Is The “Ongoing Evolution” Of The Fender Passport 150 PRO PA System Over hyped?
Understandably, the main reason that consumers will turn towards the Fender Passport 150 PRO Portable PA System with Mixer and Speakers is that it is a Fender product.
However, there is enough in the specification and sales pitches to really convince performers that this is the best option around.
The system offers four channels, a range of specialised controls for tone and volume and a class D amp and is designed to minimise feedback and be easily transported.
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These features are apparently all part of an “ongoing evolution” that makes Passport systems the best around: do their users come to the same conclusion?
What benefits have users appreciated when testing out this Fender Passport PA System on stage?
The sound has to be the most important factor and this Fender product satisfies customers on many levels because of the richness of the sound, the quality of the bass, the clarity of vocals and ability to add a decent reverb to the output.
When it comes to the design, the ability to handle a range of inputs without complaint is also well-received, with buyers reporting that they have successfully hooked up microphones, instruments and computers with great results.
Additionally, the Fender Passport is lightweight enough for easy transportation and mounting onto a stand, should you need to, yet also tough enough to withstand damage – as was found out by the user that accidentally dropped it 8ft.
Aside from these great benefits in the sound quality and design, one of the factors that really attracts buyers to this model is the idea that it can be used in almost any situation.
The designers list “education, sporting and worship events; meetings, seminars and presentations; gigs at parties, small clubs and coffee houses” but the possibilities are pretty endless as long as the room capacity is not too large.
Fender Passport 150 Pro User Manual V2 0
Whether or not this list of possible uses is a pro or a con depends on your reason for needing a PA system. On the one hand, it has the perfect level of sound quality and power to cope with a small room, with many small acts and guest speakers claiming that it has served them well in small clubs and seminar rooms.
Passport Fender 150 Pro Manual
On the other hand, the low capabilities could be a issue for prospective buyers with higher needs and some problems have emerged when the product is tested to its limits.
What it is about this Fender 150 PA System that means it struggles to cope and what other flaws should buyers watch out for?
Despite the fact that this system has the potential to take on many inputs at once, there is a noticeable hum to the system that gets more pronounced the more items you plug in, which suggests that it may actually be struggling.
Fortunately, this issue is not so bad that it distracts from the music or performance or is audible to the audience.With this in mind, buyers must remember this is the 150 version of the passport and some users with greater needs have exchanged it for the 750.
Elsewhere, a small number of users have questioned the lack of a USB cable and the longevity of the product, with some reporting a decline in sound quality in less than a year, and others have criticised the length of the 15” cables. Finally, it is important to reiterate the fact that this is a Fender and that while the name shouts quality it also comes at price.
Summary: does this Passport 150 PRO have too many limitations or is it still highly recommendable?
The bottom line with this product is that it is a great piece of kit in the right situation; it may struggle if it has to deal with too many instruments and fails to carry the sound ideally in a big room but it seems to have no problem catering for low-key performances.
The big question that many prospective buyers will be asking with this product is whether or not it is worth the high price tag and the answer depends on whether you are one of those speakers or artists working with little equipment to small rooms.
If this is the case, this Fender sound system is worth the money for way that the reliability, sound quality and user-friendly design will really help you connect with your audience.