With lots of club closures and challenges to club popularity following COVID and a cost-of-living crisis, many venues need to find a way to stand out and provide quality to club-goers.
Premium sound systems are a great way to project music effectively and create an immersive atmosphere. But how do these sound systems actually work and how do clubs know how to choose the right one? It can be hard to know where these components are sourced and set up, especially if you’re new to event planning.
This article explores how club speakers are sourced, whether they are bought or rented and what the best speaker brands are.
How are club speakers sourced?
The speakers must often be compatible with other sound or DJ equipment to optimise sound quality. This means clubs usually partner with professional companies known as audio-visual (AV) integrators that install and supply the speakers.
These AV integrators will assess the club’s space and determine the best placement for the speakers and the ideal size and acoustic properties. Typically, they will supply multiple brands of speakers (along with other equipment), as many manufacturers sell to these companies rather than directly to clubs.
An audio engineer then installs the entire sound system, including the speakers, subwoofers (which amplify deep bass sounds), safety rigging and mounting hardware. This ensures the speakers are safely installed and the sound quality reaches its full potential.
Is it better to buy or rent club speakers?
The next question for clubs is whether it is more cost-effective to rent or buy the speakers outright. The answer depends largely on how frequently the speakers will be used.
For a single major club event where a more impressive sound system is desired, renting is an excellent way to demonstrate that the club prioritises high-quality sound and can deliver incredible shows. In this case, they will focus on short-term audio hire or audio equipment hire.
However, if a club regularly hosts large nights requiring loud and high-quality speakers, purchasing them may save money in the long run. Given the potential instabiolity of the club industry at the moment, most clubs do at least consider, and often choose renting.
Ultimately, the decision depends on whether the club expects to use the speakers often and whether it is confident that this usage will continue long enough for the club to save money compared to repeatedly renting and reinstalling equipment.
What are good-quality large speaker brands?
Some of the most renowned and popular club speaker brands include:
- Funktion-One speakers are well-known worldwide, especially in electronic music clubs, for their clear, powerful sound and deep bass. They are commonly used in many top nightclubs.
- L-Acoustics is a leader in concert and live sound, with systems like the K Series and X Series often used in luxury nightclubs for high-quality sound.
- Void Acoustics is known for good sound quality and unique visual designs. Their speakers provide loud, immersive sound with an eye-catching look.
When choosing speakers, look for features such as high max sound pressure level, a strong bass response, clarity at high volume and a durable build. Additionally, ensure they can operate for long hours at high power. Generally, the better the brand, the more likely these features will be present.
Takeaway points about club speakers
Ultimately, for clubs, the decision hinges on choosing the right company to provide professional advice on which speakers to purchase, rather than selecting and buying the equipment independently. Clubs that host major events understand this, and new clubs entering the scene need to meet their competitors’ standards. A good service provider can help clubs obtain high-quality speakers, enabling them to stand out in this increasingly high-pressure market.
