PA system for a middle sized church

[Icarus]

In that case, do you think we should try for wood cabinet QSC speakers or no? I kinda like the look of the plastic ones. I guess that's what I get for growing up in the 90's.

[Darm]

I'd say that you will be great wit a couple of RCF ART series speakers0 even the smallest ones (310) are delivering both the highs and the lows- when I first heard them- I was looking for a sub- and couldn't find it anywhere in the room!
RCF ART's coupled with their subs do magic- and the whle setup would be very light too!
Talking bout a mixer-I'd say any used Mackie VLZ series will do great- they sound good, reliable, and you can always find them used.
4 channels of pre's is good for even a small band, I'd do a live pop-rock gig with a couple of 310's and 1202, it won't be too loud- but the board would be able to mike up a little kick, vocals, acoustic guitar and keys, and the rest can go unamplified

[mixedupsteve]

Originally Posted by Icarus

In that case, do you think we should try for wood cabinet QSC speakers or no? I kinda like the look of the plastic ones. I guess that's what I get for growing up in the 90's.

I was suggesting you listen to both. Don't buy anything until you hear it and I would recommend you rent some and try them out first.

[locutus]

Originally Posted by mixedupsteve

I was suggesting you listen to both. Don't buy anything until you hear it and I would recommend you rent some and try them out first.

+1 Always listen first. And listening really needs to be in an appropriate environment. Showrooms usually aren't. Listen where you will be using them, or someplace acoustically similar.

Wood is not necessarily better in and of itself, but it is usually a sign of better quality, especially in these cost cutting days. Being heavier wood resonates less, the resonances can sound better, etc. Plastic is usually used for cost savings, weight, and to make marketable bezels. However with rare exceptions it resonates more. Pretty much all the high end speakers are made of quality wood. (OK some esoteric ones are made of carbon fiber or concrete.) But in this type, Meyer, R-H, Danley, D&B, L'Acoustic, etc. are all wood. Of course this is a generalization and there are always exceptions, but...

[Icarus]

Ended up getting the QSC K12s, and they sounded perfectly fine for what we're doing. The concert went smoothly, and all is well. Eventually I'd like to get some really pro speakers, but this should suffice for now.

Thanks for all the constructive feedback guys. Keep it real!