Yamaha's Stagepas 1K mounts ten 1.5-inch drivers in a vertical line, with the bottom few drivers set back slightly from the others. This "J" shape is purported to improve vertical dispersion, something we look forward to testing.
When acoustic designers figured out that a line of identical speakers would work together to focus sound in a narrow pattern, the line array concept took shape. Once the purview of large, flown speaker arrays, line array principles are now showing up in much smaller speakers. Case in point: Yamaha's new Stagepas 1K system ($1,599 MSRP) uses an array of small drivers to deliver a tightly controlled dispersion pattern from a compact speaker system.
Stagepas 1K mounts ten 1.5-inch drivers in a vertical line, with the bottom few drivers set back slightly from the others. This "J" shape is purported to improve vertical dispersion, something we look forward to testing. The end result is a very broad horizontal dispersion (170 degrees) and very tight vertical dispersion (just 30 degrees) without the need for a large horn.
Yamaha has been a leader in digital mixers for over 20 years, and they bring that experience to bear on the Stagepas 1K.
Wide horizontal dispersion translates to room-filling sound from a single speaker placed near one wall. It also means performers standing near the Stagepas 1K may hear enough balanced sound to eliminate the need for a monitor. The tight vertical dispersion means less sound energy wasted above and below the audience's ears. This translates to better clarity due to less sound bouncing around in the room. Finally, the tighter pattern can deliver more consistent volumes across the nearest and furthest audience members.
The Yamaha Stagepas 1k Portable PA System includes a subwoofer, built-in mixer with effects, column loudspeakers with vertical extender and case.
All these benefits of the "column" speaker must be catching on, as the Stagepas 1K is joining similar speakers from the likes of JBL, K-array, EV, Bose, Mackie, Behringer, Turbosound and others. Yamaha's offering uses some of the smallest drivers of the bunch, with others typically being in the two to four-inch range. Dispersion is usually wider with a smaller driver, but a lack of low-frequency response can require a higher crossover point. Smaller drivers are typically less efficient and handle less power, which may translate to a lower maximum SPL. We look forward to hearing how well Yamaha's 1.5-inch drivers perform in a real-world test.
Underneath the high-frequency drivers, figuratively and literally, sits the Stagepas 1K woofer. This speaker is a compact cabinet with direct-radiating 12-inch driver. The enclosure uses Yamaha's "Twisted Flare Port" technology to reduce port air noises that can occur at high excursions. Stated low-frequency response of the subwoofer is a respectable 37 Hz (-10 dB), with a system crossover point of 240 Hz. With 800 watts going to the woofer and 200 watts to the column speaker, Stagepas 1K delivers about 120 dB maximum SPL. This should be adequate for most small rooms and venues where the system will be used.
In addition to the high-frequency speaker section, Stagepas 1K include two additional column extensions. This allows the high-frequency drivers to be placed directly on the woofer, on a single extension or on both extensions. The adjustable height will likely be appreciated, especially considering the tight vertical pattern.
Stagepas 1K mixer inputs include three mono and one stereo. Each mono input has a mic/line switch to control sensitivity, and inputs two and three also have a high-impedance switch for connecting certain instruments (i.e. acoustic guitar and bass). The stereo input has three possible sources: dual ¼-inch jacks, 1/8-inch stereo jack or Bluetooth link. Outputs include “monitor” (with level control) and “link” to connect two Stagepas 1K systems.
Yamaha has been a leader in digital mixers for over 20 years, and they bring that experience to bear on the Stagepas 1K. Beyond the potential for improved fidelity, the system's digital mixer allows Yamaha to offer a unique one-knob EQ on all four inputs, digital effects and multi-band compressor on the main output.
The Stagepas 1K EQ reduces low frequencies in the "cut" direction while boosting low and highs in the other direction. A multi-band processor sits across the Stagepas 1K output, applying EQ and compression in three modes: speech, music and club. Finally, the mono inputs have a "reverb" knob that feeds an SPX-class processor with hall, plate, room and echo modes. A single multi-function knob selects the effect type and adjusts decay (or delay) time for that effect. Will a one-size-fits-all EQ solution work for most sources? Is a one-knob reverb circuit effective? Will the Stagepas 1K output multi-band processing improve the sound? We aim to find out when our review unit arrives soon.
Stagepas 1K has a few other niceties worthy of note. In addition to the Bluetooth stereo input, Yamaha has an app for Stagepas 1K that replicates all mixer functions for remote control. The system includes a fitted bag with storage space for the speaker columns, cables and other goodies. Options include a footswitch to mute the reverb signal, and a dolly that should make transporting the 50-pound Stagepas 1K even easier. Watch Church Production Magazine for a full review of Stagepas 1K in the near future.
