The Samson Expedition XP150 is a simple, compact, clever designed system that effortlessly delivers a powerful stereo sound. The PA system packs up into a single easy to carry unit weighing just 24 lbs. The PA solution is perfect for conferences, classrooms, and presentations of various kinds. It’s also great for professional musicians and speakers.
A removable 5-channel mixer leverages two 75W class D amplifiers, a titanium tweeter, and 6″ woofer to power this solution. Result: clean, dynamic stereo sound for your audience. Best of all, this portable sound is surprisingly affordable.
Here is the full Samson Expedition XP150 Review
Features and Specifications
Features
- A removable 5-channel mixer: 3 mic/line inputs, 2 additional line inputs, Phantom power.
- Components come together into a light, portable product.
- 2 internal 75W class D amplifiers.
- Built-in digital effects processor.
- Dual 2-way speakers.
- 6″ woofer.
- 1″ titanium tweeter offering 60x 90coverage.
- 2-band EQ for every channel (bass and treble).
Specs
- Speaker drivers: 1 x 6″ and 1 x 1″ HF
- 2-band channel EQ
- Mixer channels: 5
- Dimensions: 13.9″ (Height) x 8.6″ (Width) x 15.6″ (Depth)
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Frequency response: 40Hz-20 kHz
- Total power: 150W Class-D amp
- Inputs: 3 x XLR, 2 x 1/4” plugs
- Outputs: 1 x ¼” and 3.5mm for keyboards, MP3 players
Design and Build
Samson didn’t just wake up one morning and say, “Hey, let’s cobble together one more speaker. Professional musicians need variety and we just have to give them a new product.”
Hard thinking, sound engineering knowledge, and boundless creativity went into the design process that culminated in the Samson Expedition XP150.
Made of ABS Plastic
The enclosure material is made of ABS plastic. For starters, ABS is tough and durable. That means you’ll still have your PA system in pretty good condition years down the road.
What’s more, using products made from ABS helps Mother Earth in some way because ABS plastic is recyclable.
A Clever, Compact Design
Lots of people use the word “clever” when describing the system’s design. Why is that so? It’s because a lot of thought went into the design.
One of the two speakers has ample room in its back. The removable 5-channel mixer sinks into this space and fits perfectly.
The other speaker provides ample housing for the unit’s wiring. After a live performance, these two powerful speakers interlock into a clean, compact, portable unit.
Samson’s Sound Engineering Expertise
Samson’s innovativeness and engineering expertise goes back to the 1980s. Throughout the 80s and 90s, the company tinkered with various technologies, producing different useful products in the process. They made wireless mics, mixers, wired mics, power amps, signal processors and more.
The company’s sound engineering expertise and resourcefulness come together into a clean design that delivers loads of fidelity and reliability.
Carrying the unit is pretty much like hauling around a suitcase. It’s small and light. And that means hassle-free transportation. This PA system is always ready to help you give your audience a memorable sound experience.
Sound Quality
As long as the room isn’t too large, you can be sure your XP150 will deliver. The PA solution works perfectly for solo and duo acts. One might even say it’s more than enough for such needs. You might also use the product to entertain larger audiences, such as quiet concerts.
Not Good for Background Music, Though
You really don’t want to rely on this solution to provide background music. An example would be a small crowd that’s chatting excitedly while celebrating happy hour. In such a situation, don’t count on this unit to drown out the din in the bar. It just won’t.
Great Sound for a Concert-ready Audience
But you should get great results if it’s a larger crowd and they’re there for a quiet concert. How many people? 50 is the ideal number.
Small Speakers, Big Sound
The speakers are small. But they crank out a significant amount of sound. In fact, the sound feels much louder than the speakers that spit it out.
Whether it’s low or high notes, the sound does really get heard. Someone who stands in the far end of the room will still get a clear, powerful stereo sound.
That happens because this PA system is a hard taskmaster to its dual 2-way vented speakers. Also, the tweeter works alongside the 6″ woofer to disperse the bass covering 60 degrees vertical and 90 degrees horizontal.
Let Each Vocalist Stand Out
The Samson XP150 helps professional musicians achieve two huge goals. First, it lets the crowd savor Samson’s professional live sound experience.
Second, the unit’s built-in digital effects processor ensures every vocalist gets precisely the level of reverb they need to shine. Adding some reverb to the overall live sound experience is effortless. Simply flip a switch on the vocal channel you want and voilà — it’s done.
Display Flexibility
This portable PA solution comes with high-impact ABS plastic enclosures. The enclosures showcase a tilt-back design that can be used as floor monitors.
Samson also incorporated integrated 1 3/8″ speaker mounts into this product. The mounts demonstrate great compatibility with LS2 Lightweight Speaker Stands. These are top-notch stands sold separately by Samson. Yes, that’s an additional cost. But anyone who wants to get the most of this PA should be willing to incur the extra expense.
Value and Price
Here’s what you’ll find in the box:
- 2 PA speakers.
- 5-channel mixer.
- 2 speaker wires with each end featuring a right-angled connector (1/4″).
- AC power cord with an IEC 3-prong plug.
- User’s manual.
Whether you’re a 3-person ukulele band, motivational speaker, or musician who plays small concert venues, you’ll love the XP150. The product easily and quickly packs up into a compact easy-to-carry package.
With the product, you’ll get tons of ease of use, portability, and speaker power. You’ll get all the sound you need to entertain small to medium-sized audiences in relatively quiet venues. The product is a high-quality and affordable sound generator for crowds not exceeding 50 people. You really should give it a chance.
Pros
- Plenty of power for small venues.
- Ideal for small church or chapel.
- Amazing sound quality.
- Clever, compact design.
- Easy to carry.
- Quite affordable.
Cons
- Fan in the amp a little noisy.
- Not very good for noisy venues.
Final Thoughts
Seeking a PA solution that’ll work for a large happy-hour crowd and make them go wild for you? You’ll want to pick something else. But if you play small venues such as banquet rooms and coffeehouses, you’ll really love the Samson Expedition XP150.
Does a cheap 5-channel PA that powerfully fills small spaces with beautiful clear sound seem like a great deal? That’s because it is. If you’re a small band, speaker, or solo entertainer, grab this product and get to work.