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How many watts do we need?

A VERY BASIC GUIDE

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

 

We can help you to find the best PA System for your needs. Simply email enquiries@whatpa.co.uk, complete the simple enquiry form (click left) or call us on 01375 892317.

BASIC ADVICE ON WATTAGE AND RMS

The number of watts you need really depends on:-
a) The size of the venue
b) The number of people in the audience (because bodies absorb sound)

c) Whether you're indoors or outside
d) What you're amplifying - just the spoken word or a heavy metal band!

Putting it simply, the number of watts is a measurement of the power or loudness of the PA System.  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. 
 

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
   

QR12PA PORTABLE PA SPEAKER


 

 

If your audience is up to 75 people or you need to use more than one microphone at a time then the QR12PA would be a better choice for you than the EZPA. It's mains or battery operated and comes with 2 wireless handheld microphones which can be used at the same time. It has a carry handle on the side and is easy to lift, plus the wheeled base and extendable handle make it easy to trundle around. It's 57 cm high and weighs 14kg. Headset & lapel mics are available as optional extras. Two units can be used wirelessly at the same time to give you more power. The unit can be placed on a speaker stand for better sound coverage.
  • 100 Watts Power output

  • USB and Card Reader (SD/MMC) function

  • Supplied with 2 handheld wireless microphones

  • Two further inputs for wired microphones

  • Dual rechargeable batteries (12V, 5Ah)

  • 8 hours battery life

  • Units can be linked wirelessly for large venues, and can also output to a powered speaker

  • Trolley with telescopic handle built in

  • 35mmØ Top Hat enabling you to put this on a speaker stand if required

  • Headset and Lapel Microphones available as optional extras

  • Weight 14kg

OUR PRICE

£209 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

OUR PRICE

£655 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

OUR PRICE

£900 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

 

OUR PRICE

£1070 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:
 
10 30 50 75

100

200 300 400 600

800+

The room/hall size is roughly:
 

Leave blank if not sure.

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:
I live in:

UK or Northern Ireland
Other, please specify
 

 

Please call me   Please email me some suggestions

 
 

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