Podium pro audio

One of my stage crew students who is also a Dj is in the beginning stages of assembling some reasonably priced gear for gigs with a local high school band (his new hobbby). He (we) are wondering if there is enough quality in the brand to go ahead with the purchase? He is only purchasing a pair of 18" subs and an amp to power them. I do not know the model numbers yet, we are just wondering if anyone has any experience with the brand, good or bad? I did a quick search of the forum and couldn't find any results, if I missed something please link and I will check it out.
 
I've never heard of "Podium Pro Audio." I came into this thread expecting to read about lecterns. For a DJ rig I would go with powered speakers rather than the complication of a power amp and speakers. It's just one more thing to have to cable up. I would recommend QSC for powered speakers. We have K10's, K12's, and K Subs and they're great sounding speakers. A DJ company I work with using HPR's (12" tops and 18" subs) and they sound really good too. None of this gear has ever had any sort of problems. If you want to listen to any of this before you commit, we're off exit 8 on the turnpike.
 
I would personally choose unpowered speakers for 2 reasons. Reason 1 being you only have to run a speaker cable out to the speakers, not signal and separate power. Number 2 unpowered speakers of the same size weigh a lot less, you'll make up that weight with your amps in a rack.
 
Also, using passive speakers and amplifiers is not as simple as using actives. Actives are designed to take the questions out of the equation. Give them AC and signal and you're good to go. No having to think about Ohms, wattage delivery, etc. And with the new electronica, weight considerations are out the door.
 
We put the power and signal in the same cable.
That is a bad argument.

Do you have something fancy to do this, or is it just tape?


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That stuff is well, cheap.

We use a much nicer version made by Link.

Do you have a...well, link by chance?

*pun not intended, but hilarious.


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Their website is more than a bit clumsy.
Link USA > Home

It's in the eurocable catalog.

But they look like this:
-1-6.png
 
So after years, even decades, of being told not to run audio cables parallel to power cables, they come up with this! :confused:

Separating audio and power is more legend than fact. The important thing is that the audio is balanced and the power conductors are twisted. Running unbalanced audio more than 6 feet is what perpetuates the legend. :)
 
Maybe it's AES/EBU over 100Ω shielded twisted pair, shouldn't be susceptible to 60Hz interference. With a high quality DAC used to produce a bi-amped signal using the 2 channels provided.
 
My biggest concern is why is he trying to get 18" Cabinets? Bigger speakers doesn't equal better sound... just more noise. If he is trying to get more volume, I would actually say for him to save money: A set of decent 15" or even 12" cabinets and a suplimentary set of 10" monitor wedges that have a spread that can be used as mains would be FAR more effective and can give him much cleaner sound with the same power and can probably save him some money. 18"s are kind of an odd duck for a simple DJ rig.
 
Keep in mind here that the OP is asking about subs.

The advice regarding mains is very good, though (especially if he is waiting to purchase mains even though it sounds* odd to purchase the subs first - *literally).

Subs take such a beating that I would take care to purchase something robust. Since no one so far has really indicated any knowledge of the brand, I am skeptical. Unless the Podiums can be tried in person, I would not buy them. Imagine the cost of shipping them back!
 
Keep in mind here that the OP is asking about subs.

The advice regarding mains is very good, though (especially if he is waiting to purchase mains even though it sounds* odd to purchase the subs first - *literally).

Subs take such a beating that I would take care to purchase something robust. Since no one so far has really indicated any knowledge of the brand, I am skeptical. Unless the Podiums can be tried in person, I would not buy them. Imagine the cost of shipping them back!

My error. Missed the Bass driver part.

Perhaps there is a Sam Ash or Guitar Center where you can at least audition some of the Bass drivers they have on the showroom floor? If they have them in stock at those full line joints, you can be assured they are of the more "affordable" branding. I honestly wouldn't mess around with unknown brands, simply because your speakers are the end point (although your signal is only as strong as your weakest link) and take the most abuse out of the entire system. You can have a great mix and a good ear with the best cable, but if you have speakers with lousy frequency response and are playing compressed media through them, it won't matter and you'll spend all your time trying to EQ out noise that shouldn't be there in the first place. It's a hell of a way for anyone new to live sound to start out.

**Addendum**

Although, to be fair I do have two sets of "cheap" speaker kit and amp I've bought off of Musician's Friend (Phonic), but those are for "cafe" kits and anywhere where I need a set that is durable and not going to send me into a hulk-rage mode if it gets dropped or mis-patched and blown. So, I am by no means some sort of gearslut. But, cheap speakers can sometimes be worse than no speakers. Has he looked at some of the examples from Alto or by Peavey even? They're affordable and actually have some credibility. I've personally been VERY impressed by Alto speakers for what you pay. You get some serious response out of those for not alot of cash.
 
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