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Speakers for live piano performance

Does anyone know about speakers for live music?

I'm an amateur jazz pianist, and I want to be able to perform high-quality acoustic jazz using a portable keyboard. For example, I'd like to be able to play at local coffee houses and restaurants, most of which don't own a piano but would love to have live music. The keyboard I'm using is a Kawai MP8, which I think has an excellent "acoustic grand piano" sound (when I listen to it through headphones).

My question is, what speakers should I use for performing?

I've tried the typical keyboard amps that rock bands use (Hartke KM series, Roland KC series), but they don't come close to achieving the warm, realistic piano sound I'm looking for.

I'm sure I could get more accurate sound reproduction using home/studio monitors, but I'm worried that those will be (1) too near-field (not intended to be heard more than ~20 feet away) and (2) too fragile (not intended for being bumped into and tripped over and transported around).

So I think that leaves PA speakers. I just bought a pair of QSC K8 speakers, and they sound excellent above middle C but rather thin and muddled below middle C.

How can I do better?
wolfbear
apachef1
164 posts
 
Check out Westlake audio or Pmc professioal. westlake would be my first choice
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I paid a quick visit to their website and it looks like QSC has a subwoofer designed to mate with your K8s. Unless your issues extend upward beyond the lowest full octave on the keyboard, this is the first fix I would try.

Marty
chayro
2,984 posts
 
The Barbetta keyboard amps sound like studio monitors. In my youth, I actually used them for a hifi system, albeit augmented by a Yorkville sub. The trick to really getting the sound is to use two of them in stereo. I promise you will be satisfied. As an added bonus, they are compact and relatively light.
cruz123
586 posts
 
Playing Miles Davis"Kind of Blue".Not sure who the PP is but its like he's in the room

Not sure if you said this is jest but, if not, the PP is the great Bill Evans. You should explore his vast library was well as Miles'. Oh yeah, the sax player on Kind of Blue is somewhat famous too :).
usblues
1,217 posts
 
Yes,somewhat famous too!Didnt want to hijack but wanted to respond lightly,what a crew!!Cheers,Bob I guess I could add I've used KRK System speakers to good effect,good luck.
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