What is an active speaker?

An active speaker is a loudspeaker system with an integrated power amplifier built into the cabinet. Unlike passive speakers, which require a separate external amplifier, active speakers receive a line-level audio signal (from a mixer, DJ controller or audio interface) and amplify it internally to drive the speaker drivers. The integrated amplifier is precisely matched to the speaker's components by the manufacturer, ensuring optimal performance and protection. Active speakers need only a line-level input connection and mains power to operate, making them ideal for mobile DJs, event technicians and installations where simplicity and quick setup are priorities.

What is better, active or passive speakers?

Active speakers are better for mobile applications, quick setup and situations where simplicity matters. They eliminate the need for external amplifiers and heavy speaker cables, reducing the number of components to transport and connect. The integrated amplifier is perfectly matched to the drivers, ensuring optimal performance and protection. Passive speakers offer more flexibility for large-scale installations and touring applications where centralised amplifier racks provide advantages in redundancy and remote monitoring. For most event applications – mobile DJs, small to medium venues, corporate events – active speakers deliver the best balance of performance, portability and ease of use. The choice depends on your specific application and workflow preferences.

Do active speakers need a power supply?

Yes, active speakers require a mains power supply (or battery power in the case of battery-powered models) to operate the integrated amplifier. You connect the active speaker to a standard mains socket using the supplied power cable. Some professional active speakers designed for mobile and outdoor use feature built-in rechargeable batteries, allowing operation without mains power for several hours. Battery-powered active speakers are particularly popular for street performances, outdoor events, mobile presentations and venues without convenient mains access. Always check the power consumption specifications and ensure your power source can supply sufficient current, especially when running multiple active speakers from a single circuit.

Which active speaker is the best for events?

The best active speaker for events depends on your venue size, application and budget. For small venues (up to 50 people), compact active speakers with 200–400 watts RMS and maximum SPL around 120–125 dB are sufficient. Mid-sized events (100–200 attendees) require 500–800 watts RMS with maximum SPL of 128–132 dB. Large events and outdoor applications demand 1000 watts RMS or more with maximum SPL exceeding 135 dB. Leading brands like LD Systems, Cameo, dB Technologies and RCF offer reliable, professional active speakers across all power classes. Consider coverage pattern, build quality, DSP features and mounting options alongside power ratings. At LTT, our team can recommend the optimal active speaker system for your specific event requirements.

What are the disadvantages of active speakers?

Active speakers have a few limitations compared to passive systems. Each speaker requires a mains power connection, which can complicate setup in large multi-speaker installations. If the integrated amplifier fails, the entire speaker is out of service, whereas with passive systems you can replace a separate amplifier. Active speakers are generally heavier than equivalent passive models due to the integrated amplifier and power supply. For very large touring systems, passive speakers with centralised amplifier racks offer better redundancy and remote monitoring capabilities. However, for most event applications, the advantages of active speakers – simplicity, matched amplification, quick setup – far outweigh these limitations. Modern active speakers from quality manufacturers are highly reliable, and their integrated protection circuits actually reduce the risk of driver damage compared to mismatched passive systems.

Can I connect active speakers to my mixer?

Yes, active speakers connect directly to the line-level outputs of your mixer using standard XLR or jack cables. Connect the mixer's main output (or auxiliary send, for monitor applications) to the active speaker's XLR or jack input. Most professional active speakers feature both XLR and 6.35 mm jack inputs, and many include link/thru outputs for daisy-chaining multiple speakers from a single mixer output. Set the mixer's output level appropriately and use the gain control on the active speaker to adjust volume. This simple connection is one of the key advantages of active speakers – no external amplifier is needed, reducing system complexity and setup time significantly.

How much power do I need for outdoor events?

Outdoor events require significantly more power than indoor venues of similar size because there are no walls to reflect and reinforce the sound. As a general guideline, plan for active speakers delivering at least 1000 watts RMS with maximum SPL exceeding 132 dB for outdoor audiences of 100–200 people. Larger outdoor events may require multiple speakers or line array systems with total power in the several-kilowatt range. Consider adding active subwoofers to reinforce low frequencies, which dissipate quickly outdoors. Weather protection is also critical – look for active speakers with IP54 or IP65 ratings to withstand rain and dust. Wind can affect high-frequency dispersion, so position speakers carefully and use additional fill speakers if needed to ensure even coverage across your audience area.

What does SPL mean and why does it matter?

SPL stands for Sound Pressure Level, measured in decibels (dB), and indicates how loud a speaker can play. Active speaker specifications typically list maximum SPL measured at one metre from the speaker. A speaker rated at 130 dB SPL can produce sound pressure of 130 decibels at one metre distance. SPL decreases by approximately 6 dB each time you double the distance from the speaker, so a 130 dB speaker produces around 124 dB at two metres, 118 dB at four metres, and so on. For speech and background music, 95–105 dB SPL at the audience is sufficient. Live music and DJ applications typically require 105–115 dB SPL. Choosing active speakers with adequate SPL ensures clear, undistorted sound even at the back of your venue without pushing the speakers into clipping and distortion.

Powered speakers

Pioneer DJ DM-40D 4" desktop monitor system (black)

Pioneer DJ DM-40D-S The DM-40D speakers deliver a balanced, powerful bass sound and are equipped with plenty of power reserves thanks to Class D amplifiers and 4-inch woofers. Press the switch to...

Express delivery possible

€179.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Express delivery possible

Availability:

Low stock; Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Power Dynamics PDY218SA Aktiv-Subwoofer 1000W

Power Dynamics PDY218SA Active Subwoofer 1000W

The PDY series is a series of high-quality professional sound reinforcement active speaker cabinets equipped with a high efficiency Class-D amplifier which supply very high power levels with low...

