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Post subject: Need advice/feedback on Passport 500
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 8:05 am
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Hi. I'm with a not for profit looking hard at the Passport 500, and we're thinking it fits all our criteria, and we are just about ready to purchase one. But we have one reservation, and are hearing different opinions. However, none of those opinions come from anyone who has actually USED the Passport 500, and we're having trouble finding anyone who is using it (we have seen the 150 and 250 in action, and like what we've seen...but we can't find the 500 in use).

Our concern: Will it produce enough sound for our needs?

Suggestions from users or anyone familiar with the system would be greatly appreciated!

We will use the system in a variety of ways, but the only one we are concerned about is this: The system will often be used outside as a PA system...for speech and some music, recorded and performed...but the music needs will not be demanding. This is not primarily a sound system for vocal ensembles, bands, etc.

The typical outdoor setting will be something like this:

Imagine a normal Little League baseball field. The presenter, singer of the National Anthem or whatever, and Passport 500 are set up on about second base. The speakers are on speaker stands. People are seated throughout the infield and the bleachers. Will everyone be able to hear well?

How about if the the presenters and Passport 500 are set up in center field? Will people in the infield and bleachers be able to hear well?

Some folks are saying, "Oh, 500 watts is plenty for that!!" Others are not so sure.

For those of you familiar with the Passport 500, what do you think!!

Thanks so much for your ideas. This is an important decision for us, because it impacts a LOT of our charitable work.

Hartford


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 3:03 pm
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Hi Hartford,

Just to let you know I read your post but I am going to sit out on this one since my opinion will be biased. However, if you do care to hear my opinion then I will post some more... :)

Thanks,
Ken

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Ken Porter
Director, Audio Electronics R&D
Research & Development
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
www.fender.com

Proud to be a Fender band member since 1997
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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 5:06 pm
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Ken, I'd appreciate hearing whatever you have to say! I know you are a Fender engineer, so of course you are biased! But you also have a lot more knowledge of it than I ever will...and I'll just take your bias into account!

But I've heard several conflicting opinions from folks who have lots of audio/sound system experience, but who've never used the Fender Passport, and don't have any experience in using any kind of system like this in an outdoor environment.

so any helpful info or experience I can find will be greatly appreciated. Please, let me know what you think, based on your own knowledge of the system.

Thanks!

Hartford


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 4:09 pm
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hartford wrote:
Ken, I'd appreciate hearing whatever you have to say! I know you are a Fender engineer, so of course you are biased! But you also have a lot more knowledge of it than I ever will...and I'll just take your bias into account!

But I've heard several conflicting opinions from folks who have lots of audio/sound system experience, but who've never used the Fender Passport, and don't have any experience in using any kind of system like this in an outdoor environment.

so any helpful info or experience I can find will be greatly appreciated. Please, let me know what you think, based on your own knowledge of the system.

Thanks!

Hartford


Hi Hartford,

Well, you have a unique question but I would cautiously say that the 500 Pro would be OK for your needs. We are using it for company functions here at Fender and I do know someone who is using it at successfully at swimming competitions.

The one thing to keep in mind though is that if the person has a very soft voice the 500 Pro may not be loud enough. Also if you don't have any AC power close by you will have to use an inverter and battery for the unit, keep that in mind.

Being the project engineer of the Passport Pro series I would hate to be the one telling you yes go ahead get one, and then you find out that your crowd is louder than a jet engine and would come back and tell me hey what were you talking about? :) So, I cautiously say yes I think a 500 Pro would work for your needs as from experience it's worked great for us here at Fender and I've been using it for my own band practice and it's plenty loud, etc.

Hope this helps!

Ken

_________________
_______________________________________
Ken Porter
Director, Audio Electronics R&D
Research & Development
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
www.fender.com

Proud to be a Fender band member since 1997
_______________________________________


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 6:03 pm
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I would say, it would depend on which way the wind is blowing!

I have a Passport 500, that I thing works great indoors at small venues.

Outdoors you need larger speakers and more watts.

It would work fine if you had a small set of bleachers 25-50 people, and the speakers were close.

Remember you want some headroom in any system you buy.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 1:06 pm
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Thanks for the feedback and insights...anyone else??

Hartford


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