Your Questions: PA Or Studio Speakers For A House Party?

DJ Vintage
Read time: < 1 min
Last updated 5 April, 2018

Rip up the sound system! If you're not careful, you'll end up literally ripping your speakers if you pick the wrong type to DJ with at a house party. Take our advice and do it right...
Rip up the sound system! If you’re not careful, you’ll end up literally ripping your speakers if you pick the wrong type to DJ with at a house party. Take our advice and do it right…

Digital DJ Tips forum reader Jamal writes: “I’m DJing at a medium sized house party say 30-40 people. I’ll be in an average sized room, but I have no idea what speakers to use. Would studio speakers do the job? Do I need a PA system? I’m not sure what my budget is at the minute but would appreciate some help!”

Digital DJ Tips says:

Definitely avoid using studio speakers, they’re too delicate for party DJing and you’re likely to damage them by overpowering them or someone putting a beer bottle through them, or something similar (whatever your best intentions beforehand…).

A PA system is a much better bet, provided you choose one that’s the right size. If you don’t own now, don’t buy: rent. Tell the rental company what you need. A general rule of thumb is five to 10 watts (more on the 10W side for house) “RMS” per person. In this case between 300 and 400W should be sufficient, but again, tell the PA rental company.

It’s always a good idea to consider a combination with one subwoofer and two (smaller) top end speakers if you want some good low end. But for a house party with 30-40 people, this is probably overkill (unless you really want to shake the room). Make sure you get stands too to get the speakers at ear level.

• If you’d like to learn more about PA systems, check out our free series Beginner’s Guide To PA Systems.

Got any more advice to give when it comes to speakers for a house party of 30-40 people? Please add it in the comments.

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