Yamaha Stagepas 300

The Stagepas 300 is designed as a PA for small venues. There are two 8" passive speakers and an amplifier module that can sit in one speaker or be used separately. The other speaker can be used for cable storage.

Claimed 150 W RMS per channel. Overload and thermal protection (which I've managed to activate!). 4 general purpose mic/line mono inputs and two stereo inputs. Reverb.

The sound quality is not hi-fi but perfectly OK. The bass response seems a bit peaky - some frequencies come out louder than others. It doesn't distort in any sensible operating mode.

However, the sound level is disappointing. If it really has 150 W RMS per channel, then the speakers must be very low sensitivity. The Stagepas replaced by 120 W Laney Concept mono monitor, but is considerably less loud, despite claiming more than double the power.

At its maximum sustainable level, the Stagepas 300 will just about compete with our drummer playing his Flats kit. If he plays his proper kit, it's totally inaudible.

I can run this thing flat out in my music room in my house. The music room has only vague attempts at soundproofing and the house is a terrace ... and the neighbours haven't complained. That's how not loud it is.

Plastic speaker cases seem very strong and incorporate handles. Speakers can be pole mounted only with the purchase of adaptors (16 GBP). Due to their shape, the speakers will sit in kick-back "monitor" mode.

The Stagepas 300 has an excellent case design and is very easy to use. I have the optional roller case, making it a doddle to transport. It's just about loud enough for home rehearsals of a band, which is what mine now gets used for. For any gig bigger than your mate's front room, forget it. However, I can see it would be excellent for public speaking, background music etc.

Designed to be a portable PA system for the gigging musician/speaker. It's an 8" wood=fer with a 1" tweeter. Made of some poly something-of-another plastic. basically, it feels solid and there's some weight to it, but not back breaking weight.

The speakers are passive with a detachable head from the rear of the speaker enclosure. The speakers are connected with a 1/4" cable included. I'd give more specs on the particulars, but you can do the research on all that. There is a limiter inside so that you can't overdrive and kill your system.

I think the overall sound is fantastic for the size and price. It really surprised me the moment I plugged it in. There are some drawbacks.. it won't go over a loud drummer, unless it's pushed, which I didn't wanna do. However, they will go well if the drummer is using bamboo sticks and brushes. For a louder one, get the 500 series. My logic is this: If you play a place that requires a PA louder than this can offer, then you're playing the wrong place, because they should already have one. This is meant for smaller venues that may not have the budget or room for a permanent PA system, which brings in the portability factor.
There's no Mid control on the EQ, but it didn't seem to be missed. My vocals came through quite nicely and any EQ on the acoustic was done with both the Stagepas and the DI box (Magicstomp) I was using. Sounded beefy with a good bottom end and not overbearing.
The reverb is a love it or hate it ratio. It doesn't sound like a room reverb, but more like a fast delay. I actually thought I would hate it when testing it, but it surprisingly didn't bother me. If you're some reverb connoisseur, then you'll most likely not like it. I think it will be fine for the purposes at hand.

This thing is all about mobility. The designers put a lot of thought into it for the gigging musician. The fact that the mixer can be taken out of the rear of the speaker and placed on a mic stand (with a separate adapter) is genius. The other speaker housing can be used for the speaker cables (provided) and power cord. A mic may be able to be placed in there too, but not a 20' mic cable. There's room, but not that much room. Separate pole mounts can be purchased if needed. Handles molded from the housing makes it pretty easy to carry.

Overall, if you have a smaller venue and you want stereo separation from your setup, I'd get one of these great little PA systems.
I never buy extended warranties, and I probably will not need it as this thing is built pretty solid, but I decided to get one this time because I plan on keeping it and using it for some time. The gigs have begun to line up and I have no doubt these will be a major asset to me.
As you can see, I gave high ratings for everything, and that' because it works well for my needs. If there was a wish it had, perhaps the compressor knob that the 500 series has, but that's a minor quibble.