PA speakers are readily available in the market and there are many to choose from. But it isn’t easy picking the right one for you.
Whether it’s for a house party, corporate function or for a DJ event, a high-performance PA speaker is a must have.
To make the selection process easier, our team at Audio-Sandwich have tested over 30 different PA speakers to determine which is the best. We were able to bring the list down to the top 6 PA speakers and these are truly some of the best units we had the opportunity to review.
Here are the top 6 best powered PA speakers in the world.
| Top 6 Best Powered PA Speakers | Features |
| Bose F1 | Woofer Size: 12” Power: 1000W Inputs: 1 x XLR/TRS Combo, 1 x 1/4″, 1 x stereo RCA Weight: 20.4kg |
| Mackie SRT215 | Woofer Size: 15” Power: 1600W Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4″ combo, 1 x 1/8″ (aux) Weight: 16.8kg |
| JBL EON 615 | Woofer Size: 15” Power: 1000W Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4″ combo Weight: 17.69kg |
| EV EKX 15P | Woofer Size: 15” Power: 1500W Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4″ combo, 2 x RCA Weight: 24.4kg |
| Yamaha DBR12 | Woofer Size: 12” Power: 1000W Inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS Combo, 1 x Stereo Weight: 15.8kg |
| QSC CP8 | Woofer Size: 8” Power: 1000W Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4″ combo (mic/line), 1 x 1/8″ (aux) Weight: 9.5kg |
Recommended Read: Best Center Channel Speakers
Table of Contents
Top 6 Best Powered PA Speakers in the World
Bose F1
The Bose F1 is an extremely high-performance PA speaker that’s equipped with some pretty innovative features. It’s designed to be an all-in-one convenient unit that includes a retractable F1 Model 812 mounting stand which is built into the body of the speaker.
It delivers exceptional audio clarity considering it’s a PA speaker and we were stunned that there was high-quality audio production even at the highest volume level.
The F1 produces 1000W of power via two 10” high-excursion drivers allowing you to have a party anywhere you please. It is also equipped with a polarity switch that lets you select between NORM and REV so you can easily correct any low-frequency overlap between the subwoofer and the primary speaker.
This speaker unit is sleek and Bose was able to hide the cable channels within the stand in a professional manner that really adds to the appearance and neatness of this speaker. It’s definitely one of the best powered PA speakers out there with the only drawback being that it’s expensive.
Mackie SRT215
Mackie is a well known name in the field of audio equipment and one of their most notable PA speakers is the SRT215. This Hi-Fi speaker produces 1600W which is truly remarkable considering it costs nearly half the price of the Bose F1.
The SRT215 offers precise and detailed sound quality coupled with a smooth audio response making it ideal for any type of event. It’s definitely one of the best designed PA speakers on this list and is one of the few that comes equipped with Built-in power factor correction which maintains the speakers power levels.
Another reason to consider this beautiful piece of work is for the fact that it can be paired with a Bluetooth app which can be used to control certain functions such as the equalizer, add or remove reverb and even stream music through any of the smartphone apps.
While this speaker looks great and can pack a punch, it may not be the right one for every audiophile out there as the SRT215 does not come with any RCA port. All-in-all, it’s definitely one of the best powered PA speakers out there and if you’re looking for one that’s customizable and affordable then the Mackie SRT215 is the one for you.
JBL EON 615
JBL has been featured on almost every list we’ve done so far and there’s no doubt that their range of speakers and headphones are some of the best. The EON 615 is a portable 15” 2 way multipurpose speaker from JBL that is a strong contender for the Bose F1 and Mackie’s SRT215.
This self-powered speaker is equipped with Bluetooth connectivity allowing you to connect your smartphone or computer to it with ease. It has been designed to offer 1000W class-D amplification and features elements from some of JBL’s more expensive and premium line of speakers.
The overall audio production is good, you get clear and deep bass with crisp mids and highs even at high volume levels. What’s not ideal about this speaker unit is that even though it delivers 1000W sound amplification, it’s actually softer in large areas and there are other speakers that do a better job.
