Designed for easy fast set-up, versatility, and long-term reliability, portable column array systems are ideal for speech and music reproduction at indoor-outdoor events, fitness studios, gyms, school, government organizations, restaurants, and cafes as well as for musicians, bands, DJs, mobile entertainers, and venue owners.
It is sometimes easy to overlook column line arrays in favor of more conventional powered speakers with big woofers and high-frequency drivers when it comes to portable speaker systems. These compact and slender options might look like they can’t pack too much of a punch but, despite appearances, they can do all the things a more robust speaker package can do, and often even more. Weighing in far less than traditional powered speakers, they can be assembled in seconds.
We’ve got new 3 popular Bluetooth portable PA speaker systems available right now that we’re going to take a look at with you - the Electro-Voice EVOLVE 30M, Bose L1 Pro8, and Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K.
First, let’s take a look at the Electro-Voice EVOLVE 30M portable powered Bluetooth column system with built-in 8-channel digital mixer. The EVOLVE 30M is designed to deliver a significant step up in all-around performance for a column system in its size/price category. It includes an eight-channel digital mixer, studio-quality onboard effects, and remote control of all audio, effects, and mix functions via the next-generation Electro-Voice QuickSmart Mobile application (available via the Apple Store and on Google Play). It’s a really nice sounding speaker option that has a great sounding app with built-in DSP and Bluetooth streaming.
All this makes it an outstanding choice for solo musicians/performers and smaller musical groups and venues – or any application that needs an easy-to-use, highly portable, and lightweight system with extraordinary connectivity, control, coverage, and output relative to its footprint.
- Designed to deliver absolutely uncompromising sound quality - real pro audio in a column format
- The most complete package in its class - powerful DSP, integrated mixer, Bluetooth remote control and streaming, and more
- Custom-designed EV-engineered components - what's behind the grille makes a difference
- Ultra-lightweight, single-trip portability, and super quick setup
- The new member of the best-selling EVOLVE family - proven performance and reliability
- Full-range 6 2.8” neodymium drivers
- 120° coverage via custom-designed waveguides
- Array formed 40° asymmetrical vertical coverage
- 10” subwoofer
- Integrated full-function and fully programmable 8-channel digital mixer with multiple inputs
- Frequency response of 51 Hz to 20 kHz
- Weighs about 45 lbs
Bose L1 Pro8 Portable Line Array System with Bluetooth
Next, we’ve got the Bose L1 Pro8 portable line array system with Bluetooth. The L1 Pro8 is the most portable of the Bose L1 Pro line array systems with Bluetooth and is ready whenever you are, enabling easier load-in and faster setup. With an eight-driver articulated C-shape line array, the L1 Pro8 offers 180 degrees of horizontal sound coverage, equipping singer-songwriters and DJs for small venues like coffee shops and cafes.
It has a 7" X 13" high excursion racetrack woofer. Instead of a round sphere woofer, it is called a racetrack, which gives it some of the most unique low-frequency bass response out of any other speakers on the market.
This is a very cool solution that offers up to 180 degrees of horizontal coverage, which is the widest horizontal coverage of any of the speakers we are reviewing today. You also get two mono and one stereo input channel with frequency response from 45 Hertz to 20,000 Hertz.
- C-shape extended-frequency line array featuring eight articulated 2" neodymium drivers and wide 180-degree horizontal coverage
- Bring more bass with less bulk with an integrated subwoofer featuring a 7" x 13" high-excursion RaceTrack driver; a performance that rivals a conventional 12" woofer with a smaller footprint
- Go from vehicle to venue in one trip with a modular three-piece system that’s easier to pack, carry, and set up
- Select between optimized system EQ presets for live music, recorded music, and more
- Add in even more instruments and other audio sources via dedicated ToneMatch port; one cable provides both power and digital audio between the system and a Bose T4S or T8S mixer (optional)
- Take wireless control with the L1 Mix app on your smartphone to adjust settings instantly from your phone, roam the room and fine-tune, and access the ToneMatch library of custom EQ presets
- Stream high-quality Bluetooth®audio from compatible devices
- Connect various audio sources easily via built-in mixer with two combo XLR-1/4" phantom-powered inputs, 1/4" and 1/8" (3.5 mm) aux input, plus Bluetooth® streaming — and access system EQ and ToneMatch presets, volume, tone, and reverb via illuminated controls
- 8 x Full-Range Speaker Column with Subwoofer
- 3 (2 x Mono, 1 x Stereo) input channels
- Frequency Response of 45 Hz to 20 kHz
- Weighs 39.8 lbs
The third option we are looking at today is the Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K 1000W slim line array portable PA system with 5-channel digital mixer and Bluetooth. It features a 12-inch subwoofer, the biggest woofer of any of the speaker arrays we have here. It also features 10 x 1.5" inch line array drivers. So it has the smallest drivers, but it has an awful lot of them in there.
It also does weigh the most because of the heavier subwoofer, about 50 pounds with the option for a dolly to actually wheel it around. Once it's assembled, you do have app control as well as Bluetooth streaming. You have a couple of high impedance inputs for line-level connections that can plug in an instrument like your guitar or keyboard, which you can do for the other two systems as well.
With this system and the other two, you can also hook up two additional speakers like this same system if you want to do a stereo pair. Linking two speakers provides a wider coverage area and higher output power for larger-scale performances.
- Easy setup involves connecting a line array speaker to the subwoofer
- Line array speaker can consistently cover a broad area
- Efficient, dedicated cover included that accommodates the line array speaker, spacers, and subwoofer
- Application software that enables you to control the unit intuitively and in great detail
- 1000W (HF:190W+LF:810W) Class-D power output
- Best in class 12" subwoofer produces a powerful low range
- 10x 1.5" drivers for slim line array speaker
- Digital mixer (3 mono mic/line + 1 stereo line)
- Multi-band compressor "mode" for master output
- Built-in mixer features controls that facilitate complex processes, including "1-knob EQ" per channel that enables you to handle multiple audio processes with only one knob
- High-resolution SPX digital reverbs (4types, parameter control)
- 2x Hi-Z (high impedance) inputs
- Link out and monitor out
- Optional reverb footswitch
- Optional dolly for more portability
- Weighs about 50 lbs
A Recap Of The Differences & Similarities
Any of these speaker options would make for a great buy for anyone from a small church, local performer, school, or other government entity that needs great-sounding music that sounds loud and crisp while also sounding awesome for vocals with loads of digital control options.
- All 3 models have Bluetooth
- All 3 have built-in digital controlled mixers with built-in FX where you can adjust volumes from a smartphone app
- All 3 are at least 2-way with a built-in subwoofer - either 12”, 10” or race track
- Different driver counts: Yamaha - (10) 1.5” drivers; Bose - (8) 2” drivers; EV - (6) 2.8” drivers
- The Yamaha is the heaviest, but it also has an option for the dolly kit. The Bose is the lightest, so it's going to be the easiest to transport.
- The EV has a larger driver, but the Bose and Yamaha have more drivers.
- All 3 sound great with exceptional vocal clarity and nice full-range bass with their own unique characteristics.
If you have any more questions about any of these Bluetooth portable PA speaker systems, give us a call at (888)-256-4112, or email us at [email protected]. Our sound system experts are happy to help!
