A few people headed in that general direction, but I shut that down with the statement that I own a pair of RCF Evox J-8s (one’s a JMix-8). I’m looking for something quite a bit more subtle (but I appreciate the input!).
How about the Roland Cube Street EX ? 50 watts should be powerful enough for a small cocktail gig. Multiple versatile inputs. Basically a PA and guitar amp in one box.
Maybe. I’ll have a look at the Cubes. What I really need is exactly what you just described, a PA in a box.
Try a Henriksen Bud. Two channels with separate EQs. 17 pounds. Great sound. Switchable tweeter and an effects send. I use it for fiddle. It sounds great for bass. Lots of power Check the videos out on the Henriksen web site. It’s an amazing amp.
I second the suggestion of a Roland keyboard amp. Good all in one solution and obviously good for keys as well if you play them. Multiple inputs on it. For another thought, I picked up a $100 PA on Amazon and ran a line to an extra bass amp for rehearsals with the band and it works well. If you are interested, I will look up the brand of the PA I purchased. Just let me know.
To be clear, I need three channels: Guitar, Vox, and Beat Buddy. So the two channel amps – although all suggestions have been really interesting – just won’t cut it. I also really hope to find something with rudimentary effects.
I appreciate the thoughts, though.
Have you considered a Fishman SA 330x with an expander. Gives you all the inputs you need and great sound in a very portable package.
That looks really interesting. If it would handle a Beat Buddy without the sub, it’d be perfect, because I can take the BB in through the Aux In.
Sadly, they are (a) expensive, and (2) discontinued, it appears. Maybe I can find one used. I will look. Thanks!
I’ve been looking for a Line6 StageSource because it, too could do the job quite well, I’m sure. They, too, are discoed…
I concur with the caveat that my nice old JBL EON ONE that I bought many years ago (and is alas discontinued) is probably better than the JBL “Professional” they’re selling now. (Watch out for thermal shutdown if you leave it in the sun too long).
I concur with the JBL Eon One - especially if you can find a good used previous model like mine.
I often use 2 BOSE S1 Pros (using a QSC mixer) but I wouldn’t recommend them for replaying a Beat Buddy. You really need a large sub to do that well.
I concur with the suggestion to use an EV30M. They’re pretty nice too.
In General, a quick to setup line array like the JBL EON or EV will give you better coverage of the area at more comfortable volume levels as well as do justice to the Beat Buddy thanks to the larger Sub built in.
At one gig, the owners supply an LD Systems Maui 28 G3 that sounds killer. But it’s a lot to carry around and is overkill for small gigs. They also sell the Maui 11 G3 that’s in the EON One price and SPL level range.
I had a pair of the older Fishmans - gave them away after getting the EON ONE and 2 Bose S1s. They were excellent speaker systems but no sub so suffered a little in the bottom end. The suggestion for the newest model with an external sub is a good one. But that gets more expensive.
(I did sound at a folk festival stage with about 250 seats using the 2 old Fishmans and an 18" subwoofer. That worked out great - lots to carry though including the Allen and Heath 16-channel mixer).
I also sold the Bose L1 Model 2 with 2 subwoofers – it was serious overkill for the gigs I play now. A great system but lots to lug around – wouldn’t fit in my Mazda Miata.
I would shy away from “acoustic guitar amps”.
After a couple of frustrating duels with JBLs lousy software in a PRX One AND an EON ONE COMPACT (I lost) I returned the PRX One and sold the compact to a friend. They just weren’t worth the trouble. I don’t trust “digital” with a tiny LED display and poorly programmed “APP”.
I’d suggest investing in a good external mixer. You can get 'em for less than $300 with (usually one) effect built in and the flexibility is worth it. You can even get 'em with USB output built-in at that price point and record your shows on a laptop for whatever.
I use a QSC Touchmix 16 but I also record multi-track with it so it was worth the $1,600+ I paid for it 12 years ago. Live gigs, I use it to feed the EON One and/or Bose systems - or whatever! There’s a “cheaper” 8 track version - they include FOUR effects you can use.
The NEW Bose S1 Pro+ looks nice (alas still no phantom power - external mixer or a box can supply that) and might be dodgy with a beat buddy unless played at very low volume but it has two channels for voice and guitar and the Line input that could take the Beat Buddy. They’re not shipping yet - soon - but when they do, take your Beat Buddy into the store and check one out. $699. The nice thing about the S1s is that they can play for 6 - 11 hours on one battery charge. No A/C snaking around the floor.
While I appreciate the input from folks heading down that road, let me politely reiterate: I own a pair of RCF Evox J8s, so I have the “one side of a full PA” thing covered if that’s where I end up. I am not looking to own a second, very similar solution. I am looking for a PA cleverly – and subtly – disguised as an amp, which is why I mentioned the Era 2, the AudioHubs, and so on.
I am not looking for full-on, band-capable mains.
That said, what an incredible number of people with deep knowledge and experience on the topic of PAs. I’ll add myself to that group by saying I have owned and operated my bands’ PAs for 40 years (I started when I was 2 
) and do understand the use and appeal of the JBL/Bose/EV/RCF/[Insert large portable PA here]. As I may have mentioned once or twice, I actually own one of those systems. What I am looking for is simply not that.
I want (the possibly impossible) combination of small, subtle, and capable. Has anyone used a new Yamaha Stagepas 200? That little cube could be interesting, for example, if it provides enough power. But so far, the Rolands seem to be leading the charge.
Well, that and the Era 2s (which are rarer than hen’s teeth, it seems).
Couple of QSC CP-8s. A small Yamaha mixer…speaker stands and you’re set.
Carvin used to make some nice gear. Years ago I bought an AG100D from a coworker that served me well and I still have it. More recently at a local thrift store I found a Carvin Stagemate S400D that can be battery powered and included an extension speaker and poles… all for $150 plus tax. The Stagemate probably would work well for what you want to do. Unfortunately not much out there any more like this other than the secondhand market.
If you’re near Winnipeg an S600 ($$$ 
)… S600 400W Battery Powered Stereo PA System By Carvin | Reverb Canada
All-in-one, please.I have that (type of) gear covered.
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Now we’re back on track. All-in-one, portable, powerful, suble, and (added bonus) potentially battery-powered.
I’m not near Winnipeg, unfortunately, but I did make him an offer that included shipping. He did not respond. The ad is also about a month old, so he may have sold and is not looking at his emails anymore.
I think this would be a great solution, honestly. How do you like your 400?
I use the JBL EON Pros. No need for stands - no siightlines blocked. One works really well for coverage, but I use 2 because my stuff just sounds better in stereo. 4 mic/line channels with EQ and reverb. Another stereo channel with RCA inputs or bluetooth. Monitor out that I use for in ear monitors. They sound great and play small rooms like a dream. I can point you to video of my show if you like.
I use the Bose L1 series. I have the 16, meaning 16 woofers, you go up to 32, or a low as 9. Easy to carry, light weight with enough power to handle, acoustic guitar, mic, and beat buddy.
Crawdaddy
(sigh…)
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They don’t seem to be listening, do they, Joe? 
Nope…
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