What are the Best DJ Speakers for Me?
So, you’ve got your DJ controller and set ready but you still need sound? Let us help you find the best DJ speakers with this special Buyer’s Guide in which we answer your frequently asked questions. And, if you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!
1. What are my options?
The first thing you need to ask yourself is: do I need studio monitors or a PA system? If you only play your sets at home, get yourself a pair of studio monitors. We recommend going with a 5-inch model which, while small, should offer more than enough power. If, on the other hand, you regularly take your set on the road, you sometimes might need to bring your own PA system as well. In this case, a pair of active speakers (more on active/passive in Question 4) is the easiest solution and can even be expanded by adding a subwoofer. More information about studio monitors and PA systems is included below.
2. What is a studio monitor?
As you might’ve guessed, studio monitors are mostly used in studios. They produce neutral sound, meaning they’re designed to add as little colour to the sound as possible so you can create honest and accurate mixes. For most home studios, 5-inch monitors are big enough, since the sound produced by larger speakers needs more space to sound optimal. You’re free to add a subwoofer to the set-up for enhanced bass but this is by no means necessary. Please note that, if the goal is to get neutral sound and the room is rather small or acoustically imperfect, a subwoofer can potentially mess up the sound. Our DJ and Studio product specialists are happy to assist you in making the right choice, but you can also check out our Studio Monitors Buyer’s Guide for more info.
All Studio Monitors
5-Inch Studio Monitors
Studio Subwoofers
Buyer’s Guide: What are the Best Studio Monitors for Me?
3. Should I go with separate PA speakers or a complete PA system?
While you could decide to purchase the various components separately, there are also complete speaker systems available that make things easier. A great starting point includes a single subwoofer and two satellite speakers. These cover all the important frequencies from the deepest bass to the brightest treble and pack enough power to fill the average venue with music. Of course, if your budget doesn’t allow for one, you can also start out without a subwoofer. You can always add one and the roaring bass it produces to your set-up in the future.
Tip: During live sets, you’ll often see a studio or floor monitor next to the DJ. By setting up one of these, you’ve got better monitoring and you don’t have to depend on your headphones.
Complete PA Systems
PA Speakers
Floor Monitors
DJ Headphones
4. What’s the difference between active and passive speakers?
If you haven’t made your choice yet, that means you might be stuck staring at the words ‘active’ and ‘passive’. Some speakers are active, while others are passive. Active speakers are speakers that can be plugged directly into a mains power socket. They feature a built-in amplifier and are therefore generally a little more expensive, but are still the best option if you’re currently shopping for your first speaker system. Passive speakers, however, require external amplification in order to produce sound. The more passive speakers you use, the larger the collection of amplifiers you’ll need. The advantage of passive speakers is that you get to pick the amplifier yourself, which means you have more control over your sound. Also, passive speakers are lighter since there’s no amplifier built in.
When you start putting together your passive system, keep the following rule of thumb in mind: the amplifier should have 1.5 to 2 times the amount of RMS power capacity as the passive speakers. Two 100-Watt/8-Ohm passive speakers, for example, need an amplifier that can output 150 to 200 Watts at 8 Ohms.
Active Full-Range Speakers
Active Subwoofers
Passive Full-Range Speakers
Passive Subwoofers
5. Is there anything else I should know about?
Don’t forget the cables! If the outputs of your DJ gear match the ones of your speakers, you can simply use regular XLR, jack or RCA cables. If not, you’ll need adapter cables such as a jack-to-RCA cable, for example. Other useful accessories include studio monitor isolation pads, speaker stands, protective gear like covers, bags and cases, and possibly even a trolley.
Audio Cables
PA Speaker Stands
Speaker Protection
Studio Monitor Stands
Studio Monitor Isolation
Transport Carts & Trolleys
Links & More Information
Product Categories
Blog: Turning a Speaker System into a Fully-Fledged PA
Blog: The Difference Between Active and Passive Speakers
Blog: How To Connect Your Speakers To Your Audio Equipment
Buyer’s Guide: What are the Best Studio Monitors for Me?
Buyer’s Guide: What is the Best Amplifier for Me?
Blogs & Buyer’s Guides
Studio Monitors
Studio Subwoofers
PA Speakers
Complete PA Systems
Floor Monitors
Audio Cables
PA Speaker Stands
Speaker Protection
Studio Monitor Stands
Studio Monitor Isolation
Transport Carts & Trolleys
