Basic PA SystemsBuying Guide
Explaining the Different Configurations and How to Choose What's Best for You
Say you're in band that just got a rehearsal space of its own or a promoter tired of renting speakers for your shows—you can find plenty of options for PA systems on Reverb. The basic components are a mixer, a power amp, and speakers, which can be found in all manner of configurations.
In the video below, Reverb's Joe Shadid takes a look at the various options and explains what buyers should consider before deciding what's right for them. You'll also find a series of excellent and recommended options under the three main configuration categories.
Reverb's Joe Shadid breaks down what to consider before buying a PA and how to set it up.
Snag a Deal on a PA System
Originally $1,375, now $1,195 ($180 price drop)$1,375$180 price drop$1,195
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Originally $899.98, now $399.99 ($499.99 price drop)$899.98$499.99 price drop$399.99
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Originally $1,599, now $899 ($700 price drop)$1,599$700 price drop$899Local Pickup
Originally $200, now $100 ($100 price drop)$200$100 price drop$100
Originally $449, now $399 ($50 price drop)$449$50 price drop$399
Originally $325, now $199 ($126 price drop)$325$126 price drop$199Local Pickup
Originally $448, now $348 ($100 price drop)$448$100 price drop$348Free Shipping
Originally $1,415.65, now $1,243.56 ($172.09 price drop)$1,415.65$172.09 price drop$1,243.56Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Price DropRack mount case with eq...amp and.. comp ...package Road case - Black silver
Used – ExcellentOriginally $375, now $225.63 ($149.37 price drop)$375$149.37 price drop$225.63
Originally $125, now $94.99 ($30.01 price drop)$125$30.01 price drop$94.99Local Pickup
Originally $1,748, now $1,668 ($80 price drop)$1,748$80 price drop$1,668Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $120, now $80 ($40 price drop)$120$40 price drop$80Local Pickup
Price DropPAIR Celestion SR1 MK2 8” Dual Concentric PA Passive DJ Speakers W/ SRC1 UK
Used – Very GoodOriginally $575, now $485 ($90 price drop)$575$90 price drop$485
Originally $3,000, now $2,750 ($250 price drop)$3,000$250 price drop$2,750Local Pickup
Originally $50, now $30 (40% price drop)$5040% price drop$30
Originally $789, now $379.97 ($409.03 price drop)$789$409.03 price drop$379.97Free Shipping
Originally $25,000, now $16,500 ($8,500 price drop)$25,000$8,500 price drop$16,500
Originally $225, now $125 ($100 price drop)$225$100 price drop$125Local Pickup
Originally $321.79, now $291.36 ($30.43 price drop)$321.79$30.43 price drop$291.3630-Day Return Policy
Originally $49.99, now $39.99 (21% price drop)$49.9921% price drop$39.99Local Pickup
Originally $75, now $50 (34% price drop)$7534% price drop$50Local Pickup
Price Drop(TWO) Electro-Voice EV 50 Portable Column PA System 2021 - with roller cases
Used – ExcellentOriginally $3,642, now $3,442 ($200 price drop)$3,642$200 price drop$3,442Local Pickup
Originally $449.99, now $376.40 ($73.59 price drop)$449.99$73.59 price drop$376.40Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $269.99, now $251.99 ($18 price drop)$269.99$18 price drop$251.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $130, now $75 ($55 price drop)$130$55 price drop$75Local Pickup
Originally $1,800, now $900 ($900 price drop)$1,800$900 price drop$900
Originally $199.99, now $179.99 ($20 price drop)$199.99$20 price drop$179.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $2,023.12, now $1,820.81 ($202.31 off)$2,023.12$202.31 off$1,820.81Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $494.97, now $383.92 ($111.05 price drop)$494.97$111.05 price drop$383.9214-Day Return Policy
Originally $8,888, now $6,895 ($1,993 price drop)$8,888$1,993 price drop$6,895
Originally $104.40, now $92.40 ($12 price drop)$104.40$12 price drop$92.4030-Day Return Policy
Originally $420, now $324.95 ($95.05 price drop)$420$95.05 price drop$324.95Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $198.40, now $147.40 ($51 price drop)$198.40$51 price drop$147.40Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $430, now $330 ($100 price drop)$430$100 price drop$330
Originally $198.40, now $147.40 ($51 price drop)$198.40$51 price drop$147.40Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $249, now $219.95 ($29.05 price drop)$249$29.05 price drop$219.95Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Price Drop2 (1 pair) - Grundorf Audio Design, GAD. 200 WATT RMS. Replacement or Retro Fit Amplifier/Mixer Modules.
