With the holiday season kicking off, there’s sure to be a lot of parties on the horizon! So, with that in mind, we thought it’d be worth covering the best party speakers on the market, what they’re good for, and how to pick the right speakers and configuration for the space you’re using.
We’ve chosen options for all sizes of events, with a range of features, speaker styles, and manufacturers making the cut. At the end of the article, you’ll find a buying guide, outlining all the key things to look for in a speaker and how to choose the right one for your venue.
In a hurry?
If you need a quick rundown, here are our top three picks:
| LD Systems MAUI 5 | Collapsible column system provides a great balance of portability and power. | Check the current price |
| G4M 15” Active DSP Speaker | Versatile PA speaker with multiple selectable voicings for different settings and contexts. | Check the current price |
| Bose S1 Pro+ | Compact, robust, portable PA speaker with battery power, comprehensive mixing, and wireless connectivity. | Check the current price |
Why we’ve chosen these speakers
We’ve tried to cover a range of sizes, speaker styles, features, and brands in our picks here. Since this article is all about how to pick the right speaker for your venue, we want to make sure every possible venue is covered in some way.
Many modern portable PA speakers have similar features, but mixer capabilities, app control, and DSP can all vary between manufacturers – to say nothing of driver configurations and sound characteristics.
Our list also suits a range of budgets, ensuring that no matter how light or full your wallet is, there are at least a few options available to you.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we’ve selected products we believe in. These are really what we think are some of the best around. They sound great, work well, and will let your music stand out when you use them in the right context.
The best party speakers
1. LD Systems MAUI 5
Key features
- Ultra-compact column PA system
- Integrated 4-channel mixer with Bluetooth
- 800W peak power and LECC DSP
Pros
- Lightweight and highly portable
- Wide sound dispersion for versatility
- Simple and quick assembly
Cons
- Limited power for very large venues
The LD Systems MAUI 5 is a compact, portable column PA speaker designed for solo performers, small venues, and event organisers. At under 11 kg, it’s one of the lightest systems in its class, making transport and setup remarkably straightforward. And despite its slim profile, the MAUI 5 delivers a powerful 800 watts of peak output, capable of reaching up to 120 dB.
Multi-pin connectors ensure assembly in seconds, allowing you to focus on your event without hassle.
At the heart of its performance is LD Systems’ LECC DSP technology. This advanced digital signal processing provides consistent sound quality, balancing clarity and detail while minimising distortion. It ensures that whether you’re playing live music, delivering speeches, or streaming via Bluetooth, the system adapts perfectly to your needs.
The Class D amplifier further enhances efficiency, offering reliable performance with minimal heat generation.
The MAUI 5’s bass reflex cabinet is engineered for rich low-frequency reproduction, adding depth and impact to your audio. Its integrated four-channel mixer offers versatility, with inputs for microphones, instruments, and media devices. Better still, there’s Bluetooth connectivity for effortless wireless streaming, ideal for modern setups.
Winning the iF Design Award and Red Dot Design Award in 2016, the MAUI 5 offers the perfect combination of portability, power, and innovative design.
2. G4M 15″ Active DSP Speaker
Key features
- 15″ active speaker with DSP presets
- Bluetooth 5.0 and aux connectivity options
- Adjustable tilt design
Pros
- Versatile input and output connections
- Durable build for professional use
- User-friendly DSP and location presets
Cons
- Lacks advanced EQ customisation
The G4M 15″ Active DSP Speaker is a highly versatile system, offering excellent sound quality and adaptability for live performances, DJ sets, and parties.
Its lightweight yet durable design ensures easy transportation, while the rugged PP-H construction stands up to regular use in demanding settings. With a maximum SPL of 124 dB and 700W peak power, it delivers a robust performance suited to small and medium-sized venues.
This speaker’s dual-amplification system combines a Class D amplifier for the woofer and a Class AB amplifier for the compression driver. This design ensures efficient power use while maintaining detailed, low-distortion sound across its 40Hz-20kHz frequency range. The 15″ woofer delivers deep, impactful bass, while the 1.35″ compression driver provides crisp highs, ensuring balanced audio in any setting.
With Bluetooth 5.0 and aux input, it offers seamless playback from smartphones, tablets, or laptops, making it suitable for modern, wire-free setups. DSP presets then ensure tailored sound for different settings, whether you’re presenting, playing live music, or hosting a club event.