However, keeping that aside, it does come with simple presets that are effective and you can customize the sound easily. It is considered to be an all-rounder and an affordable speaker that’s capable of delivering sound in 360-degrees with the help of the signature JBL Waveguide technology.
EV EKX 15P
EV or Electro-Voice is a company that’s into making high-end speaker systems such as the EKX15P which is one of their most popular and powerful 15” PA speaker units that comes packed with features suited for a variety of applications.
It’s perfect for DJ’s and can be used as a stage monitor. The EKX 15P delivers some truly impressive power and bass response with crisp and clear mids and highs. This PA speaker comes with a few easy to use presets allowing you to switch between music, live, speak and club depending on where and what you’re using it for.
While it sounds great and is capable of delivering 1500W of power, it’s quite heavy and that is something that most people would not feel comfortable with. However, it does offer a maximum sound pressure level of 134dB and is equipped with 2 RCA and 2 XLR-¼” combo input ports with a single XLR port for the output.
Although the EV EKX 15P does not come with a built-in mounting stand like the Bose F1, it does have heavy-duty handles on the side and rubberized foot pegs under the speaker so you don’t damage the speaker or your floor.
Yamaha DBR12
Yamaha manufactures some of the best audio equipment right from amplifiers all the way to home theaters, microphones and even PA speakers. One of their best powered PA speakers available in the market today is the DBR12 which is equipped with a 12” driver that’s capable of 1000W power output.
It delivers fantastic sounding audio and has a standard flat EQ curve which is ideal for natural instrumental sounds and vocals. With an impressive max sound pressure level of 131dB, the DBR12 can easily fill up a medium-sized venue with even audio dispersion and clear tones.
Though the Yamaha DBR12 is one of the most affordable speakers on this list, it definitely is one of the most sought after. It may not be ideal for a DJ to use because of the lack of bass, but it’s perfect if you’re using it to host a seminar or ceremony.
It’s durable, affordable and one of the best powered PA speakers that money can buy and one of the few that has been built for regular use.
QSC CP8
QSC might be a new brand to most but their products are definitely some of the best out there. The CP8 is a compact and lightweight PA speaker that’s highly portable and capable of delivering 1000W peak power thanks to it’s built-in class-D amplifier module.
It delivers top-quality sound that’s clean and lacks distortion and can be used either as a main PA speaker of a floor monitor. The CP8 lets you switch between various presets all with a single touch of a button. You get to pick whether you want full range audio or limited depending on your surroundings and purpose.
One of the key points to note about the QSC CP8 is that it comes with convection cooling that provides the right amount of heat dissipation that keeps the speaker running at the ideal temperature without generating any background noise.
It even comes with advanced DSP with intrinsic correction that helps with maintaining superior sound quality and keeps the speaker balanced. Though it offers 124dB of sound pressure, it’s rather soft on the bass and if its bass you’re looking for then you’d either have to invest in an additional subwoofer or pick another PA speaker that delivers deep bass like the Mackie or Bose F1.
FAQ’s
Are PA systems good for music?
PA speakers are ideal for playing music mainly because they offer loud volume output that’s enough to fill a medium to large sized venue with detailed and high-quality sound.
Do PA speakers deliver good bass?
Well, not all PA speakers are built the same. While some speakers offer loud and deep bass, others like the Yamaha DBR12 offer natural sound with less bass. Heavy duty PA speakers normally are designed to deliver smooth and rich low frequencies.
Also Read:
- Best Bang & Olufsen Speakers 2021
- Best Floor Standing Speakers under $5000 in 2021
- Best 12-inch Subwoofers 2021
Greetings! My name is Michael and this is my website.
I've been specializing in audio equipment and accessories for a while and have a little something in store for every kind of hi-fi enthusiast.
Based in California, I keep attending special launch events across the globe. This has helped me understand the products better, and with a unique hands-on experience I'm able to provide you with easy to understand reviews about the best in audio tech from around the world.
