Electro-Voice Speakers for DJs in Adelaide

A DJ needs more from a sound system than someone playing background music.

The PA needs to reproduce the full range of the music, maintain clarity as the volume increases and deliver enough low-frequency energy to make the dance floor feel like the centre of the event.

That doesn’t necessarily mean hiring the biggest system available.

Audio Hire’s main speaker range is Electro-Voice, with systems ranging from a pair of full-range powered speakers through to a larger EV speaker and subwoofer system. The right choice depends on the venue, audience, music and the experience you’re trying to create.

How many speakers does a DJ need?

For many DJ events, two full-range speakers are the starting point.

One speaker is positioned on each side of the performance area, giving the DJ a left and right channel and providing a wider spread of sound across the audience.

Audio Hire’s 2 × 1500 Watt 15” Speaker Package uses two Electro-Voice EKX-15P powered speakers, supplied with speaker stands and cables.

For weddings, private parties and smaller DJ events, this can be a very capable setup.

The important thing is to consider how the speakers will be used rather than choosing equipment based solely on the number of people attending.

When are two full-range speakers enough?

A pair of full-range EV speakers can work very well when the music is important but the event doesn’t require a large amount of bass reinforcement.

This might include a smaller wedding reception, birthday party, corporate function or private event where people will dance but the dance floor isn’t the sole focus of the evening.

The venue also matters.

Two speakers in a compact room can produce a very different result from the same two speakers being asked to cover a large outdoor area.

If the speakers can be positioned appropriately and the required volume is within their capabilities, a pair can provide plenty of output without introducing unnecessary equipment.

When does a DJ need subwoofers?

Subwoofers become more useful when low-frequency performance is a significant part of the event.

Dance music contains a lot of energy in the lower frequencies, particularly around kick drums and bass lines.

A dedicated subwoofer is designed specifically to reproduce that part of the spectrum.

Rather than asking the full-range speakers to handle the entire frequency range at high levels, the system can divide the job between the main speakers and subwoofers.

That can produce a fuller and more physical result, particularly on a busy dance floor.

More bass isn’t simply more volume

A subwoofer isn’t there just to make the PA louder.

Its main purpose is to reproduce the low end effectively.

This matters because bass is something people both hear and physically experience.

A dance track can sound perfectly acceptable through a pair of full-range speakers, but a properly configured system with dedicated subwoofers can give the music considerably more weight.

That doesn’t mean the bass should dominate.

The best result is usually a balanced system where the low frequencies complement the vocals, melodies and other parts of the music.

Audio Hire’s larger EV system

For events that need substantially more low-frequency output, Audio Hire offers a 5600W EV Speaker and Subwoofer Package.

The system combines two 15-inch full-range powered speakers with two 18-inch subwoofers.

The main speakers are mounted above the subwoofers using speaker poles, creating a compact main-and-sub arrangement.

The package also includes the speaker poles and the required speaker cables.

This is a considerably different system from a simple pair of full-range speakers and is intended for events where music and low-frequency impact are central to the experience.

DJs and wedding receptions

Weddings are one of the situations where the appropriate DJ PA can change during the event.

The system may initially be used for background music and speeches.

Later, the same PA can become the main sound system for the dance floor.

That means the best system isn’t necessarily determined by what happens during dinner.

If the evening is going to finish with several hours of dancing, it makes sense to consider what the PA needs to do during that part of the reception.

For a smaller reception, a pair of EV full-range speakers may be sufficient.

For a larger wedding with a busy dance floor, an EV system with dedicated subwoofers may be more appropriate.

Audio Hire’s wedding audio guide covers the broader audio requirements of wedding ceremonies and receptions.

DJs at private parties

Private parties vary enormously.

A birthday party in a small function room doesn’t necessarily need the same PA as a large 21st or 40th birthday with a dedicated dance floor.

Think about how much of the event will actually involve dancing.

If most guests will be sitting, talking and eating, a pair of full-range speakers may be entirely appropriate.

If the event is effectively a dance party, the requirements change.

The size of the dance floor, the venue and the expected volume all become important.

DJs at corporate events

Corporate events can also involve DJs, but the PA requirements may be different from a conventional club-style setup.

A corporate function might include speeches, presentations and background music before transitioning into a DJ set later in the evening.

That means the system needs to work well for both speech and music.

Microphones become particularly important in this situation.

A Shure SM58 microphone can be used for an MC or speeches, while wireless options are available where freedom of movement is required.

Audio Hire’s Microphone Hire Adelaide range includes both wired and wireless microphones.

The DJ’s equipment and the PA are separate things

A DJ may bring a controller, laptop and headphones but not necessarily the sound system.

