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Corporate events can place very different demands on a sound system.
A small presentation may only need a microphone and a pair of compact speakers. A conference might involve several presenters, playback from a laptop and microphones for questions from the audience. A corporate function may finish with background music, entertainment or dancing.
The right PA needs to make speech clear without making the event unnecessarily complicated.
Audio Hire uses Electro-Voice powered speakers for corporate events across Adelaide, with options ranging from compact 12-inch speakers through to larger systems for events where music and higher output are required.
What does a corporate event PA need to do?
For most corporate events, speech intelligibility is the starting point.
People need to hear presenters, MCs and speakers clearly from wherever they’re sitting.
The system may also need to reproduce presentation audio, videos, background music or entertainment.
That means the PA needs to be versatile without necessarily being large.
A pair of appropriately positioned full-range powered speakers can handle a surprising range of corporate applications.
Electro-Voice ZLX-12 G2 for presentations
The Electro-Voice ZLX-12 G2 is a compact 12-inch powered speaker that can be particularly useful for presentations and smaller corporate events.
Because the amplifier is built into the speaker, there is no separate power amplifier to configure.
The speaker also incorporates onboard processing and mixing functionality, making it possible to keep a simple presentation system relatively straightforward.
For an event involving a presenter, microphone and laptop playback, a pair of ZLX-12 G2 speakers can provide a practical solution.
Our Electro-Voice ZLX-12 G2 guide looks at the speaker in more detail.
When is a larger speaker more appropriate?
A 12-inch speaker isn’t automatically the right choice simply because the event is a presentation.
If the venue is large, the audience is spread over a substantial area or the system will also be used for music, additional output may be useful.
A pair of 15-inch Electro-Voice EKX-15P speakers provides more headroom and low-frequency capability.
Audio Hire’s 2 × 1500 Watt 15” Speaker Package includes two EKX-15P powered speakers, speaker stands and speaker cables.
For a larger corporate function where music becomes an important part of the evening, this can provide a useful step up from a compact presentation system.
Speech is about clarity, not just volume
A common mistake with presentation audio is assuming that louder automatically means better.
It doesn’t.
If the sound is excessively loud, reflective rooms can become tiring and speech can actually become harder to understand.
The objective is to provide enough level for everyone to hear comfortably while keeping the system controlled.
Speaker placement is therefore just as important as speaker size.
Speaker placement for corporate presentations
For a typical presentation, the main speakers should be positioned towards the front of the audience.
They should generally be elevated above head height and aimed towards the listening area.
This helps distribute sound more evenly across the room.
If microphones are being used, keep the main speakers in front of the microphones.
Putting the speakers behind the presenters can increase the risk of feedback.
Our guide to setting up Electro-Voice speakers covers the basic principles.
How many speakers does a presentation need?
For many small and medium-sized rooms, two speakers provide a useful left-and-right configuration.
They can be positioned either side of the presentation area and aimed across the audience.
The exact number required depends on the room.
A long, narrow venue may require a different approach from a compact conference room.
The number of people isn’t the only consideration.
The physical area that needs to be covered is often more important.
Our guide to choosing the number of Electro-Voice speakers explains the issue.
Do corporate events need subwoofers?
Usually not for speech-focused events.
A subwoofer is designed to reproduce the lowest frequencies, which are generally not important for ordinary speech.
Adding one to a presentation simply because you can would add equipment without necessarily improving the result.
The situation changes when the event includes substantial music.
A DJ, live band or dance floor can make dedicated low-frequency reinforcement much more useful.
Audio Hire’s guide to when you need subwoofers with Electro-Voice speakers explains when they become worthwhile.
Corporate events with a DJ
Many corporate functions change character during the evening.
The event may begin with presentations and speeches before moving into drinks, dinner and entertainment.
Later, a DJ may take over.
This creates a different requirement from a straightforward conference PA.
The system needs to work well for speech but also have enough capability for music.
For smaller functions, a pair of full-range speakers may be sufficient.
For larger events with a busy dance floor, a system incorporating dedicated subwoofers may be more appropriate.
Microphones for corporate events
The microphone requirements depend on how the event is structured.
A single presenter standing at a lectern can use a wired microphone.
A presenter moving around the stage may benefit from a wireless handheld or headset system.
An MC may also need to move freely around the room.
For audience questions, having an additional microphone available can prevent presenters from having to repeat questions before answering them.
Audio Hire offers Microphone Hire Adelaide, including wired and wireless options.
Wired versus wireless microphones
Wireless microphones provide freedom of movement, but they’re not automatically the better choice.
If a presenter remains at a lectern, a wired microphone can be simple and reliable.
If the presenter needs to move around the stage or interact with the audience, wireless can be much more practical.
The choice should be based on what the presenter actually needs to do.
For a straightforward corporate presentation, there is often no reason to add wireless equipment unnecessarily.
Presentation audio from a laptop
Corporate presentations often include videos, music or other audio played from a laptop.
That audio needs to reach the PA as well as the microphone.
The exact connection depends on the laptop and presentation setup.
It’s worth checking the required outputs before the event rather than discovering on the day that the computer doesn’t have the expected connection.
