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What to Consider When Shopping for a PA System
There's a lot to consider when shopping for PA systems. What's best for you? That's a question that only you can really answer, but there are some considerations that are common to whatever system you opt for. This article explores the things you should look out for when choosing a PA, or public address, system.
1. Arguably, the microphone is the most important part of the system to consider. If every other component of the system is top notch, but the microphone is cheap and nasty, the sound quality will be equally poor. Get a unidirectional microphone of high quality if just one person will be using it, or an omnidirectional microphone if several people will be using it simultaneously. And of course, getting several unidirectional microphones for several people to use simultaneously also works well.
2. The mixer should be considered next. The mixer's job is to route and mix the various audio signals generated within the system. Each component or device will have its own channel, so the mixer needs to be able to accommodate all the devices you have, and perhaps be able to expand in the future whenever you need it to.
3. The amplifier takes the signals generated in the system and amplifies them. A poor quality amplifier will amplify the signals badly and distort the sound. That is why you should choose a non-distorting signal amplifier. Also consider the power you require. If your amplifier doesn't have enough power to cope it will distort the sound.
4. PA systems would be useless without speakers. This is where the sound emits. Good speakers will reproduce the sound signals faithfully, and the reverse is of course also true. The number of speakers you will have is another thing you should consider. Give consideration to where the system will be used. If it is a small space, then gigantic powerful speakers will be overkill and deafen everyone. Conversely, inadequate speakers, or too few speakers, will not have what it takes to faithfully reproduce the sound quality and volume needed in a large space.
5. While it is not strictly speaking a component of PA systems, the cabling you use to connect everything together is also very important. It may seem obvious, but make sure that you only use cables designed for audio use. This will mean that the cables are the optimum quality for what you need. You should also avoid thin, flimsy cables. They may be easier to handle and take up less storage space, but they will also be less able to cope. Go for strength and sturdiness; cables can take a lot of wear and tear over the years. Get ones designed for audio that look like they will last the course.
PA systems are of course manufactured by many different companies. Some are well known and popular, while some are perhaps best forgotten. When choosing your system, choose components that are proven to be reliable. You can choose the individual components separately from different manufacturers, matching up the best or you can choose from the many all-in-one PA systems. Either way, choose carefully and you will have a sound system that will last you for many years.
David A Robinson
Specialist advice on all aspects of buying PA systems
