Karaoke Forums

Just curious what some of you that are "mobile" like me use to keep your speakers protected during transport. I am thinking of making custom boxes (lined with foam, outside with latches etc) much like an amp case. Thoughts?

How big/what kind of speakers are you using?

I have not ever put my speakers in any kind of box or anything.. I just load them so they're snug and not bouncing around or rubbing on anything.

My main speakers have pretty much been either Yamaha BR15's or Yamaha SV115's.

I've noticed that through normal handling, the black paint on the grill of the BR15's tends to chip.. I just touch that up with some black nail polish that I keep in my gig bag to touch up black painted metal hardware.. I run a lint roller over all my carpeted gear from time to time.

Speakers, especially something like the SV115's are built like tanks, and designed for use by mobile guys. Everything is pretty much either flush or countersunk, so unlike other gear like guitar amps and such, there really isn't a need for putting them in a protective case, IMO.

I've never put speakers in anything to transport, just packed things tight so they don't move around. If you're that worried, why not just get some bubble wrap and throw over the speakers after you load them? It's lightweight and should protect against scratches, etc.

Bubblewrap might get expensive after awhile.. and tends to get less and less effective as the bubbles pop trip after trip.

Maybe just some heavy blankets, or some of those movers blankets you can get from U-Haul.

if you have powered speakers, many companies make padded bags for them, for example
http://www.guitarcenter.com/JBL-EON-15-Bag-with-Wheels--3rd-Generation--105501092-i1443801.gc

there are others if you search speaker bags, even for passive. as far as cases, unless you have roadies moving them for you, the expense may not match the need.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

thx for the suggestions, I have cerwin vega int 152V2. Prob is carpet cabinet. was just wanting to keep them protected during transport, and everyone knows what happens to the carpet over time. also, for dust etc when not in use. prob over the top to make a "case" for them, but i guess even a pleather cover would do

I have a plastic car tarp that I throw over my speakers when they're at home. Blankets sound like a better idea then the bubble wrap I suggested.

Blankets. I actually paid $35 for covers for my Yorkies.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

We put our Yorkville NX520s into Rubbermaid tubs.

Phil or Lonnie, what happened to the Photo Gallery. I was going to link a picture but it's not there.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Since I picked up my second car, my gear pretty much stays loaded in my car unless the weather dips down below freezing, or I need to use that car for something else.

When I bring the speakers in, I put them on the stands, and my cats LOVE to perch themselves on top.. so I throw a sheet over each one to keep the freakin' cat hair off 'em.

I put my speakers and rack in the back of my SUV next to each other in a Tetris-like fashion, then cinch a tie down strap around the whole thing. Rock solid.

I use these padded roller bags.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--GATGPA700A

Didn't fully answer the question. For the past year +, I've been using a cargo trailer for every gig. I have a lazy boy that I've had since 1987 that I just can't part with that is in the front of the trailer next to a small dresser. The dresser has my CDGs in it. The two pieces of furniture just fill space. Next are my Yorkies beside one of my Behringer 215As. Behind those are my sub and my gator bag. In the very back tightening everything in is my DJ chair and my two wheeler. Along the right side are two speaker stand bags with stands and lights in them. Everything is wedged in and wont' go anywhere barring an accident. (Knock on wood!). I do throw a blanket around the Behringer but as I said before, the Yorkies are in their own bag. They still look brand new.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

yeah, I wish I could find a bag made for mine, but alas, no luck so far. they are too big i guess. I use a cargo van to transport my equipment. If I had a trailer I suppose it would be easier to get them in and out. but i do not think I can get more crap in my drive/back space . between 4 wheelers, snowmobile trailers, enclosed trailers and cargo van (for work) and my pick up. Not to mention the little womans vehicle. Probably just use moving blankets I guess to transport and cover.

I guess you haven't heard the phrase "Gone in 60 seconds". I certainly wouldn't leave my gear in my vehicle 24/7. It makes a too tempting target.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

Actually, freezing is really not a problem for audio equipment. I checked this out prior to using an outdoor unheated facility for storage, and the consensus at PSL was that you were fine as long as you didn't go from -10f to power-on too quickly.

With regard to "gone in 60 seconds", Sevarin had his trailer with all it's gear stolen. I would do it in my midwest rural neighborhood, where burglary is nearly unheard of, but I certainly would not in an urban area.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Perhaps you're not familiar with the phrase 'Insured for much more than it's worth.'



I suppose of I lived in a 4th story apartment in the Bronx and had to leave the car in a lot around the corner I might be concerned, but when the car is at the gig, the gear is in the bar in use.. and when it's at my house, it's either in the garage, or parked next to the house by the bedroom window.

But if I lived in an area where car break ins were common, you can be sure i'd bring the stuff in every night.

On the temp thing.. I bring the stuff in when things get below 32 not so much because I think the cold temperatures would bother anything, but because I feel better about the time required to bring things up to room temperature.

Most of my gigs are within 15 or 20 minutes from my home, so things don't have a whole lot of time to warm up as i'm driving to the gig.. and since I generally have things in the door and set up ready to play at the club within 30 minutes, it doesn't leave a whole lot of time to warm things up before i'm ready to start kicking on the music.

Many times i'll fire up the system and play music while I finish setting up the lyrics monitor, mics, and lights.. bringing my total warm up time for the amp, mixer, speakers, etc so something more like 40 minutes.

haha, and i have the opposite problem. leaving it outside in the car when the outside temp in the shade is 112+ probably not a good idea.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

As far as leaving gear in the vehicles, I have three loaded all the time, but where I live if you come onto the property without being asked you may end up facing a 12 gauge, if not by someone living at my house by one of my neighbors. The doors to our houses aren't ever locked but there is always someone around somewhere.

Cold temps are easy the little 500 watt ceramic heaters will keep a vehicle warm inside and ready to go.

Left mine in there all last winter. I don't leave my laptop or my rack in the trailer. Those I load from home each time into my SUV.
My trailer is locked, the trailer coupler is locked and I am ensured and have all serial numbers registered. Before I had the trailer, I had to load the vehicle, unload the vehicle at the gig, load the vehicle after the gig and then unload at home. The trailer saves me half that plus with everything I have, the trailer is so much easier to load since it is lower.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]