Looking for suggestions for VERY portable "FRFR" or PA

[jellodog]

@molul It is my understanding that some of the Genelec monitor models were originally designed for use in mobile broadcast units (vans).

Pick your size, frequency response and SPL / power here:

Active 2-Way Monitors | Genelec 8000 Series - Genelec.com

Each Genelec Active 2-Way Monitor delivers truthful, uncoloured performance that will adapt to your acoustic environment. Whatever your room size and application, there is a monitor here that will help you produce better, more consistent mixes.

www.genelec.com

Or if you would prefer something a little more cab-like, there is the Bluamps Cubo:

Cubo | BlueAmps

www.en.blueamps.de

 

[Piing]

@molul So I do actually have a serious answer to your question.

It is my understanding that some of the Genelec monitor models were originally designed for use in mobile broadcast units (vans).

Pick your size, frequency response and SPL / power here:

Active 2-Way Monitors | Genelec 8000 Series - Genelec.com

Each Genelec Active 2-Way Monitor delivers truthful, uncoloured performance that will adapt to your acoustic environment. Whatever your room size and application, there is a monitor here that will help you produce better, more consistent mixes.

www.genelec.com

+1

I'm using a couple of Genelec 8010A at my small room with the Axe-FX. Excellent results

 

[Jarick]

Genelec is a real solid choice. They are built like a tank and have great sound for the size. A single 8010 would be really good if you are just looking to amplify yourself.

If you want stereo, I'd look at those iLoud Micros. They are on sale right now too, $100 off I think. They make a carrying bag too. Both of them combined are the same weight as a single Genelec 8010.

An uber portable rig that would be a lot of fun would be a Strandberg into an HX Stomp into the iLoud Micros.

 

[JiveTurkey]

It’s at the start of improving the lower end of the market.

This right here is good news and I'm all for it.

 

[ragingplatypi]

There might be a stronger argument for using “tonewood” in a powered speaker cabinet than in an electric guitar.

 

[JiveTurkey]

I should buy a CLR now

 

[pipelineaudio]

"you get what you pay for" is such a dumb myth. Especially in audio gear. Its usually only backed up by people who are allergic to graphs and measuments

 

[Sleezy E]

 

[Rewolf]

Tiny but loud and good sounding, Minirig 3 or newer 4.

 

[KHAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!]

 

[JiveTurkey]

I blame Headrush.

 

[Lorne Malvo]

In response to some complaints we've split out the F.R.F.R. / A.I.T.R. discussion to the "watercooler rants" section. Thread is here

https://thegearforum.com/threads/replacing-mentions-of-f-r-f-r-and-a-i-t-r.4880/

Please use this thread for helping the OP with small portable speaker and monitor suggestions.

Please also remember that humor is welcomed on this forum. Some off-topic discussion is normal and adds to the fun. Moving posts like this is not something we usually do. Nonetheless: the signal-to-noise ratio in this thread was way lower than normal.

 

[quadgear]

If you're looking for a very portable, battery powered solution that can get very loud and is relatively flat, the MiniRig is a good choice.

It's one of the better consumer level Bluetooth speakers with low latency via a wired input by design. Very long battery life. Very portable and robust. 40 watts.

Software/firmware is a bit wonky. Perhaps the latest MiniRig 4 has that all sorted

For guitar, it's pretty good. Amazing sound when focused on a single spot (personal monitor). Can fill a room or use outdoors (even better with something behind it to reflect sound). There's an eq setting for LOUD.

To be clear this is a one driver solution (you can add more units and/or their sub) that won't pass deep analysis. Some say they perform as good or better than many small studio monitors at the sub $300-500 price point per pair.

It's not going to replace a CLR, PA, high end monitors, and other devices that are large, heavy, and more expensive ... but you may not need that in all situations. This fits in a gig bag, weighs less than some pedals, is a useful tool for casual situations.

YMMV.

 

[molul]

My guess on this thread is that there are no actual very small "FRFR", right? :)

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

My guess on this thread is that there are no actual very small ""FRFR"", right? :)

Studio monitors are "FRFR" - indeed, their range is generally more extended than that of a PA speaker. Very few things are genuinely 20hz-20khz ruler flat, so what is or isn’t “"FRFR"” depends on how flat and how wide bandwidth you want. It is often used as a generic term for “a powered speaker that is designed for playing music through, not an instrument speaker” and that seems to be the way you are using it?

More relevant parameters would be:

-budget.

-robustness (I.e. are you worried about drivers getting poked/dinged.)

- needed output.


It seems to me you have been suggested lots of great options for your use case in this thread.

 

[molul]

Aaah, I see. Excuse my ignorance. I was very focused on getting an answer like "this device is like the headrush fr108 but half the size and power".

On the other hand, I was worried about robustness, but as I'll be playing at home, I guess I should just be careful when moving from one place to the other. I won't really need much power.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Aaah, I see. Excuse my ignorance. I was very focused on getting an answer like "this device is like the headrush fr108 but half the size and power".

On the other hand, I was worried about robustness, but as I'll be playing at home, I guess I should just be careful when moving from one place to the other. I won't really need much power.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

The Behringer and Carvin things posted are the closest things to "like an fr108 but half the size". Not much going on in the 1/2 the size/power but like the fr108 market segment because...at that size/power, its really difficult to make a cost effective speaker that can generate high enough volumes to be used as a public address system. So the stuff that is 1/2 the size/weight are mostly just studio monitors/personal listening speaker type things.

 

[Jarick]

The Genelec 80x0 are made out of cast aluminum and both the woofer and tweeter have metal screens to protect the drivers. The little one is listed at 3 pounds I think. They are incredibly solid build and should be rugged enough for travel assuming you pack them well.

Last year I had a big shelf over my desk that fell off the wall and crashed onto my speakers. No damage at all, just a little scuff that wiped off.

 

[Elric]

Would not want even one studio monitor for portaging between cities - a driver's gonna get murdered. Or a pair of ilouds either - ugh dongle fest of two boxes with a link cable, etc.

It's too bad they stopped making it but at one point IK made an 'iLoud' standalone speaker. It's perfect for what the OP wants and sounds great. I'd recommend it but its no longer being made so if you picked one up it'd have be NOS or used.

Edit: Late to the party as usual, looks like @paisleywookiee already gave this guy a shout out. Anyway, had one for a long time. Big fan.

Honestly in this form factor and for 'portable' stuff, I'd just get a standalone 'bluetooth' speaker that had an 'Aux' in and then EQ correct the output of the modeler. Most tiny monitors are going to be wildly 'off' "FRFR". The trick would be finding a consumer product that is not voiced /tuned for Hip Hop.

 

[quadgear]

The trick would be finding a consumer product that is not voiced /tuned for Hip Hop.

See: https://thegearforum.com/threads/looking-for-suggestions-for-very-portable-""FRFR""-or-pa.4859/post-193390

The other tricks are low latency and headroom.