What PA System Do You Need for an Event?

Choosing a PA system for an event doesn’t have to be complicated. The right setup depends on what the audience needs to hear, how many people are attending, the venue and what is happening during the event.

A presentation for 100 people, a wedding with speeches and music, and a party with a DJ may all need very different PA systems. The important thing is to choose the system around the event rather than starting with a particular piece of equipment.

The good news is that you don’t need to know the technical specifications before you start. If you can describe the event, the audience and what you need the sound system to do, it is usually possible to work out an appropriate setup from there.

What is a PA system?

PA stands for public address. A PA system takes audio from sources such as microphones, laptops, instruments or music players and sends it through speakers so an audience can hear it clearly.

A straightforward PA might consist of a pair of speakers, speaker stands, microphones and the necessary cables. An event with multiple microphones, presentation audio, music or live performers may also require a mixer and additional equipment.

If you’re starting from scratch, our Event Sound System Checklist⁠ covers the main things to consider before booking.

What size PA system do you need?

There isn’t one PA system that is automatically right for a particular number of people. Audience size is important, but it is only one part of the equation.

A room with 100 people listening to a presentation has very different requirements from an outdoor party with 100 people dancing. The venue, audience layout, required volume and type of audio all influence the system you need.

Think about how large the venue is, how far the sound needs to travel, whether people will be seated or standing, whether the event is indoors or outdoors and whether music is an important part of the programme.

For a more detailed explanation of the factors involved, see our Speaker Hire Adelaide⁠ options and the different Sound System Hire Adelaide⁠ configurations available.

PA system for speeches and presentations

For speeches and presentations, speech intelligibility should be the priority. The audience needs to understand every word clearly without the system being unnecessarily loud.

A typical presentation might only require a pair of full-range speakers, speaker stands and one or more microphones. If the presenter needs to move around, a wireless microphone can be more convenient than remaining at a fixed position.

For a smaller presentation or meeting, the 2 X 1000 Watt Speaker Package⁠ provides a straightforward pair of powered speakers. For events requiring more output, the 2 x 1500 Watt 15” Speaker Package⁠ provides a larger speaker option.

The exact choice should be based on the venue and the event rather than simply selecting the largest system available.

PA system for a corporate event

Corporate events can have relatively complicated audio requirements even when they don’t require particularly high volume.

A conference, seminar or presentation may involve several presenters, an MC, panel discussions, audience questions, video presentations and background music. In these situations, managing multiple audio sources and microphones can be just as important as the speakers themselves.

A mixer can be useful when several sources need to be connected and controlled. The Yamaha MG06 Audio Mixer⁠ is one of the mixers available from Audio Hire for smaller, straightforward setups.

If you’re organising a corporate event, start by considering the running order. Knowing how many people will speak, whether presentations will include audio and whether there will be audience Q&A will make it much easier to determine what equipment is required.

PA system for a wedding

Wedding audio often needs to cover several different parts of the day. The ceremony, speeches, background music and reception may all have different requirements.

A ceremony might require microphones and a relatively straightforward speaker system, while the reception may require a larger system for music and dancing. If the ceremony and reception take place in different locations, they may also need to be considered separately.

Microphone requirements are particularly important for weddings because poor speech audio can be difficult for guests to tolerate. Audio Hire offers a range of options through Microphone Hire Adelaide⁠.

You can also use the Hire by Event Type⁠ guide to explore equipment relevant to weddings and other event types.

PA system for a party

A party generally has different requirements from a speech-focused event because music may be the main reason for hiring the system.

The important considerations are the size of the venue, the number of guests, the desired volume, whether there is a dance floor and whether the event has a DJ or other entertainment.

For a smaller event, a pair of full-range speakers may provide everything required. For a music-focused event where stronger bass and higher output are important, adding subwoofers can make a significant difference.

The 5600w EV Speaker and Subwoofer Package⁠ is one example of a larger configuration that combines full-range speakers with dedicated low-frequency reinforcement.

PA system for a DJ

If a DJ is performing, establish exactly what the DJ is providing before hiring equipment.

Some DJs provide their own complete sound system, while others expect the organiser or venue to provide speakers. Find out whether the DJ is supplying speakers, subwoofers, a mixer or controller, and what connections they require.

This avoids paying for equipment that is already being supplied while also avoiding the opposite problem of arriving at the venue without an essential part of the system.

If an external PA is required, the Speaker Hire Adelaide⁠ range provides several options depending on the size and requirements of the event.

PA system for live music

Live music can require considerably more equipment than speeches or background music. The requirements depend heavily on the number of performers and the instruments being used.

A solo acoustic performer may need a relatively simple setup, while a full band can require multiple microphones, instrument inputs, monitors, a mixer and a larger main PA system.

If you’re organising live music, ask the performer or band for their technical requirements before booking the equipment. A technical rider or input list can provide useful information about the number of channels, microphones and other equipment required.

