YAMAHA STAGEPAS 1K

Yamaha has added the STAGEPAS 1K to its lineup of portable PA systems. The Yamaha STAGEPAS 1K consists of a 12″ subwoofer and an array speaker paired with a 1000W amplifier. It also features a 5-channel integrated mixer with bluetooth playback.

Yamaha says that the array speaker contains ten of the 1.5″ drivers known from the company’s VXL series arrays, which have been modified for the STAGEPAS 1K. It’s a sleek-looking speaker that sits on top of the subwoofer. Two spacers are included, so you can adjust the height. Yamaha states a 170° angle of horizontal coverage. The array speaker requires no cables for the connection to the subwoofer.

The 12″ subwoofer features the Twisted Flare Port technology, which reduces wind noise in the bass reflex port, according to Yamaha. It also houses the 1000W Class-D amplifier, which delivers 119 dB SPL. Yamaha claims that the amp maintains “exceptional stability and sound quality, even at high output.”

5-channel mixer with bluetooth playback

The integrated 5-channel digital mixer has three mono mic/line channels (two of which can also take Hi-Z signals), and a stereo input. The stereo signal can come from an 1/8″ stereo mini jack, or via bluetooth. All channels feature a simple one-knob equalizer. The mono inputs also have reverb sends, which feed to the integrated reverb and delay processor with four effect types. In the master section, there is a mode knob which lets you dial in speech, music, and club modes. Yamaha says that these are “optimized compression settings” for different applications.

The volume and EQ settings can be remote-controlled via the STAGEPASS editor app for iOS and Android. The app also lets you store and recall settings.

Link two systems together

If you require a wider area of coverage, or a stereo setuop, you can link two STAGEPAS 1K systems ctogether in stereo or mono. In mono mode, both units’ inputs can be used, which lets you connect up to six mono and two stereo signals to the combined system.

The STAGEPAS 1K includes a dedicated dust cover. When packed up, the whole system seems to be not much larger than the subwoofer itself. While that makes the STAGEPAS 1K less portable than other bluetooth-capable options, it does have a lot more power and seems to be an interesting option for larger spaces.