Speaker Systems

Here, you can find a massive array of PA speakers and speaker systems set up for live events, venues and gigs, supporting everything from festivals to conferences and presentations.

Active PA Speakers

Active speaker systems are made up of one or more speakers, each fitted with one or more audio inputs, and each requiring their own power socket. Sometimes an active subwoofer forms the core of an active system, so every instrument, microphone and audio source can be hooked up to the sub which then feeds the combined audio signal to the connected speakers. Since everything comes built-in and everything is easy to set up and just as easy to use, active speaker systems offer a few convenient advantages. You can simply plug active speakers into the mains power (using the same power group to avoid ground loops) before connecting your mixer to the speakers to loop the signal through. The downside of active speaker systems is the price. Every active speaker has a set of inputs and outputs, an internal amplifier and an internal crossover, and more advanced models feature DSPs (digital sound processors), all of which makes active speakers more expensive than passive speakers. But for smaller venues, events and pubs, one or more active speakers will probably provide the most practical setup. For more extensive sound systems in larger venues, a set of passive speakers will usually be a better idea. And don't worry, there's no difference in sound quality between active and passive speakers. See our complete range of active speakers.

Passive PA Speakers

Passive speakers can be a tempting option since they seem so much cheaper than active speakers. Passive speakers don't have any kind of internal amplifier, no audio inputs, and no controls for adjusting the audio. Most passive speakers will have just one input which is used to feed the speaker both an audio signal and power, and an output for chaining it up to the next passive speaker. To complete a passive speaker system, you need an external amplifier and a crossover to manage the audio before distributing it to the connected speakers, which is why passive systems are not necessarily the cheaper option. On the other hand, the advantage of using a passive speaker system is that you can build a custom setup with exactly the gear you need. Say you want to set up eight speakers and four subwoofers. If you opt for active speakers, it would mean hooking up a couple of microphones, a line signal and maybe a guitar up to each speaker and sub, which isn't exactly practical. In that case, it's much easier and much cheaper to set up eight passive speakers and an external amplifier and mixer. See our complete range of passive speakers.

Will My Speaker System Need an Amplifier?

If you're using a set of passive speakers, then you'll need one or more amplifiers since there's no other way of feeding passive speakers audio signals or power. Find more info about passive speakers and which amplifier is compatible with which setup in our speaker section.

How Do You Connect a Subwoofer Up to Speakers?

Connecting an active subwoofer up to active speakers is a really simple job. Active subwoofers almost always have an internal crossover, meaning that the active sub is able to separate the lower frequencies from the higher frequencies of the audio. The higher frequencies are then passed onto the connected active speakers, while the subwoofer takes care of the lower frequencies. The audio source, like a mixer is also connected up to the subwoofer. Some active subs have an output for passive speakers, meaning that the model has enough power to run a passive speaker setup. Passive subwoofers don't usually have an internal crossover, so an external crossover will always need to be added to the system to split the frequencies and send them to the right place, since a passive sub can't handle higher frequencies and passive full-range speakers can't efficiently handle lower frequencies. As well as an external crossover, adding a passive subwoofer will also mean you have to add an external amplifier especially for the sub. In this case, your mixer or audio source is first connected up to the external crossover, the amplifier for your sub is then connected up to the low frequency output, and the amplifier for your full-range speakers is connected up to the high frequency output.

What Do I Need to Build a Complete Speaker System?

The most simple stage setup is made up of just two full-range speakers and one or two subwoofers. From there, you'll need some extra equipment depending on the type of system:

• Active speakers are usually hooked up via XLR or 6.3mm jack-audio cables.
• Passive speakers are hooked up via speaker cables.
• Using a mixer, the various connected audio sources are balanced and combined in a total mix.
• A passive speaker system with an active subwoofer, the sub will have outputs for connecting up the passive speakers or one or more amplifiers and an external crossover.
• When your speakers are mounted on some speaker stands, the sound is better dispersed and has more reach for bigger crowds. You can also use a distance rod to mount a full-range speaker on top of a subwoofer.

Studio Monitors

If you're looking for a set of monitor speakers calibrated for studio-based mixing, then you'll find what you need in our studio monitor department. These speakers are designed for both professional and home studios and are a far better choice than PA speakers since they deliver a neutral sound without adding any colour, giving you an honest image of the mix.

Frequently Asked Questions About Speaker Systems

What's the difference between passive and active speakers?

Active speakers come with everything built in: an amplifier, a crossover, and a range of audio inputs. Passive speakers have just one input for the audio signal and power and need to be fed signals from an external amplifier and crossover. Find more info in our blog, The Difference Between Active & Passive Speakers.