What is the difference between stereo speakers and PA speakers?
When it comes to HiFi, it can be easy to get confused by the wide variety of technology and terminology that comes your way. From bi-wiring to sensitivity via floor stands and phono stages, we know many of our customers are looking for answers.
One of the most frequently asked questions from any AV provider is what is the difference between stereo speakers and PA speakers, and which one is right for a business or school. Join us as we explain.
When we talk about ‘stereo speakers’, we’re mainly referring to those you can connect to a home stereo unit. They deliver punchy, energetic sound designed to bring out the best in your music. The way a stereo speaker does this varies from brand to brand and model to model, but you’ll typically find innovations in cone placement, cabinet design, magnet placement, and other variables.
For your business, they will work perfectly fine, but they may be overkill for basic work in an office, factory, or school. In fact, unless you’re planning to enjoy some music together, stereo speakers may not be the ideal choice for your business. Instead, it should face the PA speakers.
PA speakers, or public address speakers, are used to project loud, clear sound over a large area, such as an office. You’ll find them in a wide variety of spaces, from classrooms to factories and even nightclubs! Most important to us, however, is that they feature stronger designs and are designed for a wider variety of purposes.
You’ll find that PA speakers can be divided into ‘main speakers’, which produce the vast majority of sound in a PA system, ‘subwoofers’ which are used to produce bass notes, and ‘live monitor speakers’ which are used by musicians. so they can hear your individual contribution on stage.
However, in business and education, you will typically use keynote speakers. There are two main types of PA speakers; passive and active. Passive speakers require the use of a mixer to mix and feed audio to them, while active speakers plug directly into power outlets and require no additional hardware to produce sound.
Both have their distinct advantages, with passive speakers being better for more complicated audio setups and active being a simpler option for less demanding use cases, but both are ideal for educational and commercial settings.
