Well, the system my small band is currently using was put together on a shoe string budget. Since cost was a big factor, we chose to buy used. This can get you good sounding gear, but typically, it's "old school" stuff. So, while it sounds decent, it's heavy, cumbersome and takes time to set-up. It is adequate for small to medium gigs, since we do not play loud. And since I personally do not have to move it, the weight factor doesn't bother me. * Mixer.....Soundcraft MPM 20 * Mains....(2) Bag End TA 15's * Subs.....(2) Harbinger HX118S * monitors(4) Yamaha Clubs, (2) 12's and (2) 15's * amps.....(2) Crown Xs series. (1) Xs 500 and (1) Xs 1200 * xover....DBX *equalizer.DBX 31 band dual channel * fx.........Alesis digital * rack......Genz-Benz plus various mics from Shure, Audix and Sennheiser. All good quality cables. Cost..... (4) FOH speakers= $500.00 ( it's true! ), mixer= $450.00 ( new ), monitors= $600.00 , amps= $750 ( both new ), rack gear= $300.00 ( new and used ) TOTAL OUTLAY= $2,600.00 not including microphones and cables. For about double this cost, we could have gotten powered JBL speakers and a Mixwiz. But, we cobbled this together overtime. We are satisfied with the sound quality. It does not have as "sweet" a top end as JBL's, but it is very clear, and musical sounding. The Harbinger subs were bought used ( $150.00 for both ) and I was skeptical. However, they actually sound pretty good. They do the job better than I anticipated. The boxes are cheap, as are the covering. Probably won't last. The Bag Ends are real old school. Heavy and loud, but efficient and clear. We are able to mic everything when we need to. I think without replacing everything, a DBX Driverack would be an appropriate upgrade. This would take some of the guesswork out of equalizing the system.
