Gearank

This has been superseded by the Passport Venue Series 2.

If you think that portable PA systems are only for small venues, the Fender Passport Venue will change your mind.

This PA System features 600 watts of power and is touted by Fender as capable of handling medium to large audiences. And it's not just coverage that's increased because this one comes with a 10-channel mixer with enough inputs to meet the needs of bands.

Sound shaping features include volume, reverb and 2-band EQ per channel, all of which are setup for intuitive control.

In addition to all these features, Fender added a USB port that allows for playback and direct recording. This allows you to capture your performances on the road, without the need for a separate recording console.

Features:

• 600W Class D with Built-in Reverb
• USB Recording and Playback
• Channels: 10
• Preamps: 4 with 48 V Phantom Power
• Speakers: 2 (2 x 10" LF, 1 x 1.2" HF)
• EQ: 2-Band EQ
• Input: 4 x XLR, 2 x TS, 2 x 1/4" (Stereo), 2 x 1/8" (Stereo)
• Output: 2 x 1/4" (Speaker), 1 x 1/4" (Mono), 1 x 1/4" (Sub Out), 1 x 1/8" (Stereo), 1 x 1/8" (Headphones)
• Bundled with Setup Cables
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 23"x29"x11"
• Weight: 46 lbs.

Pros
"Big in power yet small in size", is how many users describe the Fender Passport Venue. Some even report that it gets the job done for medium sized venues with crowds up to 500. In addition to being loud, more and more users are also praising it for its overall sound quality. Ease of use and portability gets a lot of appreciation, with some specifically commending its storage space.

Cons
There are some who are not too happy with its low-end response, but this is a natural limitation of small woofers. One user complained about the lack of Bluetooth connectivity, especially when it's available with the smaller Passport Event model. There are a few who are not too impressed with the quality of the speaker clasp.

Overall
There's a reason why Fender remains a big force in the audio equipment market, so if you want a loud portable PA system with big band backing then the Passport Venue is highly recommended.

Unfortunately this is no longer available new in stores, but you can see our current recommendations in our guide to The Best Portable / Compact PA Systems + Battery Powered Options.