Its tilt-forward design allows precise sound targeting, while location presets optimise the performance for any positioning, from floor monitors to pole mounts.
Connectivity is also great, with combi-jack, RCA, aux, and Bluetooth 5.0 inputs offering flexible options for different audio sources.
3. Bose S1 Pro+
Key features
- Portable PA system with 3-channel mixer
- ToneMatch EQ and Auto EQ features
- Wireless control via Bose Music app
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Long-lasting battery for extended play
- Adaptable positioning with Auto EQ
Cons
- Wireless RF transmitters sold separately
The Bose S1 Pro+ is a highly portable and versatile PA system, ideal for performers and event organisers who need a compact solution. Weighing less than its predecessor and featuring an improved battery life of up to 11 hours, it’s perfectly suited to busking, outdoor performances, and private events such as garden or house parties. Its lightweight design and integrated handle make transportation effortless.
This system is particularly popular with singer-songwriters and solo acts. Its powerful three-channel mixer provides independent EQ and reverb controls, ensuring a polished sound. Bose’s ToneMatch presets simplify the setup, allowing you to load optimised profiles for specific microphones or instruments and making it quick to achieve professional-quality audio.
Bluetooth streaming adds further convenience, letting you play backing tracks or music wirelessly between performances.
The S1 Pro+ excels in adaptability, offering four positioning options: vertical, tilted back, horizontal, or mounted on a speaker stand. Its Auto EQ feature adjusts the sound profile automatically based on the speaker’s orientation, guaranteeing balanced audio in any setup. Whether used as a monitor wedge, standalone speaker, or part of a larger system, it delivers consistent performance.
With the addition of the Bose Music app, users can wirelessly control ToneMatch settings, reverb, and EQ via Bluetooth, making the S1 Pro+ an intuitive, portable powerhouse for modern performers.
4. LD Systems ANNY 8
Key features
- Portable PA with 8” woofer and Bluetooth
- Built-in 5-channel mixer with EQ and effects
- Up to 11-hour battery life in ECO mode
Pros
- Compact and easy to transport
- Clear, distortion-free sound with DynX DSP
- Versatile inputs and Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Limited battery life at maximum volume
The LD Systems ANNY 8 is a lightweight, battery-powered PA speaker designed for portability and performance. The most compact and lightweight model in the series, the ANNY 8 is easy to carry with its balanced design and integrated handle.
Whether mounted on a stand or placed on the ground using its tilt-back cabinet, the ANNY 8 delivers full, rich sound through its 8″ woofer and 1″ tweeter, making it an excellent choice for mobile events such as parties, sports days, or public speaking.
Its five-channel mixer provides comprehensive control, featuring two mic/line combo inputs, a stereo channel with AUX and RCA inputs, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for seamless wireless streaming. The built-in effects – reverb, delay, and a three-band EQ – offer the flexibility to customise your sound for any environment.
For even broader coverage, its True Wireless Stereo (TWS) feature allows two ANNY 8 units to pair for stereo playback.
Powered by a long-lasting battery, the ANNY 8 supports up to 11 hours of playback in ECO mode or 3.5 hours at maximum volume. This reliability is enhanced by the option to swap out the battery for extended use.
LD Systems’ second-generation DynX DSP ensures distortion-free audio even at higher volumes, maintaining consistent sound quality for both speech and music. A priority/ducking mode also ensures vocals remain prominent in the mix.
5. Yamaha Stagepas 600BT
Key features
- 680W portable PA system with Bluetooth
- Detachable 10-channel mixer with SPX reverb
- Built-in feedback suppression and EQ tools
Pros
- Powerful sound with wide coverage
- Flexible inputs and expandability options
- Lightweight and portable design
Cons
- Lacks advanced reverb customisation
The Yamaha Stagepas 600BT is a portable PA system offering exceptional power, flexibility, and user-friendly operation. With 680W of output and two 10″ speakers paired with 1.4″ compression drivers, it delivers robust, clear sound for live music, speeches, and parties. Its lightweight construction and ergonomic handles ensure it’s easy to transport and set up, making it ideal for mobile performers and event organisers.
At the heart of the Stagepas 600BT is a detachable 10-channel mixer, supporting a variety of inputs, including four mono/line and six mono/three stereo line channels. Features like three-band EQ, Hi-Z inputs, and phantom power make it compatible with a wide range of microphones and instruments.
