SAMSON Expedition Express Portable PA Review

PROS: Small, portable, battery powered, Bluetooth enabled.
CONS: None.
PRICE: $199

As time passes by, technology makes things smaller and better. Back in the day a portable PA system would still take up a large amount of space in the trunk of a Buick. Samson’s Expedition Express delivers sound that can fit into a Smart car.

It’s really not that much bigger than a shoe box, and it clocks in at just 10 pounds. The ported enclosure holds in a 6-inch woofer, a 1-inch tweeter, and a 3-channel mixer that can handle XLR, 1/4”, 1/8” and Bluetooth inputs. The EQ is pretty basic, just a set of high and low controls. The enclosure is designed to be used in the angled up position, like a monitor, or mounted on a standard speaker pole. A handle has been molded into it as well. The whole package is made even more portable, as it can be powered by an internal battery that’s rechargeable, or plugged into a traditional outlet.

Sound-wise, it’s a decent personal PA. Busking on the subway, or any place where power could be questionable, it’s perfect for just plugging in an instrument and a microphone. There’s plenty of useable, clean volume for a small location. Yes you can go bigger, but for the size and sound it works fantastically. The portability is really hard to beat with a street price just shy of $200. The Bluetooth is a nice touch, to pipe in music for a break, or backing tracks, and to eliminate cables in tight spaces.

For small venues like bookstores or coffee shops, this can do the trick quite nicely, and not take up a ton of space while filling the room with sound.

FEATURES
Bluetooth connectivity to connect wireless music sources
2-way speaker enclosure with 6-inch woofer
1-inch high frequency driver
3-channel mixer
XLR-1/4-inch combo input for line level or microphone level devices
1/4-inch input for guitar and line level devices
1/8-inch MP3 input
Integrated 1 3/8-inch speaker stand mount