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There is a point where adding more volume isn't really the answer. If music is a major part of an event and you want the system to feel powerful as well as loud, the missing ingredient is often low-frequency output.
That is where a speaker and subwoofer system comes into its own.
Audio Hire's 5600W EV Speaker and Subwoofer Package combines two 15-inch speakers with built-in amplifiers and two 18-inch subwoofers. The package also includes two speaker poles and four speaker cables, creating a complete high-output system rather than simply a pair of larger speakers.
What Does a Subwoofer Actually Add?
A subwoofer is designed to reproduce the lower frequencies of music. Those are the frequencies you feel as much as hear when a kick drum hits, bass guitar comes in or a dance track drops.
Your main speakers are still responsible for reproducing the music as a whole, but the subwoofers take on the demanding low end.
That changes the character of the system. Instead of asking the main speakers to handle everything, the system has separate cabinets doing different jobs.
The result can be a fuller, more physical sound, particularly with music where bass is an important part of the experience.
Why Two 18-Inch Subwoofers?
The two 18-inch subwoofers are a significant part of what separates this package from the smaller speaker systems in the Audio Hire range.
An 18-inch subwoofer has a substantially different job from the 15-inch full-range speakers sitting above it. Rather than trying to reproduce the entire musical range, the subwoofer is there to deliver the lowest part of the spectrum with considerably more authority.
Having two of them also allows the low-frequency section of the system to be spread across the performance area rather than relying on a single cabinet.
For a dance floor or high-energy event, that can make the system feel much more substantial.
It's Not Just About Making the Music Louder
One of the misconceptions about large PA systems is that their purpose is simply to make an event louder.
That's not really the point.
A system with dedicated subwoofers gives you greater capacity across the frequency range. The main speakers don't have to do all the heavy lifting at the bottom end, leaving the overall system better suited to music that contains a lot of bass.
That can mean a more convincing sound at the same perceived volume, rather than simply turning everything up.
For someone hiring equipment, this distinction matters. If your event consists mainly of speeches, you probably don't need a pair of 18-inch subwoofers. If you're running a dance floor for several hours, the equation is very different.
Where This System Makes Sense
The 5600W package is aimed at events where music and impact are important.
A DJ playing to a busy dance floor is an obvious example. So is a live performance where bass, kick drums and recorded backing tracks need to have some weight behind them.
Large birthday parties, engagement parties, corporate celebrations and other events centred around music can also benefit from the extra low-frequency capability.
Audio Hire's current Speaker Hire Adelaide page specifically identifies speaker-and-subwoofer systems as an option for DJs, live music and high-energy events.
DJs and Dance Floors
This is probably the clearest use case.
When people are dancing, they don't experience music in quite the same way as someone sitting and listening. Bass becomes part of the physical experience of the room.
A kick drum that sounds perfectly adequate through a pair of full-range speakers can feel very different when the system has dedicated subwoofers handling the low end.
That doesn't mean the subwoofers should dominate the mix. Ideally, the bass should feel powerful without becoming muddy or overwhelming the vocals and other instruments.
The objective is a balanced system with enough low-frequency headroom to make the music feel alive.
Live Music
A live band can place very different demands on a PA system from a wedding speech or presentation.
Kick drums, bass guitars, electronic instruments and recorded backing tracks can all contain substantial low-frequency information. Trying to reproduce that through the same cabinets handling vocals and higher frequencies can put greater demands on the main speakers.
A dedicated subwoofer section gives the system somewhere else to put that energy.
For a small acoustic performance, this may be unnecessary. For a full band playing to a larger audience, it can make a considerable difference.
Audio Hire's Sound System Hire Adelaide page covers the broader range of equipment that can be combined for live performances and other events.
What About Weddings?
Not every wedding needs a subwoofer system.
A ceremony and speeches are primarily about clear speech, so deep bass isn't particularly important.
The reception can be different.
If the evening finishes with a busy dance floor and music is a major part of the celebration, a system with dedicated subwoofers can be worthwhile. The same equipment that handles the dance music can also be used for the rest of the reception, provided the system is operated at appropriate levels.
Audio Hire's PA Hire Adelaide range includes this larger system alongside the smaller speaker packages, so couples can choose according to the way their reception will actually be used.
The Main Speakers Still Matter
It would be easy to think of the subwoofers as the star of the system, but they aren't working alone.
