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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
 Posted - 10/29/2011 : 4:01:29 PM
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About 4 months back, I was in Guitar Center checking out sound reinforcement gear. I came across a Kustom PA50 and intrigued by its size, specs and versatility.:
It shows a list price of $159 bucks, but they sell them for $99 bucks:
I searched the Guitar Center website, Musician’s Friend website and Kustom Amps website, but did not find any reference to this system. When I searched PowerWerks, I came up with:
http://powerwerks.com/pages/PA-Systems-8.aspx
http://powerwerks.com/ContentHandler.ashx?ID=87 Owners manual.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZk33_3GmE4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL-RzN98VT0
http://www.youtube.com/user/GenoKreis?blend=5&ob=5#p/u/0/0xIY65YWEi0
The frontal view shows the two 4.5” drivers and the high frequency horn:
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/KustomPA504.jpg
You can also note the rugged construction and the protective steel speaker grill. In addition, each corner is protected.
The rear view shows the three channels, controls, inputs and outputs. I was asked if the XLR and ¼” inputs could be used at the same time, so I plugged a microphone and instrument into both jacks on both channels. All can be used at the same time. There is also phantom power on the XLR channels for use with condensor microphones:
One of the long sides has a carrying handle and the other side has four rubber feet:
The bottom has a speaker stand adaptor and four rubber feet:
Here it is shown mounted on an OnStage speaker stand:
I liked the first one enough to purchase a second one. I almost always have one loaned out. Hula halau’s like to use a microphone for announcing and an MPR/CD player for their music when musicians are not available. There are no effects onboard, but I generally prefer to use my systems “dry” - without effects.
Bottom line - The sound quality is surprizingly transparent. Two singers with 2 microphones and two guitar players (using their active electronics or active D.I. to control volume and tone) can perform through a single Kustom PA50. For a "breadbox) system, I've yet to see anything in this price range compare. Understand this is no Fishman SA220, Bose L1, Roland Acoustic Chorus, Fishman Loudbox, Fender Acoustisonic or Marshall AS. It's a nice system for those on a budget or those that are looking for a rugged backup system.
Ric
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
Edited by - ricdoug on 09/17/2014 11:17:12 AM |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2012 : 7:56:14 PM
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Guitar Center has this self contained P.A. system listed as the PW50:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Kustom-PW50-Personal-PA-System-106388085-i1934071.gc?esid=pw50
After almost a year of using these in tight spaced venues, I've learned that they are a real work horse that get the job done. We've used them with various microphones and acoustic/electric instruments with great results. Following are some photos of venues where we've used them.
The Kustom Powerwerks PW50 is lightweight, powerful, clean and stand mountable. As you can see in the following photos, it does well in tight spaces. It even has built in phantom power for condenser microphones. You can use the 1/4" and XLR inputs at the same time on each channel. With a built in mixer for two microphone/instrument channels and a third channel for MP3/CD, It's a bargain that can handle crowds up to about 60.
At Hulaville's closing party it was packed with people, so we used two PW50's, linked by a 50' microphone cable. You can see the one on the right, but not the one on the left:
A tiral run at Jolly Roger we used one that you can see on the left (it was a long flight of stairs bringing the equipment up):
A trial run at Bubba Kahuna's you can see the one in the center over one of the TV screens (they had the sound turned off on the TV's):
The Kustom Powerks PW50 really kicks and cuts through the ambient noise of a crowded venue for a pittance of cash outlay.They are a great backup for more complex systems. Keep one of these, a speaker stand, a microphone and a microphone stand in your car for impromptu gigs. Ric |
It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2012 : 3:53:47 PM
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At our new Ukulele Sundays meetup home, Molly Bloom's in San Clemente, California, we use two of the Kustom Powerwerks PW50(PA50) systems linked together for wider coverage. There is plenty of reserve power. Ric
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
Edited by - ricdoug on 12/21/2012 9:10:15 PM |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
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The Flip Flop Man
Aloha
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 04/10/2013 : 6:23:47 PM
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| I just purchased a pair of Kustom PW50's and a pair of the matching S112 subs. Wow ... this system is an amazing match up for my acoustic trop rock solo gig. I also bought a Mackie Pro Fx 12 Mixer. After purchasing 2- PW50's and one sub and hearing how great it sounded, I got the second sub this week. I bought all the stuff from Musician's Friend ( www.musiciansfriend.com ) and the PW50's were $99. , the S112 subs were $199., because of a special offer, I got $90. off the purchase of the speakers. I used the savings to purchase all the needed cables and extended replacement-warranties. I am a happy camper. The system is amazing for the price I paid. Highly recommend it !! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 11/23/2013 : 04:05:14 AM
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This system might eventually cost less that the speaker stands!  |
Andy |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2014 : 6:06:36 PM
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Just used 4 of these and 8 microphones for a crowd of over 300...
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It's easier to ask for forgiveness, than permission! |
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ricdoug
`Olu`olu
USA
513 Posts |
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P.A. system for under $70 bucks...
