Behringer EPS500MP3

This is an excellent option if you plan to use indoor, small-to-medium size venues. In the past, I've tried various options using individual components. It's usually a headache to put things together and never really works as expected and you always have to be there in order to make the right hookups. This unit is perfect, simple, and does the job. Anyone can get it up and running in few minutes. Few things that might help others:1. Excellent build quality, very easy to move around. Speakers are 8", good sound quality. Little lacking on the base side (at low volumes).2. The "monitor out" can be used with an external sub. I tested this and worked fine. This is one question that I could not find an answer before I tried it out3. USB input is great for MP3 playback. A remote/bluetooth could be very handy!4. Haven't tried the USB wireless option. The UltraLink series (about $99/mic) is what you need, although the manual and wensite says about something else (or else I'm confused and don't still understand what's needed)4. Fan is litle noisy, specially if you're listening at low volumes. This is not a problem for an event, because the background noise is usually high and the volume levels need to be higherI wish Behringer takes little more efforts to fix their manuals and website to provide more techincal details. Right now it's an adventure to buy it and try it but I usually like to avoid such stunts. Also, this product, for instance, sounds really good at low volumes when hooked up with a sub --- almost can replace my 4X more expensive stereo system. But there's not even a mention of how to use a sub with this thing and a way to cut down the fan noise when low power levels are used. The fan noise is something that defintely needs some work

I really must express one frustration about this product. I was lied to by the seller, and manufacturer, regarding the wattage. It's NOT 500 Watts. It's only about 100, to 150 Watts RMS. This dishonesty has got to stop, now.However, in a small venue, up to about 1500 square feet, it does sound fairly decent in the mids, and highs. Even the bass notes didn't sound bad.I am awaiting a subwoofer, which is supposed to be a 300 Watt RMS type. I'll update.The mixer is fairly decent for it's size. There's a fan inside it, which you can hear if you put year ear close enough to it.The MP3 player is quite pointless, because there's no display to show you what you're playing. But, I suppose it would make for a ready backup, if you only have one playlist on a USB stick. LOL.I did have to crank my tablet PC (playback device) all the way to 90 percent, and the mixer's main output, and input gain all the way to about 7, with bass, and treble set to the 3:00 position to fill the room with about half the volume a DJ would be running. I'm guessing I'll be able to pull back on some of those volumes once the sub comes in.At the above mentioned volume settings, I walked to other rooms of my house, and it did seem fairly powerful, for it's size.Oh, speaking of size, the shipping dimensions are way off. I think the seller was talking about just one speaker. The box was about the size of one of those roll around storage tubs, and was fairly heavy.Each speaker, on it's own, is not very heavy, especially once you remove the mixer, and stowed mic, and cabling. I found the included stand adaptor for the mixer, and was able to attach it to the top of a mic stand, no problem. I do wish the adaptor had the same quick release feature the mixer has for stowing, and in-stowing to, and from the speaker cab. You might want to tape a zip lock baggie on the mixer, for storing the two screws that hold the adaptor to the mixer. I'd also recommend getting a video lighting stud, to threaded mic stand adaptor, so you can quickly attach, and remove the mixer, during teardown. You'll be looking for the smaller mic stand adaptor threading, not the 5/8. As it is, I was able to thread it onto a clamp on mic boom, which I removed the arm with the 5/8 bit from, in order to use the smaller threaded mic mount. When clamped to the stand I'm using, it worked perfectly, just a wee bit of motion, if you bumped it, but quite stable enough for my gig needs. My theremin will go on main part of the stand, along with a clamp on tablet holder, and clamp on mic holder.Yeh, it sure would've been nice, had the RMS Wattage been listed prominently in the product description, along with the continuous, and peak Wattage. I wouldn't have bought it. Sort of wish I hadn't, but I suppose the compact size, and power will work out fine in small pubs, where there are only about 25, to 50 peeps yammering away, as they have mug, and a pipe, with a wee sup, and fellowship. Eh?Now I've had a chance to try it out, I'll certainly keep the system, but just for small to medium rooms.I've got me eye on a fairly decent system which does have the RMS wattage of about 400 RMS watts, which should be fine for the slightly larger rooms, but this system will have to do, for now.Oh, I do recommend getting a left angled female IEC to male mains cable, to make the power cable run from the mixer less "in the way".The only other knit pick I have is the spacing of the mixer elements (channels) are a wee bit tight for my tastes. For example, the right angle speaker cables tend to block the USB port, or the meter LEDS, if you don't remember to slip the one nearest you under the guard rail, and then plug it in. The other can go in, as is, no problem. I recommend using straight plugs when going into the aux input, if you intend to have anything else plugged in near it. Other than that, right angle plugs can be used for XLR, or 1/4, next to each other, no problem.I'll be conducting a mic check on the mixer, and will update, soon.Speaking of microphones, the only gripe I have over that, is the mic clip is just a wee thing, isn't it? The XLR cable just barely fits into it. The main body of the mic won't You'll break the poor thing, if you try. LOL. I recommend you pack along one, or two of your favorite mic clips, to be safe.Regarding overall quality of sound, I'd say this works quite nicely. I did not notice any hissing, or humming. I do have poor wiring, so that's a very good sign.The speakers slipped onto my 35mm speaker stands, no problem.I like the handle on top of the speaker, which makes for easy unpack / repack. I only wish the speakers had side handles for easier mounting on stands.I noticed the speakers have floor wedge on one side, so it can be used as a monitor. Speaking of which.By the way, if you're using a nice, higher RMS wattage system for a medium to large venue, and need something to liven up dead spats in the room, this system might be the answer for that.I only wish the seller, and factory had been up front, and forth coming with the actual RMS Wattage. I did ask the community about it, and got no answer. Hmmm...Also did NOT appreciate the product having been shipped in it's factory retail box, which would tell every bloody porch bandit who happened along, what was waiting on the porch! Oh yes, I did catch someone trying to steel it this morning. Just happened to be watching the security cam at the time, when the delivery showed up.Right. Anywhoo, I'll update, once I've got the sub on the system.