Even if you only throw a big party once a year, you're probably wise to invest in some party speakers of your own. Quality party speakers will last a lifetime, and save you a lot of hassle over hiring.
AMPLIFIED VS UN-AMPLIFIED
This might sound like a fairly obvious distinction - the difference is t h e amplification. Got it. But what does that actually mean? In mor e practical terms, it determines what you can plug in to your speaker.
UN-AMPLIFIED
If you have a large HiFi system already, chances are you have a "B" speaker zone that you could connect un-amplified speakers to. Alternatively you might have an old amplifier lying around from your more wild days! But un-amplified speakers definitely need some other equipment to make them work. The major benefit here is that they're cheaper if you have compatible pre-existing equipment. Maybe a small roll of speaker cable is the only other thing you'll need!
AMPLIFIED SPEAKERS
Also known as "active speakers", they're usually self-contained and use a simple line level input such as a CD player, iPhone® output, and many more. You really just need to provide power, a music source, and you're set! Depending on the features in an active speaker, you may have many different ways to use it.
FEATURES OF AMPLIFIED SPEAKERS
• Bluetooth Tethering
Wireless playback from your favourite compatible media device makes life much easier. You can often control playback from the speaker too!
• Memory Card / USB Playback
Simply load your files and plug in. The speaker will control all playback.
• Rechargeable
Some units feature rechargeable batteries to run from, so you don't even need to find a power source!
FEATURES OF ALL SPEAKERS
• Frequency Response
Expressed as something like "20Hz to 20kHz" - this tells you the lowest and highest sounds the speaker can produce within an acceptable range. The lower the first number (shown as Hz), the better that rumbling bass will be. The higher the second number (kHz), the better the high notes will be.
• Wattage / Power Handling
Somewhat controversial, and hijacked by marketers, only look at WRMS (Watts Root Mean Squared). It's the only comparable measurement method. Basically the higher the number, the louder it can go. There's a little more to it than that, but that's the simplified explanation.
If you're unsure of any features, or which way to go, our friendly team can help you out!