How to choose
the perfect portable P.A. for your
live performance or presentation?

A sound reinforcement system, at its simplest, has three components: A way to get audio into the system, such as a microphone, instrument input or Bluetooth stream; an amplifier to raise the signal to a level that can power a loudspeaker; and a loudspeaker, which converts electrical energy to acoustic energy. From there, P.A.s vary widely in inputs, mixer capabilities and processing and control features. Systems fall into two general categories:

Personal P.A.s cover a wide range of small to mid-sized music concerts and events. They can be self-contained, single-speaker systems such as the JBL EON ONE Compact all-in-one rechargeable P.A.; they can be modular systems based around mini speaker array towers, such as the JBL EON ONE, which features six speakers and an integrated subwoofer; or they can be built from individual speakers, such as the JBL EON700 Series family of powered two-way speakers and subwoofer. Smaller, self-contained personal P.A.s are ideal for use in cafés, street performances, small speaking engagements and fitness classes; larger personal P.A. systems, which can include stage monitors and extra speakers, are often used in bars, houses of worship and mobile DJ rigs.

Full-Scale P.A.s are professional systems designed for large venues and events; these are the systems you see at music festivals and in large concert venues. Full-scale P.A.s can be temporary installations or permanent fixtures; they’re usually passive systems and are built from discrete components including speakers, amplifiers, processors and network control hardware and software. Here, we’re focusing on personal portable P.A.s, but it’s always a good idea to think about your sound system in terms of meeting your needs now and in the future.

Portable P.A.s are available in powered (or “active”) versions, which include onboard amplification, and unpowered (or “passive”) versions, which require external amps. Here, we’re focusing on powered P.A.s, which provide perfectly matched components, are significantly easier to configure and can be set up and torn down faster since they eliminate the hassles of dealing with dedicated amp racks and extra cabling. And, because they are able to stand alone, it’s easy to expand your system with additional powered speakers.

For professionals seeking the flexibility to build or expand passive systems, JBL PRX400 Series and SRX800 Passive Series loudspeakers, stage monitors and subs deliver the power handling response and coverage necessary for demanding audio environments, incorporate tunings for Crown amplifiers and dbx signal processors and offer user-configurable DSP and network control.

How Loud Is Loud Enough?

To determine how much power you need, consider the types of venues you are playing in and your potential audience size. As audience and venue size increase, the amount of power (measured in watts) and SPL (measured in decibels) necessary for effective sound reinforcement increases. (It’s always better to overestimate than underestimate.) Think about room size and dimensions, music genre (rock bands usually require more power than folk acts, for example) and band instrumentation. (Playing with a drummer? You’ll need higher output to be heard.) Factor in a healthy amount of headroom, which is the power to handle peaks without distorting.

It’s not easy to place hard numbers on power requirements, but desired volume level plays a big role. A folk act performing in a medium sized room might only require 60–80 watts of amplification, whereas a dynamic heavy metal band playing the same space might need a 2,000-watt system.

If you perform outdoors a lot, will you have access to power? If the answer is no, you’re limited to two choices: A battery-powered P.A., or a P.A. with a generator. And, let’s be honest, a noisy generator does nothing to enhance the enjoyment of your music.

Battery-powered P.A.s offer unmatched freedom to play anywhere. The JBL EON Family includes two battery-powered P.A. systems: The tough-and-tiny, 17.6-pound EON ONE Compact self-contained P.A. features an 8-inch speaker that outputs a robust 112 dB, with an extended low-end response down to 37.5 Hz—nearly an octave lower than other P.A.s in its class. Its bigger sibling, the EON ONE Pro, delivers 118 dB of crystal-clear sound, thanks to its 6-speaker mini column array and built-in subwoofer.

How long will you be performing? The EON One Pro operates for 6 hours on a single battery charge, while the EON ONE Compact operates for 12 hours and offers the ability to swap its battery.

What kind of mixer capabilities do you need? Do you already own a standalone mixer, or do you need a system with a self-contained mixer? The EON ONE Compact offers a 4-channel mixer, while the EON ONE Pro has a 7-channel mixer. How about effects and remote app control? If you’re looking for more audio conveniences, the EON ONE Compact is the way to go. If those functions aren’t as important and you prefer more power and headroom, the EON ONE Pro fits the bill.

If you need more sound coverage, simply add more P.A. units: EON ONE Compact and EON ONE Pro P.A.s can be daisy-chained together using their built-in Pass-Thru I/Os. You can even control and stream Bluetooth audio to four EON ONE Compact units from a single smartphone using the JBL Compact Connect app.

If you’re playing large outdoor gigs with access to power, consider a system such as the JBL EON700 Series, PRX800 Series and SRX800 Series. Systems that access fixed power offer more headroom and greater overall volume.

Many JBL portable P.A.s can be controlled wirelessly via control apps, which let users check sound from anywhere in the room while diving deeper into effects and other features. JBL EON ONE Compact, EON ONE Pro and EON700 Series systems are controlled over Bluetooth while JBL PRX800 systems can be controlled over wi-fi.

The Freedom to Go Wireless

Dynamic performers, presenters and fitness instructors need to be able to roam the stage or room; AKG offers a range of secure, easy-to-use wireless systems that support handheld mics, in-ear monitors and instrument beltpacks.

Specs shouldn’t be the only factor informing your P.A. choice, but they can give you objective idea of system performance. Let’s look at a few key measurements.

Dynamic range: The difference between the loudest and softest levels in an audio signal, typically measured in decibels.

Frequency response: The spectrum of frequencies produced at a P.A. system’s output. The range of human hearing is 20 Hz–20 kHz; ideally, full-range speakers provide even response across most of that range, though they can be supplemented on the low end with subwoofers, which are more efficient at reproducing low frequencies’ longer waveforms.

Continuous power handling: This indicates the power level, in watts, that a speaker can handle over an extended period of time.

Peak power handling: The maximum power that a loudspeaker can handle in short, instantaneous bursts. (While this spec can be impressive, continuous power handling is a better indicator of real-world performance.)

Sensitivity: Measures how well a speaker converts amplifier power to acoustic energy—in other words, how loudly a speaker will play at a given electrical input level. Sensitivity is measured in decibels per 1 watt per 1 meter, shortened to a decibel rating. 

Max SPL: Maximum sound pressure level measures a speaker’s acoustic output (in decibels) at a distance of 1 meter. This metric directly relates to a speaker’s sensitivity rating and maximum power rating.

When it comes to speakers, it’s important to consider individual specs in the context of system design and overall performance. Don’t confuse power for output; a P.A.’s wattage rating alone is not an accurate indicator of output potential, because an efficient speaker driver system will deliver a higher output at the same power rating than a less efficient design. Always consider power ratings in combination with max SPL output.

Evaluate loudspeaker coverage in the context of power: A powerful speaker with narrow coverage may be an ideal stage wedge, but a speaker with less power and broader coverage may a better main speaker.