PA Systems

A PA (public address) system describes an audio system used to amplify music, vocals and instruments for audiences to hear.

PA systems are ideal for events such as parties, karaoke, concerts and shows, and are widely used by DJs, bands, singers and churches.

There are a great range of PA systems available in many shapes and sizes to suit every purpose and venue.

There are many types of PA system to suit different uses. Front of house systems amplify vocals and instruments during performances and are aimed at the audience.

Alternatively speakers can be used as on-stage monitors, aimed at performers so they can hear clearly. PA systems vary significantly in size and shape, but include several key components; speakers, mixers, amplifiers and cables.

There are also battery powered PA systems for portable use.

A PA system is usually made up of one or more loudspeakers, an amplifier, a mixer, a microphone and the cables needed for connection.

Many of our PA systems also include useful extras, such as speaker stands, carry bags and subwoofers to suit your needs.

We provide a tailored range of packages in various sizes designed for live bands, professional DJs, outdoor events, and church use.

To find the best PA system consider your individual needs, and the area to be covered. We offer small systems that are easy to transport and set up, and more extensive medium and large systems for a more powerful sound.

Our complete PA systems provide everything needed to get you up and running, and are reliable, delivering an excellent performance for many shows to come. Please contact us and we can find the best PA system for your needs.

PA sound systems may include active or passive speakers, and we offer both types to suit your preferences. Systems with active speakers do not require a separate amplifier and can be powered directly from a mains power supply. This provides a simpler set-up, with less cabling required.

In comparison, if using passive speakers, these will need to be connected to the included amplifier to receive power. Alternatively, a passive speaker can connect to a suitable active speaker.

We offer a selection of cheap PA systems that guarantee a high-quality performance at an affordable price. However, the best system for you will depend on your particular needs.

The included equipment and inputs/features vary significantly between PA systems. For instance, some are designed for DJ use, while others are suited for a singer, or for band use.

Our affordable selection of PA systems offer reliability and contain everything needed for set-up. For help finding the best option for your needs, please get in touch with our helpful team.

The addition of a subwoofer to your PA system is a great way to enhance your low bass capability, while also allowing your main speakers to work a little less which will increase their overall performance.

For live bands wishing to mic up the kick drum and bass player, or a DJ playing bass-heavy dance music, a subwoofer will provide a depth of sound that simply isn't possible to achieve any other way.

No matter how good or how expensive a set of PA speakers are, their frequency response and cabinet design will not be capable of producing sub-bass or even low-bass extension.

An important factor for choosing the correct PA subwoofer will be how you intend to use it. There are two ways of incorporating a sub into a PA system, which will give very different results, and will dictate the size of sub required and its power rating.

For live bands and vocalists, the standard way to include a subwoofer will be running the audio output of the mixer through the sub and then out to the main speakers, which then become ‘mid-tops’ only, not producing any bass frequencies below a specific range that is set on the subs crossover unit.

For DJs on the other hand, a subwoofer will often be run alongside the main PA speakers, with the sub being set to operate on much lower frequencies, allowing the tops to produce a full signal while the subwoofer takes care of the heavier drops and sweeps.

For these reasons, most bands will only need a 12” or maybe 15” subwoofer system, as the signals its being fed are not that low and its main job is as stress relief for the top speakers. Which is the opposite to a DJ, who will be playing bass heavy and continuous music which requires higher amplification power and a larger enclosure to do its job successfully, meaning a minimum of 15” but ideally an 18” unit.

To set up a PA system first securely mount the PA speakers to their stands. Next ensure all equipment is plugged in and connected correctly.

Passive speakers will need to be connected to an amplifier. Then make sure that your mixer and microphones are easily accessible for use, and carry out a soundcheck.

If purchasing a portable system this will be all-in-one for plug-and-play use, and may include a rechargeable battery.

There are many good PA systems available at varying costs, depending on the size of the system. We offer a selection of small affordable PA systems for a low-budget set-up.

We also have a selection of medium and larger PA systems that cost more, but provide a very powerful performance and include extras such as speaker stands.

All of our systems are great value for money and we can help you find the best system for you.

Built for the working DJ, new band, club or bar owners and modest outdoor events, all of our complete PA systems usually consist of a pair of 12 inch or 15-inch active speakers.

This is usually alongside one or two separate powered subwoofer units, these powerful systems include everything you'd expect to play your music loud.

Whether you're looking for a classic top cabinet and subwoofer combo or an affordable line-array style PA set up that has accompanied the original designs in the past few years, you'll find that all of our professional systems will provide exceptional results.

Medium-sized systems step things up with a pair of two speakers in either active configuration or passive with a separate amplifier.

These will often include stands for the speakers to raise them off the floor, connection cables and leads. Packages can also include a mixing controller, though some of the active speaker units actually feature built-in mixers and microphone inputs.

These systems come in several sizes, with the industry-standard being 12 to 15-inch speaker driver units.

Some customers may want to use these PA speakers outdoors, this is okay unless you are experiencing adverse weather such as rain or snow.

Brilliant for an outdoor summer party, PA speaker systems are suitable in most weather conditions if it does begin to rain ensure you move your gear inside or provide it with some sort of overhead cover.

Having a small gazebo up and ready nearby is best practise for outdoor use, this way you can quickly cover up your gear if the rain does come along.

PA stands for public address, effectively a PA system is a base where you can amplify vocals, music or both to an audience.

Many have used a public address system in the past, perhaps for karaoke purposes, announcements or other occasions that call for a loud vocal / music combo.

These systems are very useful for a whole manner of sizeable gatherings and other social events such as bingo etc.

Our complete PA system packages contain everything needed to get your system up and running. However, the exact equipment included will vary between systems to suit different purposes.

Typically, a pair of active or passive speakers will be featured with a 2-way or 3-way system for a high-quality audio output. A mixer and amplifier (or combined mixer amplifier) will also often be included, providing a range of inputs to connect equipment, and powering passive speakers.

However, if your system includes active speakers, a separate amplifier will not be needed as an in-built amplifier is featured. Finally, the cables needed for connection will also be included.

Some systems will additionally include useful extras, such as; microphones, speaker stands, headphones and a subwoofer to enhance low frequencies.

Wattage is used as a selling point for speakers, where in reality it can only suggest how capable a PA speaker is electrically, not sonically.

It's much more sensible to look at the requirements of your PA system as a whole, what size venue or venues will it be used in, and what type of sound level and frequency response you are wanting it to produce.

For example you can have 8” speakers and 12” speakers with identical wattage ratings than on paper they technically should be as powerful sounding as each other, but in reality the 12” will have much larger frequency response and a higher SPL due to its ability to push more air.

That said, wattage is a prominent figure in PA systems, so as a rough guide, a system between 400-600W is suitable for smaller venues, with 600-1000W being for medium to larger locations. Anything 1000W and above will allow you to obtain more than adequate volume levels, with professional PA speakers often having ratings of 1500-2000W each.

Any PA system can be used for a DJ to play music, though there are packages especially aimed at DJ use which will usually omit the inclusion of a PA style mixer as its often not required for modern DJs using controllers or laptops.

DJ PA systems will either be the more traditional passive speaker and power amplifier setup which many older mobile DJs still prefer using, or will be active speakers, either in a standard full-range cabinet design, or the popular column top and subwoofer packages.