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Speakers for live piano performance

Does anyone know about speakers for live music?

I'm an amateur jazz pianist, and I want to be able to perform high-quality acoustic jazz using a portable keyboard. For example, I'd like to be able to play at local coffee houses and restaurants, most of which don't own a piano but would love to have live music. The keyboard I'm using is a Kawai MP8, which I think has an excellent "acoustic grand piano" sound (when I listen to it through headphones).

My question is, what speakers should I use for performing?

I've tried the typical keyboard amps that rock bands use (Hartke KM series, Roland KC series), but they don't come close to achieving the warm, realistic piano sound I'm looking for.

I'm sure I could get more accurate sound reproduction using home/studio monitors, but I'm worried that those will be (1) too near-field (not intended to be heard more than ~20 feet away) and (2) too fragile (not intended for being bumped into and tripped over and transported around).

So I think that leaves PA speakers. I just bought a pair of QSC K8 speakers, and they sound excellent above middle C but rather thin and muddled below middle C.

How can I do better?
wolfbear

Showing 1 response by notben72

notben72
2 posts
 
danleysoundlabs(dot)com
Danley makes some excellent loudspeakers and they are well versed in directivity.

I would also seriously consider Pi Speakers. The 4pi would be phenomenal for piano and they can be made to be as robust as you want for gigging. Plus, directivity is his modus operandi. You could even make them yourself and paint them to match your keyboard or have them covered with something durable like Rhino Lining or something along those lines. They would be an excellent setup with a small rack to hold your power amp or a small powered mixer.
Good Luck!
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