AV Guides · 4 min read
Choosing a Sound System for Your Venue
Speech and music need different things from a PA. Size it to the room and the programme, not just the headcount.
Speech, music, or both
Speech needs clarity in the mid-range and even coverage so the back row hears the same words as the front. Music needs headroom and low-end, which usually means adding a subwoofer.
A PA that is perfect for a seminar can sound thin the moment someone plays a walk-on track, so tell us early if there is music, a DJ, or live performance in the programme.
Sizing by audience and room
| Audience | Typical setup | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 30 | Single portable PA speaker + 1 mic | Meeting rooms, small showrooms |
| 30–80 | Stereo PA pair on stands + 2 mics | Function rooms, seminars |
| 80–200 | PA pair + subwoofer + mixer | Ballrooms, D&D dinners, launches |
| 200+ or outdoor | Multi-speaker system with technician | Coverage and delays need planning |
Rooms change the answer
- ▸Glass, marble, and hard ceilings cause reflections — expect to need more careful placement, not more volume.
- ▸Long narrow rooms often need a second pair of speakers partway back rather than louder mains.
- ▸Outdoor spaces swallow sound; budget more system than the headcount suggests.
- ▸Low ceilings under 2.7 m limit speaker height, which affects how far coverage carries.
Do not forget the microphones
Microphone planning fails more events than speakers do. Count every person who will speak, decide handheld versus lapel versus headset for each, and add at least one spare channel. If more than four channels are in play, coordinate the frequencies in advance.
Want a second opinion on your setup?
Send us the venue, headcount, and date — we will tell you exactly what the room needs.