by sinjintek on 01 Feb 2010, 13:39
For portable active PA speakers I most strongly suggest Mackie SRM-450. The sonic clarity is outstanding.
JBL Eons are also nice choices, but you can definitely save a some cash if you can locate some Mackie or Tapco Thumps. It is true that the Tapco Thumps are discontinued but I don't seem to have much trouble finding them online when I search (if only I had the loot to grab a set).
Although not powered, the Peavey PR series speakers are extremely lightweight (29lbs for the 12in. i believe) and sound quite nice (Peavey speakers tend to have harsh treble from the horns). Obviously you'll need amplification, but it shouldn't be too much trouble to carry a small amp case. I cannot say much about the PR series subwoofer, I have not yet tested it.
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Woofer Choice.
I feel I must add, that when choosing your speaker size, it is far more important to consider sound factors over weight factors. There is a rather distinct difference in bass reproduction between a 10", 12" or 15" driver. You must also keep your subwoofer in mind when planning your rig.
typically a 10" woofer bass response would be described as "punchy" when compared to a 12", which most would consider to be "boomy". this trend tends to carry on as driver size increases to 15" and 18".
how you plan your rig is often largely dependant upon your style of music...for instance, a hip-hop DJ would most likely prefer a "boomier" sound while a trance or house DJ would do better with a punchy sound.
also, if you plan to have one or more 18" subwoofers...do you think it would be wise to match it up with a pair of 15" speakers? probably not. the sound result would be muddy; due to an overabundance of bass response with nothing else but a pair of horns producing your high frequency.
Much like your mixer's EQ section, a well thought speaker system should consist of a Hi-range (tweeters/horns), Mid-range (10"-12") and Low-range (15"-18" subs).
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Build Material.
These days, the most speaker enclosures are made one of three materials:
1. Injection-mold ABS plastic housing. Typically used on modern uber-portable PA systems (i.e. Mackie SRM & Thump series, JBL Eon series, Peavey PR series, etc.).
2. MDF, or pressed wood particle board. The most commonly found material in today's speaker cabinents from practically all manufacturers (JBL, Mackie, Cerwin Vega, etc. etc. etc...). Offers very good resonance, but weighs a lot, and is prone to breakage because of glued joints and swelling from moisture.
3. Birch plywood. Arguably, Birch speaker cabinets are the best option for building material. Offering the most accurate sound reproduction (material-wise, cabinet design is another matter) at a significantly lower weight and stronger build than a MDF unit.
So, while molded plastic may be the lightest...birch plywood sounds the best, and probably doesn't weigh much more. However, just about anything made with birch is likely to be "Top of the line" and will carry a price tag that proves it.
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Myself, I have a huge passive PA system that requires a van or large SUV in order to carry to a remote location. I "custom" built my rig by choosing raw speakers and installing them in empty MDF cabinets I ordered from a west coast speaker factory.
The array consists of 2 18" Madison Executioner subs in ported enclosures, and 2 tower cabinets each armed with 2 12" Madison Warrior drivers and Madison horns. These are powered by a QSC and a Mackie amp, totalling approx. 2500watts RMS...and to aid with clarity and room calibration, I use a Behringer Digital Signal Processor and a BBE Sonic Maximizer.
Personally, I would rather have ordered a powered Mackie or QSC system...but by building my own I managed to do it at a 1/3 of the cost.
My next rig purchase will most likely be a smaller portable PA system...most likely a Thump series, Tapco if I can find it (unless I find a great deal on some SRM-450s!).
the downside is they just are really heavy, and the handles sorta make them a little harder to carry. I got some tapco 15's, and believe it or not, they sound punchier, they are feather light, and cheap and sound BETTER than the qsc 12's! they sound killer with his sub too(they are now discontinued, but you can buy the american made mackie version now instead of the Chinese 'tapco' mackie). So the QSC are quility mate...just heavy. 
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