The best powered line array speakers can help you create an amazing indoor soundstage for your seated audiences.
With a directional audience, you can guarantee sound won’t be absorbed or bounced off the walls, offering an upgraded listening experience.
With unique designs and a wide range of features, we’ve found five fantastic models for you to consider when designing your array configurations.
Best Powered Line Array Speakers: A Review
Let’s look at five of the best array systems you can get for incredible sound quality, making them the perfect solution for larger systems for larger events.
1. PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set
The PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set looks like your standard passive line array setup but features numerous fantastic components.
Designed as a PA system, you can reap the benefits of a unique array installation for directional audio.
There are also many modern features, such as an SD card reader, built into the speaker set for you to enjoy.
Product Highlights
Let’s review a few of the main features of the PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set.
- All-In-One System
This kit is designed for you if you’ve been looking for an all-in-one compact line array.
You’ll have one active subwoofer, one passive subwoofer, and eight speakers in total (four in each line array).
The kit also comes with two speaker stands, speaker cables, a user manual, and remote control.
- Intuitive Subwoofer
One of the most considerable benefits of the PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set is its active subwoofer.
This unit boasts a 12-inch amplifier that allows you to stream music to the passive and line array speakers.
You’ll be able to push the loudest, thumping music to your audience without significantly losing quality.
- Wireless Use
If you’ve been searching for array speaker setups that you can use wirelessly, this set is a great option.
You can pair the speakers to your iPod, iPad, iPhone, or Android device for complete control within 66 feet of the speaker system.
Using your mobile devices, you can change the volume, switch songs, pause the audio, and more within 20 feet.
- Convenient Features
Along with their wireless connectivity, these speakers are designed for everyone to use easily.
You’ll have dual telescoping speaker poles, allowing you to adjust the height of your line array speakers from 65″ to 80″.
There are also built-in side handles, allowing you to lift and transport the speakers and subwoofers easily, ideal for any type of event.
- Playback Options
One of the most important features of array speaker systems is their playback options.
With the PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set, you have Bluetooth, USB, and SD card functions.
For USB and SD cards, simply insert the thumb drive or SD card to play music from the external device.
You can also connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, offering lag-free audio for your audience to enjoy.
With the addition of RCA outputs, two mono XLR inputs, and one stereo 6.35mm input, you can connect several must-haves, like a microphone.
- On-Speaker Controls
If you don’t want to connect to your speaker system wirelessly, there’s always the option of using onboard controls to manage your music.
On the side of the speakers, you’ll find individual treble and bass controls, volume controls, and more.
- Deep Stereo Sound
Overall, the sound quality of the PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set is one of its most impressive features.
You’ll have two solid subwoofers, eight tweeters, and eight mid-tweeters offering the highest-quality, crispest sound.
Your music will have considerably less resonance, allowing for a distortion-free listening experience.
What to Like About It
The PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set is a fantastic upgrade from your existing line array system.
You’ll find it’s lightweight and portable while offering amazing clarity, even at the highest volumes.
Also, Bluetooth connectivity makes it perfect for connecting to a wide range of devices.
What Not to Like About It
The largest issue with these speakers is they tend to get slightly warm when used outdoors.
Also, you’ll undoubtedly need to tweak the passive line array settings to get the sound quality you’re looking for.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Incredible at high volumes
- Amazing clarity
- Easily connects via Bluetooth
Cons:
- May get warm outdoors
- It will require some setting tweaking
2. Electro-Voice Evolve 50 Powered Column Speaker Array System
The Electro-Voice Evolve 50 Powered Column Speaker Array System has everything you’d want from a powered line array in a small package.
Instead of having a massive modular line array, this tall and skinny column is perfect for many venues.
Also, its uniquely designed array head is easily adjusted for the best possible listening experience.
Product Highlights
Let’s review some of the main highlights of the Electro-Voice Evolve 50 Powered Column Speaker Array System.
- Bluetooth Audio
One of the main features array products need in today’s day and age is wireless connectivity.
With this speaker, you can stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled device, whether your smartphone or laptop computer.
- Easy Configuration
As you can tell, this is a compact speaker array, but you can pair it with up to six additional speakers for full surround sound.
When connected, you can wirelessly configure and control the six systems, either together or separately, as desired.
The Evolve 50 is a unique system, ideal if you want to network several speakers together.
- 120-Degree Coverage
Your listening experience will surely improve once you set this speaker system up. Its ultra-wide 120-degree coverage ensures you have the most immersive listening experience possible.
The waveguides are custom-designed, ensuring you have 40-degree asymmetrical vertical coverage, pulling you into the music.
- Sound Quality
Numerous components work together to make this sound system as good as it is. You’ll have eight 3.5″ neodymium drivers and a 12″ subwoofer to offer 127 dB SPL.
Its uniquely designed waveguides offer both down-facing and horizontal sound coverage for seated and standing audiences.
- Preset Options
Instead of toying around with EQ settings, especially as a beginner audiophile, the preset options on this speaker system are essential.
You can choose between music, live, speech, and club, each preset coming with the optimal volume and sound settings for audio reproduction.
There’s also the addition of five programmable presets if you have specific settings you prefer to use for your live performances.
- Compact and Portable
Overall, the Electro-Voice Evolve 50 Powered Column Speaker Array System is a lightweight and compact speaker array system to consider.
Some components, like the aluminum pole, are magnetic, allowing you to take down and set up the system easily.
You’ll also find it’s lightweight, making it easy to carry from one spot to another.
What to Like About It
The Electro-Voice Evolve 50 Powered Column Speaker Array System is an excellent option for private and public parties, featuring amazing audio clarity for all audiences.
You’ll also appreciate its portability and wireless connectivity, making it easier to carry around and connect to as needed.
