Touring bands, artists and DJs would be lost without a complete 2.2 speaker system that can kit out a small venue and even fit in the back of a car. Portable column array speaker systems can form the ideal solution, since they bundle up a subwoofer, a full-range speaker and a mixer in one compact and flexible unit.
Floor-Standing Column Speakers with a Subwoofer
When it comes to live gigs, club nights, presentations and any other situations in need of powerful and clear sound, column array speaker systems are a popular choice. With a column PA, the sound is reproduced by a vertical stack of speakers that are literally housed in a tall and slim column.
The Advantages of a Good Column Array Speaker System
One of the biggest bonuses of using a column-style speaker system is that they often have a relatively compact design, making them much easier to get from venue to venue and much easier to set up. The vertical arrangement of the speakers also ensures relatively wider sound dispersion meaning that, with a little smart placement, these systems can be far more effective in large spaces or even outdoor spaces. Even an average column speaker system will also feature a small mixer panel so all of your audio sources can be plugged straight in and the output can be easily tweaked and balanced.
Picking Out the Best Column Array Speaker System
Before picking out any portable speaker system, it's worth having a think about a few different factors, like the size of the space you're going to be setting your new system up in; the amount of power the amplifier will need to drive the system; and that the speakers will be big enough to provide the level of sound quality that the application will demand. For example: larger speakers deliver more volume and potentially more powerful bass. Another thing to check is that the built-in mixer has enough input ports for the number of microphones, instruments and line-level audio sources that you'll want to plug in.
No Replacement for a Powerful Pro Audio Speaker System
So, will a set of two column array speaker systems prep a venue to deliver ground-shaking dance or band music? Probably not. The compact design and modestly-sized woofers and drivers of most column speaker systems won't really be enough to deliver the level of power, volume, bass and sound dispersion that you'd need. While an 18 inch subwoofer and a set of 15 inch full-range speakers are much heavier than a portable column system, you can immediately hear and even feel the difference in sound. For this reason, portable column arrays are far better suited for smaller venues and event spaces.
