Need a little help putting a system together.

[roberttx]

So, a buddy of mine has built a bar in his back yard and has asked me to put a sound system in it, on the basis that I have tons of gear laying around.

Here's what I have to play with:

Receivers
Pioneer SX 636, 680, 750, 2300
Marantz S$ 4000, 9000G
HK 730
Yamaha R-300
Heathkit AR-2020

Speakers
Pro Linear Stage 50 Series II
Audio Dynamics ADC 303 AX
Marantz SX9
Pioneer CS-88A (mids need a refoam before I can do anything with them though).

I also have a couple mono 40W PA amps and one mono 300W PA amp and I'm going to give him a little mixer and a mic, for messing about with.

The thing is, he says that his current system isn't loud enough - and he's running a pair of Pioneer cs-T5100 speakers (150W) off a Pioneer vsx-D308 (100 WPC in stereo mode).

So, the question is, what's my best way of giving him the extra volume that he wants?

 

[jbryant_77]

A pair of used 15" PA speakers with horns in the cabs would be a good start.. Found on CL fairly cheap just make sure they work before you buy since a lot of these live a hard life...
IMO you won't get loud with the speakers listed above. The amps listed will work great though..
Jason

 

[Binkman]

Um.. I've got a new bar in my back yard, too! (or will have if ya wanna donate?)

Yeah I think I'd go with the P.A. amp stuff, too because 'stereo' out doors becomes well 'mushy' with no reflectivity is why he may not think it's not loud enough. Other thing is portability like it might sound better with the speakers out in the yard facing the house?

Just wondering about the impedance match with his speakers with your p.a. amps to try out? Could always keep an eye out on the local Clist for some used p.a. horns as suggested.

 

[BrocLuno]

Outdoor party speakers - Infinity SM-152's. They're not that great inside the house, but they rock on the patio Generally available pretty cheap (<$C)

 

[coonmanx]

Yeah, outdoors you want some speakers with good efficiency so the sound doesn't get lost. PA speakers are a good choice. Not sure about going with a receiver vs. an integrated amp unless you like to listen to a lot of radio. A Technics integrated amp would work well (as would probably many others).

 

[roberttx]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks - it looks like PA speakers are the way to go.

The reason for the receivers is that they're what I have on hand - the only dedicated amps that I have (right now, though that could change if I stumble across a scroe) are tube ones, which I don't want to let go of.

I'd love to use the PA amps that I have, but all are mono and I don't have a matching pair - I can't see him wanting to give up stereo - though I might suggest it.