Portable loudspeakers are pretty much a boon to church audio. Designed to be multitaskers, most of the available portable speakers can be used as FOH systems, stage monitors, fills, extensions, systems for sidewalk ministries, just about wherever a speaker is needed, there's a portable speaker that will fit the bill.
Oh, they've been around for a while. I remember Electro-Voice's System 200 from the mid-1980s, but the introduction of JBL's Eon series in 1995 is what really got things going for this genre. The primary benefit of these systems is they offer plug-and-play simplicity for easy set up and operation for volunteer audio personnel-as well as flexibility.
With the enclosure manufactured from a composite plastic material, the users got a speaker that was relatively lightweight compared to a wood cabinet, so it was easier to move around and durable and, in many cases, inherently weather resistant. An integral pole pocket allowed for mounting on a tripod stand. The JBL Eon added onboard amplification, switchable mic/line input and even basic EQ. Now, there's a plethora of makes and models to choose from. And while the de facto standard has been a molded plastic enclosure, there have been some that wanted to get back to their roots and go old school with a wooden cabinet. And of course, some manufacturers have been all too pleased to oblige.
Newer School
Incremental improvements in recent years have included advancements in amplifier and driver design, which manifests itself by reduced overall weight and high frequency waveguide design, which provides more controlled and defined coverage. In addition, asymmetrical enclosure designs enable use as a stage monitor.
Now you'll find some systems with multiple inputs and rudimentary mixing capabilities; others will have slots that can accommodate CD players or wireless receivers and inputs for MP3 players. There are also prepackaged systems that include all the necessary components for a fully functioning system.
The basic "speaker on a stick" has come a ways, too. And in practical application you could find the same portable speaker working as a stage monitor for the praise and worship band on Sunday morning, acting as the main speaker system for the youth meeting mid week, and then as a system for the community outreach team in the local park on Saturday afternoon. Bob Smith, senior design consultant with Portable Church Industries of Troy, Mich., says, "It has been very good to see the significant number of manufacturers who have introduced [more sophisticated] active loudspeaker designs. Simple ‘box-on-a-stick' versions were our only powered options a few years ago."
Portability Squared
And that's where portable speakers really come in handy ... portable churches. As the portable church concept becomes more popular, the need for a loudspeaker system that is easy to set up and can provide the coverage and quality needed increases. Smith notes, "A key benefit for portable churches is [that] the overall size and weight of the newer powered loudspeakers are significantly less than [older] un-powered versions with separate amplifiers, processors, EQs and the necessary racks and cabling." Smith continues, "The resulting savings in space, weight, and dollars allows a church to store more items needed for other ministries than otherwise possible. Plus, the set-up time and over-all complexity is less, which is also an important consideration when choosing a system that will be set up each week by a team of volunteers who, in many cases, have limited set-up/teardown time."
John McJunkin, audio volunteer for Bridge Church Arizona, a portable church in Gilbert, Ariz., (and frequent contributor to Church Production Magazine) concurs, "We love the portability of them (no external amps to haul)-very important for us-we can't get into our school gymnasium to set up before 7 a.m., and have to be out by 1 p.m.-quick and easy set-up and tear-down are very important to us."
What's Out There?
Following is a sampling of players in the portable loudspeaker field. Be sure to check the manufacturers' websites for additional models and options.
áAmerican Audio's XSP Series
This series features designs fitted with 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch, or 15-inch low-frequency drivers. The XSP-10A and -12A feature one mic and one line inputs, and the XSP-15A incorporates two mic inputs and one line input. All are stand-mountable or flyable.
Bag End PTA2000-R
The PTA2000-R features a wooden enclosure with a 12-inch low frequency driver and a 1-inch exit compression high frequency driver. The 80-degree (H) by 60-degree (V) horn can be rotated to provide 60 (H) by (80) V coverage.
Behringer's Eurolive D Series
The series features mic/line XLR and ¼-inch inputs with a variable level control and a clip indicator. Two-band shelving EQ boosts or cuts 15 dB at 12 kHz and 80 Hz, respectively.
Califone PowerPro
The PowerPro comes with two built-in wireless receivers, a CD player and a cassette player/recorder, and provides the ability to transmit wirelessly to its powered companion speakers. The system can operate from external AC or by internal DC battery power.
DAS Audio DR Active Series
This series is comprised of three models with black polypropylene enclosures: the DR-108A, DR-112A and DR-115A feature 8-inch, 12-inch, and 15-inch low-frequency drivers, respectively.
dB Technologies Opera D Series
The Opera D series features digital amplifiers as well as available switchable DSP at the input, providing for "Flat" or "Processed" input EQ. The angular-styled enclosure accommodates an asymmetrical 80-degree/65-degree by 60-degree horn.
EAW FRz Series
The FR129z from EAW is designed primarily for portable applications but with mounting points for install applications as well. This 12-inch two-way loudspeaker is optimized for use with the FR250z dual-15 in subwoofer system, which also serves as a pole mount base.
Electro-Voice SxA100+
This powered composite 12-inch two-way loudspeaker features mixable mic and line inputs with a two-band EQ. The speaker is flyable and compatible with E-V Sx mounting hardware and accessories. The integral CD horn provides 65-degree by 65-degree coverage.
Galaxy Audio Any Spot Traveler 10
The Any Spot Traveler 10 operates on AC or battery power and incorporates a retractable handle and in-line skate wheels for transportability. Optional modules include wireless receivers, a CD/MP3 player, and an Echo/Delay unit or an Audio Link module for wireless transmission to additional satellite Traveler systems.
JBL Professional PRX Series
The PRX series incorporates Crown amplification and M10 flypoints for rigging. The PRX612M and 615M features an asymmetrical wood enclosure for use as a stage monitor or main loudspeaker. The series is comprised of six different models, including two subwoofers.
Mackie HD1221
The HD1221 incorporates transducer and the high frequency horn technology contributed by two other Loud Technologies' entities, EAW and Martin Audio, respectively. The enclosure on this model is wood, and three voicing modes are available: Contour (LF, HF boost), Normal (nominally flat), and Monitor (100 Hz high pass filter, broad cut at 3 kHz).
Peavey Impulse 12D
The Impulse 12D features a ribbon HF driver, two switchable mic/line inputs, a line output, and offers I/O options such as XLR-1/4-inch jacks, RCA, and Phoenix connectors. An Auto-Off function automatically turns the power off when it no longer detects signal. A module bay allows for addition of wireless I/O, delay time adjustment, mixer expander, Ethernet I/O and other options.
QSC Audio K Series
K Series Active Loudspeakers from QSC are available with 8-, 10- or 12-inch low frequency drivers, as well as a subwoofer. The K Series features ABS enclosures. Also available are the KW Series featuring wood enclosures. Both lines feature two inputs (one selectable mic or line input, one line input).
Samson Auro
The Auro powered loudspeaker cabinet design incorporates 30- and 45-degree angles for use as a stage monitor and variable mic/line input level control. The speaker features balanced linked XLR and ¼-inch inputs, as well as an XLR line output. A diagram on the input module details the wiring configuration.
Turbosound Milan MI5
The Milan MI5 features two independent, switchable mic/line inputs and a mix output. A bass mode switch contours the lows for application as a monitor or when integrated with a subwoofer. A -6 dB LED indicates when the input signal is -6 dB away from limiting.
Yamaha MSR400
The MSR400 employs a two-way bi-amplified system that delivers a total of 400 watts to the 12-inch cone type woofer and the 1.75-inch high-frequency horn driver. In addition to the green LED that lights when the power is turned on, there's a peak LED that lights red when an input overload occurs.
