LD Systems Road Jack 10

I mainly use the LD Systems Road Jack 10 for busking with an electric guitar. I use a pedalboard with a cabinet simulator so it feels like I'm playing through a guitar amp. The cab sim is a must only if you use distortion, since PA speakers don't filter out the unwanted frequencies and the result is a very harsh sound.

SOUND:
Sound quality is excellent. There is nothing to comment on that. With the master volume at 9 o'clock it's already very loud for a room. When playing at a noisy environment I usually place the knob around 1-2 o'clock. I would say that's the maximum loudness you can get before distortion occurs on a bass-heavy song, but I haven't attempted to go further. It also depends on the position of the other knobs. I'm not sure if you could play with a loud drummer as I haven't tried that. But it's definitely very loud!

FEATURES:
This PA has everything I need or I will ever need. Two channels, so you can sing and play at the same time, USB/SD reader (MP3 files only), Bluetooth/RCA/AUX for playing music, a remote control and two-band EQ. The Echo effect applies only to channel 1 and feels like short delay, nothing special but I guess it's good for vocals. If you want to plug another instrument to channel 1 you'll need a DI box. I'm not sure if you can use the USB port as a charger, I haven't tried this.

BATTERY LIFE:
For my needs the battery life is excellent. I go out, play for 2-3 hours and when I return home I make sure to fully charge the battery. This is how you should treat rechargeable batteries. According to the manufacturer it should last for 20 continuous hours, but I'll never have to do this. Some people report that the battery dies after 1-2 years or so. I can't comment on that, I'm sure that with the way I use it the battery will last way longer.

QUALITY:
Overall, the unit is built like a tank. It's quite heavy and I have to switch hands frequently when I take it for a long walk. One minor detail is that the knobs feel cheap, but it doesn't really matter. However I'm not sure about the quality of the trolley handle. It is quite shaky and doesn't feel like it will last. It hasn't disappointed me yet even on the roughest grounds, but I'll have to wait and see if it fails.

Overall I'm very satisfied with my purchase. Even if you don't busk, you can play music for a party, do karaoke, play guitar, bass and pretty much any instrument with an audio jack such as a keyboard or electronic drums.

I'd say it sounds good for its price range - nothing stellar, but good enough. The battery's capacity is very generous. The features are pretty good. It can be a bit loud when necessary. It's not as sturdy as pro PA equipment, but I wouldn't call it fragile either. It will distort when pushed too hard, but not in a way that feels like you're damaging it.

In mine, there's a tiny bit of hum coming from the transformer (not through the speaker, but through the panel) when plugged into the mains), even when switched off. It's not really an issue, except I wouldn't keep it plugged near my bed at night.

This little speaker is a talking point wherever it goes. It’s a party in a box, and a buskers dream. Perfect for little informal gatherings, where people are drinking, this can play MP3s, and have two musicians jamming through this at the same time. A singer and a guitarist over backing tracks, or a singer and a bassist, with maybe an aqoustic guitarist not going through this, at a barbecue?, would work perfectly. It’s battery lasts a good 10 hours odd, and has ‘loads’ of volume, and I mean all you want and then plenty. I’d happily use this for a proper full party sound system, just on its own, and using just battery, no problem at all. Maybe bring a small speaker stand?, that’s all. It only plays MP3 music format though, unless you plug your phone into it, and play m tracks that way, it easily takes the lead. Love this thing to bits, it’s a little party machine, and can pack a whallop if needed.