As opposed to monitors, the main purpose of PA speakers is to produce good quality audio at high volumes in larger venues.
PA Speakers: Basics
Monitors vs PA speakers
While monitors are designed to offer clear sound at close range (commonly used by musicians to hear themselves on stage and to listen to your recordings in the studio), PA speakers are intended for the audience and suited more for larger rooms/venues.
PA systems can be categorised as under:
- Personal PAs: Single speakers or mini speaker arrays, can be used as speakers or as monitors.
- Medium-sized PAs: Pair of stand-mounted speakers on either side of the stage plus simple monitor wedges.
- Full-scale PA systems: Multi-speaker line arrays and complex monitoring systems.
In Active PA speakers, the power amplifier is built into the same cabinet as the speakers. Passive PA speakers require separate power amplifiers
Powerful and accurate stage monitors play a crucial role during a live performance. PA monitor speakers come in various variants – active/passive, floor wedges, those that attach to the mic stand, and more. Good quality PA Speakers and Amplifiers are a must in order to produce great sound quality, be it for live performances or for DJing.
What Does it Include?
A basic system usually includes the following:
- Amplifiers
- Microphones
- Speakers
This is what is used to drive the sound over a long distance. However, depending on the size of the audience sound enforcement systems could be used.
Do You need a Subwoofer?
Yes, for most live musical performances, a subwoofer is only going to enhance the sound further, making it sound rich and vibrant.
However, for speeches or cappella singing (without instrumental accompaniments), or when playing in very small rooms, subwoofer is not required (in fact it can make the sound worse in the small space).
Powered (Active) or Unpowered (Passive) PA Speakers
Before active PA speakers exploded on the live scene, musicians and engineers had to carry huge equipment such as amps, speakers, cables to connect them, and so on. With Active speakers, the amps and speakers are combined in one unit to make it a more portable solution.
In active PA speakers, the power amplifier and crossover are housed in the same cabinet as the speakers (making them portable). Just connect it to the sound source (mixer, music player, or your musical instrument) and you’re ready to go.
Another good thing about this is that you do not have to worry about what amps to use with what speakers (saves a lot of headaches, avoids degraded sound quality, and avoids damage to the gear), the all-in-one design makes it easy to choose one, for your requirement.
Live Sound / Stage PA Gear for smaller or larger venues
However, when it comes to designing complex systems for permanent installation in large auditoriums and halls, sound engineers usually avoid using powered speakers, as they want more control over the placement of the various audio components.
An All-in-one PA Solution
You do get all-in-one PA solutions as well, that integrate active speakers, signal processing, and even effects into a simple, compact design (saves time, space & money as well). This is a perfect solution for most singers/songwriters, for coffeehouse gigs and small acoustic ensembles.
Great Deals on Live sound/PA. For large or small venues, find the perfect live sound gear to fit your Gig
Reviews: Popular Products
Behringer Eurolive F1320D Powered Floor Monitor
The EUROLIVE F1320D is the more improved and powerful version of the wildly successful EUROLIVE F1220A active floor monitor.
In most small bands, singers face a practical problem where they are unable to hear themselves because of the loud percussion instruments in the band. This is where this monitor comes in really handy and is great for live and playback applications.
Each Eurolive F1320D powered monitor has its own 3-band EQ (to tweak the highs, mids and lows) and volume knob, right on the front panel, gives you complete control over your mix. Easy to set up, you can be ready for “show-time” at a moment’s notice.
Another great thing about this monitor is that it can also be used as an instrument amplifier (onstage amp) for keyboards, acoustic guitar, electric violin, etc. If your music instrument has either a mic or line-level output, it can be connected to the F1320D.
It also easily transforms into an instant PA System – just use one F1320D and a microphone or MP3 player.
Pros: Plenty of power, Great sound over the entire frequency range (thanks to its 3 band EQ), Controls are easily accessible.
Some musicians would have preferred to see a built-in mini mixer so that they could adjust instrument sounds on a separate channel as the vocal. But then this is really not an issue because you get little Behringer line mixers for as low as 20 bucks.
Need a keyboard amp and a vocal monitor, but don’t have the space on stage for both? Use one of Behringer’s small-format XENYX mixers to sub-mix the Aux Sends from the main mixer with your keys, all into a single active monitor.
