I own both the pd500 and this 500 pro

Other reviewers are saying that this thing doesnt get as loud as the pd500. Mine does. Actually what I love about this one is you can turn the master up all the way and theres very minimal hiss going on. When you crank the master all the way up on the pd500 the hiss is extremely loud. True this one doesn't have as much low end as the pd500, but its suble, what makes up for it with the 500pro is clearer, cleaner sound. I personally found the pd500 less clean than the 500pro.

Better than I expected

Did research & tried several portable PA Systems for our Rockabilly trio. The Fender Passport 500 was the best sounding, & lighter than others. We run two mikes, a vocal machine, & drum machine through it. I was amazed how nice the drum machine sounds through this thing. Vocal also sound great & clean. We run electric guitars through amps, but also use acoustic electrics and have run them through the Passport. Does what it says . Is plenty loud for smaller venues, coffee houses, function rooms , dinner clubs. If smaller venues are your gig base, save your back & get the Passport 500. You can always take the large heavy gear when playing larger and/or outside gigs.

Great PA system!

My decision to buy the passport pro 500 was for durability, playing seven nights for the past thirteen years in a beach resort with the first passport 250 model gave me the confidence to buy the new pro 500,sound and reverb are excellent,my nylon guitar sounds incredible and also my violin and vocal,the pro 500 is perfect for me!

Great size, terrible volume

I bought this to replace my PD-250. Wanted to move up and have more sound for outdoor & large venues. Could not believe how poor the sound output is! Love the smaller size & lighter weight, but the sound output is pathetic. I set my old 250 up beside this one. On the same settings (1/4 volume), the 500 Pro only put out 62 decibels but the PD-250 put out 110!

NOT an Upgrade to the PD-500

I have the previous model Passport PD-500 which this Passport 500 Pro replaces. The original Passport PD-500 Deluxe came with two Fender P 51 dynamic mics, cables with cases, Neutrik Speakon speaker cable connectors and neo precision Celestion Speakers.

You get NONE of these features or accessories with this NEW Passport Pro 500. Even with the Celestion Speakers, this is primarily a PA System, adequate for acoustic sets. The older PD-500 has been discontinued but the "upgrade" is far from that.