As you all probably know, if you have been reading my blog that is, I have the Yamaha Stagepas 500 that I bought almost 10 years ago. It is still going strong and while I do admit that I have not been using it for any shows lately, I still love it. I was always hoping for an improvement to the Stagepas line and not long after I bought my Stagepas 500, Yamaha released the Stagepas 600i. After some years, I asked some Yamaha engineers and sales people in 2016 if there was going to be any new updates to the Stagepas line. They said that they were working on something and it should be out soon. That soon came some time back and this is what came out…the Yamaha Stagepas 1K
When I saw this Stagepas that Yamaha created, I was sick to the stomach. I do not know WHY people think that vertical line-arrays like these are the greatest things ever. According to Yamaha, this new Stagepas is a 1000W PA system with 5 channel mixer, 12” subwoofer, 1.5” x10 line array speaker, a Bluetooth input, SPX digital reverbs and 1knob EQ and multi band comp for master output. Features-wise this is what it has:
- 1000W (HF:190W+LF:810W) power output
- Biggest in the class 12” subwoofer for low frequency
- 1.5” x10 slim line array speaker for high frequency
- Digital mixer (3 mono mic/line + 1 stereo line)
- Multi band comp “mode” for master output
- 1-knob EQ for per channel
- High resolution SPX digital reverbs (4types, parameter control)
- 2x Hi-Z (high impedance) inputs
- Link out and monitor out
- Dedicated cover included
- Optional reverb foot switch
- Optional dolly for more portability
Like I said, I was very disappointed in this release by Yamaha. If Yamaha was releasing this to compete with the Electro-Voice Evolve series, let us just say that they made a big blunder. This thing has got no power and cannot “throw” the sound because it has no horns. Plus it is on the floor and cannot be suspended on stands like the previous iterations. No matter what, you just cannot beat physics. Yes Yamaha, I am disappointed with this release. Your Stagepas systems had so much going for them but this release of yours is just not making it. Bring back the traditional Stagepas please. This design sucks.