1) What size audience will you be catering for?
This will determine how much power your PA System requires. As a general rule, you should aim for 1/2 a watt per person in the audience for spoken sound and double this for music. For large numbers of people you might need to add extension speakers known as slaves. Our advice would be to overestimate rather than underestimate your power needs to avoid ending up with a system operating at its capacity, struggling and sounding terrible.
2) What are the spaces like?
The physicality of the space can have an impact on your power requirements. Large stages, high ceilings, noisy environments, or using the PA System outdoors will all increase the power requirements or call for additional speakers.
3) What will you be plugging into it?
When you’ve got your colleagues together to discuss the new PA System, get them to brainstorm what inputs they will be using and how many at one time. This includes CD/USB players, digital video players/USB/SD players, Bluetooth recorders, digital music players (iPods), sound recorders or receivers for microphones. Also consider how you want to be able to connect these devices: hard wired, Bluetooth or wireless.
4) What will you be playing / presenting?
Once you know what gadgetry you are putting through it, you will have a pretty good idea of the audio content. Speaker sizes are measured in inches. 8” and 10” speakers will give you good vocal and acoustic guitar sound. See the Challenger or Stage Pro. However for your School Rock competition or the end of year disco the bass will be too limited and you should consider a 12" or even 15" speaker system.
5) How are you going to transport it?
Portability is assumed with a portable PA system but if it is going to move around a lot or need to fit in a car, you will need to think about the physical size and weight of your PA system plus protection. They can come with wheels, handles, trolleys and carry cases included or as optional extras. For schools, conference venues, maraes and churches where the PA System will need to travel over rough ground between locations you should consider a trolley base with wheels and tyres designed for outdoors to avoid damaging the equipment, such as the .
6) How long will it need to run without access to AC power?
Portable PA systems come with either lead-acid or lithium batteries built in. Typically, the lead-acid batteries they come supplied with will run the system for 6-10 hours (this is the same kind of battery as a car battery but a smaller version). Lithium batteries are more environmentally friendly, last longer, need replacing less often and crucially for a mobile solution they are lighter. There is a cost attached to the better performing battery so weigh up how important weight and battery-life are to inform your decision. The Stage Pro can be bought with a lithium battery.
7) Are your needs likely to grow or change?
Some PA Systems can be expanded, eliminating the need for another PA system in a year or two. This is especially useful for churches or schools where there is always a variety of uses from jump jam to cross country and assembly to civil defence procedures. You may need to add microphones in which case look for the number of module slots. These may be built-in or external. You may also need to add companion speakers, known as “slaves” that will require outputs for either active or passive speakers. To cover all bases try to ensure that you will have enough outputs for your future needs as well as today’s. For more information on expanding your PA System visit our webpage or download a pdf.
8) What else do you need to understand?
The product descriptions can be baffling. We have listed some of the terminology with layman’s definitions to help you identify what is or isn’t important to you. Visit the webpage or download the pdf (includes this whole list for you to print and take away too!)
9) Should you upgrade an old one?
If you have an old PA System and are thinking about replacing it, do talk to us first with your list of needs. You may not need a completely new PA System but just an add-on or some parts replaced. However, these modern portable sound systems have modular add-ons, extended battery life, better sound quality, are more durable and have options galore that the older sets don't offer so it could be false economy to patch up an old system. We are more than happy to test and evaluate your existing systems and will give you an honest opinion. If your old system incorporates wireless mics we can also check that they are on legal frequencies for you too. As of 11th March 2015 using the 698-806 MHz frequency range is no longer permitted and compliance action will be taken against you if you use them: visit our webpage or download the pdf
10) The biggie: what PA System?
Now you are an expert on PA Systems and have identified your needs, it is time to find the right solution for you. Call us, or check out our PA System recommendations.Visit the webpage or download the pdf.