€579.00 *

incl. tax, plus forwarding agency costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Bulky goods

Vonyx SPLASH300 Wetterfestes tragbares Soundsystem

Vonyx SPLASH300 Weatherproof Portable Sound System

The SPLASH300 is a weatherproof all-in-one sound system specially designed for parties, performances and PA purposes. Portable and wireless, you can take this trolley sound system anywhere and play...

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€199.90 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

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Availability:

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Delivery time: 1-3 days

Vonyx VSP200 Portable Sound System 10”

With the VSP200 you get a next-level, portable sound system that takes your audio experience to unprecedented heights. As well as a built-in bi-amp amplifier unit, the VSP200 also features a handy...

€249.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Power Dynamics PDY215A Aktiv-Lautsprecher 15" 800W DSP/BT

Power Dynamics PDY215A Active Speaker 15” 800W DSP/BT

The PDY series is a series of high-quality professional sound reinforcement active speaker cabinets with high efficiency bi-amp amplifier which supply very high power levels with low distortion and...

€529.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Power Dynamics PDY2215A Aktiv-Lautsprecher 2x 15" 1600W

Power Dynamics PDY2215A Active Speaker 2x 15” 1600W

The PDY series is a series of high-quality professional sound reinforcement active speaker cabinets with high efficiency bi-amp amplifier which supply very high power levels with low distortion and...

€599.00 *

incl. tax, plus forwarding agency costs

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Bulky goods

AlphaTheta WAVE-EIGHT Tragbarer 8"-DJ-Lautsprecher mit SonicLink

AlphaTheta WAVE-EIGHT Portable 8" DJ speaker with SonicLink

AlphaTheta WAVE-EIGHT Faster and easier Cable-free DJing without sound delays is now possible with the WAVE-EIGHT thanks to SonicLink. This new ultra-low-latency technology wirelessly transmits...

€839.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

OMNITRONIC MAXX-1206DSP 2.1 Aktiv-System

OMNITRONIC MAXX-1206DSP 2.1 Active System

For application areas such as: Mobile use; Trade fair and shop fitting; installation; home entertainment; restaurants, bars and hotels; mobile djs / entertainer • OMNITRONIC MAXX-1206 2-Way...

€549.00 *

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Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Bulky goods

OMNITRONIC MAXX-1206DSP 2.1 Aktiv-System weiß

OMNITRONIC MAXX-1206DSP 2.1 Active System white

For application areas such as: Mobile use; Trade fair and shop fitting; installation; home entertainment; restaurants, bars and hotels; product presentations and lectures; mobile djs / entertainer...

€578.52 *

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Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Bulky goods

OMNITRONIC MSE-8+ Akku Partylautsprecher mit LED-Effekten

OMNITRONIC MSE-8+ Battery Party Speaker with LED Effects

Mobile 8" PA system with battery operation, lighting effects, Bluetooth and microphone Cordless, flexible and versatile • Stereo Bluetooth link for wireless stereo operation with 2...

€149.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

OMNITRONIC WAMS-12BT2 Drahtlos-PA-System

OMNITRONIC WAMS-12BT2 Wireless PA System

Mobile 12" PA system with battery operation, audio player, Bluetooth and 2 wireless microphones Portable all-in-one PA system with 80 watts output power • Cordless, flexible and versatile...

€479.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
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Availability:

Delivery time: 3-5 days

Delivery time: 3-5 days

LD Systems ANNY® 10 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku und Mixer

LD Systems ANNY® 10 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with 3-band EQ, reverb and delay • Long...

€580.94 *

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[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH 2 B5 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 2x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH 2 B5 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 2x headset microphones (incl. bodypacks) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with...

€924.56 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH 2 B6 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 2x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH 2 B6 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 2x headset microphones (incl. bodypacks) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with...

€924.56 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH 2 B8 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 2x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH 2 B8 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 2x headset microphones (incl. bodypacks) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with...

€924.56 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH B5 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 1x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH B5 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 1x

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 1x headset microphone (incl. bodypack) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with...

€757.12 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH B6 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 1x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH B6 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 1x

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 1x headset microphone (incl. bodypack) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with...

€757.12 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH B8 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 1x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 BPH B8 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 1x

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 1x headset microphone (incl. bodypack) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with...

€757.12 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HBH 2 B5 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer, 1x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HBH 2 B5 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer, 1x

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer, 1x wireless handheld and 1x headset microphone (incl. bodypack) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in...

€910.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HBH 2 B6 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer, 1x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HBH 2 B6 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer, 1x

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer, 1x wireless handheld and 1x headset microphone (incl. bodypack) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in...

€910.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HBH 2 B8 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer, 1x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HBH 2 B8 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer, 1x

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer, 1x wireless handheld and 1x headset microphone (incl. bodypack) Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in...

€910.00 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HHD 2 B5 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 2x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HHD 2 B5 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 2x wireless handheld microphones Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with 3-band...

€895.44 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HHD 2 B6 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 2x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HHD 2 B6 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 2x wireless handheld microphones Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with 3-band...

€895.44 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HHD 2 B8 - 10" Mobiler Bluetooth® PA-Lautsprecher mit Akku, Mixer und 2x

LD Systems ANNY® 10 HHD 2 B8 - 10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and

10" Portable battery-powered Bluetooth® PA System with mixer and 2x wireless handheld microphones Portable active 2-way full-range loudspeaker • Built-in 6-channel mixer with 3-band...

€895.44 *

incl. tax, free shipping to Germany
[International shipping costs]

Availability:

Near-term available
Delivery time: approx. 1 week

Delivery time: approx. 1 week