When the first Galaxy Audio Hot Spot arrived on the market nearly 20 years ago, it changed the face of stage monitoring-especially for churches-forever. Though Galaxy's line of Hot Spot monitors has grown and expanded over the years, this year, they introduced what could be their most important, and widely applicable product ever: the Hot Spot PA6S.
Similar in size and shape to previous Hot Spots, the PA6S has several new features that greatly enhance its value and functionality for churches. This is a powered, two-way loudspeaker with a 170-watt amplifier, a 6.5-inch neodymium woofer and a 1.5-inch titanium dome tweet. These are professional-grade components. It accepts three inputs, two on XLR/¼-inch combo jacks and one ?-inch jack. Features and accessories include: a mic stand mount, built-in compressor/limiter, two XLR pass-through jacks and a three-band EQ on the output. The cabinet sports a wedge-shaped design suitable for placement on the floor or keyboard top. But most churches will want to use the mic stand mount to keep it secure, yet at arm's reach. An optional mic boom mount allows for vertical rotation, and an available yoke mount even allows for permanent installation.
In our review environment, the PA6S was used by the lead vocalist/keyboard player with a 14-piece worship band, on a large 80-by-30-foot stage. Inputs one and two came from two different Aviom mixers used to separately mix the band and vocalists.
In a less sophisticated operation these two inputs could be used as a more-of-me configuration for just about an electronic input. For example, a vocalist could plug the vocal mic directly into one input on the PA6S, and use the pass-through output to run that mic into the snake. Input two could receive a general monitor mix from the board. This way the vocalist could use the two input volume controls to mix between his/her vocal and the overall monitor mix. The same could be done with keys, guitars, etc.
A PA6SR version is available that includes a wireless microphone input slot for this very purpose.
We found the sound of the Hot Spot PA6S to be clean and crisp, and about as full as could be expected from a 6.5-inch woofer. What it may have lacked in frequency range (especially low-end) it made up for in loudness and dynamic range. This is a powerful speaker. Don't expect to get rave reviews if you get one for your bass player, but guitars, keys and vocalists should have no problem getting the sound that meets their needs.
Considering the power, clean sound, abundant standard features and included accessories, the PA6S will certainly find a great many satisfied church customers.
