How to Choose the Best Sound System for Your Event

Sound can make or break an event. Get it right, and you set the stage for an unforgettable atmosphere where people hear every word and feel every beat. Get it wrong, and no one remembers the speeches or the music for the right reasons.

If you’ve never chosen a sound system before, it can feel a little overwhelming. Do you need big speakers or small ones? Wireless mics or handhelds? A mixer? What even is a mixer? The good news is that you don’t need to be an audio engineer to figure it out. You just need to understand the basics of sound system hire and match the setup to your event.

Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Think size first.

The first question to ask is: how big is the audience? A backyard gathering with 30 people has very different needs from a corporate function with 300.

This can be a touch more technical – and you can get in touch with a specialist like us for deep guidance on specific models – but let’s frame it simply for now:

For small groups, a couple of powered speakers will usually suffice. These models feature built-in amplifiers, allowing you to simply plug them in and connect a microphone or music source. Medium groups, on the other hand, require a bit more energy. Once you hit 100 to 200 people, you’ll want a few more speakers spread out across the venue to make sure everyone hears clearly.

Bigger events often require an entire PA system, including subs, multiple speakers, and a mixer, to balance everything.

Selecting the wrong system can leave you with too much equipment to manage, or worse, not enough to deliver a real audio impact. When considering sound system hire, be honest about your budget. Too much power is, in most cases better than too little.

Step 2: Match system to space.

While a solid sound system will work in almost any space, DIY sound system hire is often a question of budget and impact, so knowing your space is very helpful. A sound system reacts differently in a church hall than it does in a marquee or outdoors. Hard walls bounce sound, soft furnishings absorb it, and open spaces let it drift away.

There are three general spaces you might need to account for:

·         Indoor venues, which often require fewer speakers, but careful placement is key to avoiding echoes.

·         Outdoor spaces, which don’t have those walls to bounce the sound back. This means you’ll need more coverage, so subwoofers are excellent, especially if your event will feature a lot of music.

·         Odd-shaped rooms, which can be tough to figure out, especially if they have large ceilings or distinct architectural features. This is where multiple smaller speakers, spread evenly, often work better than two big ones blasting out from the front.

This also changes if you have a stage at the venue, as you’ll likely want the sound concentrated at the front of the venue with distinct points throughout.

If you’re hiring from us or any other provider, please begin by letting us know where your event will be held. We can help you find what works in that space.

Step 3: Decide on your inputs.

Some events only require speakers for pre-recorded music, but in many cases, you’ll need a few microphones or inputs. If you’ll be having speeches, live instruments, or both at your event, then your sound system hire can become slightly more complicated to ensure these systems don’t conflict with one another.

Handheld mics are a simple and reliable option if you’ll have multiple speakers, such as for announcements or toasts. Lapel or headset mics are excellent for solo presenters who need the space to move around, while wireless mics offer the same freedom (but require some more careful setup).

Think about your audio sources, too. Are you plugging in a laptop, a DJ controller, or even a band? A mixer allows you to handle multiple inputs and balance them effectively. With sound system hire, mixers are often included, so don’t be afraid to ask for one, even if you’re not sure.

Step 4: Consider your event in full.

Different events call for different priorities. For weddings, clear microphones for speeches are essential, providing sufficient volume for background music and dancing later. On the other hand, live music will require additional channels for instruments and monitors, allowing performers to hear themselves clearly.

If you’re hosting a corporate function, then you need something reliable and fuss-free to handle presentations with. Wireless mics and discreet speakers often work best.

With all the little details accounted for – stands, cables, power supply – these event types can significantly alter your ideal gear list. Built-in quirks aside, it's helpful to ask the hiring team what setups have worked well for similar events, and we’ll be happy to help.

Some people love the challenge of setting it all up themselves, and that’s fine. If you’re confident in plugging things in and following a guide, you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.

But if you’d rather not risk it, bringing in our team to set up and run the system is a smart move. We’ve been perfecting events since the 1970s, and we know how to optimise sound quality in any space.

Kit out your event with the perfect sound system hire.

At Oceania, we’re prepared to kit you out with everything you need thanks to our DIY sound system hire collection. Get in touch with us to discuss your event and find the perfect collection of DIY equipment to make the day perfect.