For larger music-focused events, the 5600w EV Speaker and Subwoofer Package⁠ provides both full-range speakers and dedicated low-frequency output.

Do you need subwoofers?

Not every event needs subwoofers. A full-range speaker system can handle many speech, presentation and general-purpose applications without additional low-frequency speakers.

Subwoofers become more useful when music is a major part of the event and stronger bass is required. DJs, dancing, live music and larger parties are typical examples.

The objective is not to add as much equipment as possible. It is to build a system that provides the appropriate coverage and output for the event.

How many speakers do you need?

The number of speakers depends on the required coverage, venue and event. There is no useful rule that says a particular number of guests always requires a particular number of speakers.

Audio Hire hires speakers in pairs or larger configurations rather than as single-speaker hires.

For some events, a pair of speakers will provide the appropriate coverage. Larger venues, outdoor areas and events with higher sound requirements may need additional speaker systems.

Speaker placement also matters. Two appropriately positioned speakers can provide better coverage than simply adding more speakers without considering where they are positioned.

A dedicated guide to how many speakers you need for an event⁠ can go into the sizing question in more detail.

What microphones do you need?

Microphone requirements depend on who needs to speak and how they will use the microphone.

For straightforward speeches and presentations, the Shure PGA48 Microphone⁠ is an available wired option. The Shure SM58 Microphone⁠ is another professional wired option.

Where presenters need freedom to move around, the Shure BLX24/SM58 Wireless Handheld Microphone System⁠ provides a wireless handheld option.

If several people need to speak, consider how many microphones will be required and how those microphones will be connected and controlled.

Do you need a mixer?

A mixer becomes useful when an event has multiple audio sources that need to be connected and controlled.

A corporate event, for example, might have several microphones, a laptop providing presentation audio and background music. A DJ or live band may require substantially more inputs.

For a smaller setup involving several straightforward audio sources, the Yamaha MG06 Audio Mixer⁠ is one option available from Audio Hire.

The important thing is to match the mixer to the number and type of sources rather than automatically choosing the largest mixer available.

Don’t forget stands and cables

The speakers and microphones are only part of the setup. The equipment also needs to be positioned and connected correctly.

Speaker Tripods⁠ can be used to raise speakers above the audience, while a Microphone Stand⁠ can be useful for presentations, speeches and other fixed microphone positions.

Standard speaker cables and IEC power cables are included with speaker hire from Audio Hire. Longer cables are available separately where required, including 50m XLR Cable Hire⁠ for longer audio runs.

Indoor or outdoor event?

The venue makes a significant difference to the system required.

Inside a room, walls and ceilings affect how sound behaves. Outdoor events have no room boundaries to contain the sound, and the audience may be spread over a much larger area.

When planning an outdoor event, consider the distance between the speakers and audience, speaker positioning, available power, cable runs and access for delivery and setup. Weather exposure also needs to be considered when planning the equipment and event site.

The more accurately you can describe the space, the easier it is to determine the appropriate PA system.

Do you need a sound technician?

Some events are straightforward enough for the organiser or venue team to operate.

Other events benefit from having someone dedicated to managing the audio. This can be particularly useful when there are multiple microphones, presentations, panels, live music, DJs, complicated running orders or larger sound systems.

If nobody involved with the event is comfortable operating the equipment, Event Technician Hire Adelaide⁠ is worth considering.

What information should you provide when booking?

You don’t need to specify the exact speakers or mixer yourself.

Instead, provide the audio hire company with the event date, venue, approximate audience size and whether the event is indoors or outdoors. Explain what will happen during the event, including speeches, presentations, music, DJs, live performances and audience participation.

It is also useful to mention how many people will need microphones, whether the venue has existing equipment, whether delivery is required and whether you need setup or a technician.

This information gives the audio company enough context to recommend an appropriate system rather than simply selecting equipment based on guest numbers.

Choosing the right PA system

The right PA isn’t necessarily the biggest system available.

It is the system that provides the coverage, clarity and output your particular event requires without adding equipment you don’t need.

Think about the event in this order: what is happening, how many people need to hear it, where they are located, what audio sources are involved and whether anyone needs to operate the system during the event.

Once those questions are answered, choosing the equipment becomes much easier.

Need help choosing a PA system?

If you’re organising an event in Adelaide and aren’t sure what PA system you need, you don’t need to work out the technical specification yourself.

Tell Audio Hire the event date, venue, approximate number of people and what you need the sound system to do, and we can help you work out an appropriate setup.

Explore PA Hire Adelaide⁠, browse Speaker Hire Adelaide⁠, or explore the wider range of Sound System Hire Adelaide⁠.

You can get advice from Audio Hire⁠ or browse the equipment and book online⁠.

For more event-specific options, see Audio Equipment Hire by Event Type⁠.