like, "Oh great, so much for music". But then I just plopped them down all around, and by a couple hours later everyone was asking where I got them and commenting how nice it was to not have one or two huge speakers cranked and then everyone standing 15 feet away and yelling at each other.
 

JBrax

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Center Channel Speaker
Klipsch rc-64 II
Surround Speakers
Klipsch rs-42 II
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Klipsch rb-51 II
Front Height Speakers
Klipsch rb-51 II
Rear Height Speakers
Klipsch rb-51 II
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SVS PB12-NSD (X2)
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Panamax M5300
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Sony Bravia XBR65-930D
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Logitech Harmony One
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My Flip 4 arrived yesterday and the wife and I enjoyed it on the deck. Little thing sounded pretty good so I ordered another so I can play in stereo. Thanks again for the recommendation. :T
 

Tony V.

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EV Sentry 500
Center Channel Speaker
EV Sentry 500
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Mission 762
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Mission 762
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SVS PB13u
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Panasonic AE 8000
Remote Control
Logitech 1100
Streaming Subscriptions
Denon DT 625 CD/Tape unit, Nintendo WiiU, and more
Those JBLs are amazing for the size. I bought my daughter a JBL charge and liked it so much I bought myself the Extreme and use it in the garage and back yard all the time.
 

Travis Ballstadt

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Anthem AVM60
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Emotiva BasX 5
Additional Amp
Emotiva UPA-500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony UBP-X800
Front Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Center Channel Speaker
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Surround Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Front Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
Rear Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
Subwoofers
SVS PB2000
Video Display Device
JVC DLA X790R, Lumagen Radiance Pro 4240
Screen
SeymourAV Proscenium 124” diagonal 2.40:1
Remote Control
Harmony Elite - Moving to Unfolded Circle Remote 2
Streaming Equipment
Kaleidescape Strato C/Terra 48TB/Compact Terra 6TB, PLEX Server, AppleTV4K, Bluesound Node2i
Streaming Subscriptions
AppleTV+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max
Satellite System
They still have those?
Other Equipment
Rega Planar 6, Rega Exact2 cart, Rega Aria Mk3 Phono Stage, Jolida JD202BRC, Rega RS-5 Speakers (2-channel system)
It just occurred to me that I forgot to mention the Bose PA system. I know, I know, Bose, but this thing is actually awesome. I've performed with it for smaller shows, and it works as both a PA and monitor system. It's designed to not feedback, you set it up behind the band/performer. It sounds really good, and it's really portable, easy to transport and set up. Definitely worth a look for something above the JBL setup.

 

Tony V.

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Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Onkyo TX RZ920
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Samson Servo 600
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QSC MX1500
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Panasonic 220
Front Speakers
EV Sentry 500
Center Channel Speaker
EV Sentry 500
Surround Speakers
Mission 762
Surround Back Speakers
Mission 762
Subwoofers
SVS PB13u
Video Display Device
Panasonic AE 8000
Remote Control
Logitech 1100
Streaming Subscriptions
Denon DT 625 CD/Tape unit, Nintendo WiiU, and more
I've heard the Bose speakers and have used the Electro-Voice Evolve 50 system that is about the same idea and the EVs are far better. Price wise they are quite close also, give the EVs a look if you haven't
 

Mike-48

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Location
Portland, Oregon, USA
Tony, I don't know if the question is still of interest, but here goes....

For our winter vacation next year, we'll be using a Nuforce IDA-8 (integrated with DAC), the Harbeth P3ESR speakers from my desktop system, and a laptop computer with JRiver as the source. I probably will also bring a Raspberry Pi streamer and a tablet, so we can listen to Qobuz without needing the computer.

For our audio club, the same setup has been used, though in our meeting room, larger speakers are much better. At last month's meeting some Large Advents made a tremendous combination with the IDA-8.

Another unit that worked well at the club was the Lynx Hilo, an excellent, compact DAC. However, that needed a separate power amp. But in an audio club, usually someone will volunteer to bring a component or two.
 

Todd Anderson

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DAC
THX ONYX
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GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
SVS Ultra Surround
Surround Back Speakers
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
dual SVS SB16s + dual PSA XS30s
Other Speakers or Equipment
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Video Display Device
JVC NX7
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
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iFi Audio Zen Blue
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Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, ROON
Other Equipment
LG Electronics 65-inch B6 OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2
Do you have that Nuforce on hand?
 

Todd Anderson

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StormAudio ISP.24 MK2
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Emotiva XPA Gen3 2.8 multichannel amp
Other Amp
Denon X8500H
Computer Audio
AudioEngine A2+
DAC
THX ONYX
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Kaleidescape TERRA, OPPO UDP-203, Panasonic UB9000
Front Speakers
GoldenEar Technology Triton One.R
Center Channel Speaker
GoldenEar Technology SuperCenter Reference
Surround Speakers
SVS Ultra Surround
Surround Back Speakers
SVS Ultra Bookshelf
Front Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Front, Top Mid-Front)
Rear Height Speakers
SVS Prime Elevation x4 (Top Middle, Top Rear)
Subwoofers
dual SVS SB16s + dual PSA XS30s
Other Speakers or Equipment
Behringer 1124p; Aura Bass Shaker Pros; SuperSub X
Video Display Device
JVC NX7
Screen
Seymour Screen Excellence, Enlightor NEO AT Screen
Streaming Equipment
iFi Audio Zen Blue
Streaming Subscriptions
Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, ROON
Other Equipment
LG Electronics 65-inch B6 OLED, Sony 65-inch X900F, ZeroSurge 8R15W x 2, ZeroSurge 2R15W x 2

Mike-48

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Joined
May 27, 2019
Messages
147
Location
Portland, Oregon, USA
Todd, I got mine used. Right now it's in my closet, waiting for its next use, at the audio club. There's a photo in the Absolute Sound review.

It is inexpensive (as audio gear goes), and once it's warmed up, the sound is very good. It won't replace separates costing 10x as much, but for what it is, it's remarkable (and small).

Mike
 
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