Excellent machine. Extremely portable, and can be set up in minutes. Used on College campus by both Staff and Students, this machine has performed well and proved to be robust whether used in Large Hall or outside during special events.

ca you tel me the cheaperst price for A Stagepas 500, and cables
including stands, please

My first impression of the 500 kit is one of surprise. I didn’t know it would be this good. I’m so glad I spent a bit more and indulged in the 500 over the 300. I tried the 300 in a local shop for local musicians, and found the sound a bit limiting. I just wasn’t very excited. But when the 500 was delivered, I managed to set it up and try it out in about 5 minutes, and was completely amazed at the sound. The sound is full and vibrant with plenty in reserve, and the kit will be more than able to play pubs and busy halls of around 50 – 100 people.

I am using it for piano and vocals, and also playing along to MP3s that I create on Cakewalk and plug in using an iPod. Other instruments I use are tenor sax and clarinet. All sound fabulous. With instruments and cables all over the place, I was slightly daunted having never wired up a PA before (I leave it to the boys, or rather they don’t let me near our main band one). But, to my huge relief the 500 is intuitive and easy to operate. Obviously not being a techno-bloke who takes manuals to bed with them and dreams of Jeremy Clarkson, a quick glance at the brochure made complete sense to even me. The most amazing part is the sound – it is transforming especially the vocals into something I could never imagine.

It is the extra features that make me glad I’ve got it. Being able to record out onto my laptop (great for capturing gigs and listening at rehearsal). I never even thought this was a function I would need, but am using it lots, and is one that the 300 hasn’t got. You can monitor out too which will be useful.

Obviously a bit more on the heavy side (which is why I've given it 9), but does come with a wheelie case like the 300, so is just as portable (and no you can't squeeze a 500 into a 300 case as me and the Dolphin chaps learnt). You don’t have to pay out for extra stand connectors (extra £30 with the 300). Overall, I spent about £150 more than I would to have set myself up with the 300 (including speaker stands and case). The guys at Dolphin gave me the best advice and didn’t just recommend the most expensive products (I was bargaining with about 3 on-line stores that day). Fortunately the Christmas gigs are piling in so it will soon pay for itself. Belvoir Castle here we come!