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How many watts do we need?

Putting it simply, the number of watts is a measurement of the power or loudness of the PA System. The number of watts you need depends on the size of the venue and the number of people in the audience (because bodies absorb sound), whether you're indoors or outside, and whether you just need to amplify the spoken word or you're in a heavy metal band!

Speakers and amplifiers always show the wattage in the spec (e.g. 300 watts RMS). What does RMS mean? It doesn't mean that 300 watts is the loudest it will go when turned up fully. It reflects the average amount of power it can comfortably and continually produce. Always go with as much power as you can afford. You shouldn't have your PA system turned up to its full capacity because any peaks in the music may cause distortion, and your speakers will have a longer life if they're not always running at their max. 

As a guide to watts, we'd recommend the following as a starting point:-
Type of use Watts per audience member
Spoken Word (indoors) 0.5 to 1
Acoustic Acts, Solo Artists & Duos 2 to 3
Bands & Average Sized Venues 3 to 4
Loud Bands and Large Venues 5

Click the relevant section and we'll advise you on how many watts you need ...

How many watts do live music bands need?
Find out how many watts you need if you're a solo artist, or in a duo or a band

What size PA system do schools need?
Find out how many watts you need for school halls, sports day and fetes



 


Use our simple interactive guide to find how many watts you need for your venue

Select the things you need the PA system for
Whether it's simply for voice amplification for meetings plus some background music, or for singers and bands ... tick as many boxes as you like
Select your audience size
Now estimate the maximum size of the audience .. this will give us an idea of the size of the venue and enable us to calculate which size PA system you will need
Click the What Do I Need? button
The list of all the PA systems will be narrowed down to show you a recommended range that should fit the bill. Click Clear Selection to start again, or call us for more detailed advice

Type of use

Maximum Audience
Voice amplification 10 - 50
Background music 51 - 75
Singers/acoustic acts 76 - 150
Dramatic productions 151 - 250
Bands over 250
   

TEC070 and TEC076

 


 

This fantastic value all-in-one Portable PA/CD/DVD system is packed with great features. It comes complete with two wired mics and two wireless handheld mics and has a built in radio receiver. You can purchase an additional pack that contains a lapel and headset mic and bodypack transmitter to use instead of one of the handheld wireless microphones.

The TEC076 is 70 watts and has a DVD player, MP3 player, Card Reader function (SD/MMC) and USB input. The unit also has 5.1 surround sound outputs for home cinema use, so versatile is the product the uses are endless, and to top it all it can run with its own rechargeable batteries so does not have to rely on mains power. A cheaper version is also available which does not have the radio microphones.
  • Full function remote control
  • 8" bass driver and 1" tweeter
  • Integral DVD and MP3 players
  • USB and Card Reader (SD/MMC) function
  • 5.1 Surround Sound outputs
  • Compatible with DVD, CD, CD-G, CD-R, MP3
  • Video (RCA), S-video and optical outputs
  • Supplied with 2 handheld VHF wireless microphones and 2 wired microphones
  • Dual rechargeable batteries (12V, 5Ah)
  • 5 hours battery life (DVD player) and 10 hours (Voice amplification)
  • Units can be linked for large venues
  • Trolley with telescopic handle supplied as an accessory
  • 35mmØ Top Hat
  • VHF Bodypack/ Headset Microphones available as optional extras: 173.1MHz (Ref.171.297) and 174.1MHZ (Ref.171.299)

OUR PRICE

inc VAT

LD Systems 200W PA Package with active 10 inch speakers

This package would be ideal for small to medium halls for vocal amplification and background music for up to 200 people.  The 6-channel mixer is strongly constructed and lightweight, versatile and easy to use with plenty of high quality effects on board.  The speakers are lightweight and made of ABS moulded plastic for easy transportation.  The speaker stands are designed with pneumatic suspension for safety and durability allowing the speakers to be lowered slowly and safely. Carry bags are supplied.

  • 1 x LD Systems 6 channel mixer with FX

  • 2 x LD Systems 100w + 25w 10" active speakers

  • 2 x LDP10B carry bags for speakers

  • 2 x KM6F2PM XLR to jack 6m cables

  • 2 x SPS56B air cushioned speaker stands

  • Includes VAT and free delivery

OUR PRICE

£575 inc VAT

LD Systems 400W PA Package with 8 channel mixer & powered 12 inch speakers

 

 

This package is ideal for schools with medium halls for vocal amplification and recorded or Live music (you can connect a CD player, iPod or laptop to these systems). The mixer is compact and versatile with loads of effects that will keep you up to date for years to come. Neodymium speakers give weight saving and extra power capabilities to the active 12" speakers.  The speaker stands are designed with pneumatic suspension for safety and durability allowing the speakers to be lowered slowly and safely. Please note that the active speakers need to be plugged into the mains as well as the mixing desk.
 

  • 1 x LD Systems 8 channel mixer

  • 2 x LD Systems 160w + 70w 12" active speakers

  • 2 x LDP12B carry bags for speakers

  • 2 x KM6F2PM XLR to jack 6m cables

  • 2 x SPS56B air cushioned speaker stands

  • Includes VAT & delivery

OUR PRICE

£700 inc VAT

LD Systems 600W PA Package with powered mixer & 12 inch speakers

This package is ideal for medium to large halls for vocal amplification and recorded or Live music (you can connect a CD player, iPod or laptop to these systems). The mixer is compact and versatile with loads of effects that will keep you up to date for years to come.  The speaker stands are designed with pneumatic suspension for safety and durability allowing the speakers to be lowered slowly and safely. The power amp is built into the mixing desk so the speakers are lighter than powered speakers, and there are less wires to trail around as these speakers do not need to be plugged into the mains.

  • 1 x LD Systems 12 channel mixer with integrated DSP effects processor and power amplifier The power mixer has a total of eight (8) input channels: 4 MIC inputs (mono) and 4 line inputs (stereo).

  • 2 x LD Systems 12" speakers

  • 2 x LDP12B carry bags for speakers

  • 2 x KM6F2PM XLR to jack 6m cables

  • 2 x SPS56B air cushioned speaker stands

  • Includes VAT & delivery

 

OUR PRICE

£825 inc VAT

This is only a small selection of the PA Systems we have available. Click to view the full range or call us on 01375 892317 if you need any advice.

ENQUIRY FORM

If you're looking for a PA System please fill in our enquiry form and one of us will call you back or email you some suggestions for you to consider.

We need a PA system for:

 
We want to amplify:
 
Speech CDs Keyb'ds Live music Other
The maximum audience is roughly:
 
100 200 300 400+  
We'll need some microphones:
 
Wireless Handheld Wireless Lapel  Wireless Headset
 
 
Wired Mics Microphone stands  
We'd like to put the speakers...
 
On the wall On stands Not sure    
We'd like to rack-mount the equipment in a case on wheels...
 
Yes No Not sure    
Our budget is approx:
 
I have something else to ask:
 
My contact details are:
   
Name:
Email:
Phone:
 

Please call me   Please email me some suggestions

 
 

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If you have any comments on this section or would like to add something to it, please email us!

 

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