A powered speaker is a DJ’s invaluable accompaniment. Why? Because it gives you the freedom of playing your music within and without with no need for an amplifier. With the best-powered speaker for DJs, you just plug in your mixer into the speaker output, and you are good to play.
Whether you are a professional DJ, an occasional weekend DJ, or even a party DJ, the best-powered speaker for DJ gives you the flexibility and freedom to be heard. There is a wide variety of powered DJ speakers in the market. There are also hundreds of brands which can make it very confusing which one is the best-powered speaker.
That is where we come in handy. In this post, we will share a guide on how you can get the best powered speaker for DJ. Besides that, we are mindful of your pocket, so we will bring a list of some of the best speakers that will not leave a dent in your pocket.
If you perform DJ gigs regularly, then it is paramount that you obtain the best powered speaker. It will allow you to take sudden gigs with a moment’s notice. Most importantly, when you are prepared with the right DJ gear, you appear professional and take your job seriously. This might lead you to get more DJ gigs.
The powered speakers that we will include in this article come with enough volume, which will make the party lit, even if you have just one speaker.
However, before you buy any powered speaker for DJ, it is paramount to consider some parameters. In the next section, we share some of the features that you should look for in the best powered speaker for DJ.
What to Look for in Powered Speakers for DJ
Hereunder are some of the essential features that you should consider before buying any powered speaker:
1. Power Rating (Watts)
The power rating of a speaker is the power of the internal amplifier. Generally speaking, the higher the power, the louder the speaker will be. For you to know the correct watts that you need in a speaker, consider the number of people you will be playing for and the space area you will be performing in.
If you are going to DJ in an outdoor event, then you need a speaker with more power. However, if you are going to perform in an indoor event, then a speaker with less power is ideal.
For instance, if you regularly DJ for parties with less than 50 people, then you need a speaker with at least 200 watts. But if you perform for big parties with hundreds of people, then the speaker should have more power.
2. Speaker Size
Speakers are available in different sizes. Powered speakers are available in cones from 8 to 15 inches. It is advisable that when purchasing a powered speaker for DJ, go for one with 8 to 12 inches.
Although such a speaker might not have much bass, the volume will be efficient even at higher volumes.
3. Passive Vs. Active
A passive speaker is one that requires an amplifier for it to work. Without an amplifier, you will not be able to use a passive speaker. An active speaker, on the other hand, is the powered speaker, and you will not need an amplifier when you want to use it.
In addition to that, an active speaker comes with mounted volume controls, which makes it more convenient to use. It is advisable to go for an active speaker because it is more powered as compared to its passive counterpart.
4. Brand and Quality
There are several powered speaker brands in the market. Before you buy any brand, ensure that you do your research well to know which speaker will give you better service. Check for reviews on various brands to know what those who have bought it before you have to say.
As far as quality is concerned, we have done the hard part for you, and we now bring you some of the best powered speakers in the market.
5. Portability
Another essential thing to consider when buying a speaker is its portability. As a DJ, you are likely to be called to different places to go and DJ. For this reason, you need a speaker that you can easily carry with you from one place to another.
Therefore, ensure that the weight and size of the speaker you want to buy is something you can handle. Also, it should be able to fit in your car boot. Besides that, make sure that it has a handle which you will hold when transporting it.
6. Cost
Powered speakers for DJ come with various price tags. However, there is no powered speaker below $100. Most DJ speakers start from $200 and above. If you are a starter DJ, ensure that you get a speaker that will help you do your job professionally.
7. Size of the Woofer Cone
The size of the woofer cone will determine how much bass it will produce. For a speaker for DJ, the smallest size if the 8 inches. However, a speaker with better bass ranges from 10 to 12 inches. But you have the option of pairing your speaker with a subwoofer so that you can get a better bass response.
But if you can afford a powered speaker with 15 inches, it will give you a better bass response without incurring any extra cost for a subwoofer.
How to connect speakers to DJ console
To connect the speakers to your DJ console, there are two methods – a balanced and unbalanced line. On one hand, a balanced line allows for a long cable run between the console and various speakers. This helps to increase the noise rejection so that you can get a room without any noise interference.
When you are making the connection, ensure that your DJ console and speakers are turned off. This will help to prevent power short-circuiting in case you make one wrong connection.
Follow the following simple steps to connect:
Step 1: plug in your speakers to the amplifier and the audio interface
Step 2: Connect your DJ console to your laptop
Step 3: Connect the software to your audio interface
Step 4: Turn on all your appliances once you have connected everything
Step 5: Test your sound system and check for quality
Best Powered Speakers for DJ
1. Yamaha DBR10 10″ 700W Powered Speaker
The Yamaha DBR10 Powered Speaker is a 10-inch speaker with 700 watts. Yamaha is one of the most trusted audio product brands in the market. Since it is small in size, so it is not recommended for use in large venues.
For small to medium parties, the Yamaha DBR10 Powered Speaker is not only powerful but also cost-effective and highly portable.
The speaker comes with a top handle, which makes it easy to carry it from one place to another. In terms of construction, it has a sturdy make, which makes it stable and long-lasting.
The Yamaha DBR10 Powered Speaker has a rear input and output panel. There are two combo inputs whereby one is meant for stereo input, while the other is for XLR output.
Besides that, there are EQ adjustments that you can use to adjust the speaker to meet your playing needs.
In terms of audio quality, the Yamaha DBR10 Powered Speaker has a musical sound that is well-balanced and precise. The bass response also is tight and clean, although it is not the best. However, to enhance the bass quality, you might require a subwoofer.
