Whether you are hosting a cocktail party, premiering your DJ set, or planning an outdoor rock festival, you will need some sort of sound reinforcement system. A PA system, short for public address system, allows the user to amplify microphones and/or audio signals through speakers to create a louder sound. While simple PA systems have been around for nearly a century, today’s marketplace features countless options and configurations. There is an ideal sound solution for every situation. The type of events you are planning will help you make some important decisions. You will need a lot more inputs if you are setting up a full band than if you were just playing background music. If you are throwing a dance party then you might want to prioritize subwoofers. Larger spaces and bigger crowds will require more powerful systems. To help you get your bearings in the world of PA systems we will discuss the three basic types of configurations, starting with the simplest.
A PA system is comprised of three basic components: Speakers, amplifiers, and a mixer. The mixer allows you to connect multiple audio sources and control volumes. The amplifier is the unit that increases the power of the audio signal. The speakers reproduce the sound so that our ears can hear it. To make PA systems easier to use, manufacturers offer different configurations. The three most common options are:Powered mixer with passive speakers
- Powered mixer with passive speakers
- Powered speakers with passive mixers
- Passive speakers, passive mixer, and power amplifier.
Powered Mixer with Passive Speakers
In these systems, the amplifier is built directly into the mixer. While you can purchase some powered mixers separately, many of them come with speakers that are matched to run optimally. When you build your own system, you have to be careful to provide the right amount of power to your speakers so that you do not blow them. These easy to use combo-systems remove that risk. For the most part, these systems are designed for small to mid-sized events and can only accommodate a few inputs. Powered mixer systems are good for background music, vocal reinforcement, or small ensemble performance. These systems are small, portable, and most have two moderately sized speakers.
JBL EON206P
Adorama price:
This all-in-one PA package features a 6-channel mixer with 160 watts of power. The custom designed 6.5” two-way speaker cabinets can latch together, so that you can carry the whole 25 lb system in one hand. The mixer features two TRS/XLR combo-jacks with optional reverb. It is easy to play music from your iPhone or iPad via the RCA or 3.5mm (auxiliary) inputs. This system will work best in small rooms used for spoken word, comedy, solo/duo acoustic performances, or for background music.
Fender Passport
Adorama price: $699.99 – $999.99
Fender offers the Passport line of portable self-contained PA Systems. The Fender Passport Event ($699.99) is a 7-channel mixer with 375 watts of power. Similar to the JBL system above, the custom designed 8” two-way speaker cabinets can connect to the mixer unit to allow the whole package to be carried in one hand. The Event features four XLR, one ¼” stereo, one 3.5mm stereo, and one stereo Bluetooth input. The Bluetooth input allows you to stream audio from any smart device without cables. This compact 44 lb system is best for small parties, coffeehouses, public speaking, acoustic performances, and presentations. The big brother to the Event is the Fender Passport Venue($999.99). The Venue features the same self-contained design of the Event but increases power to 600 Watts, speaker size to 10”, and offers a total of 10 channels. The Venue also features a USB record/playback system that lets you record WAV audio files using a USB flash drive as well as playback WAV and MP3 files. This system would work best for small and quiet bands, coffeehouses, public speaking, sporting and worship events, and all other uses mentioned above.
Powered Speakers with Passive Mixers
Building a PA system with powered speakers and a passive mixer is a great modular idea for the person who wants to add to their system over time. The powered mixer systems mentioned above are great but you can’t really add more power or inputs once you’ve started. With a passive mixer you can always add more powered speakers to increase your volume as well as upgrade your mixer to offer more inputs. You can even repurpose your old powered speakers as monitors when you upgrade your mains. Powered speakers are also very safe to use since the speaker is perfectly matched to the right amount of power internally. You run a very low risk of blowing your speakers. This modular and safe approach makes powered speakers the choice for many portable event-type sound systems as well as installed systems for event spaces. With this type of approach you can build the right system for any event from simple public speaking to a full rock band. The sky is the limit with powered speakers and passive mixers. There are options available that offer 64 or more inputs and huge arrays of powered speakers. For the sake of this article we’re going to focus on mixers with 16 channels and modestly sized speakers.
16 Channel Mixers
If you want an upgraded sound, check out the Allen and Heath ZED-16FX (). Allen and Heath have superior mic preamps, which result in audio that is more true-to-life. In addition to most of the features mentioned above, the Zed-16FX also has a wide selection of built-in effects such as reverbs, delays, and choruses that can be mixed into any channel. Also, the Zed-16FX also has USB out and can function as an audio interface. This allows you to convert a feed of your master audio into a digital signal that can be recorded on a computer. You can also use the USB port as an audio input to receive digital arrangements or backing tracks from your computer.