Used – Very GoodOriginally $749.99, now $597.08 ($152.91 price drop)$749.99$152.91 price drop$597.08
Originally $178.40, now $128.40 ($50 price drop)$178.40$50 price drop$128.40Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $3,999, now $3,099 ($900 price drop)$3,999$900 price drop$3,09930-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,599, now $1,499 ($100 price drop)$1,599$100 price drop$1,499Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $849.99, now $699.99 ($150 price drop)$849.99$150 price drop$699.99Free 2-Day Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $2,000, now $1,750 ($250 price drop)$2,000$250 price drop$1,750Local Pickup
Originally $16,000, now $14,500 ($1,500 price drop)$16,000$1,500 price drop$14,500Free Shipping
Originally $130, now $110 ($20 price drop)$130$20 price drop$110
Originally $499, now $398.57 ($100.43 price drop)$499$100.43 price drop$398.57
Originally $599.99, now $509.95 ($90.04 price drop)$599.99$90.04 price drop$509.95Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $44.40, now $38.40 (14% price drop)$44.4014% price drop$38.4030-Day Return Policy
Originally $499.99, now $399.99 ($100 price drop)$499.99$100 price drop$399.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $3,998, now $2,399 ($1,599 price drop)$3,998$1,599 price drop$2,39930-Day Return Policy
Originally $299, now $125 ($174 price drop)$299$174 price drop$125Local Pickup
Originally $799.99, now $299.99 ($500 price drop)$799.99$500 price drop$299.99Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $3,399, now $3,199 ($200 price drop)$3,399$200 price drop$3,199Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $719.99, now $599.99 ($120 price drop)$719.99$120 price drop$599.99Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,199, now $849 ($350 price drop)$1,199$350 price drop$849
Originally $149.99, now $119.99 ($30 price drop)$149.99$30 price drop$119.99
Originally $1,599, now $1,499 ($100 price drop)$1,599$100 price drop$1,499Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $299.99, now $279.99 ($20 price drop)$299.99$20 price drop$279.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $639.99, now $459.95 ($180.04 price drop)$639.99$180.04 price drop$459.95Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $428.99, now $329.99 ($99 price drop)$428.99$99 price drop$329.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
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Originally $425, now $375 ($50 price drop)$425$50 price drop$375
OutletPrice DropEV Electro-Voice EVERSE 12 12" Battery Powered Active Bluetooth Speaker (White)
Used – MintOriginally $999, now $799.99 ($199.01 price drop)$999$199.01 price drop$799.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $500, now $400 ($100 price drop)$500$100 price drop$400Local Pickup
Originally $199, now $25 ($174 price drop)$199$174 price drop$25
Originally $850, now $705 ($145 price drop)$850$145 price drop$705Local Pickup
Originally $399, now $349 ($50 price drop)$399$50 price drop$349Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $399.99, now $299.99 ($100 price drop)$399.99$100 price drop$299.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,308.62, now $1,239.74 ($68.88 price drop)$1,308.62$68.88 price drop$1,239.74Free Shipping
Originally $1,849.99, now $1,499.99 ($350 price drop)$1,849.99$350 price drop$1,499.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $65, now $35 (47% price drop)$6547% price drop$35Local Pickup
Originally $723, now $599 ($124 price drop)$723$124 price drop$599
Originally $849.99, now $799.99 ($50 price drop)$849.99$50 price drop$799.99Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $43,950, now $27,900 ($16,050 price drop)$43,950$16,050 price drop$27,900
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Originally $376.73, now $339.06 ($37.67 off)$376.73$37.67 off$339.06
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Originally $999.99, now $899.99 ($100 price drop)$999.99$100 price drop$899.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $2,499.99, now $1,799.99 ($700 price drop)$2,499.99$700 price drop$1,799.99
Originally $699.99, now $624.99 ($75 price drop)$699.99$75 price drop$624.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
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Originally $300, now $270 ($30 price drop)$300$30 price drop$270Local Pickup
Originally $262.96, now $152.58 ($110.38 price drop)$262.96$110.38 price drop$152.58
Originally $659, now $629 ($30 price drop)$659$30 price drop$629Free Shipping
Originally $1,300, now $1,200 ($100 price drop)$1,300$100 price drop$1,200Local Pickup
Originally $5,600, now $3,579 ($2,021 price drop)$5,600$2,021 price drop$3,579Free Shipping
Originally $299.99, now $279.99 ($20 price drop)$299.99$20 price drop$279.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $499.99, now $399.99 ($100 price drop)$499.99$100 price drop$399.99Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $396, now $225 ($171 price drop)$396$171 price drop$225Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $428.99, now $399.99 ($29 price drop)$428.99$29 price drop$399.99Free Shipping
Originally $255.08, now $145.68 ($109.40 price drop)$255.08$109.40 price drop$145.6830-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,199.99, now $1,025.99 ($174 price drop)$1,199.99$174 price drop$1,025.99Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $3,499, now $3,099 ($400 price drop)$3,499$400 price drop$3,09930-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,544.56, now $1,333.94 ($210.62 price drop)$1,544.56$210.62 price drop$1,333.94
