The Best DJ Speakers for the Money: Powered, Active

Are you…

• An aspiring DJ?
• A well-established, professional DJ with a fully booked calendar?

Either way, you’ll need the right DJ equipment and the best DJ speakers to achieve your ultimate goal: To mix a GREAT set with top-notch audio quality for your audience.

Deciding on the ideal DJ speakers can be difficult. There are tons of DJ speaker brands on the market.

We want to help simplify your selection by rounding up 9 of the best DJ speakers out there. These include the best, most affordable, and most portable DJ speakers for party DJs.

If you’re still practicing in your bedroom and getting ready for your first gig, don’t let that discourage you from getting REAL DJ speakers and growing into them.

Get your name out there and start to DJ in front of a crowd with the BEST studio speakers for your setup.

Let’s get this party started.

Best DJ Speaker Reviews

1. Pyle PPHP1037UB (Powered Active PA Loudspeaker Bluetooth System)

Best Overall DJ Speakers

Specs

• Item weight: 44.02 lbs.
• Speaker size: 13.8” x 17.0” x 27.0”

Looking for a blasting sound? The Pyle system has a built-in self-powered subwoofer that will blow you away.

You can also easily connect this powered speaker to your iPod or iPad via Bluetooth.

Whether you have an outside or indoor event, the Pyle is efficient thanks to its adjustable frequency knob. This powered speaker is made to be durable with an engineered ABS box construction.

You can also connect it to multiple devices and other powered PA speakers for larger crowds.

2. LyxPro SPA-8 (Compact 8″, Portable PA System)

Best Budget Option For Small Gigs

Specs

• Item weight: 14.7lbs.
• Speaker size: 17.1” x 11.6” x 0.96”

This lightweight and compact DJ speaker is extremely portable. The sound system is perfect for smaller functions and venues.

On top of that, it has an 8” woofer for extra sound.

The multiple inputs and output options allow you to connect your system to microphones, other speakers, and more.

Control high frequencies with the treble knob and create a perfectly balanced sound. The SD card slot is a great addition to this device that I found most useful.

3. JBL EON206P (Portable All-in-One 2-Way PA System, 6-Channel Mixer)

Best Professional DJ Speaker Setup

Specs

• Item weight: 33.1 lbs.
• Speaker size: 27.9” x 13.4” x 20.9”

If you’re looking for speakers that are great for mixing, then this it it. This system offers you two speakers with 6.5” subwoofers for loud, clear sound.

The built-in cable storage will prevent damaging the cables and tripping over cords, so that’s a plus.

It has a built-in 6-channel powered mixer so you can play your music without limits. Traveling with these speakers is made easy with the soft-grip handle design.

4. Rockville RPG12 (12″, 1600W Powered PA/DJ Speakers, Pair)

Best DJ Speakers Plus PA System

Specs

• Item weight: 109 lbs.
• Speaker size: 16.37” x 12.75” x 23.11”

You can adjust the height of this powered speaker with the steel stands and easily pack them away in the provided carry bag.

The built-in bass equalizer will protect your speakers even on the highest volume setting. The built-in 12” woofer will maximize your sound quality, too!

Thanks to the included mountable brackets, you can choose between different setup positions. You don’t have to buy any additional input or output cables as they’re all included.

5. Sony GTKXB7BC

High Power Home Audio System

Specs

• Item weight: 26 lbs.
• Speaker size: 33” x 17.5” x 16.5”

This system’s LED lighting helps boost the mood at any party. The extra bass will allow you to enjoy each and every beat of the music.

Want to connect the system to more speakers?

The party chain feature allows you to easily add more sound to the party. You can stream your music from any device using Bluetooth!

The clear audio function will automatically offer you quality sound settings.

You can control and customize all your settings on your Smartphone via the SongPal app Sony offers.

6. Rockville BPA12 (12″, Professional Powered Active 600W DJ PA Speaker)

Specs

• Item weight: 25.9 lbs.
• Speaker size: 13.79” x 12.02” x 22.46”

I love wireless speakers. This one is no exception.

The Rockville BPA12” offers a 32-ft. Bluetooth range. The wireless remote allows you to easily manage settings from a distance.

If you want to connect a mixer or a subwoofer to this powered speaker, you can do so via the XLR line output.

The lightweight design has a powerful amp to give you quality bass notes. With 600W, this DJ speaker offers high frequency and clear sound.

7. Rockville RPG8 (8″, Powered Active 400 Watt 2-Way DJ PA Speaker System)

Specs

• Item weight: 19.35 lbs.
• Speaker size: 14” x 11.5” x 9”

I love a good bargain, don’t you? This system is affordable, and you’ll love the sound balance of this speaker thanks to its equalization processor.

The flyable and stand-mounting options allow you to set up your system at different positions, regardless of the venue.

The blue LED indicators also add a detailed touch to the design.

A built-in 8” woofer will offer you a subtle yet deep bass sound. It also has an internal switch-mode supply that allows you to enjoy low distortion.

The ultra-low noise mic also ensures a professional sound system for any DJ.

8. Numark Lightwave (2-Way DJ Speaker with Beat Sync’d LED Lights)

Specs

• Item weight: 19.35 lbs.
• Speaker size: 14” x 11.5” x 9”

This will be the ultimate addition to any house party. It offers five customizable light features that can make any party place more stylish.

Your audience will enjoy hours of fun with its multi-colored LED lights display.

This speaker is extremely portable and lightweight, so you’ll be able to move and install it easily.

You can bring the party to any venue with the 6.5” subwoofers. It also has a 1” tweeter for great sound. You can easily connect DJ mixers and even additional speakers to this system.

