I learned a critical lesson DJ’ing in college. If you want to be a mobile DJ, powered speakers are the only way to go. Lugging around a heavy amplifier is no fun. Powered speakers give you portability and flexibility as a mobile DJ.
There are several excellent brands of powered speakers, but I recommend JBL. Any JBL EON series speaker will last you for decades, but I would recommend the JBL EON 615. These speakers have more than enough power for almost any size mobile event. Their feature list is extensive, with multiple inputs and a built-in mixer. And they are light enough and small enough to go almost anywhere.
History of Excellence
I chose to stick with JBL because that’s what I was trained on and they are nearly indestructible. I bought my first set of JBL EON 15s on Craigslist for $250 a pair. They were horribly dirty, but they sounded great. One had been used as a monitor in a bar. When I took the grill off, there was an inch of dirt on the cone. I took them apart, cleaned them up, repainted the fronts with some textured metallic spray paint and they were good to go. They still play loud and clear almost 10 years later.
After a few years of paying gigs, I upgraded to the JBL EON 515XT. They are just as good, but with more inputs and features, and they weigh 10 pounds less each. And, if you are worried about volume, don’t be! These suckers are loud – almost too loud. I rarely turn them above 3 at an event, unless it is outdoors. I’m a little scared to go above 5.
The JBL sound quality is legendary. There is a reason that JBLs are basically an industry standard in large venues and arenas. The sound is incredible. With their EON series, JBL packed all of this quality into a completely portable, standalone speaker.
I love the extras I get with the newer EONs. My 515s have multiple inputs and outputs with multiple connection types, so I can plug almost anything into them directly. This comes in so handy when I’m doing an event with a cocktail hour in a separate room from the dance floor. I just assemble my setup once, and then pull one of the speakers into the other room. I can plug in a tablet or phone directly and play background music from a preset playlist. The onboard EQ lets me adjust the sound as needed, without having to plug in another mixer. It’s like they say on TV: set it and forget it!
The newest JBLs are now the 600 series. Even smaller, even lighter and 1000 watt peak output! The 600 series has all of the features of the previous versions, and adds Bluetooth integration, so you can remotely control the onboard EQ.
What to Look for in DJ Speakers
Regardless of your price range, there are certain things your speakers must have to make them worthwhile. First and foremost, they have to be durable and solidly build. There is no way to do any major fixes at an event. Without working speakers, you are sunk. Make sure any speaker you buy feels like it was put together well and will stand up to constantly being carried around.
Speaking of carrying, my second-biggest recommendation is to get powered speakers. This will save you a ton of weight in your DJ setup. Don’t be seduced by cheaper speakers that need a separate amplifier. They’ll end up costing you more back pain than they are worth.
Size-wise, 15 inches is the way to go. You can play almost any size room with a pair of 15-inch speakers. You will be pushing 12-inch speakers too hard at larger events. It’s much, much easier to turn your speakers down than it is to make them louder.
Multiple inputs and built-in EQ are very nice features but not strictly necessary. I made it through just fine with my first set of EONs that only had one XLR input and one XLR output. That great deal on Craigslist earned me enough money from DJing to pay for my fancy JBL 515s cash.
You can add an external subwoofer if you want, but I’ve personally never needed it. 15-inch speakers put out enough loud sound to rock a party right. But if your DJ events require bone-shaking bass, you’re going to need an external sub. JBL makes one compatible with the EON series and you can even get a monopole stand to use the sub as a base for one of your speakers.
What to Do If You’re Broke
Listen, I know JBL speakers are expensive when you’re a new DJ. Just because you are low on funds doesn’t mean you have to play on trash speakers. There are many low-cost options when you’re just getting started.
A word of warning: DO NOT be tempted to use consumer-grade speakers for anything larger than a small, indoor house party. It is way too easy to completely destroy speakers by pushing them too loud. Any home stereo equipment or cheaper Bluetooth speaker was not built to go that loud. You need professional speakers for DJ events.
If I were a new DJ with a little bit of money for speakers, I would follow the same route I did when I got started. Scour Craigslist or local eBay listings for an older version of powered JBLs. Like all things Internet, make sure you try before you buy (or get buyer protection through the website). Figure out your budget and see what you can find in that price range.
If you can’t find any good used gear online, I’d recommend the ION Audio Total PA Max as a good entry-level speaker. I’ve played with it at my local Sam’s Club, and I would feel comfortable using it for my DJ events. It doesn’t feel as sturdy as a JBL, but the sound quality is nice and the price is right.
If you really, really don’t have any money, you can always rent speakers just for your events. I’ve rented powered speakers from Guitar Center before and had a good experience. Speaker rentals run about $100-$150 per weekend. You can just build this cost into your DJ fee without having to buy speakers when you are getting started. If you want my best advice on how to save time and money renting gear, check out my Secrets of a Travelling DJ post.
Speaker Safety
Since we’re talking speakers, it’s a great time for some safety reminders. Remember that you are the DJ and you control the volume, so you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of your guests.
Make sure you set up your speakers far enough away from your DJ booth or table. You want to be able to hear your speaker output, but you don’t want it so loud that you are damaging your hearing. I keep a decibel meter app on my phone so that I can check my levels and adjust my setup at every event. Your ears are your moneymakers. You need to protect them at all costs.
You need to also look out for your guests’ safety. Try to position your speakers so that guests cannot get too close to them. You’re going to need enough volume for your entire room, so don’t setup your speakers in a way that encouraged guests to stand or dance right in front of them. People can be really dumb normally. They are even worse when they’ve been drinking. Position your speakers to discourage stupidity.
At the same time, make sure that your cables don’t pose a tripping hazard. I use gaff tape to secure my cables to the floor when needed, but I usually just set my stands up close enough to my booth that I don’t need tape. Gaff tape is expensive for good reason. It won’t leave sticky residue on your cables. I use as little as possible because it costs so much.
Finally, make sure your speaker stands are stable. I have some smaller lightweight stands that I have to weigh down with sandbags. Prepare for the worst, like a drunken groomsman tripping into your speakers. Position your speakers out of the traffic flow and check their stability.
In Summary…
Powered speakers will save your back and serve you well for years. I highly recommend JBL’s EON series at whatever level of fanciness you can afford. Make the investment in great speakers today, and you will be pumping out great sound for years and years to come.