Selecting a DJ Sound System

Let's start demystifying. There is no "one size fits all" approach to selecting a sound system for your DJ business. One thing you may be sure of is that your small speakers or monitors are not getting the job done. It's time to upgrade.

BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious): The system should be versatile, reliable, easily transported and set up and should, most importantly, sound awesome! After all, this is you out there. Your business, your brand, your reputation.

Powered Speakers versus Stand-Alone Amps and Speakers

The old school approach is to have amps and speakers separated. Not a bad approach at all. In fact, this configuration is quite common in the field. Over recent years, the trend is to use powered (active) speakers. The amplifiers are built in. If for no other reason than convenience of set-up and transport, powered speakers should be considered. In many scenarios, DJs "daisy chain" powered speakers to passive speakers, or other powered units to achieve greater coverage.

One of the main advantages of deploying active speakers is that the speaker/amp equation is perfectly matched. That's how they are designed. You can forget the challenges of crossovers, bi-amping, yadayadayada...... There may be a disadvantage, dependent upon your approach. If you are the person who likes to have control over everything, you don't have the flexibility you once had in dialing everything in. Remember, underpowered speakers blow more frequently than overpowered speakers!

Subwoofers

Need one or more? Love to crank the bass? Playing to a crowd of 200 or more? If you answered "yes" to the last two questions, you will probably want a sub (or more).

Adding a subwoofer to your kit can really make the difference if you think that your PA setup is too small. You may want to choose this first before purchasing all new gear.

Speaker Size

Loud is good (sometimes). Larger is better (depends). Generally speaking, a 10" driver will work just fine for smaller groups (100 people or less). You may want to consider 12", 15", or even 18" drivers for larger groups. Remember, its easier to turn down the jam than to try to crank it to 11.

Subwoofers should be as powerful as your speakers. It should be noted that the bass can be easily absorbed by a large mass of bodies.

Connectors

Balanced or unbalanced...... Unbalanced are RCA type connectors. These work well for short distances. If you exceed 15 or 20 feet, consider balanced connections. Balanced connectors are less likely to have interference issues.

Balanced connectors come in three flavors: Speakon, XLR, and TRS. Depends upon the outputs on the back of your DJ controller as well as the inputs on your amps and speakers.

If your controller does not have balanced outputs, you can us RCA (if your PA has RCA-In). 

Remember that you can daisy-chain or "loop thru" most speakers.

Stands

No need for stands for your sub, but you should plan for the flexibility to get your speakers off of the ground. Stands will support a more full sound, and will also protect your equipment from the mob. Stands allow you to position and point your sound to optimize the given space. 

Don't buy the cheap stuff. It may be easy to transport, but they might also be too flimsy for your needs. After all, you don't want one to fall on the bride! 

Portability

Get in and then get out. There may be times that you have unlimited time to set up. Not normally the case. Consider weight, cases and covers with wheels, the number of "pieces" and the size of your vehicle. You may not need to rent a U-Haul every time you have a gig.

Bottom Line

You get what you pay for. So does your audience. Think value and function over dirt cheap. Buying used gear is also a great option. It's pretty easy to tell if the equipment has been taken care of. Good luck with your search! See you at the next barn dance!