What Size PA Do I Actually Need? A Practical Guide for Small to Mid-Sized Events
Ever been handed the aux cord and told to “make it sound good”—in a gym, an art gallery, or a warehouse—and suddenly realized your two-speaker setup just isn’t going to cut it?
If you’re planning an event and wondering what kind of PA (public address) system you actually need, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we get at Eagle AV Rental—and also one of the most misunderstood. So, let’s break it down without the jargon, the sales pitch, or the guesswork.
First, What’s the Goal of Your PA?
Before you look at power ratings or speaker sizes, start with this simple question:
"What do I need the audience to clearly hear—and how many of them are there?"
Are you amplifying a speaker for a corporate meeting? A full band at a wedding? A DJ set in a warehouse? Each of those needs very different gear. The more specific you can be, the better your results (and your budget!).
Key Considerations When Sizing Your PA
- Audience Size: This affects how much coverage (and power) you’ll need. Small PA setups can work fine for 25–75 people indoors. Once you're over 100, or outdoors, you need to scale up.
- Type of Content: Spoken word is very different from live music or playback tracks. Music needs more dynamic range and better low-end reproduction.
- Room Size and Acoustics: High ceilings, reflective walls, and open-air venues all affect sound. A rig that works in a small theater might fail miserably in a glass-walled atrium.
- Audience Expectations: Corporate audiences want clarity. Wedding guests want energy. Partygoers want punch. Different goals, different rigs.
Typical PA Sizes and Their Use Cases
Small Setup (25–75 people)
- 2 powered speakers (like QSC K10.2 or dB Technologies OPERA)
- Optional small mixer (2–6 channels)
- Great for: coffee shop gigs, intimate wedding ceremonies, speeches, gallery events
Mid-Sized Setup (75–150 people)
- 2 larger powered tops + 1 or 2 subwoofers
- Mixer with multiple inputs for mics, instruments, playback
- Great for: receptions, DJs, small corporate presentations, acoustic bands
Large Mid-Sized Setup (150–300 people)
- 2-4 full-range tops (array or point source) + 2-4 subs
- 6–12 channel mixer, DI boxes, monitor wedges or IEMs
- Great for: outdoor events, full band performances, multi-speaker panels
Pro tip: Don’t rely solely on speaker wattage. Look at SPL (sound pressure level) and coverage angles—those numbers actually tell you how loud and clear the system will be across your space.
Lessons From the Field
We once worked a product launch in a high-ceiling retail space with polished concrete floors and zero acoustic treatment. The client originally asked for “just two speakers.” On our site visit, it was obvious the reflections would make it nearly impossible to understand speech without focused coverage and tuning. We ended up providing column arrays with directional dispersion and subtle fills to avoid hot spots—clean, elegant, and intelligible.
Point is: it's not just about gear. It’s about applying the right system thinking to your event goals.
Common Mistakes (So You Can Avoid Them)
- Underpowering the space: Running small speakers too hard leads to distortion and listener fatigue.
- Ignoring monitors: Performers or presenters need to hear themselves too—or they’ll end up shouting.
- No subwoofers for music events: Even background music needs a little low-end warmth to feel “full.”
- Too much gear, poorly deployed: More speakers aren’t always better. Strategic placement beats brute force.
Still Not Sure? Here’s the Simple Rule of Thumb
If the audience needs to hear it clearly and feel it naturally, size up just a bit.
It's better to run a slightly larger rig at lower volume than to push a small one to its limit. Your sound will be cleaner, more consistent, and more professional. And your audience (and crew) will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Every event is different. And while the internet is full of formulas and forums, nothing replaces experience and good judgment. That’s where we come in.
At Eagle AV Rental, we’ve supported everything from panel discussions with a single lav mic to outdoor concerts requiring full flown arrays. We’re happy to walk you through your needs, no matter how simple or complex.
Have questions? Need help figuring out what your event really calls for?
Reach out anytime—we’re here to make your show sound as good as it deserves to.
