4 Best Active PA Speakers

For live performances you can't go wrong with the convenience of active PA speakers, giving you the sound quality and power for any situation. If you're looking for the best active speakers, we've put together a convenient guide giving you the 6 best powered speakers from brands such as RCF, Mackie and more.

Active Speakers come in many different sizes and power ratings, with a range of features and capabilities to suit the many different users' requirements. They are also often referred to as powered speakers, with either term meaning these speakers have onboard amplification and won't require a traditional external power amplifier unit.

Where a mobile DJ may favour outright volume and larger driver size for thumping bass playback, a live band or stage monitor situation will be looking for overall quality and accurate directional throw, making a choice of ‘the best’ totally subjective to the intended use.

Speaker Wattage?

Speaker power ratings and specs are often total nonsense, with ridiculous numbers being given that have no real-world meaning. We’ve provided the most technically accurate figures for each speaker, with the RMS power and SPL rating giving you the closest representation of measured performance.

How a speaker sounds though, is down to so many other factors. Cabinet material and construction, the voice coil sizes, magnet material, power supply and amplifier class. You can have a 3000W PA horn, but it won't give you any bass. Watts and ratings only give you a piece of the puzzle, so don't be blinded by stats.

With this in mind, we take a look at 6 fantastic active PA speakers on the market, all with their own unique features and selling points, with some aimed at lower-cost general use and others with more focussed attributes for professional setups, so let's get started. Here are our 6 Best Active PA Speakers.

• 1. RCF ART 312-A MK4 12" Active PA Speaker

  Starting the list with a legend. The ART speaker series from RCF has earned its reputation on stages and in studios around the world for decades. The latest model, seen here as the RCF ART 312-A Mk4 Active Speaker, continues the series in style.

  A true 400W RMS digital bi-amplified module is paired to the proprietary 12" woofer and 1" dispersion compression horn tweeter to give a huge 128dB SPL rating with active thermal shutdown and clipping protection. Simple intuitive rear-panel signal inputs for 6.35mm (¼ inch) jack plug and XLR make connection easy to audio mixers and DJ controllers.

  Great with music, and superb with the nuances of live vocals, the ART 312-A Mk4 deliver astonishing performance for a 12-inch speaker, with a precision and detailed sound that is usually only found on much larger and costlier speaker systems.

  The big 4 specs:

  • Output Power (RMS) - 400W
  • Woofer Size - 12 Inch
  • SPL - 128 dB
  • Frequency Response - 45Hz to 20kHz
  

  You really can't go wrong with an RCF ART series speaker. They have been improved and refined over the years to the current Mk4 versions, and will provide you with a powerful and transparent audio system with famous build quality and durability.

  Also available with a 15" main woofer in the RCF ART 315-A Mk4 model

• RCF ART 312-A Mk4 Active Speaker

• 2. Power Dynamics PD412A

  With mobile DJ’s and performers squarely in mind, the Power Dynamics PD412A Active Speaker has been designed around a unique dual amplifier system, with high power Class-D digital unit running the 12 inch woofer, and a class A-B unit powering the large compression driver for high frequencies.

  The PD412A features a 4-preset system for EQ shaping, including a dedicated bass cut for use with a separate subwoofer, dual inputs for line level and direct microphone use, and the benefit of Bluetooth connectivity that allows streaming of music from any BT enabled device.

  The ultra-durable ABS resin enclosure features heavy-duty moulded handles, and angled side feet to the tapered design allow for use as a floor wedge monitor that's great for bands and rehearsal studios. With built-in pole mount clamps and punched metal grilles, these powerful speakers offer fantastic performance for those on a tighter budget.

  The big 4 specs:

  • Output Power (RMS) - 350W
  • Woofer Size - 12 Inch
  • SPL - 125 dB
  • Frequency Response - 40Hz to 20kHz
  

  Power Dynamics have really brought something to the table with this new range. The no-fuss features and heavy-duty build quality makes them a great unit for first-time buyers getting into the live music scene, and are ideal for general PA use with music and vocals.

  For those wanting a further enhanced low-end response, the Power Dynamics PD415A Active Speaker is the larger 15 inch version available.

• Power Dynamics PD412A Active Speaker

• 3. Mackie Thump 15A

  As with both RCF and Turbosound, the Mackie PA speaker legacy continues with the Mackie Thump 15A Active PA Speaker, a true powerhouse and bass monster.

  An iconic brand in the DJ and live band world, the Thump powered speaker range from Mackie has proven its worth over several generations, with high quality and reliable performance making them a favourite of many over the years.

  High power digital amplification with 4 selectable EQ modes for the 2-way crossover system depending on stand-alone use or as part of a sub and top setup. The Thump range is famous for its bass reproduction, with its high voltage power supply design giving amazing response times for heavy bass moments.

  The built-in 2-channel mixer features Vita preamps with Wide-Z technology that allows direct connection of line-level, microphone, and instrument level signals without the need for an external audio mixer.

  The big 4 specs:

  • Output Power (RMS) - 650W
  • Woofer Size - 15 Inch
  • SPL - 127 dB
  • Frequency Response - 39Hz to 20kHz
  

  The industry standard for mobile DJ’s as the phenomenal bass response is miles above the competition. The Thumps may even be too bass-heavy for some, who will favour the more neutral sound of an RCF ART perhaps. The Thump 15A is serious kit and should be high on your list to audition.

  Also available in a smaller 12 inch version, the Mackie Thump 12A Active PA Speaker is just as impressive speaker as its bigger brother.

• Mackie Thump 15A Active Speaker

• 4. RCF ART 715-A MK4 Active PA Speaker

  Another RCF you say? Well, no gathering of powered PA speakers should be without the amazing RCF ART 715A Mk4 Active Speaker, as it's just too good to leave out.

  The ratings and figures given by RCF for the ART 715A are definitely on the conservative side of things, as it offers up a truly staggering output when you're in its vicinity. Its custom-designed neodymium magnet 15 inch woofer with a 2.5 inch voice coil can muster up just incredible levels of power and detail at some quite frankly obscene volume levels.

  The onboard DSP and FiR PHASE filtering system corrects phasing and amplitude between the transducers, with the emphasis on always providing a clear and linear response with any input source at any volume. In layman's terms, they sound neutral and balanced at any level, with any type of music, which is quite an achievement for a non-HiFi speaker system.

  Highly durable and stylish glass fibre reinforced enclosures with professional fixings and mounting options, and the standard RCF soft clip limiting and thermal protection makes the ART 7 series a really serious piece of live audio equipment.

  The big 4 specs:

  • Output Power (RMS) - 700W
  • Woofer Size - 15 Inch
  • SPL - 130 dB
  • Frequency Response - 45Hz to 20kHz
  

  One of the best active 15 inch speakers available today. The RCF ART 715A is as refined and capable as you will ever find, and its performance parameters far exceed the numbers it has on paper. Be it DJ work, live band use or stage performances indoors or outdoors, these need to be heard

• RCF ART 715A Mk4 Active Speaker