Features of Behringer Eurolive F1320D Powered Floor Monitor:
- High-power 300-Watt 2-way monitor speaker system
- Super-light weight, weighs under 40 lbs (18 kg)
- Built-in preamp (connect a dynamic mic)
- Adjustable feedback filter and Integrated limiter & sound processor for better system control when you crank up the volume.
- Built-in 35-mm socket allows you to use the F1320D on a standard speaker pole for use as a PA system.
- You may even chain multiple F1320Ds via the convenient XLR or 1/4″ TRS LINK OUTPUT connector.
The Behringer Eurolive F1320D monitor is built ruggedly, has all the features you need in a floor monitor for live and playback applications, and yet affordably priced.
Buying Links
QSC K Series Active Loudspeakers
QSC makes some remarkable products that offer the best in pro-audio sound quality. Its popular K-Series includes powered speakers.
The QSC K-Series speakers, in particular, are the new standard in lightweight powered loudspeaker systems. Several event productions and studios use these speakers because of their sound clarity, features and lightweight design. Despite being compact, these can pump out serious volume.
All the models in the K-series feature an all new, 1000 watt Class D power module. Every model is fitted with an identical HF device while each size of woofer is designed to the same high quality standards for unparalleled performance, regardless of speaker size. Extensive DSP processing is employed throughout. The end result being, the sonic clarity and total output is much more/better than what you would expect looking at these speakers size and weight.
Each of the QSC K Speakers differ in their horizontal dispersion angles, but they all produce even and consistent coverage throughout any venue.
The QSC speakers are really simple to install and they sound great. You get several features packed in a lightweight package, and that’s what users are really loving about these QSC K-Series Active Loudspeakers!
Recommended Models
- QSC K.2 Series (Active and Powered Loudspeakers)
QSC K.2 Series louspeakers pack more power, feature powerful DSP, LCD display, Hi-Z inputs, mixer, and more. “K.2 amp has over twice the Peak power” compared to the current K Series. The new distribution of power between HF and LF drivers is done to make it more efficient,” as per QSC. - QSC K12.2 Powered Loudspeaker – 2000 Watts, 1×12″
QSC reinvents the lightweight powered PA speaker with the K12.2. DSP presets and custom settings give you full control over 2000 watts of room-filling sound.
Buy on zZounds - QSC K10.2 Powered Loudspeaker – 2000 Watts, 1×10″
Pushing 2000 watts peak, the 2nd-gen K10 makes a great small PA main, monitor or instrument amp. Select DSP presets, or save your own crossover, EQ and more.
Buy on zZounds
QSC K8.2 Powered Loudspeaker – 2000 Watts, 1×8″
Only 27 pounds, the K8.2 powered loudspeaker pushes out 2000 watts peak. Build an ultra-light PA system or instrument amp rig with QSC’s portable powerhouse!
Buy on zZounds
QSC KS212C Cardioid Subwoofer
The QSC KS212C is a super-efficient Cardioid Subwoofer with an intuitive design that combines QSC amplification and DSP technology in one, compact enclosure. Great for mobile entertainment applications and medium sized performance venues. The QSC KS212C Cardioid subwoofer operates with a Class D amplifier and contains two threaded M20 sockets that allow you to connect a 35 mm speaker pole.
Delivers 15 dB more output from the front of the cab, so aim the bass where you need it with QSC’s KS212C powered sub.
Transducer Explained: An Important Component in Microphones & Loudspeakers
Microphones, loudspeakers, position and pressure sensors, antenna; these are some of the devices which make use of transducers.
A Transducer is basically an electric / electronic device that converts energy from one form to another. An example well suited in our case is that of a Stereo Speaker: it converts electrical signals into sound!
Here’s a good video that shows the various speaker parts
Almost every manufacturer would want these devices to be 100 percent efficient. But the fact is that some power is always lost in the conversion process (mostly in the form of heat).
Besides, most of the devices employ a combination of transducers, sensors and actuators to convert energy from one form to another and then back again.
An example of this, would be music or audio recorded on Tapes/Cassettes, where the original signal is picked up by the mics, which is then recorded on the tapes and then played back by the speakers.
However, over the years all these devices have become much more efficient with advancements in technology.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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