If several audio sources are being used, a mixer can provide a convenient central point for controlling them.
Conferences and multiple presenters
A conference can require considerably more input flexibility than a simple presentation.
There may be several microphones, a panel discussion, laptop playback and audience questions.
This is where an external mixer becomes increasingly useful.
Each source can be connected to an individual channel and controlled separately.
The main speakers then reproduce the combined signal for the audience.
The speakers are still an important part of the system, but the mixer and microphone arrangement become equally important.
Panel discussions
Panel discussions create a particularly interesting audio challenge.
Several people may need microphones simultaneously, and they may speak at different volumes.
Each microphone needs to be managed so that the panel remains intelligible without creating unnecessary feedback or noise.
A mixer allows the operator to adjust individual microphone levels.
For a larger panel, several microphone channels may be required.
Planning the input list in advance is much easier than trying to work it out during setup.
Corporate awards nights
Awards nights often combine several different audio requirements.
There may be an MC, speeches, presentation playback, background music and entertainment.
The system needs to transition between these uses smoothly.
A pair of full-range Electro-Voice speakers can provide the main PA for a smaller awards event.
If the evening finishes with a DJ and dancing, the system requirements may increase.
The PA should therefore be selected around the entire event rather than only the awards presentation.
Corporate Christmas functions
Corporate Christmas functions can start as dinner events and finish as parties.
This is another situation where the PA may have to do several jobs.
During dinner, the priority may be speeches and background music.
Later, music becomes the focus.
If a DJ or live band is involved, consider the system they require before deciding what equipment to hire.
A system that’s excellent for speeches may not provide the bass and headroom required for a busy dance floor.
Corporate events in hotels
Hotel function rooms often have unusual acoustics.
Large hard surfaces can produce reflections that make speech less intelligible.
The solution isn’t necessarily a larger PA.
In many cases, careful speaker positioning and sensible system levels can make a bigger difference.
Avoid aiming speakers directly at highly reflective surfaces where possible.
Keep the coverage focused on the audience.
Corporate events in large venues
As the audience area gets larger, the challenge becomes providing even coverage.
Simply turning up the volume isn’t always the answer.
People near the speakers may end up with excessive volume while those at the back still struggle to hear.
The system needs to be designed around the physical area being covered.
For particularly large venues, additional speaker coverage or a larger professional sound system may be required.
Outdoor corporate events
Outdoor presentations require careful consideration because there are fewer walls and surfaces to contain the sound.
The speakers need to project across the audience area.
Wind and ambient noise can also affect speech intelligibility.
For a small outdoor presentation, a pair of powered full-range speakers may be sufficient.
For a large outdoor function, the required system can be substantially more involved.
Don’t choose corporate speakers by wattage alone
A large wattage figure doesn’t automatically mean a speaker is suitable for a corporate event.
Speaker sensitivity, maximum SPL, coverage, processing and driver design all contribute to performance.
For speech, coverage and intelligibility are particularly important.
Our speaker wattage guide explains why wattage shouldn’t be the only specification considered.
ZLX-12 G2 or EKX-15P for a corporate event?
The choice comes down to the event.
The ZLX-12 G2 is compact and versatile, making it particularly attractive for presentations, conferences and smaller functions.
The EKX-15P is a larger 15-inch speaker with additional low-frequency capability and headroom.
If the event includes substantial music, the EKX-15P may be a more appropriate choice.
If the event is primarily speech-focused and portability is important, the ZLX-12 G2 may be the better fit.
There is no advantage in choosing a larger speaker simply because it is larger.
What information should you provide when booking?
When arranging a corporate PA, provide the details that actually affect the system.
Tell us:
- The venue
- The approximate audience size
- Whether the event is indoors or outdoors
- The approximate area that needs to be covered
- How many presenters or speakers there will be
- Whether microphones are required
- Whether laptops or other playback sources will be connected
- Whether there will be a DJ, band or other entertainment
If the event changes from a presentation into a party later in the evening, mention that as well.
This information makes it much easier to recommend an appropriate system.
Corporate event sound doesn’t need to be complicated
A good corporate PA should largely disappear into the event.
People should hear the presenter clearly without thinking about the sound system.
The equipment should be reliable, straightforward to operate and appropriate for the size of the room.
For many smaller events, this can mean little more than two powered speakers, a microphone and the appropriate cables.
Larger events may require a mixer, several microphones, subwoofers and additional equipment.
The goal is to provide exactly what the event requires.
Electro-Voice speakers for corporate events in Adelaide
Electro-Voice powered speakers provide a flexible solution for corporate presentations, conferences, speeches and functions.
The ZLX-12 G2 is a compact option for many speech-focused applications, while the larger EKX-15P provides additional output and low-frequency capability when music and larger audiences become more important.
For events with DJs, live entertainment or substantial dancing, a larger system incorporating dedicated subwoofers may be appropriate.
If you’re organising a corporate event in Adelaide, contact Audio Hire with the venue and event details and we’ll help you work out an appropriate PA.
You can also browse Speaker Hire Adelaide to see the current speaker options and book online.