I have installed 8 higher end QSC amps in one club during an overhaul and used their powered speakers for a month while sorting out the mess. This was a club bought by a company I provide training services in 'hospitality', and they couldn't figure out why the sound system didn't work. I met the DJ they got with the club purchase and after 10 minutes asked him to leave and called the head office and informed them he was an addict, and that the drugs had fried his brain to the point he was having weird arm flailing every 20 seconds or so. The existing speakers had bass only, the fuses (an automobile lamp) were all gone on the horns, and some amps only ran on 1 channel.

I thought the QSC powered speakers were great, but the only thing wrong with the existing ones turned out to be wiring/amp and fuse issues. 3 years later, running every day, the QSC amps are still running, and the older speakers are still working. The downside was cable issues, speakon connectors, they ensure that anyone who trips over your cable pulls down a powered speaker, meaning be careful where and how you place things. In the past someone pulling a standard mono cable just unplugged it if you routed the cable properly.

Setting the speakers to 2 o'clock and sliding the mixer lets you get a decent mix, but a power mixer amp combo is safer on the table due to weight than the other, and I had some issues with that.

I used to use Powered speakers in a large lodge room, but dumped everything when I went with the Bose L1 Model II. This gives me much better sound from a back corner setup and the use of 3 wireless mics along with my 'organs' has meant much less wiring, much faster setup and takedown and in my opinion, superior sound dispersal and quality.

I think in the end if you use 2 powered speakers you are paying for two amps vrs unpowered speakers with one amp. On the other hand you lose one amp you still have sound.

John Conley
Musica est vita