Best DJ Speakers - inSync (2024)

When you’re a performing DJ, your speaker rig is oftentimes as important as your decks and mixer setup. Mixing tracks certainly takes skill, but without a quality sound system to play those tunes, your crowd will be dancing themselves to sleep. Whether you’re a local or touring DJ, choosing the best DJ speakers isn’t always a simple process. There are a variety of options to choose from when deciding on the speaker package that fits your gigging needs, and we at Sweetwater are more than happy to provide our expert knowledge.

We’ll also touch on some features worth keeping in mind to help you find the best DJ speakers for your needs. DJ speakers can be surprisingly nuanced and subjective, so this will give you the tools you need to choose the perfect speakers for your gigs.

NOTE: Instead of just listing a few DJ speaker options for you, we wanted to be more realistic with our speaker recommendations. Therefore, each pick comes with more than just speakers. These listings are not ranked in order of preference, but represent a wide variety of options. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

Subwoofers Matter

Any performing DJ looking to buy a new set of DJ speakers will likely be looking for an accommodating subwoofer. If not, you should definitely consider it. Low frequencies are as essential to electronic or hip-hop music as milk is to cereal. Subwoofers also add more oomph to your sound because their only job is to pump out low frequencies, like the bottom end of the bass and kick drum, and those encourage people to get up and move. Because of this, we have included a subwoofer in the majority of our choices.

Plug and Play

In addition to rounding out your spectrum of sound, a DJ speaker rig will need a few additional accessories that typically aren’t included on a list of speaker options. Each package below has the accoutrements to either stack your speakers on your subs, interconnect them for any stage, protect them after your gigs, add an additional speaker for booth monitoring, or a combination of all of these.

What to Look For

• Active/Passive — While our top choices are active speakers, many options on the market come in a passive format as well. What that means is that rather than having the amp built into each speaker (active), an external amp is needed to power each speaker (passive). For most purposes, active speakers are a better option due to a reduction in the amount of gear you need to haul.
• Power — One factor in a speaker’s actual volume output (rated in sound pressure level, or SPL) is based on its power output, expressed in watts. While a bigger number is good to see, you need to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples (watts to watts). The wattage rating can vary greatly depending on whether it is spec’d in RMS (Root Mean Square) or Peak power. RMS is the rating of continuous power of an amplifier, while Peak is the rating for highest wattage output capability for a very brief duration (sometimes fractions of a second) without damaging it. If you’re comparing specs, make sure you are comparing RMS to RMS or comparing Peak to Peak wattage. Otherwise, the wattage comparison is meaningless. RMS is a better indicator of real-world power capability.
• Materials — DJ speaker enclosures these days can be made not only from wood but also from injection-molded plastics (ABS), which offer structural rigidity with a reduction in weight, which is a good thing for speakers that move around.
• Weight — The weight of a speaker is a big factor for roving performers like DJs. While big speakers used to be required to get a big sound, that is no longer the case. Finding a DJ speaker that is powerful and not huge is the perfect combination.
• Inputs/Outputs — Speaker input and output options vary from speaker to speaker. For inputs, most speakers will have a line-level 1/4″ jack, XLR jack, or a combo input that combines those two; Bluetooth wireless; or a proprietary physical input (speakON or something similar, typically with passive speakers). Many powered speakers will also come with output or thru options in an XLR format for connecting to other speakers in your chain. Some speakers may feature Ethernet jacks for connecting to software for configuration and other control options. Check the I/Os to make sure the speaker matches your existing needs and gear.
• Portability — Some DJ speakers have built-in handles and casters to make them easier to move. While this may not seem like a big deal initially, once you’ve moved them hundreds of times, you’ll greatly appreciate well-positioned handles and rolling casters.
• Cost — Your budget is an important thing to keep in mind, but try not to sacrifice quality in the name of price. Otherwise, you may be buying a new set of DJ speakers sooner than you wish.
• Cases and covers — How and where are you planning to use your new DJ speakers? Do you typically play gigs indoors, outdoors, or both? Weddings or clubs? Hip-hop, electronic, or the hits? Whatever your plans are for your new speakers, keep the application of your new purchase in mind as you browse your options and the features of each one.

Need more in-depth information on what to look for or how to best shop for your next DJ speakers? Check out the Sweetwater PA Speaker Buying Guide.

Our Top DJ Speaker Picks

The ELX118P powered subwoofer has a 700-watt peak power rating and 134dB maximum sound pressure level pumping through an 18-inch EVS-18K driver. Securing the ELX118 is a 15mm painted plywood shell that will cut down on long-term wear and tear damage. When you need some additional bass in your DJ setup, toggle the boost switch on the back panel, and if you’re pushing your sub too hard, the limiter indicator light will let you know.

The QSC Pack

• 3x QSC K10.2
• 3x QSC K10 Tote
• 2x QSC KS212
• 2x QSC KS212C
• 2x QSC KSub Pole
• 2x Pro Co XLR5

QSC’s reputation in this category has grown quickly, as has the popularity of their K Series. The K.2 is a great example of that. These K10.2 speakers are a bi-amped, 10-inch speaker and 1.4-inch tweeter combo with an impressive 2000-watt peak Class D power rating — double the power of the previous K Series speaker models. With more power, you’ll have more volume for larger crowds along with Digital Signal Processing features like adjustable crossover frequency, EQ, frequency contour, and delay. Each of those settings is savable and easily accessed between gigs, or you can use the QSC factory presets like Live, Dance, Monitor, and more. That alone makes these speakers a great option for gigging DJs playing a variety of venue types and sizes.

Another reason these speakers are a great option for gigging DJs is the 12-inch, 3600-watt KS212 powered subwoofer pair. It uses Cardioid Subwoofer Energy Dispersion to direct bass forward from the sub, rather than a typical sub that projects energy everywhere. This means none of that 3600-watt, 132dB maximum SPL power is wasted. So in combination with your two 2000-watt speakers, your single monitor speaker, and the KS212 sub, you’ll be cranking nearly 10,000 watts of power that your audience will love.

The SRX818 powered sub is exactly that — powerful. Each 818 has a 750-watt continuous, 1000-watt peak Class D power rating with a maximum SPL output of 135dB. It’s controlled by the same software as the 835s, and when used in tandem, you have the ultimate sonic control of your system. That also means your DJ system can go anywhere you need it to go and sound great at any venue you take it to.

Ready to find the Best DJ Speakers for You?

We hope you enjoyed our picks of some of the best DJ speakers on the market today. Are you ready to make your choice, or do you still need more advice? Call one of our knowledgeable Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700, and they’ll be happy to help guide you through your questions.