The two 15-inch main speakers handle the rest of the musical range and are mounted above the subwoofers using the supplied speaker poles.
That arrangement creates a straightforward main-and-sub system: the subwoofers provide the low end while the elevated main speakers project the rest of the music across the audience.
Getting the main speakers up above head height is important. It gives them a clearer path across the crowd and helps prevent people near the front from blocking the sound for those behind them.
Why the Speaker Poles Are Included
The speaker poles are what allow the main speakers to sit above the subwoofers.
This is different from using a conventional tripod stand. The main speaker is effectively mounted over the subwoofer, creating a compact vertical stack.
That can be particularly useful when space around the dance floor is limited.
It also gives the system a tidy, purpose-built appearance rather than having separate speaker tripods occupying additional floor space.
The package includes two speaker poles as part of the equipment supplied.
Do You Need a Mixer?
The speaker and subwoofer package provides the main sound output, but the equipment feeding it still depends on what you're doing.
A DJ may already have a controller or mixer providing the required outputs.
A live band may need a mixing console to combine microphones and instruments.
A wedding reception could involve music playback alongside microphones for speeches.
If you have several audio sources to manage, Audio Hire's Yamaha MG06 Audio Mixer can provide a compact mixing point for a smaller setup.
The important thing is to work out the signal chain before the event rather than assuming the speakers themselves replace every other part of the audio system.
What About Microphones?
If the event includes speeches, announcements or an MC, the speaker system can be combined with a suitable microphone.
Audio Hire offers Microphone Hire Adelaide, including wired and wireless microphone options.
For a party or wedding, this can mean using the same PA system for speeches earlier in the evening and music once the dance floor opens.
That versatility is one of the advantages of hiring a complete speaker system rather than treating the music and speech requirements as completely separate jobs.
When Is This System Too Much?
More equipment isn't automatically better.
If you're holding a small gathering where the main requirement is background music, this system is likely to be more than you need.
The same applies to a presentation where speech clarity is the priority.
A smaller pair of full-range speakers can be a much more sensible choice when you don't need the additional low-frequency output.
Audio Hire currently offers 2 X 1000 Watt Speaker Package and a 2 x 1500 Watt 15-inch Speaker Package for events where a subwoofer system isn't necessary.
The point isn't to choose the biggest PA. It's to choose a system that matches what you're actually asking it to do.
Thinking About the Venue
A large sound system doesn't eliminate the need to think about the room.
The shape of the venue, where the audience will be, where the dance floor sits and where the speakers can safely be positioned all affect the result.
A system with plenty of output can still sound poor if it is pointed in the wrong direction or positioned badly.
Think about where the audience will actually be rather than where the equipment is easiest to put.
If you're unsure about the layout, contact Audio Hire with the venue, approximate number of guests and type of event. Those details are much more useful for choosing a system than simply asking what has the most watts.
Planning for a High-Energy Event
If you're hiring a system like this for a DJ, band or major party, think about the entire event rather than just the moment the music starts.
Where will the DJ or mixer sit? Where will the speakers go? How will cables be routed? Is there enough space for the subwoofers? Will guests be walking through the equipment area?
The supplied package includes four speaker cables, but the venue layout may determine whether you need additional cable length or other accessories.
A few minutes of planning beforehand can make the actual setup considerably easier.
5600W EV Speaker and Subwoofer Hire Adelaide
The 5600W EV Speaker and Subwoofer Package is Audio Hire's high-output option for events where full-range sound and substantial bass are both important.
It includes two 15-inch amplified speakers, two 18-inch subwoofers, two speaker poles and four speaker cables.
It's particularly suited to DJs, dance floors, live music and parties where the music needs more physical impact than a conventional pair of full-range speakers can provide.
Audio Hire is based in Walkerville and provides equipment hire across Adelaide, with collection or delivery available.
Is a Subwoofer System Right for Your Event?
The easiest way to answer that is to think about what you want people to experience.
If the main priority is hearing a speech clearly, you don't need a large bass system.
If you're running a dance floor, hosting a DJ, putting on live music or throwing a party where music is central to the night, dedicated subwoofers can change the experience considerably.
If you're unsure which system fits your event, get advice from Audio Hire. Tell us what you're organising, where it's happening, roughly how many people you're expecting and what you need the sound system to do.
View the 5600W EV Speaker and Subwoofer Package and check availability online.