All I am saying is if you are looking to set up a new system see what is available, listen and look at the total cost.

The system I just purchased blows away what I bought three years ago and each system cost about $600. If you haven't heard the latest gear give it a listen. I helped the guys pack up the Bose at a recent concert and I am confident that my new system is much easier and faster and lighter. On an elevated stage stands are not needed. When I do use stands I use the miniature type that are the size of a music stand - I already carry mic stands and a music stand so it goes in the same bag (these speakers weigh about twenty pounds each). My new system interlocks so it is one trip with one hand with just a speaker and ac hookup - way less than 5 minutes. I have been advised that using these long poles with high elevations is typically a mistake in terms of sound quality.

As for stereo most performers run mono systems. I don't get it personally. In my home I have 5 speaker surround sound to watch the news, in my car have half a dozen speakers in stereo for talk radio, at the beach I have stereo earphones for my audio player. I don't see how everything is in stereo except for live professional music? My goal is for the wonderful tracks generated by BIAB to sound as good live as they do in my studio. The benchmark for live sound is now studio monitor quality in a live setting. The JBL Eon was my first really good speaker - we had 2 ten inch models and the Yamaha was also very good. My newest system comes closest to matching the sound in the studio. Last night I heard more solid bass on bottom and detailed percussion highs than I have never heard live with my new $600 system. BIAB sounds great but is only as good live as the speakers you use in the studio or live.

If I thought I needed to spend a couple grand for a sound system I would do it. In my situation it is not neccesary. That leaves a few dollars for the BIAB Xmas upgrade. Mileage may vary.