The full form of PA is “public address.” So from its name, PA speakers are designed to “publicly address” people. The main idea for making PA speakers is to make an audio loud enough to be heard by many people. The audio can be someone speaking through a microphone, an alarm or siren, or perhaps, music.

What does a PA system do?

A public address system used to project sounds from instruments, voices and other acoustic sources. Comprises of microphones, mixers, amplifiers and loudspeakers. Front of house (FOH) speakers point towards the audience, while monitors are directed to the performers. A mixer adjusts EQ and effects.

What is a Powered PA Speaker?

Active PA speakers have a power amplifier built-in to them, while passive ones need an external power amp or power from a mixer. Your speakers have to match your power amplifier in terms of power rating (wattage) and impedance (ohms) to ensure that they a) sound great, and b) operate safely.