http://www.sweetwater.com/c266--Powered_Mixers
http://www.sweetwater.com/c135--Passive_Unpowered_PA_Speakers
http://www.sweetwater.com/c442--All-In-One_PA_Systems
http://www.sweetwater.com/c134--Active_Powered_PA_Speakers

I am also involved in praise & worship at my church which is about the same size that you mentioned. I monitor this site a lot for tips on gears.

There are many praises in this website for the Bose that these guys were talking about. It is an amazing technology that is hard to believe. It has equal volume whether you are 5 feet away or 20 feet away.
I believe it is already powered speakers so you would not need a power mixer. Just a regular unpowered mixer would do. Like this one below
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringer-EURORACK-UB1222FX-PRO-Mixer-102583614-i1153472.gc

You need to figure out how many channels (pastor, keybd, drums, singers, etc) and then for sure you need some effects to enhance the vocals. The mixer above has it all.

Guitar Center has all these things and offers 30 days money back guarantee (last time I checked) which is great since you can try them out first without too much risk.

Fran is a longtime resident and seasoned pro here. He also recommended some Podium speakers that received lots of praises in this board. Ask him about it for recommendations but I do not think GC carries it. I think he also owned Bose as well.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cassp:
[B]You are right, Diki. I use two Roland CM-30 Cube Monitors at 1/2 level and can be easily heard thru a crowd of 100. Each CM-30 has 3 channels and an EQ, plent ins and outs for just about anything. The only thing missing are FX, which is easily solved.

I too use the CM-30 cube pair in certian situations and they do work. I had a 50th recently where I played in 2 different rooms. I had the pair in the first room, and the Bose in what I thought was the main room. What they didn't tell me ahead of time was when the dinner was over, I was to go back into the first room, with the CM-30's. They got the job done, but the Bose has the much better sound quality. It's like driving a Mercedes verses a Honda. They'll both get you there, but with the first one, you'll enjoy the journey so much more.

Joe



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Songman55
Joe Ayala

Joe, I think that was an EXCELLENT comparison of Bose and the CM-30's. I think it applies to just about any comparison of musical equipment and tastes. Some are good enough, some are great and some are fantastic. Who's to say what is best for another's needs and wants.

I have a pair of CM30's, an L1 Classic, and an L1 Compact used with a Tonematch mixer. I too like the CM30's, but not against either Bose.

Thank you all for the good recommendations!

That's pretty much a given, Joe. The Mercedes COSTS a lot more than the Honda

Same with the Bose... But for a potentially cash strapped church (news reports indicate that, in the financial crisis we are in, donations and offerings are going down noticeably) recommending the MOST expensive option may not be doing the best service to their church. If something 20% of the cost of the Bose will get the job done adequately, perhaps they could use the money they would save for something else they need, too?

If your job is to ferry souls to the Lord, does it really MATTER if you ferry them in a Honda or a Mercedes, as long as they get there?

[This message has been edited by Diki (edited 07-22-2009).]

We have decided to go for a Bose L1 Compact and a Mackie ProFX12 Professional Compact Mixer after an audition at the local Guitar Center. It really is a Mercedes! Thank you all for good suggestions.

Great choice, God's work deserves the best!

I too think your church made a good sound decision.