Marching Band PA Systems — Sound Projections SM-5 & VM-2+

Sound Projections battery-powered portable PA systems are among the most widely used marching band PA systems in the country — from small middle school programs to NCAA Athletic Bands. High school directors, college band directors, drum corps instructors, and WGI ensembles rely on the SM-5 Sound Machine and VM-2+ Voice Machine at band camp, football field rehearsals, parade warm-ups, and competition day. Pellegrino Music Center is an authorized Sound Projections dealer. Every system ships free to the contiguous 48 states and is backed by a full 2-year factory warranty.

Why Band Directors Choose Sound Projections

• Loud enough for a full football field — The SM-5 delivers 126 dB, enough to reach every member of a 300-person ensemble at 200+ feet without distortion, even over crowd noise.
• Hands-free conducting — Headset wireless packages include a Shure body-pack transmitter and boom mic so directors can conduct, clap rhythms, and gesture while staying fully amplified.
• Two directors at once — Dual headset wireless packages support two simultaneous wireless channels. Drum major and field commander, or head director and assistant director, can speak from different positions on the field simultaneously.
• Music playback with automatic talkover — Built-in Bluetooth/MP3 streams warm-up music or metronome clicks from any phone or tablet. The moment the director speaks, the music automatically lowers.
• All-day battery for band camp — SM-5 LFP battery: 4–8 hours per charge. VM-2+ LFP battery: 8–14 hours. No extension cords on a practice field.
• Built to take the field — Roto-molded enclosures and an LFP battery rated for 2,000+ cycles designed for daily marching band use year after year.

SM-5 Sound Machine — For Most Marching Programs

The SM-5 handles both speech and music with equal clarity — preferred for directors who need Bluetooth music playback between reps, drum major instruction, and full-ensemble address simultaneously. 200W, 126 dB, 32 lbs.

Most popular SM-5 configurations for marching band:

• SM5-HBMBT — Single headset wireless + Bluetooth. One director, hands-free. The most popular configuration for high school band directors.
• SM5-HBM-HBMBT — Dual headset wireless + Bluetooth. Two directors simultaneously. Standard for competitive high school and college programs.
• SM5-HBM-HBMBTDLX — Dual headset + companion speaker + dual TeleLock stands. Two directors, doubled field coverage.

SM-5 Deluxe Packages — Double Your Field Coverage

Deluxe (DLX) packages add an SM-5C unpowered companion speaker, 50-ft cable, two TeleLock speaker stands, and protective slip covers. One speaker at the 50-yard line, companion at the end zone — every student hears equally well. For ensembles of 150+ members, a Deluxe configuration is strongly recommended.

• SM5-HBMBTDLX — Single headset + companion speaker. Hands-free with full field coverage.
• SM5-HBM-HBMBTDLX — Dual headset + companion speaker. Two directors, doubled coverage.
• SM5-HBM-HHBTDLX — Headset + handheld + companion speaker. Director on headset, assistant on handheld, full field coverage.

VM-2+ Voice Machine — For Portability & Warm-Up Areas

50W, 127 dB, 15 lbs. Horn-loaded for speech clarity. The VM-2+ excels in warm-up areas, smaller auxiliary fields, and indoor gym rehearsals. Many programs own both — an SM-5 for the main field and a VM-2+ for the warm-up area at competitions.

• VM2-HBM — Single headset wireless. Hands-free directing in the lightest package available.
• VM2-HBM-HBM — Dual headset wireless. Two directors hands-free in a 15-lb unit.
• VM2-HBM-HBMDLX — Dual headset + companion speaker. Two directors, doubled coverage for larger warm-up spaces.

Replacing a Lectrosonics Long Ranger?

The Lectrosonics Long Ranger was the dominant marching band PA system for decades before being discontinued in 2011. The Sound Projections VM-2+ Voice Machine is the most direct modern replacement — same horn-loaded design, wireless headset, battery-powered. See our complete Long Ranger replacement guide →

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