Distributed by: Amber Technology | Expect to pay: $1,289
The world of audio and musical equipment can be a tricky one to navigate at the best of times. With so many different products, conflicting opinions and confusing reviews, it’s hard to know what’s actually the best product for your needs.
Luckily, the team at Mixdown have put in the legwork for you, sifting through the spec-sheets and putting the products through their paces to bring you Mixdown’s Picks – a new series of expansive, category defining product guides across our digital channels. Anything that has made the cut has rated highly across the board with the Mixdown staff, garnering a unanimous tick of approval from our staunch critics.
As we all know, this upcoming holiday period is sure to be remembered as the summer where portable PA reigned supreme in backgrounds around the country, and it’s with this in mind that we are proud to present Mixdown’s Picks: Portable PA’s, showcasing all the best small scale PA, monitoring and portable sound reinforcement solutions on the market today.
Chiayo Stage Pro
Key Features: Giant killers Chiayo are known for their wallet friendly wireless solutions, packing all kinds of handy technical features and additional value into their products.
The Stage Pro is their most powerful wireless PA system, and is a speakers dream, being packed to the brim with features befitting everything from medium sized events, to weddings, business meetings, public addresses and even karaoke.
Up to four wireless microphones can be run simultaneously into the stage pro via 4 diversity receiver modules. This means the stage pro can easily be the backbone for panel or conference style presentations requiring multiple live speakers.
With 100 selectable frequencies to choose from, the Stage Pro is an awesome choice for anyone looking to take their show on the road, as it means that no matter what country or territory you find yourself in, you will always find a useable wireless band (something which can prove tricky at the best of times) . If wired is your preference, then it’s simply a matter of plugging into the 2 XLR inputs on the back.
For most, the Chiayo SQ-5100 handheld transmitter will be an obvious choice for pairing with the Stage Pro. Rechargeable and wireless, the SQ-5100 provides seamless connectivity with the Stage Pro system, allowing for easy pairing and solid streaming.
At the core of the stage pro is a class-D digital power amplifier with electronic crossover. This powers a compact 8” woofer and 1” tweeter that push out a dynamic frequency range of 50Hz-20KHz. At 200 watts of power these speakers can produce more than enough volume for all purposes. These are housed in a ruggedly built compact ABS enclosure which can also be tripod mounted, allowing for additional placement options.
There is a myriad of methods to get the Stage Pro to play your sounds. For line in there’s an RCA input with its own volume control. Digital in is provided via USB. Two instrument jacks at the rear, also mean that musicians can go direct if they feel so inclined.
Mixdown Says: Aside from all the choices on display with the Stage pro, we found some joys in the smaller details. A switchable voice priority system means that music ducks in volume when microphones are in use. In-built reverb and EQ’s give a welcome tweak-ability as well as a loudness switch for when a little more power is needed.
Its endurance is also to be noted with up to 12 hours operating time per charge with Lithium Battery and 6 hours with Lead-Acid Battery. Another nice feature was its active out and AUX out giving the ability to link multiple speakers. By ensuring greater volume and dispersion, clear sound can be delivered to all corners of an event thanks to the Stage Pro.
Overall: We found it hard not to be enamoured by the smorgasbord of options the Stage Pro has to offer. By combining the mobility and ease of use found in rechargeable PA with the equally liberating nature of a fully integrated wireless microphone system, the Chiayo is more than the some of its parts, providing a liberating, go-anywhere wireless microphone and PA solution that really is the best of both worlds.
Head to Amber Technology to check out the Chiayo range.
