Best DJ Speakers

When you’re a performing DJ, your speaker rig is oftentimes as important as your decks and mixer setup. Mixing tracks certainly takes skill, but without a quality sound system to play those tunes, your crowd will be dancing themselves to sleep. Whether you’re a local or touring DJ, choosing the best DJ speakers isn’t always a simple process. There are a variety of options to choose from when deciding on the speaker package that fits your gigging needs, and we at Sweetwater are more than happy to provide our expert knowledge.

We’ll also touch on some features worth keeping in mind to help you find the best DJ speakers for your needs. DJ speakers can be surprisingly nuanced and subjective, so this will give you the tools you need to choose the perfect speakers for your gigs.

NOTE: Instead of just listing a few DJ speaker options for you, we wanted to be more realistic with our speaker recommendations. Therefore, each pick comes with more than just speakers. These listings are not ranked in order of preference, but represent a wide variety of options. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

Subwoofers Matter

Any performing DJ looking to buy a new set of DJ speakers will likely be looking for an accommodating subwoofer. If not, you should definitely consider it. Low frequencies are as essential to electronic or hip-hop music as milk is to cereal. Subwoofers also add more oomph to your sound because their only job is to pump out low frequencies, like the bottom end of the bass and kick drum, and those encourage people to get up and move. Because of this, we have included a subwoofer in the majority of our choices.

Plug and Play

In addition to rounding out your spectrum of sound, a DJ speaker rig will need a few additional accessories that typically aren’t included on a list of speaker options. Each package below has the accoutrements to either stack your speakers on your subs, interconnect them for any stage, protect them after your gigs, add an additional speaker for booth monitoring, or a combination of all of these.

What to Look For

Active/Passive — While our top choices are active speakers, many options on the market come in a passive format as well. What that means is that rather than having the amp built into each speaker (active), an external amp is needed to power each speaker (passive). For most purposes, active speakers are a better option due to a reduction in the amount of gear you need to haul.Power — One factor in a speaker’s actual volume output (rated in sound pressure level, or SPL) is based on its power output, expressed in watts. While a bigger number is good to see, you need to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples (watts to watts). The wattage rating can vary greatly depending on whether it is spec’d in RMS (Root Mean Square) or Peak power. RMS is the rating of continuous power of an amplifier, while Peak is the rating for highest wattage output capability for a very brief duration (sometimes fractions of a second) without damaging it. If you’re comparing specs, make sure you are comparing RMS to RMS or comparing Peak to Peak wattage. Otherwise, the wattage comparison is meaningless. RMS is a better indicator of real-world power capability.Materials — DJ speaker enclosures these days can be made not only from wood but also from injection-molded plastics (ABS), which offer structural rigidity with a reduction in weight, which is a good thing for speakers that move around.Weight — The weight of a speaker is a big factor for roving performers like DJs. While big speakers used to be required to get a big sound, that is no longer the case. Finding a DJ speaker that is powerful and not huge is the perfect combination.Inputs/Outputs — Speaker input and output options vary from speaker to speaker. For inputs, most speakers will have a line-level 1/4″ jack, XLR jack, or a combo input that combines those two; Bluetooth wireless; or a proprietary physical input (speakON or something similar, typically with passive speakers). Many powered speakers will also come with output or thru options in an XLR format for connecting to other speakers in your chain. Some speakers may feature Ethernet jacks for connecting to software for configuration and other control options. Check the I/Os to make sure the speaker matches your existing needs and gear.Portability — Some DJ speakers have built-in handles and casters to make them easier to move. While this may not seem like a big deal initially, once you’ve moved them hundreds of times, you’ll greatly appreciate well-positioned handles and rolling casters.Cost — Your budget is an important thing to keep in mind, but try not to sacrifice quality in the name of price. Otherwise, you may be buying a new set of DJ speakers sooner than you wish.Cases and covers — How and where are you planning to use your new DJ speakers? Do you typically play gigs indoors, outdoors, or both? Weddings or clubs? Hip-hop, electronic, or the hits? Whatever your plans are for your new speakers, keep the application of your new purchase in mind as you browse your options and the features of each one.

Need more in-depth information on what to look for or how to best shop for your next DJ speakers? Check out the Sweetwater PA Speaker Buying Guide.

Our Top DJ Speaker Picks

The EV Pack

3x Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT3x Electro-Voice ZLX-12-CVR2x Electro-Voice ELX200-18SP2x Electro-Voice ELX200-18S-CVR2x Pro Co XLR5 

The Electro-Voice ZLX and ELX lines are an affordable and quality combination of DJ speakers. The ZLX-12P is a powered, bi-amped speaker touting a 1000-watt peak and 250-watt RMS power rating with a 12-inch low-frequency driver and 1.5-inch titanium compression tweeter. Sporting top and side handles and encased in coated polypropylene composite plastic, the ZLXs are lighter (only 34 lbs.) than their wooden counterparts, which is great for easy transport. They are also designed for multiple setups, including as a floor wedge for stage monitoring, on a tripod stand, or on a speaker pole such as in this combo. On the back panel, you’ll find a simple I/O layout with combo inputs for microphone, instrument, or board feeds. In addition, the ZLX-12P features an LCD display for easily adjustable signal processing.

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT 1000W 12 inch Powered Speaker with Bluetooth

The ELX118P powered subwoofer has a 700-watt peak power rating and 134dB maximum sound pressure level pumping through an 18-inch EVS-18K driver. Securing the ELX118 is a 15mm painted plywood shell that will cut down on long-term wear and tear damage. When you need some additional bass in your DJ setup, toggle the boost switch on the back panel, and if you’re pushing your sub too hard, the limiter indicator light will let you know.

