Question about powered mixer amps and speaker amps

[justjacq3]

I currently have 2 Community DnD15 two way speakers. Specifications Loudspeaker Type: 2-way, full-range
Operating Range:
40 Hz - 16 kHz
Max Input Ratings: 150W Continuous, 400W Program
35 volts RMS, 80 volts momentary peak

Is there a certain watt or amp power that I need to run them. I am looking to get a powered mixer to add to them, however I do not want to run into power issues.

Thanks for any help

[Conanski]

I currently have 2 Community DnD15 two way speakers. Specifications Max Input Ratings: 150W Continuous, 400W Program. Is there a certain watt or amp power that I need to run them.

No.. the speaker will work with any amp capable of producing up to 400w, it's just that when combined with a smaller amp the system may not be capable of producing the sound level you require, so target something with 300-400w output.

I am looking to get a powered mixer to add to them,

Powered mixers are my pet peave, the absolute best place for an amp to be is inside the speaker and the second best place is in it's own chassis, the least desirable place to have it is inside the mixer and that comes down to flexibility and your bypass options should there be problems with one or the other device. But I can't argue with the portability of having the mixer and amp combined so if that is high on your list of requirements fine just don't buy the cheapest thing available look for a Yamaha or Mackie for example.

[justjacq3]

No.. the speaker will work with any amp capable of producing up to 400w, it's just that when combined with a smaller amp the system may not be capable of producing the sound level you require, so target something with 300-400w output.

Powered mixers are my pet peave, the absolute best place for an amp to be is inside the speaker and the second best place is in it's own chassis, the least desirable place to have it is inside the mixer and that comes down to flexibility and your bypass options should there be problems with one or the other device. But I can't argue with the portability of having the mixer and amp combined so if that is high on your list of requirements fine just don't buy the cheapest thing available look for a Yamaha or Mackie for example.

We run a karaoke show (just for fun) outside at a small restaurant. We currently have a behringer VMX1000 mixer and 2 American Audio Professional Powered amps VLP600. At our last show our speakers went into their protection device when too much power is getting to them. The microphones and sound went very quiet. This did not happen on regular DJ songs, but it did when we had karaoke singers. Various advise has been given to us. One of our goals, is to streamline our system out of using this giant DJ system that we have no need for. One person told us to get Powered speakers and a new mixing board. Another said to use the speakers we have (which are great) and get a powered mixer, and just do away with all of the other stuff (amps, cd racks, etc). I am sort of on a budget, so I do not have a great option of replacing both speakers and a mixer, which is why we were looking to save the speakers and invest in a powered mixer board.

Also, our speakers are 8 ohms each. I was just told that a powered mixer will only run enough power for 8 ohms total. Both mikes are plugged into the one amp.

Just trying to figure out what the heck my options are! Any further advise?

[Ken Heath]

It sounds like the dynamics of the live microphone is overdriving the system. Recorded music is compressed, so it plays back more evenly than live music. The same settings you play a recorded track at can be disastrous with live instruments and microphones.

Your amp/speaker combo is probably okay for what you’re doing, but I would replace the VMX1000 with a better quality mixer, that model is notorious for bad mic channels! Rane is a very solid mixer that will last you for many years and retain it’s value, if that’s too much for the budget right now, Gemini, Numark, and American Audio all make very serviceable mixers that will perform well for you.

Leave the mixer/amp for the vocalists PA in your local garage band!

If you really want to improve your sound and protect your equipment from singers, you should look into a compressor/limiter for your mic channels. This will give you a more “studio” sound and protect your system from the transient peaks that can destroy stuff! They’re available as an outboard unit that you patch into the signal chain, and although a little daunting at first, not too difficult to adjust once you understand their language.

[djtunes]

http://www.mackie.com/products/ppm608/

[Conanski]

We run a karaoke show (just for fun) outside at a small restaurant. We currently have a behringer VMX1000 mixer and 2 American Audio Professional Powered amps VLP600. At our last show our speakers went into their protection device when too much power is getting to them. The microphones and sound went very quiet. This did not happen on regular DJ songs, but it did when we had karaoke singers.

I agree with ken I think the combination of that lousy DJ mixer and untrained singers is your real problem, and fixing it won't cost you much. My suggestion would be to use one of the amplifiers you have with a pair of speakers and buy a proper live sound mixer with the tools needed for live vocals, the Yamaha MG82CX for example which has much better microphone preamps and on top of that built-in limiters to control those vocalists when they get out of hand, all for $150.

[djtunes]

Even after posting the powered mixer I put up above I'll co-sign onto what Conanski said. I also agree that one of the amps is all you need to power those speakers.

[NickyB]

A typical speaker rated for 150w can handle peaks of 300w "IF THEY'RE CLEAN". It's all about clean signal headroom. A limiter is a great piece of gear for over-zealous karaoke singers.