Onboard SPX digital reverbs provide four high-quality reverb settings, while the 1-Knob Master EQ allows you to quickly tailor your sound to suit the environment, adding virtual bass boost for extra depth.
Bluetooth connectivity makes wireless streaming effortless, perfect for playing backing tracks or setting the mood with music from your smartphone or tablet. Advanced features like a feedback suppressor ensure professional-quality sound without interruptions. The system also offers monitor and subwoofer outputs for expandability, letting you adapt to larger venues or complex audio setups.
6. Galaxy 12″ Active Light Up Speaker by Gear4music
Key features
- 12″ active speaker with LED light effects
- Intuitive media player with Bluetooth and USB
- Five-band EQ and versatile inputs for flexibility
Pros
- Beat-reactive LED lights for added ambience
- Easy-to-use media player with no cables required
- Wide range of connectivity options
Cons
- LED lights may not suit all environments
The Galaxy 12″ Active Light Up Speaker by Gear4music combines eye-catching design with powerful performance to elevate any party or event. With 120W of output, it delivers bold, room-filling sound, while its durable, compact design makes it easy to transport and store.
Beat-reactive LED lights add an extra layer of fun, syncing with your music to create a dynamic and immersive atmosphere. For more subdued settings, the lights can be switched off, offering versatility for different occasions.
This speaker is built with ease of use in mind. Its intuitive digital media player supports Bluetooth connectivity and USB playback, allowing you to stream music wirelessly or plug in a USB stick for instant access to your favourite tracks. Auxiliary phono inputs are available, too, for devices without Bluetooth, while individual channel volume controls ensure a tailored audio mix.
The Galaxy speaker also caters to live performances and announcements, with XLR and line inputs enabling direct connections for microphones and instruments. The onboard five-band EQ lets you fine-tune the sound to suit the venue or your preferences, ensuring clear, balanced audio.
Designed for flexibility, the speaker can be mounted on most standard stands for optimal sound projection.
7. HK Audio Polar 12
Key features
- 2000W column PA with 12″ subwoofer
- Integrated 4-channel mixer with DSP and presets
- Bluetooth 5.0 and wide 120-degree sound coverage
Pros
- Exceptional sound clarity and dynamic range
- Feedback-resistant for versatile placement
- User-friendly controls with custom presets
Cons
- Large size may not suit smaller setups
The HK Audio Polar 12 is a versatile column PA system that delivers exceptional sound quality and impressive power for live performances, presentations, and events. With a robust 2000W output and a frequency range of 35Hz to 20kHz, it produces rich, dynamic audio, from deep bass to sparkling highs.
Its 12” long-excursion subwoofer, 1” compression driver, and six 3” midrange transducers ensure a full-spectrum listening experience with consistent clarity.
Ideal for music venues, schools, and churches, the Polar 12 offers 120-degree wide dispersion for even sound coverage, making it equally effective in intimate spaces or larger rooms. Its feedback resistance allows you to position the system directly behind performers, removing the need for additional monitoring. The detachable lower column section enables flexible setups, whether on stage or at floor level.
The integrated four-channel mixer provides versatile input options for microphones, instruments, and playback devices. Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity supports wireless streaming, and three sound modes with a semiparametric EQ let you tailor the audio to suit any performance.
You can save your preferred settings to one of five user presets, making it quick and easy to achieve consistent results. The Polar 12’s portability is enhanced by a lightweight design, carry bag, and padded cover.
8. Electro-Voice Everse 12
Key features
- 12″ battery-powered speaker with DSP and Bluetooth
- Four-channel digital mixer with QuickSmart app control
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
Pros
- Superior sound with wide, even coverage
- Lightweight, portable, and versatile design
- Built-in effects, phantom power, and feedback suppression
Cons
- IP43 rating limits weatherproofing in extreme conditions
The Electro-Voice Everse 12 is a powerful and compact battery-powered loudspeaker that delivers professional-grade sound with impressive versatility. Its 12-inch woofer and 1-inch compression driver, paired with Electro-Voice’s patented SST port design, ensure deep bass, clear highs, and wide, even sound coverage.
With 126 dB of output from its high-efficiency Class-D amplifier, the Everse 12 is ideal for both indoor and outdoor performances.
Built for portability, the Everse 12 features a lightweight, weather-resistant design, including a durable polypropylene enclosure and IP43-rated weatherised covers, making it suitable for outdoor gigs. The ergonomic soft-touch handle makes transport easy, while multiple positioning options – pole-mounted, angled as a stage monitor, or upright with a kick-back tilt – adapt the speaker to any setup.
