Luc Henrion wrote:No choice: for live performance you need quality and power. I'm using either RCF 710A's for bigger venues (up to 500 people), or dB Technologies 410D for smaller ones (from 20 up to 100), both good quality bi-amplified systems (750 & 400 W respectively). Plus a (400W) sub or two when needed. Even so, the setup first needs to be EQ'ed in respect with the venue, this is usually done on my system via the MOTU 896 MKIII interface and its integrated RTA + EQ. It's quite a lot of work and a lot of money but it's the only way to go: power and quality. Why do you think classical pianists so often require a Steinway "D" to perform? Power and quality ! :-)
+1 to Luc's statements about power and quality.
Once every summer, my church holds an outdoor "tent" service that encloses several hundred parishioners. In years past, we used to pipe the sound of a Yamaha Clavinova through their JBL portable six-unit mono PA system with "adequate" (meaning loud and more loud) but unremarkable sonic results. In 2013, I schlepped my two Ohm Walsh 4 home speakers, a Bryston 4B power amplifier, and the necessary ancillary computer equipment to play Pianoteq (then Version 4.5) live at the event.
Well, Sir, there was no comparison between the holographic presence of a Pianoteq Blüthner played through a good stereo sound system, and the Clavinova piped through the six-channel-mono PA system. Pianoteq blew the doors off the Clavinova in terms of detail, dynamic range, and overall palpable evidence of a real instrument in the outdoor tent environment. In 2014, I chose not to repeat this chore because the equipment was too heavy (and uninsured outside of my home) to move by one person. My MacPro computer, alone, weighs 40 pounds and I have zero desire to hand the audio output from my Apogee Duet to a church "sound man" in future tent events.
Power and quality: Well stated, Messr. Henrion
Cheers,
Joe