Portable PA Systems

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Make the world your stage, with our portable PA systems

A portable PA system is an essential piece of equipment for all occasions when you need musical entertainment and don't want to compromise on warm, powerful sound. At home, at the beach, at a party with friends, at an event, at the poolside, at a ceremony: there are many occasions when a portable speaker system will provide the soundtrack for your events.

auna offers you a range of portable PA systems designed specifically for on-the-road use. Thanks to their robustness, you can take them with you and use them in all situations without risk of damage, and they offer maximum comfort with wheels and handles for easy transport. Our small portable PA systems offer everything you need for top-notch musical performance, from compatibility with all major audio formats, USB ports and SD card slots, to the included wireless microphone set; once you've purchased one of our portable PA systems, you're just ready for musical action!.

Main aspects to consider for your portable PA system

A portable PA system is a piece of equipment consisting of a loudspeaker and a microphone widely used to provide sound with clarity and definition. It is used in various situations, for example at a musical event, a school event or even in churches. Portable PA systems can consist of one or more loudspeakers; depending on the model, portable sound systems can have a built-in mixer or a subwoofer. In addition to its components, there are many variables to consider when choosing a PA system. We will focus on three of the most important factors when choosing the best portable PA system: the loudspeaker, the microphone and the things people often forget to consider.

Each loudspeaker has its specific frequency range. A full-range speaker cabinet, known as a two-way system, usually contains a woofer and a tweeter. A woofer reproduces low frequencies, generally below 500 Hz, while a tweeter is responsible for the higher frequency between 2kHz and 20kHz. Portable PA speakers cabinets may include a midrange driver, to reproduce midrange frequencies, between 200Hz and 3kHz. This configuration is what we usually refer to as a three-way system. If necessary, you can also add a subwoofer to gain more power and clarity on the lowest frequencies, generally from 300Hz down to 30Hz or lower.

Our active portable PA systems

Portable PA speakers can be active or passive: let's take a closer look at what each one does. A powered or active PA system has one or more built-in amplifiers, so you don't have to add any additional external amplification. It is also quite common to find simple controls for frequency adjustment and digital signal processing onboard, mostly high-end portable PA systems. Digital signal processing (DSP) can include feedback suppression, automatic frequency adjustment, loudspeaker delay and other functions that allow you to configure the system quickly.

The powered configuration is most often found in medium-sized and small PA systems due to its flexibility and ease of set-up. You can, for example, start with a personal PA system with a single powered speaker and then upgrade to a medium-sized system by adding more speakers. The built-in power amplifiers will provide optimal power to each speaker, and you won't need to recalculate loads. When you move your PA, there is also a good chance that you will have to reconfigure the settings. This becomes a non-issue with our powered PA system as you configure it, so just put it where you need it and plug it in.

Types of microphones in a portable PA system

Two main types of microphones can be found on portable PA systems: wireless microphone and condenser microphone. For stage use, dynamic microphones are more common due to their durability and reliability. On the other hand, condenser microphones are designed to capture more subtleties, fast transients, and handle high sound pressure levels. For these reasons, condenser microphones are the standard for recording studios. They can also be found in live performances, usually to capture the cymbal sounds.

There are also unidirectional and omnidirectional microphones. Unidirectional microphones, also known as cardioid microphones, prevent feedback. They are ideal for recording vocals and live recordings due to their wide, forgiving pattern. Meanwhile, omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from all directions. This is the best microphone to use for interviews and broadcasts, as it’s capable of picking up all sounds at the same volume, even ambient sound.

You may also want to consider whether to opt for a wired or wireless microphone. If you will be on stage and moving around a lot, or if you will be at an event where there will be audience participation, wireless microphones are the way to go. However, if these are not your goal, wired microphones might be sufficient. They are more convenient than the wired type and minimise the risk of interference, which can sometimes be found in the wireless system.

Portable speaker system: technical specifications

Many people often overlook technical specifications when buying electronics, including a PA system. Here are some crucial points you need to consider if you want to get the best PA system ever.

  • Ohms rating
    Impedance or resistance in a piece of equipment is measured by Ohms. Low impedance systems allow for easy flow of electricity, while those with a higher impedance level require more electricity to flow. Most power amplifiers are designed for four to 8-ohm speakers, but you can find ones that can handle up to 16-ohm loads.

  • Power
    Before you look at the spec sheet’s power rating, you should decide how much power you need for your portable speakers. Consider how big the spaces you will be most likely performing in and how many people will be attending the event. Power, in a PA system, is generated by the amplifier and measured in watts. Underpowered equipment will sound distorted, clipped or crackly, especially when you push the volume up. A full-throttle performance in a medium-sized venue typically requires around 1500 watts of power, while a softer performance in the same venue may require less than 750 watts. Meanwhile, a smaller acoustic session may only require 60 watts.

  • Portability
    Will the PA system travel with you or stay in one place for a long time? Traditional or passive PA systems are usually lighter than an active PA system, so this is something to consider from the outset. You may also want to consider whether you want a battery or a non-battery system. A non-battery system is lighter, but you will need access to sockets to use it. If there are no sockets or if your event is outdoors, the best choice is a battery-operated portable PA system. Auna offers you portable PA systems specifically designed to guarantee the maximum ease of transport and use, thanks to their compact design.
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