QSC K10.2 2000W 10 inch Powered Speaker

The QSC Pack

3x QSC K10.23x QSC K10 Tote2x QSC KS2122x QSC KS212C2x QSC KSub Pole2x Pro Co XLR5

QSC’s reputation in this category has grown quickly, as has the popularity of their K Series. The K.2 is a great example of that. These K10.2 speakers are a bi-amped, 10-inch speaker and 1.4-inch tweeter combo with an impressive 2000-watt peak Class D power rating — double the power of the previous K Series speaker models. With more power, you’ll have more volume for larger crowds along with Digital Signal Processing features like adjustable crossover frequency, EQ, frequency contour, and delay. Each of those settings is savable and easily accessed between gigs, or you can use the QSC factory presets like Live, Dance, Monitor, and more. That alone makes these speakers a great option for gigging DJs playing a variety of venue types and sizes.

Another reason these speakers are a great option for gigging DJs is the 12-inch, 3600-watt KS212 powered subwoofer pair. It uses Cardioid Subwoofer Energy Dispersion to direct bass forward from the sub, rather than a typical sub that projects energy everywhere. This means none of that 3600-watt, 132dB maximum SPL power is wasted. So in combination with your two 2000-watt speakers, your single monitor speaker, and the KS212 sub, you’ll be cranking nearly 10,000 watts of power that your audience will love.

The JBL Pack

2x JBL SRX835P1x JBL SRX818SP2x On-Stage Stands SS7745

One of the most widely known names in DJ and PA speakers is JBL, and we at Sweetwater have built a package specifically around their fantastic SRX800 series. The SRX835 is a powered, tri-amped cabinet fitted with 15- and 6.5-inch speakers topped by a 3-inch tweeter. With that kind of design, the 835s can cover nearly the entire human hearing frequency range by themselves (33Hz to 21kHz). They have a 2000-watt peak, 1500-watt continuous power rating, which makes sense for a powerful Crown Audio amplified speaker. As for settings, the SRX835s have flexible onboard DSP presets and adjustable parameters that you’ll need for the addition of your subwoofer. But the JBLs go one step further thanks to Audio Architect, HiQnet Motion Control iOS, and other standalone apps made for complete control over your high-end PA system.

JBL SRX835P 2000W 15 inch 3-way Powered Speaker

The SRX818 powered sub is exactly that — powerful. Each 818 has a 750-watt continuous, 1000-watt peak Class D power rating with a maximum SPL output of 135dB. It’s controlled by the same software as the 835s, and when used in tandem, you have the ultimate sonic control of your system. That also means your DJ system can go anywhere you need it to go and sound great at any venue you take it to.

Bose L1 Pro16 Portable Line Array System

The Bose Pack

2x Bose L1 Pro16 Portable Line Array System

Bose is a leader in personal and
commercial speaker innovation, and their L1 Pro16 portable line array system is
a shining example of that. This lightweight, modular 3-piece system was built
with on-the-go simplicity in mind. There’s nothing lightweight about its
performance, however. It delivers premium full-range sound via a J-shaped
extended-frequency line array of 16 articulated 2-inch neodymium drivers,
yielding a generous 180 degrees of horizontal coverage. Beyond that, a 10-inch by
18-inch high-excursion neodymium RaceTrack woofer pumps out ample bass all the
way down to 46Hz. The L1 Pro16 also includes a built-in 3-channel mixer,
optimized EQ presets, Bluetooth, and Bose’s innovative ToneMatch processing.
And, in true Bose fashion, you’ll enjoy headache-free wireless control over
your system, so you can focus on your DJ performance.

The Mobile Wedding DJ

Electro-Voice Evolve 50 Powered Column Speaker

Maybe you’re looking for a more stripped-down
package of speakers with a quick setup and an included mixer for DJing
weddings. If that’s the case, then the Electro-Voice Evolve 50 is an ideal
choice. This powered column speaker is both lightweight and low profile, so
transporting it is a piece of cake. It’s a beast though, boasting a
room-filling 1,000 watts of power with eight column-arrayed 3.5-inch neodymium
drivers and a rafter-shaking 12-inch subwoofer. A built-in 3-channel mixer,
plus Bluetooth capability, covers your I/O needs; while powerful DSP, a 3-band
EQ, and four application-specific presets ensure dead-simple operation. The EV
Evolve 50 makes a top-notch DJ rig or even a great entry-level setup.

Electro-Voice Evolve 50 Powered Column Speaker – White

Mackie SRM450 Speaker Pair with Stands and Cables

A Great Budget Option

Mackie SRM450 Pack

Our DJ rig on a budget is this package of Mackie SRM450 speakers, speaker stands, and cables. The SRM450s are 1000-watt, 12-inch powered speakers with a built-in 2-channel mixer. For easy sound adjustment, the SRMs feature selectable speaker voice options like PA, DJ, Monitor, and Soloist modes. To keep that sound clean, each speaker is optimized with patented acoustic correction algorithms, dialed-in 2-way crossover, phase correction, and an automatic feedback destroyer that’s easy to use. With accompanying accessories, the SRM450s have incredible value as a DJ speaker package for beginners or veterans.

Ready to find the Best DJ Speakers for You?

We hope you enjoyed our picks of some of the best DJ speakers on the market today. Are you ready to make your choice, or do you still need more advice? Call one of our knowledgeable Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700, and they’ll be happy to help guide you through your questions.
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