PA Speakers for Live Sound, DJs and Events
Powered and passive PA speakers, subwoofers, column systems and battery-powered speakers from QSC, RCF, JBL, LD Systems, dB Technologies, Mackie, Yamaha, Electro-Voice, HK Audio and BASSBOSS, from compact 8-inch tops up to 18-inch and 21-inch subwoofers. Items stocked in our Los Angeles warehouse ship the same day when ordered by noon Pacific. Call 1-800-700-4542 for help sizing a system.
Related categories: Powered Speakers, Passive Speakers, PA Subwoofers, Column Speakers, Battery Powered PA Speakers, Stage Monitors, PA Speaker Stands, JBL Speakers.
Should I buy powered or passive PA speakers?
Powered, for most buyers. A powered (active) speaker has its amplifier and DSP built into the cabinet, so it needs only an audio cable and an AC outlet, and the amplifier is already matched to the drivers. Passive speakers need a separate power amplifier and speaker cable, which suits permanent installs and larger rigs where the amplifiers live in a rack away from the stage. If a product title says Active or Powered, the amplifier is built in. Browse each type in Powered Speakers and Passive Speakers.
What size woofer do I need?
Size the speaker to the room and the music. Larger woofers reach lower and play louder; smaller ones weigh less and are easier to carry and mount. Use the woofer size filter to narrow the list.
| Woofer | Typical use | Examples we carry |
|---|---|---|
| 8 inch | Speech, background music, small rooms, and compact tops over a subwoofer | QSC K8.2, RCF ART-708A-MK5, Mackie Thump GO (battery) |
| 10 inch | Small and mid-size rooms, and a lighter top for mobile DJs | QSC K10.2, RCF ART 910-A, RCF NX-910A, Pioneer DJ XPRS102 |
| 12 inch | The all-round choice for DJs, bands and events | QSC K12.2, RCF ART-932A, JBL EON712, HK Audio L3-112FA |
| 15 inch | Larger rooms, and full-range playback when there is no subwoofer | Mackie Thump215, QSC KW153 |
| 18 inch subwoofer | Low end for dance music and live bands | QSC KS118, Mackie SR18S, RCF SUB18-AX, Yorkville EL18S, JBL PRX918XLF |
Do I need a subwoofer?
For dance music, hip-hop and live bands, yes. Full-range speakers can play bass, but a subwoofer takes over the deepest bass, so the tops play cleaner and the whole system plays louder. For speech, acoustic sets and background music, a pair of tops is usually enough. Many powered subwoofers have a built-in crossover and outputs to feed the tops, so the signal can run through the sub; check the connections on your model's product page. See PA Subwoofers.
What is the difference between a column PA and a traditional speaker?
Most column systems stack a tall, slim array of small drivers on a pole above a subwoofer base. They set up in minutes, take little floor space, and the tall array spreads sound evenly from the front of a room to the back. Examples are the LD Systems MAUI 5, MAUI 28 G3 and MAUI 44 G2, the RCF EVOX J9 and J11, HK Audio POLAR and the BASSBOSS SUBLIM8 MK3. Box speakers on poles over subwoofers scale further for large rooms and outdoor events. See Column Speakers.
Can I run a PA on battery power?
Yes, for smaller gigs. Battery-powered speakers such as the QSC CB10, Mackie Thump GO, Bose S1 Pro+, AlphaTheta Wave-Eight and American Audio APX12 GO BT play without an outlet, which suits parks, beaches, ceremonies and street performance. Most are smaller and quieter than a mains-powered 12-inch PA speaker, so for a packed dance floor plan on AC-powered tops and a subwoofer. Battery life depends on the model and how loud you play it. See Battery Powered PA Speakers.
How many speakers do I need?
Start with a pair of tops, one on each side of the stage or DJ booth, so sound reaches the whole room and nobody stands directly in front of a single loud box. Add one or two subwoofers for dance music. In a long room, a second pair partway down the room usually works better than turning the front pair up. If you are not sure, call us with the room size and headcount and we will size a system.
What else do I need besides the speakers?
Stands, cables and protection. Tops on a subwoofer need a speaker pole; tops on their own need a tripod stand. Powered speakers usually take a balanced XLR or 1/4-inch TRS cable from the mixer, and passive speakers need speaker cable from the amplifier, never an instrument cable. Covers and bags keep cabinets clean between gigs. See PA Speaker Stands, PA Speaker & Array Mounting Hardware, XLR Microphone Cables, Speaker Covers and Speaker Bags.
Can I get help choosing, or a package price?
Yes. Ready-made speaker pairings are in DJ Speaker Packages, and for a complete system you can request custom package pricing on the whole setup. Items stocked in our Los Angeles warehouse ship the same day when ordered by noon Pacific, and our showroom is at 934 E 11th St in downtown Los Angeles, open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Call 1-800-700-4542.