Sound Systems for Balloon Entertainers

A lot of balloon modellers need advice on buying small sound systems. These are ones I know of, or have heard entertainers talk about. The prices are believed correct at January 2008.

The smallest units are truly portable, being belt-mounted, and leave both hands free - a big help when twisting balloons! There is a choice of two

1) Top Hat Productions BigMouth Voice Amplifier around $250
Available from Bruce Kalver. Lightweight (1lb 2oz), portable - it's carried in a cover attached to a waistband - and is ideal for classrooms, libraries and restaurants. Comes with a headset microphone. Provides up to 14 hours use with an overnight charge. Kit includes: Amplifier, Headset Microphone, Charger, 6 Rechargeable NiMH Batteries, 1 extension waistband, Black Amplifier Cover.
This system is reported as incredibly dependable and suitable for crowds of around 150 kids. It is very light, and the battery should last you all day on one charge.

2) Apollo PA-5007 TalkAbout Portable Address System approx. $106
Easily the cheapest of the options. It is claimed to be suitable for audiences of up to 50 people. The TalkAbout weighs less than 2lbs, and is worn strapped around your waist, rather like the BigMouth. Can be used indoors or out. Uses six "AA" batteries, and is supplied with a neck mike.

These amps are only effective for people close by, otherwise the sound tends to distort. When you are moving around it is probably ideal, being light and hands-free. If anything goes wrong with them it is difficult to get spare parts, but at the price, you may as well buy a new one.

If you are happy to carry your system in your hand, set it down, and pretty much use it in one spot, then there are two further choices in the small range.

3) The Fender Passport P10 at around $300
This is the most expensive and quite heavy, weighing in at 6.5lbs. The system is ideal for places the size of a classroom or day-care center. The Passport P10 is battery powered, and a wireless (P-10W) model is available. Comes supplied with a dynamic microphone and battery charger.

Fender are a good name, and spares should be no problem - they rarely go wrong, anyway, If you play to small crowds, this, or the Peavey, is the one to go for.

4) Peavey Solo around $150

Giving you a choice of AC or battery, but by far the heaviest at 12.8lbs. Easily carried, suitcase style, but doesn't have the portability of a belt-mounted system like the BigMouth or TalkAbout. Large 8" speaker gives volume and clarity, and the price makes this excellent value. Like the Fender, spare parts and repair should be no problem if it ever goes wrong.

My own preference, bearing in mind I use my system for magic shows, too, is for the more powerful Fender or Peavey models. As I prefer a wireless mike, I would go for the Fender P-10W.

The above four options should suit most balloon entertainers as most won't have a stage act. If you do, or if you regularly play to larger audiences, there are good choices of larger, more powerful models, from Fender (P80 at $600 or the PD150 $700), Peavey (Escort $850), and the Apollo (PA 6000 $660). I haven't tried these, but a ventriloquist friend of mine loves the Peavey.

So these are the facts, the opinions, and the prices. If a sound system is important to you it is worth spending a bit more to get the best system for the job. Which is the best for your job, I'll leave to you.

Sources
http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?section=fenderaudio&cat=passport&subcat=passportsystems
http://www.peavey.com/products/portable.cfm
https://manatee.site-secure.net/tophatprod/magic/magicshop/indx4.html
http://www.biz2bizonline.com/apollo/pa5007.htm