What’s more, the Yamaha DBR10 Powered Speaker is available at a cost-effective price. You can use this speaker for both professional DJs, and it is very dependable.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Audio quality is excellent
- Durable
- Comes with input and output panels
- Portable
- Ideal for medium and small parties
- Dependable
Cons
- The bass response is wanting
2. Bose F1 Model 812 Line Array Speaker System
One of the most popular power speakers for DJ is the Bose F1 Model 812 Line Array Speaker System. The speaker cones of this speaker are arranged upward, which helps to produce better mid and high frequencies.
At the rare of these speaker cones array is a 12-inch woofer, which helps to complement the audio quality.
That is not all; the Bose F1 Model 812 Line Array Speaker System comes with a multiple array structure that you can arrange as you wish to cover all your audience.
There is an inbuilt EQ adjustments which allow you to adjust the settings to suit your music needs. This makes the speaker more flexible for you to use. The control system can be used to control the volume, power, and LED lights.
The power output rating of the Bose F1 Model 812 Line, Array Speaker System, is 1000 watts. And the size of the speaker is 14 inches.
The speaker is portable so you can carry it from one place to another. There is a handle on the upper side which you can use to carry the speaker.
On the rare part, there is the input and output panels. For the input, you can use the XLR combo and a stereo RCA. While for the output, you can use the XLR.
What’s more, you can mount the Bose F1 Model 812 Line Array Speaker System on a pole or on a fly to amplify the sound.
In terms of audio quality, the Bose F1 Model 812 Line Array Speaker System offers an excellent sound quality.
Pros
- Portable
- Can be mounted on a pole
- Exceptional sound quality
- Can be used for outdoor events
- Versatile in its use
- Multiple array structure
- Control panel available
Cons
- The multiple speaker structure can easily disintegrate and cause problems
- It is costly
3. JBL EON612
Another renowned speaker manufacturer that has a carved a name for its quality products is the JBL. The JBL EON612 is a 12-inch speaker with 700 watts.
The speaker is built with an input panel with double microphones. There are also control knobs that you can use t adjust the volume of the speaker. There is also an output panel for the XLR loop, which allows you to route the signal of the speaker.
Besides that, the JBL EON612 comes with inbuilt Bluetooth, which you can use to control the speaker remotely. It also comes with an android app that offers you wireless control of the speaker.
One the rare part of the speaker, there is a button that you can use to switch between the different modes when you are using a subwoofer. The modes available include speech, main, sub, and monitor.
There is also another button that you can use to engage the inbuilt EQ to control the LED lights.
What’s more, the JBL EON612 is lightweight and portable. You can transport it from one party venue to another without much trouble.
The materials used to make the JBL EON612 speaker is of high quality. Therefore, it can withstand harsh handling during transportation.
The price of the JBL EON612 speaker is affordable. And the service it offers is worth every penny you spend on it.
In terms of audio quality, the JBL EON612 has excellent sound quality. The bass response is also high.
Pros
- Ideal for medium and small bashes
- Can be controlled remotely via Bluetooth or android app
- Lightweight and portable
- Dual input panel
- Affordable
- Excellent sound quality
- Four different modes available
Cons
- None to note
4. Alphasonik 2800W PRO DJ Amplified Loud Speaker
Are you looking for a powerful speaker for live DJ use? The Alphasonik 2800W PRO DJ Amplified Loud Speaker is designed just for that.
The speaker is 15 inches in size, and its power rating is 2800 watts. This means that this speaker is ideal for outdoor use and with hundreds of people.
The Alphasonik 2800W PRO DJ Amplified Loud Speaker comes with a tweeter speaker that you can use to equalize the high frequencies and the woofer. Besides that, this speaker uses magnetic drivers, which ensures that the sound quality is superb.
Also, there are double layered copper coils on the speaker, which enhances the audio quality.
The housing of the Alphasonik 2800W PRO DJ Amplified Loud Speaker is of high-quality. This ensures that the speaker will last for a long time. In addition to that, there is a heat sink that helps to prevent the speaker from overheating during prolonged usage.
There is an inbuilt Bluetooth which you can use to control the speaker remotely. If you need an auxiliary input of your music, there is an SD or USB port.
Moreover, the Alphasonik 2800W PRO DJ Amplified Loud Speaker has an LCD screen that you can use to control the speaker.
Another item about this speaker is the inbuilt FM radio and an MP3 player. In terms of sound quality, the audio is well balanced, and the bass response is superb.
Pros
- Durable
- Ideal for outdoor use
- MP3 and FM radio present
- LCD screen for control
- Bluetooth connectivity
- USB and SD auxiliary input
Cons
- None to note
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5. Mackie Thump 12
The Mackie Thump 12 powered speaker is an affordable speaker for DJ. It has a power rate of 500 watts and is size 12 inches.
The sound quality of Mackie Thump 12 is flawless with heavy bass, which will make your dance floor fire up.
This speaker is designed to be used in small and medium-sized events. On the rare side of the Mackie Thump 12 is a three-band EQ and a single combo XRL output.
In addition to that, the Mackie Thump 12 speaker is lightweight and portable. Therefore, you can carry it from one party to another without any problem.
The speaker is made of high-quality impact-resistant material, which means it can last for a long time. However, the speaker has a bulky design.
When you buy the Mackie Thump 12 speaker, you will get a free AC power cable. Most importantly, there is an inbuilt feedback destroyer, which ensures that you enjoy a clear sound.
Pros
- Ideal for small and medium-sized parties
- Excellent sound quality
- Inbuilt echo destroyer
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with an AC power cable
Cons
- Bulky
Conclusion
We have brought the top 5 best-powered speakers for DJ. The best speaker for DJ should be portable, user-friendly, flexible, and power, which makes it ideal for DJ practicing. We would like to recommend the Bose F1 Model 812 Line Array Speaker System if you are into small events and the Alphasonik 2800W PRO DJ Amplified Loud Speaker for big events. Happy DJ-ing!