What Size PA System Do I Need? Choosing Speakers by Guests, Venue & Event
· 5 min read · Party Backline
Hiring a PA system that's too small means distorted, strained sound by the time the dance floor fills up. Hiring one that's too big means paying for power you never use. The good news: choosing the right speaker set comes down to three questions, how many guests, how big the venue is and what kind of event it is.
This guide walks through each one and matches them to our speaker sets for hire in Sydney, so you can pick the right one with confidence.
Quick answer: PA size by guest count
If you just want a starting point, use this table, then read on to adjust for your venue and event type.
| Guests | Typical event | Recommended set | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small audience | Talks, presentations, solo or duet musicians | Solo Set | $100 |
| Small audience, no power | Busking, outdoor ceremonies, parks | Busker Set | $100 |
| Up to 50 | Small indoor parties, kids birthdays, meetings | Basic Set | $120 |
| Up to 100 | House parties, small weddings, corporate events | Party Set | $200 |
| Up to 150 | Dance parties, weddings, birthdays | Dance Set | $350 |
| 100+ | Large weddings, DJ nights, live bands | Ultimate Set | $400 |
| Up to 200 | Large weddings, school dances, big halls and marquees | Array Set | $450 |
1. Start with your guest count
More guests don't just need more volume, they also absorb sound and create more background noise when they talk. A speaker that sounds loud in an empty room can disappear once 100 people are chatting in front of it. That's why we size our sets by guest numbers:
- Up to 50 guests: a single quality powered speaker covers the room. The Basic Set includes a 2500 W Alto TS415 speaker, a Shure SM58 microphone and a Bluetooth dongle for playlists.
- Up to 100 guests: a pair of speakers gives even coverage and stereo sound. The Party Set adds DJ lights, a fog machine and a wireless microphone for speeches.
- Up to 150 guests: the Dance Set pairs RCF ART speakers with an 18" Mackie subwoofer, so music stays full and clear at party volume.
- 100 to 200+ guests: the Ultimate Set doubles up on 18" subwoofers for big rooms and outdoor spaces, and the Array Set runs four tops and two subs to cover large or long venues evenly.
2. Factor in the venue: size, shape and indoor vs outdoor
Indoor venues
Walls and ceilings reflect sound back toward the audience, so indoor events need less power than you might expect. A living room, function room or small restaurant is well served by the guest-count guide above.
Large halls, long rooms and marquees
In long or wide spaces the problem isn't loudness, it's coverage. Two speakers at the front have to be turned up so far to reach the back that the front rows get blasted. Spreading more speakers around the space fixes this, which is exactly what the four-speaker Array Set is designed for.
Outdoor events
Outdoors, sound has nothing to bounce off, so it loses energy quickly and bass in particular fades. As a rule of thumb, go one set larger outdoors than you would indoors for the same crowd. A backyard party of 80 that would be fine with the Party Set indoors will sound much better with the Dance Set and its subwoofer.
No power at the venue?
Beaches, parks and some ceremony spots have no power outlets. The Busker Set is battery powered with a built-in 4-channel mixer and rain cover, and pairs well with our battery-powered JBL wireless microphones.
3. Match the system to your event type
Speeches, presentations and background music
Clarity matters more than bass here. A single speaker with a good microphone, like the Solo Set or Basic Set, is ideal for talks, team meetings and cocktail-hour playlists.
Parties with dancing
If people will dance, you need a subwoofer. Regular speakers can't reproduce the deep bass in dance, hip-hop and pop music at volume without straining. The Dance Set, Ultimate Set and Array Set all include 18" Mackie subwoofers, plus lights and fog to set the mood.
Weddings
A wedding is usually two events in one: speeches and a ceremony that need clear vocals, then a reception that turns into a dance party. Choose for the dance floor, and make sure a wireless microphone is included for speeches. Small weddings suit the Party Set; most weddings with a dance floor suit the Dance Set or larger.
Live bands
Bands need more inputs and more headroom than a playlist. The Ultimate Set includes a mixer matched to your band, and the Array Set includes a 16-channel Mackie Onyx mixer. Add drum microphones for the kit, or read our guide to running in-ear monitors with the Behringer XR18.
DJ events
DJs need a set with a subwoofer and a proper DJ setup to plug into. See our DJ equipment, and our comparison of the XDJ-RX3 vs a CDJ-3000 and DJM-900NXS2 setup.
Don't forget the microphones
Almost every event has a speech, toast or announcement. Our sets include a microphone, but if you have several speakers, an MC or a band, read our guide to choosing the right microphone: dynamic vs condenser, wired vs wireless and handheld vs headset.
Common mistakes when hiring a PA system
- Choosing by watts alone. Wattage figures aren't comparable between brands. Coverage, speaker quality and a subwoofer matter far more.
- Skipping the subwoofer for a dance party. Without one, the music sounds thin and the speakers strain when turned up.
- Placing speakers on the floor. Speakers should sit on stands above head height so sound travels over the crowd instead of into the front row. All our sets include stands.
- Forgetting outdoor conditions. Plan for more power outdoors, check where the nearest power outlet is, and have a plan if it rains.
Still not sure which set to choose?
Tell us your guest count, venue and the type of event and we'll recommend the right setup. We offer free delivery, setup and pack-down on the Northern Beaches and Lower North Shore for bookings of $250 or more. See delivery options for the rest of Sydney.