The Everse 12 excels in audio customisation, with the QuickSmart Mobile app offering wireless control of its built-in four-channel mixer. Shape your sound with reverb, modulation effects, EQ presets, and manual EQ, all accessible via your smartphone or tablet. Dynacord DSP further enhances usability with features like feedback suppression, signal ducking, and 48V phantom power for microphones.
Bluetooth audio streaming and true wireless stereo pairing expand its functionality for modern setups. With up to 12 hours of battery life, a DC output for powering wireless mics, and built-in device charging, the Everse 12 is a robust, portable solution.
9. LD Systems RoadJack 10
Key features
- Portable PA with wheels and retractable handle
- Three-channel mixer with 2-band EQ
- Bluetooth, SD, and USB media playback
Pros
- Highly portable with a suitcase-style design
- Multiple input options for versatile media use
- Built-in effects for enhanced live performance
Cons
- Limited power for larger venues
The LD Systems RoadJack 10 is a portable PA system designed for musicians, event organisers, and outdoor gatherings. Combining quality sound with unmatched mobility, this active 2-way system offers a frequency range of 65 Hz to 18 kHz, delivering clear and powerful audio. Its durable design includes wheels and a retractable handle, making it as easy to transport as a suitcase.
Equipped with a built-in mixer, the RoadJack 10 provides three channels with individual volume controls and a two-band EQ for shaping your sound. An additional echo effect enhances vocal performances, making it ideal for live events. Whether adjusting settings for a speech or tweaking a mix for a music performance, the mixer ensures precise audio control.
The RoadJack 10 supports multiple media sources for seamless digital integration. Bluetooth connectivity enables wireless music streaming, while SD card and USB inputs offer additional playback options. Its multifunctional LCD display and IR remote control allow for intuitive navigation and playback management.
With a rechargeable battery, the RoadJack 10 provides reliable performance even in off-grid locations. Designed with stand mounting compatibility and robust construction, it adapts easily to different setups.
How to choose the best party speakers for your venue
So, how do you choose the right speaker for your event? Let’s take a look at a few examples and highlight the kinds of features and potential setups you might want to look for.
For a small house party or gathering, you probably want something small and not quite as loud as high-wattage PA speakers, and with Bluetooth. You’ll still want good projection though, to get an even volume throughout your space. If it’s indoors, you’re pretty spoiled for choice.
However, if you’re entertaining outdoors or poolside for a party, or running smaller open-air gigs, you might have some extra considerations.
You’ll want something more powerful with an IP rating – if you can’t find a weatherproof speaker you like, make sure you have a space that’s covered in case of rain. However, manufacturers do produce weatherproofed covers and bags as extras, so check the available accessories for your chosen speaker!
Extra power for an outdoor speaker will help the sound project further, while IP ratings show you how much protection there is of the internal electronics inside the product. IP stands for “ingress protection” and displays how well products resist intrusion. The first number shows its resistance to solid particles like dust and the second shows protection from liquids like water.
The highest level of protection you’ll find on PA speakers will be IP65, which should be enough to protect against rain for a while.
Small touring acts like solo singer-songwriters, local DJs, and entertainers might want something with a little extra punch. Portable PA speakers and column systems are great for these sorts of scenarios, while still being easy to take on the road.
For indoor music venues, you’ll need power and coverage above all else. Sound quality is also important here, especially considering how hard it is to get proper acoustic treatment in live venues. Here, it’s worth considering pairs of full-sized PA speakers, perhaps more than just a pair, so there’s reinforcement in dead spots and with multiple subwoofers to reinforce low-frequencies.
So, for the final venue, large outdoor events – what should you look for? Primarily, line arrays offer the best value for coverage, sound throw, and sound output. Open-air theatres and music festivals will tend to rely on this kind of speaker setup.
These can be approached in a few different ways. You can stack and scatter active PA speakers around the audience area to get full coverage, then apply an offset in playback to match the front-of-house speakers to the most distant speakers. This ensures you don’t hear the on-stage sound multiple times at once.
The main way we’ll see arrays, however, is as a set of passive speakers stacked horizontally and placed in a bracket. This array will be slightly curved and connected to a power amplifier which supplies power, controls, and synchronises the speakers.
