PA speakers (also known as public address speakers) are powerful loudspeakers meant for delivering sound to large venues and big crowds. Performers like musicians and singers use PA speakers to support live performances. You’ll often find PA systems installed in small venues like churches and bars.
You can also find PA speakers powerful enough for prominent locations like auditoriums and arenas. Unlike their stereo and Hi-Fi counterparts, PA speakers are designed to work with instruments and microphones. They often include XLR inputs or interface with an amplifier or mixer that accepts inputs from professional audio cables.
Types of PA Speakers
There are two types of PA speakers: passive speakers that require external amplification, and active PA speakers that can operate without additional signal processing.
Passive PA Speakers
If you need a set of PA speakers to handle extremely loud volumes while maintaining excellent sound quality for an event like an outdoor concert, look for a set of passive speakers and pick up an accompanying mixer and amplifier.
Passive PA speakers have high-quality woofers and voice coils that can handle high power outputs for sustained periods — often 500w or continuous power or more. Look for speakers from trusted brands like Behringer, QSC, Turbosound, and Electro-Voice.
Active PA Speakers
Active PA speakers can provide a pro-quality audio experience with less hassle and fewer components. These speakers have Class-D amplifiers and DSPs (digital signal processors) built in to process the audio signal on-device.
Active PA speakers often include a built-in mixer to handle multiple audio sources. This eliminates the need for separate mixer and amplifier hardware so you can keep your costs down and your setup time to a minimum. These speakers are suitable for smaller spaces because the speakers are typically less potent than passive speakers.
Wireless PA Speakers
Some active PA speakers are wireless, allowing you to control them from your mobile device. Many wireless speakers come with companion apps that run on your smartphone or tablet and let you control the internal mixer remotely.
With a strong Bluetooth 5.0 connection, you can play streaming audio through a wireless-compatible PA speaker. Some wireless speakers even have internal batteries, allowing entirely wire-free portability. Mackie, Behringer, and JBL all make Bluetooth-compatible PA speakers.
PA Speaker Bundles
Adorama has a good selection of PA speaker bundle kits that include a pair of speakers with stands and necessary audio cables. Plus, passive PA speaker bundles often include a mixer to further simplify your buying experience.