Remember, there are many smaller and larger mixer options on the market. Find the one that is right for your live sound situation. While it might be tough to do sound for a full band with only 16 channels, it would be overkill for a DJ rig. Figure out your channels and routing. Decide on how many inputs, mains, monitors, auxes, submixes, etc. Once you know what you need to handle you will be able to narrow down your options.
Powered Speakers
Most powered speakers are purchased a la carte, but there are a few package options. The Peavey Triflex II () is a great combo package of powered speakers designed for a DJ or dance club. This package features two 10” main speakers with 250W each and an additional 15” subwoofer with 500W. This package also includes accessories such as speaker cables and speaker stands. The subwoofer helps create those powerful low frequencies that shake the dance floor. The whole system has been pre-engineered for a balanced sound and a punchy presentation. All you need to do is add a mixer and some music and you are ready to start the party.
The Mackie SRM450 V3 () is a standard powered speaker featuring a two-way 12” speaker powered by an internal 1000W amp. Two of these and a mixer can be combined for a mid-sized PA system. For a more stripped down situation, the SRM450V3 has a small 2-channel mixer built in. This mixer features two XLR/TRS combo inputs and a stereo RCA. The SRM450 can handle anything from mics to guitars to MP3 players and more.
If you want to add more dance-floor-rattling lows to your system then you should look into a powered subwoofer. The Electro-Voice EKX-18SP () offers powerful low frequencies all the way down to 40 Hz. This subwoofer features a high quality 18” speaker and a high-efficiency Class-D amplifier that can deliver up to 1300W of power. The subwoofer is easy to use with three presets that instantly dial in the ideal crossover point between your sub and tops. Electro-Voice is known for professional quality equipment. There are countless other powered subwoofer options on the market. Find the one that is right for you.
Passive Speakers, Passive Mixer, and Power Amplifier
This style of PA system is usually used for permanent installations and professional sound companies. A pro-audio novice would require some professional guidance to go down this route. It takes a good amount of experience to know how to properly pair speakers to the right amplifier. It takes even more experience to properly set up, wire, and install these types of systems. Most live music venues and performance halls will have a PA system like this. There will be racks of power amplifiers and other equipment. The command station will be a sound booth located somewhere in or behind the audience. The sound booth will have a large mixing console as well as plenty of processing and effects. Wires will be run under the floor or through the ceiling to connect the sound booth to the amplifiers. There will also be a patch-bay on stage for microphones and instruments to plug into. This large conduit of wires (known as a snake) will run to the sound booth and into the mixer. These types of sound systems require a professional sound engineer to operate. Building a PA system like this isn’t cheap. A venue that is looking to have full bands perform should be prepared to spend at least $20k and upwards of $100k. Remember, if you buy cheap and used gear, you will spend three times more repairing and replacing it in the end.
QSC PLX2502 ($949.99) is a professional-quality power amplifier that delivers roughly 500W of power per channel. This two-channel power amplifier is designed to power two speakers. In a performance venue there will be most likely two or more main speakers per side as well as two or more subs. In order to power a minimum of six speakers you will need at least three power amplifiers. There are power amplifiers cheaper than this product and there are certainly ones that are much more expensive. This is a middle of the road power amplifier to give you an idea.
Passive speakers can range greatly in price. You can purchase entry-level speakers for $200 each or you can go for a professional quality speaker at $2k each. Passive subwoofers also range from a few hundred to thousands. The system doesn’t end there. The main mixing console will be several thousand by itself. Not to mention the processing and effects units. Don’t forget about the wiring and accessories, which will end up being quite costly. I’m sure you can see how these PA systems can easily get up into the tens of thousands. I’m not at all discouraging you from building your dream sound system. I just can’t even start to detail all of the products and options without making this short article into a book.
Wrap Up
We have covered the three types of PA systems on the market. We have gone from a PA system that can be carried in one hand for under $500 all the way to professional quality systems that can cost as much as a home. While the latter option might not be what most readers are looking for, I wanted to offer all options of PA systems. I’m confident that most of you will find the system that you are looking for with either powered mixers or powered speakers. But, if you do want to build an amazing sound system for your newly acquired theater – I am sure the great team at Adorama can help guide you through the process. For everyone else, keep in mind that this article doesn’t discuss accessories and cables that you will need for your PA. Make sure you read the product contents carefully on each product you purchase so you know what is included. Make sure you have proper power cables, power extension and power strips, XLR cables, ¼” cables, RCA, adapters, microphones, speaker stands, mic stands, and more. Don’t feel frustrated. No matter how many purchases you make, there will always be something else you need. In the meantime, make sure you enjoy the music and the sound of your system.