Passive subwoofers and similar smaller arrays can then help reinforce anywhere with a lack of coverage, and then the same delay will be applied. This is a pricey approach, but for the scale of these sorts of events, it’s about the only way you’ll get results. You may even see these line arrays in indoor arenas or mid-sized venues.
Do I need a subwoofer?
Then there’s the extra consideration for all of these party contexts: do I need a subwoofer? I can’t answer that for you, but try to walk around the venue and check how it sounds from both the very front to the very back. Test it with your favourite tracks, and make sure they sound good to you. As the old audio engineer adage goes: if it sounds good, it is good.
If there’s enough bass when you’re the furthest away you can be from the PA system, you might be ok without a subwoofer. If you notice a real lack of bass until you’re right at the speaker, or that it’s still lacking then, it might be worth investing in subs.
Speaker power and SPL
How can you tell when a speaker is powerful enough? We used to use the output power of the amplifier as a sign of a speaker’s power. This can be useful for a ballpark figure if we don’t have access to any other specs, but modern manufacturing methods have changed the relationship between amplifier power and the volume of a speaker.
Now, more efficient amplifiers, heat sinks, and lighter speaker materials that can be pushed more easily have increased the volume of small speakers quite significantly, which means that wattage no longer gives us a solid picture of how loud a speaker can be. So, what should you look for as a measure of speaker power? Maximum SPL is actually a more accurate measurement.
SPL is short for Sound Pressure Level. It gives us an accurate measurement in decibels of the overall volume that a speaker can kick out when driven to its maximum. This information isn’t always available, but most manufacturers have started including this in their specifications.
For some perspective, 45 dB is generally seen as an acceptable level of background noise in public spaces according to government guidelines. Typical comfortable listening volumes for studios tend to be recommended at about 85 dB, but for smaller spaces, 70 dB may be more advisable.
Exposure to noise above 85 dB over a prolonged period can start to cause hearing damage, but this will at first be accumulated past 12 hours at a time. Loud club nights and rock gigs tend to sit somewhere around 110 to 120 dB, depending on circumstances – the same volume as operating heavy machinery.
For another point of reference: the sound of freight trains 100 feet away is 80 dB, construction sites sit at 100 dB, and aeroplanes taking off can hit 130 dB at 200 feet away. Hopefully, this gives you some perspective on the loudness of your speaker.
So, if your choice of speaker has a maximum SPL that tops out around 100 dB, which is a common figure to see, you can be confident it packs a punch for most spaces! Even 90 dB is equivalent to the noise in a boiler room and should carry far enough for large house parties or small indoor venues like local cafés if you’re a singer-songwriter.
When looking for a speaker for specific events or spaces, think about your use case, find the features that fit it, look at the maximum SPL output to make sure it fits the volume you want to achieve, and then look at the power rating of the speaker. When gauging power, always look at RMS figures over peak power if they’re available, as they’re a proper average of the amplifier’s performance.
FAQs
What is the best quality speaker brand for parties?
The best quality speaker brand for parties is Electro-Voice, known for their robust sound and durability. Electro-Voice speakers are designed to handle loud volumes and deep bass, ideal for party environments. Other top contenders include Bose, Sony, and JBL, offering varied features and price points.
How do I choose a party speaker?
To choose a party speaker, focus on sound quality, portability, and features like waterproofing or wireless connectivity. Look for high wattage for louder output, deep bass for party vibes, and long battery life. Additional features like LED lights or mic inputs can enhance the party experience.
How many watts should a speaker be for a party?
A speaker should ideally have 100-300 watts for small to medium-sized parties and 300+ watts for larger events. Higher wattage ensures powerful and clear sound, even in open spaces. Consider venue size and acoustics when deciding the wattage for the perfect sound experience.
Final thoughts
Picking the right speaker for your event isn’t always easy at first glance. There’s a lot to consider in terms of features and setup to find what you really need. You might even find yourself purchasing different speakers for various party and gig requirements once you reach a level where you’re booking events of many contexts and sizes.
When you know the features you need, how to get proper coverage, and the right power and volume to go with it all, you can host some great-sounding parties without having an extremely complicated setup! Hopefully, our guide to the best party speakers has given you a good idea of what’s out there, a better understanding of manufacturer specifications, and what you need to throw a pretty great event!
Want to learn more? Check out some more of our live sound guides:
The Best DJ Setups – Find the Right Gear Within Your Budget
A Guide to Stage Lighting Design and Putting On a Stellar Show
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