WTB/Advice: Powered stage monitor for keyboards

[wez]

I'm shopping for a powered stage monitor for my keyboard rig (mostly hammond and wurli/rhodes stuff) and looking for advice and opinions.

Budget is not huge - $500ish maybe - so I'm looking at lower end PA speakers (Alto, Mackie etc) or maybe EV/JBL/QSC etc if I can find something second-hand. I'm thinking 12" or maybe even 10" - small and light is good, especially as I'm planning to move to a stereo rig eventually.

I basically need something pretty flat, reliable, directional and loud with with plenty of headroom.

Leaning towards a new Alto TS112A, although it's a little close to be!@#$%^& territory for my liking.

Ideas?

[NYMo]

Hey Wez,

Last 5 years before I stopped playing live I had got my speaker downsized to a be!@#$%^& B205 D...great little speaker...just wack it on top a mic stand and have it right at ear height !
Best thing I ever bought as I used to lug a mackie sm 450 on a speaker stand

Cheers

[simonstav]

the mackie SRM150 the above is a rip off of sounds better and is more reliable.

[wez]

Hey thanks.. should mention that I don't use be!@#$%^& gear, ever.

If anyone has a QSC K12 or K10 going cheap...

[simonstav]

even a used K10 won't be within your budget

[wez]

Probably not

[ether]

QSC fan here too unfortunately.

Left field idea, depending on what you want and how loud, I've used my baby Genelec 6010s a few times with good results. Super portable, 2 up on mic stands make a great stereo image, studio quality sound.

Or maybe consider some IEMs?

[Ben M]

Also the old Roland Cube amp maybe wez?
I think they even make them as a wedge these days.

[wez]

Ha maybe I should just take the Opals on stage ;-)

IEM's would probably be way too sensible.

As for 'keyboard' amps... I don't think I've ever heard one that actually sounded good. I guess I'm after something a bit more hi-fi.

Will probably end up adjusting the budget to accommodate something better like a QSC, EV or Yamaha.

[NYMo]

I hate be!@#$%^& too..and I've only ever bought 2 products of theirs and I believe they are their best products ( the Ada 8000 ( now 8200) and that speaker I'm talking about.
It was on the road with me for 5 years and never let me down...can't ask for any more than that !
And it's sooooo light
Cheers

[Drumstruck]

Have a listen to the yamaha msr400s - you may find one close to yourbudget.....

[Chris H]

Up your budget a bit to $800 and you should be able to get the K8 for around that price. I saw one at Frankston JB
Hi Fi on clearance for around $600 a few months ago.

[wez]

Thanks Ian, yeah Yamaha is definitely an option.

JB sells QSC? I know they do the cheaper stuff.

Speaking of the K8... I'm thinking 10" as a minimum, I don't need massive LF but I do need to be able to move plenty of air sometimes. But I've got no experience with that kind of smaller speaker, thoughts?

As an aside... does anyone remember what system was in the old Raval bar in Surry Hills? I remember the wedges being these tiny things, but they sounded great and were very directional. It was a pretty quiet room though.

[gigpiglet]

ask a production guy....

raval WAS a great sounding gig (and a great gig in general, i think that one was a real loss to the scene - such a good size for showcase opportunities)

the system there - both FOH and MONS where FBT "jolly" range boxes.
italian boxes i believe - maybe something to do with RCF after it sold? not sure the story...
and not sure if still available.