Originally $479.99, now $399.99 ($80 price drop)$479.99$80 price drop$399.9914-Day Return PolicyLocal Pickup
Originally $999.99, now $949 ($50.99 price drop)$999.99$50.99 price drop$949Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,499, now $1,274.15 ($224.85 price drop)$1,499$224.85 price drop$1,274.15Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $999, now $899.99 ($99.01 price drop)$999$99.01 price drop$899.99Free 2-Day Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $424.99, now $375 ($49.99 price drop)$424.99$49.99 price drop$375Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $382.49, now $337 ($45.49 price drop)$382.49$45.49 price drop$337Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
Originally $449.99, now $349.99 ($100 price drop)$449.99$100 price drop$349.99Free Shipping14-Day Return Policy
OutletPrice DropJBL EON ONE MK2 Battery-Powered Column Active PA Speaker Sys w/Mixer & Bluetooth
Used – MintOriginally $1,299, now $949.99 ($349.01 price drop)$1,299$349.01 price drop$949.99Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $600, now $475 ($125 price drop)$600$125 price drop$475Local Pickup
Originally $909.13, now $483.66 ($425.47 price drop)$909.13$425.47 price drop$483.66
Originally $1,799, now $1,499 ($300 price drop)$1,799$300 price drop$1,499Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,359.15, now $1,274.15 ($85 price drop)$1,359.15$85 price drop$1,274.15Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $150, now $100 ($50 price drop)$150$50 price drop$100Local Pickup
Originally $2,999, now $2,799 ($200 price drop)$2,999$200 price drop$2,799Free Shipping30-Day Return Policy
Originally $6,700, now $4,250 ($2,450 price drop)$6,700$2,450 price drop$4,250Local Pickup
Originally $2,579.99, now $2,379.99 ($200 price drop)$2,579.99$200 price drop$2,379.99Free Shipping
Originally $499, now $299 ($200 price drop)$499$200 price drop$299Free Shipping
Originally $800, now $500 ($300 price drop)$800$300 price drop$500Local Pickup
Originally $1,299.99, now $1,199.99 ($100 price drop)$1,299.99$100 price drop$1,199.99Free Shipping
Price Drop2x RCF Active 12" 1400 Watts Portable Line Array Column PA System with 8-Input Mixer + 2x Cables (MINT)
Used – Very GoodOriginally $3,127, now $2,721.60 ($405.40 price drop)$3,127$405.40 price drop$2,721.60Free Shipping
Originally $889.97, now $807.08 ($82.89 price drop)$889.97$82.89 price drop$807.0814-Day Return Policy
Originally $1,339.99, now $1,249.99 ($90 price drop)$1,339.99$90 price drop$1,249.99Free Shipping
Plug-and-Play PAs
The simplest PA configuration is an all-in-one system, which can be as small as one powered, plug-and-play speaker with a power amp and onboard mixing options. Just plug a microphone or instrument directly into the back, adjust the volume (and perhaps change some tone), and you're good to go.
This type of setup is ideal for a singer-songwriter, a karaoke night, or other scenarios where you don't need many voices or instruments to be amplified, as these plug-and-play PAs generally only have one or two inputs. If you need more than that, you can always add an external mixer for more inputs.
Below, check out the Fishman SA220—a great plug-and-play-style PA system with two inputs that's especially great for acoustic singer-songwriters. This is Joe Shadid's go-to solo performance PA.
Plug-and-Play PA Systems
Non-Powered Mixers & Powered Speakers
A very popular type of PA system today is one that includes two powered speakers and a non-powered mixer. These mixers—which can be very lightweight and inexpensive—take the signal from mics or instruments, allowing users to treat them with EQ (and sometimes effects).
They also include auxiliary inputs so that you can use the signal from cell phones, laptops, or other devices. Because the mixer doesn't amplify the signal itself, the wattage of your powered speakers will decide how loud the system can be.
Below, check out our picks for a solid analog mixer—the affordable and portable Mackie Mix8—and robust powered speaker, the Electro-Voice ZLX-15P.
Non-Powered Mixers
Powered Speakers
Powered Mixers & Passive Speakers
The reverse scenario is also a popular option: a powered mixer and passive speakers (aka non-powered speakers). In this scenario, the speakers are often lighter, since they don't contain the power amp, while the mixers are heavier and more expensive.
Manufacturers like Yamaha, with its StagePas 400i and 600i PA systems, or Fender, with its Passport Venue or Passport Event, will sometimes sell these powered mixers/passive speaker setups as a package deal.
The Peavey PVi 6500 below is also an excellent powered mixer, ideal for players looking to use it in their practice space or at a smaller venue. The Peavey PVX10P makes a great complementary passive speaker option, but check below for even more options.
Powered Mixers
Passive Speakers
Other PA Options and Accessories
A fourth option involves both non-powered mixers and non-powered speakers with a standalone power amp between them providing the amplification. A benefit of this option is you can match the output with many different types of speakers, but this is usually not ideal for amateurs looking for the easiest option.
This type of PA system, broken down into its various components, is most often found in professional setups at venues and concert halls.
Power Amps
Regardless of what kind of PA system configuration you end up going with, you'll still need a few more accessories to get going, like mics (which are connected via XLR cables) and instruments (connected via instrument cables). If you don't already have them, these things are easy to find on Reverb. Look below for some of our favorites.