9. Mackie Thump15A (1300W, 15″, Powered Loudspeaker)

Specs

• Item weight: 40 lbs.
• Speaker size: 14” x 17.4” x 27”

This system is a powerhouse! It offers 1300W of ultimate sound. You’ll have booming sound with the bass response technology it offers.

The built-in 2-channel mixer makes this one of the top PA speakers for DJ’ing. The design is durable and portable with an ergonomic side handle.

It’ll be a reliable, professional addition to any DJ’s gig thanks to its 4 application-specific mode.

Ever experienced the frustration of unstable AC power at a function? I sure have.

Fortunately, this speaker has a power factor correction feature that will allow you to avoid embarrassing moments happening due to power interruptions.

My Pick for the Best DJ Speakers

I’ve given you a summary of 9 of the best PA speakers from some of the best DJ speaker brands on the market.

While all these systems offer you exceptional sound quality and many additional benefits, there’s one speaker that, in my opinion, is one of the best-powered DJ speakers ANY DJ would appreciate.

Whether you want cheap DJ speakers for a house party or are looking for the best wireless DJ speakers, my number one pick ticks all the important boxes.

The Pyle PPHP1037UB is lightweight and easy to take anywhere with travel wheels and a carry handle. You can use it for small- or medium-sized crowds at indoor or outdoor venues.

By complementing these speakers with extra features like lights and a disco ball, and you can entertain your crowd while playing top-notch sound from quality speakers. 

They’ll work for up to 5 hours without having to plug them into a power source!

This set of the best DJ speakers includes a 1-year warranty to ensure you’ll have a working system whenever you need it.

It’s your LONG-TERM option, and it’s a good one!

A Buyer’s Guide to DJ Speakers

The first question you should ask yourself is what you want to achieve with the speaker:

• Are you going to be playing in front of larger crowds or…
• Will you only be DJ’ing at small functions?

If you’re going to be playing for larger groups and functions, you’ll want a speaker with more watts or amps.

Alternatively, you can add a subwoofer when you’re DJ’ing at larger functions. If you’re going to be a professional, you’ll want to spend more on your system.

This might mean spending more time doing proper research before you select one, but it might also mean spending more money on a durable set of speakers with higher sound quality.

After all, you’ll want to LOOK and SOUND professional to keep a good reputation in the industry.

You’ll be able to find systems that offer a lot of extra features such as light displays or disco balls. This is always a good option if you want to offer clients an all-in-one experience.

Most people would prefer extra lighting features for functions such as weddings and parties.

It’s also advisable to get a speaker with a Wi-Fi microphone if you’re DJ’ing at function halls and wedding venues.

Portability of the Speakers

Being a DJ often means traveling around to venues and events.  Your speakers should be portable enough for you to move them around easily.

If you’re a one-man DJ company, you’ll need to set up and transport your speakers without any help.

Here are a few things to look at regarding the movability of your sound set.

• Weight: Heavy speakers will be hard to lift in and out of your car
• Size: Smaller systems will fit into any vehicle and will be easier to move around. However, they may still be heavy, so be sure to check the weight of small speakers as well
• Wheels: Try to select a system with portable wheels attached for easier maneuverability

Considering these factors will help make your DJ setup easier to manage!

It’ll also prevent unnecessary scratching and damage to your speaker due to knocks or dragging.

Powered vs. Unpowered

• Powered vs. Unpowered: When you’re buying a sound system, you’ll have the option of unpowered or powered speakers.
• Unpowered/Passive speakers: Passive speakers will need an external power source or amplifier to be able to work.
• Powered speakers: A powered speaker already has an amplifier, so all you need is a power cable to be able to use these speakers.
• So which one is the better option? Unpowered speakers tend to lose more than 20% of the power from the amplifier. This is due to the heat it will dissipate.

The benefit of owning a passive speaker is that you can easily change or upgrade your amp system. When you have powered speakers, you can’t change the amp to a better one to upgrade your system as it’s built-in.

If you want to upgrade your amp, you’ll have to buy a whole new system.

It does, however, reduce your total costs at the end of the day, as you don’t need to buy any additional amps. There really isn’t a better or worse option, as both of these speaker types have pros and cons.

It’ll be up to you which pros you feel outweigh the drawbacks.

Below’s a video if you want more information about active speakers.

Quality

The quality of speakers is something that’s of extreme importance for any DJ. You’ll be traveling with your speakers, so you want them to be durable.

Quality systems usually offer warranties which can be very handy for DJs that are booked for occasions on a regular basis.

If something goes wrong, it’s easier to get a replacement set. The quality of the speaker’s sound is just as important.

Make sure your system has a well-balanced bass response and equalizer.

If you don’t invest in quality speakers, you might have a distorted sound that can mess with your ability to secure gigs. If you want to sound professional, you should buy a professional sound system.

Affordability

Is it really necessary to spend your last bit of savings on a sound system?

Probably not.

However, many affordable speakers will offer you quality sound, durability, and even a few extras, such as LED displays. Check out my review on the Best Studio Monitors Under $200.

You don’t necessarily have to go with the most expensive set when investing in a sound system, but you do have to do proper research before buying a cheap speaker.

Read customer reviews on all products and test the sound quality if possible.

Since you’ll be saving money when buying more affordable speakers, I advise you to purchase an additional warranty on cheaper designs.

TIP: If you’re saving for a specific system, you can always get a cheaper option you can work within the meantime.

READ MORE:

• The Best DJ Headphones?: Sennheiser 25 HD Review

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