[MartinMusicMan]

I've done a quick search and don't see any relevant posts. I'm looking for recommendations for a good speaker – like a QSC, JBL, or equivalent – that is powered by a rechargeable battery. I want to make my EWI Solo and keyboard totally portable with no power cords required. I have a wireless system so I don't need that built in to the speaker, but I'd like to find a high quality speaker with a rechargeable battery. Suggestions?

 

[dtedsax]

Fishman Mini Charge has a REAL rechargeable battery, not AA or D cells like some others.
Not nearly as loud as QSC OR JBL. You can connect 2 together for more volume.

 

[liggy]

I've been using a Mackie FreePlay Live for little club/lounge gigs pre pandemic and it's been awesome. Nowhere near the power of my QSC Q8 but Bluetooth and battery powered? Rudimentary eq and reverb too. Perfect.

You can link two if you need more sound but I'm not going to buy a 2nd one. If I need more power I will take the QSC along.

Since it is small and only 10lbs I just toss it into my rolling duffle with the rest of my gear. Put a little Velcro on it for the wireless receiver and a holder for iPad/iPhone on a stand and it makes a tidy portable setup.

FreePlay LIVE | Personal PA System | MACKIE

Buy FreePlay LIVE for the latest PA system available. This system offers Bluetooth capabilities, portability, and crystal clear sound production for enhanced experiences.

mackie.com

 

[MartinMusicMan]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I went ahead and ordered a Samson Expedition Escape+. I could afford about $120 for what is essentially an impulse item and not a necessary piece of gear. I couldn't justify $400-$500 for the Fishman or the Mackie. I probably won't use it that much, just for garage and backyard jams. I found the Samson on a keyboard forum thread on the same topic. But those guys were more serious about their music quality and recommended the Fishman and other things like the Mackie. I'm old, retired, and barely gigging at all since this damn virus so I went with a less expensive option.

 

[liggy]

Sounds like you found a perfect solution. Part of the reason I haven’t retired is to have zero guilt about buying toys.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

Ha! I really did Laugh Out Loud. Or more accurately Snort Out Loud (SOL). Yeah, I'm fortunate that I retired this year at 75 and I'm financially well-off enough to afford toys with no guilt. I'm not in the 1%, but I can justify toys within reason. I recently got an Akai EWI Solo, an inexpensive wireless set-up, and this Samson Expedition rechargeable battery speaker so I better stop now. I have 5 saxes that I don't have time to play all of them, 2 other wind controllers, 5 keyboards and a bunch of other gear, but there is no end to the expensive toys that I could have GAS for. Just yesterday I started wondering if I could find a Martin soprano in good condition. That's a lot more money. I need to make this stop ...

 

[liggy]

Ha! I really did Laugh Out Loud. Or more accurately Snort Out Loud (SOL). Yeah, I'm fortunate that I retired this year at 75 and I'm financially well-off enough to afford toys with no guilt. I'm not in the 1%, but I can justify toys within reason. I recently got an Akai EWI Solo, an inexpensive wireless set-up, and this Samson Expedition rechargeable battery speaker so I better stop now. I have 5 saxes that I don't have time to play all of them, 2 other wind controllers, 5 keyboards and a bunch of other gear, but there is no end to the expensive toys that I could have GAS for. Just yesterday I started wondering if I could find a Martin soprano in good condition. That's a lot more money. I need to make this stop ...

Well played, sir. No time like the present. The first of my close circle of friends passed away last week. I'm 61. Not planning on holding back on the GAS

Enjoy in good health, my friend.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

Pardon me if it's too much information, but my wife and life partner of 44 years died a little over a year ago at age 73. One of the things that has done to my perspective is making me aware that we don't know how much time we have left and that we might as well make sure we have as good a time as we can. No time like the present, indeed.

 

[liggy]

Pardon me if it's too much information, but my wife and life partner of 44 years died a little over a year ago at age 73. One of the things that has done to my perspective is making me aware that we don't know how much time we have left and that we might as well make sure we have as good a time as we can. No time like the present, indeed.

This kind of sharing is part of why we are here. Truly sorry for your loss.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed for any of us. Going on year 25 with my amazing wife and I would be absolutely devastated without her. Met her on a gig, in fact. She didn't want anything to do with me initially. Part of the reason is she thought I was a full time musician. . Hang in there.

I'm living on the premise of not knowing how much time we have left. Paraphrasing my favorite quote from the saxophone playing president - "I've got more yesterdays than tomorrows..."
Cheers!