This distinction is worth establishing before the event.

A DJ controller provides the audio signal. The PA turns that signal into sound for the audience.

The two systems need to connect correctly.

Audio Hire also hires DJ equipment, including the Rane One Mk 2 Pro DJ Controller, which can be hired alongside the larger EV speaker and subwoofer system.

If you’re a visiting DJ bringing your own controller, Audio Hire can provide the local PA for suitable bookings.

Don’t choose the PA by wattage alone

DJ equipment is often marketed using large wattage numbers.

Those figures can be useful, but they don’t tell you everything about the performance of a PA.

A speaker’s maximum SPL, driver design, frequency response, coverage and amplifier design all matter.

The same applies when deciding whether a pair of speakers is sufficient or whether subwoofers are required.

Our guide to speaker wattage explains why the biggest wattage figure isn’t necessarily the best way to compare PA systems.

Speaker placement matters

Even a powerful DJ system can sound disappointing if the speakers are positioned poorly.

The main speakers should generally be placed towards the front of the audience area and raised above head height.

This gives the sound a clearer path across the audience.

If you’re using subwoofers, the main speakers can be mounted above them using suitable poles, creating a compact vertical system.

Avoid putting the main speakers behind the DJ’s microphone.

If an MC microphone is being used, keeping the microphone behind the main speakers helps reduce the risk of feedback.

Our guide to setting up Electro-Voice speakers explains the setup process in more detail.

Should the DJ speakers be on stands?

For a typical pair of full-range speakers, stands can be very useful.

Raising the speakers helps distribute sound over the heads of people close to the front and towards those further back.

Audio Hire’s 15-inch EV package includes speaker stands.

When using the larger speaker and subwoofer system, the main speakers are instead mounted above the subwoofers using speaker poles.

The best arrangement depends on the equipment being used and the venue.

How loud should a DJ PA be?

The answer depends on the event.

A wedding reception doesn’t need to sound like a nightclub from the moment guests arrive.

The PA can be operated at a comfortable level during dinner and brought up later when the dance floor becomes active.

The aim is to have enough capacity that the system can produce the required level cleanly without being pushed unnecessarily hard.

This is another reason headroom matters.

A system operating comfortably within its capabilities will generally be preferable to one being driven at its limit for hours.

Do more speakers make a DJ system better?

Not automatically.

Adding speakers can increase coverage, but it can also create problems if the additional speakers aren’t positioned or configured correctly.

If the issue is lack of bass, adding more full-range speakers may not be the best solution.

A dedicated subwoofer system may address the actual problem more effectively.

If the issue is that the audience extends beyond the useful coverage of the main speakers, then additional coverage may be worth considering.

It’s important to identify the problem before adding equipment.

How many subwoofers does a DJ need?

If you’re going to use subwoofers for a DJ event, a pair can provide a more balanced low-frequency system than relying on a single subwoofer.

Audio Hire’s larger EV package uses two 18-inch subwoofers alongside two 15-inch full-range speakers.

This configuration is intended for events where substantial bass and overall output are important.

Our guide to how many subwoofers you need explains the considerations in more detail.

What size EV speakers should a DJ use?

There isn’t one answer for every DJ.

A 12-inch full-range speaker can be a very practical choice for smaller and more portable applications.

A 15-inch speaker provides additional low-frequency capability and can be useful for larger events or situations where music is a greater part of the program.

The 12-inch versus 15-inch speaker guide looks at the practical differences between the two sizes.

For larger dance-focused events, the question may move beyond main speaker size altogether and towards a system incorporating dedicated subwoofers.

What should a DJ tell the hire company?

If you’re hiring a PA for a DJ event, give us the information that actually affects the system.

Tell us where the event is being held, approximately how many people will attend, whether it is indoors or outdoors, the approximate size of the dance floor and how the equipment will be used.

It is also useful to know whether you’re bringing your own controller and mixer or need additional equipment.

This makes it much easier to recommend an appropriate system.

Electro-Voice speakers for DJs in Adelaide

Electro-Voice provides a practical range of powered PA equipment for DJs, from full-range speakers suitable for smaller events through to larger systems with dedicated subwoofers.

For many events, a pair of full-range speakers is an excellent starting point.

For larger dance floors and music-focused events, the addition of dedicated subwoofers can provide the low-frequency output and headroom needed to make the system feel considerably more substantial.

The goal isn’t to hire the biggest PA available.

It’s to give the DJ a system that can reproduce the music clearly, comfortably and at the level the event requires.

If you’re planning a DJ event in Adelaide, tell Audio Hire what you’re organising and we can help you choose a suitable system.

You can also browse Speaker Hire Adelaide and check the available equipment and dates online.