What Not to Like About It
This array speaker range isn’t ideal if you intend to listen to music at higher volumes.
It tends to struggle when you near 80% volume and the speakers don’t project as well as initially hoped.
Pros:
- Incredibly portable
- Amazing audio clarity
- Great for private and public parties
- Fantastic wireless connectivity
Cons:
- Doesn’t project as well as hoped
- Slightly limited at higher volumes
3. Bose L1 Pro8 Portable PA System
Bose is well-known for its fantastic audio equipment, often featuring top-quality compression drivers, impressive power handling capacity, and great control software.
The Bose L1 Pro8 Portable PA System is no different, offering an incredible drive level that audio professionals will love to have at their fingertips.
With a column-like structure, the configuration control of this speaker is sure to blow your socks off, unlocking new dB levels for you to enjoy.
Product Highlights
Let’s jump into the key features of the Bose L1 Pro8 Portable PA System.
- Portable Design
One of the most significant benefits of this setup is it’s designed for portability, making it a fantastic solution for traveling artists.
It projects audio quite well in smaller venues, such as cafes and coffee shops.
- Full-Range Sound
Undoubtedly, this Bose system controls power very well, offering full-range sound with a premium tonal balance.
Mobile DJs, singer-songwriters, and even live keyboardists will find their speaker offers top-shelf natural sound reproduction without needing a digital mixer.
- C-Shape Extended Array
Another unique feature of the Bose L1 Pro8 Portable PA System is its overall design.
Compared to other array systems, this model has an extended C-shape frequency line array.
You’ll have eight total two-inch neodymium drivers, offering additional coverage within a 180-degree horizontal area.
- Added Bass
If you’ve used 8-inch and 12-inch line arrays before, you might find they often lack bass.
This model has a built-in high-end subwoofer with a 7″x13″ high-excursion Race Track driver.
This feature gives you far more competitive bass than what you’ll find in 12-inch curved arrays with a 12″ woofer.
- Smartphone App Control
Having complete control over an array of effects for your sound system is essential.
With the Bose L1 Pro8 Portable PA System, you can download the Bose wireless app to adjust the volume, switch EQ settings, and even manage your Bluetooth streaming.
- Bose L1 Mix App
Another interesting feature of this powered line array is its intuitive digital mixer.
You can fine-tune all of your settings through the L1 app, creating a library of custom EQ presets or choosing from pre-made options.
What to Like About It
The Bose L1 Pro8 Portable PA System is a great option if you need a sound system for mid to large spaces with great bass.
With its user-friendly setup, you can easily control your sound system whether you’re setting up for a party or playing a live performance.
Also, the overall sound quality is impressive across all ranges and genres, making it highly versatile.
What Not to Like About It
One issue with the Bose L1 Pro8 Portable PA System is its connections between towers.
When connecting two, you may find it’s a little too wobbly and cannot be secured.
Also, it would be convenient if the speaker came with a cover to protect your investment.
Pros:
- Fills large rooms with booming sound
- Puts out a ton of bass
- Easy to set up and control
- Impressive sound levels across all ranges
Cons:
- Column connections are weak
- Doesn’t come with a cover
4. Sound Town Portable Line Array Column PA System
Upgrading your sound system to a model with a better power handling capacity and enhanced coverage requirements is ideal.
The Sound Town Portable Line Array Column PA System is an excellent option with numerous features that live musicians and music lovers will appreciate.
Its lightweight and user-friendly design makes it perfect for outdoor and indoor events and offers plenty of coverage for dynamic listening experiences.
Product Highlights
Let’s review some of the features of the Sound Town Portable Line Array Column PA System.
- Premium Sound Quality
This speaker has a single eight-inch powered subwoofer and four 2.5″ full-range drivers.
Together, you’ll find the components work to offer crisper and more precise highs, along with thumping bass across all genres.
With the precise angles developed by the intuitive drivers, you’ll have remarkable sound coverage for small to mid-size properties.
- Easy Setup
There’s nothing more frustrating than investing in a sound system that takes forever to get ready.
The Sound Town Portable Line Array Column PA System is ready to go with its lightweight design and minute-long setup.
All you have to do is attach the power to the subwoofer, and you’re good to go.
For added height customization, be sure to use the included height spacers. These components can help you tailor the speaker positioning for the best listening experience.
- Integrated Mixer
Having complete control and flexibility over your music is essential for professional artists.
This line array has a built-in three-channel mixer with two XLR inputs and a 3.5mm aux in and output.
You’ll easily be able to connect instruments, microphones, and audio devices to share music with your audience.
- Bluetooth-Enabled
If you’re ready to experience the true continuous power of streaming music, you’ll love this speaker’s Bluetooth connectivity.
The True Wireless Stereo function easily connects to two speakers simultaneously, allowing you to stream from one device using two units with ease.
What to Like About It
The Sound Town Portable Line Array Column PA System is a great lightweight and portable unit to use for indoor and outdoor events.
Its easy-to-use basic controls are fantastic for beginners, offering relatively balanced sound without too many customizations.
What Not to Like About It
A concern with this speaker set is its lows, especially with dance music and rap, tend to be lacking.
You’ll also find some of the EQ settings are rather useless, and fine-tuning the settings could be your best option.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy-to-use basic controls
- Relatively balanced sound
- Attractively designed
Cons:
- Lacking low end
- Has some useless EQ settings
5. Seismic Audio Apex-12D Column Line Array Speaker System
Are you searching for an active subwoofer built into a user-friendly line array speaker system?
If so, the Seismic Audio Apex-12D Column Line Array Speaker System is exactly what you need.
With echo control, impressive cone transducers, and 120-degree wide dispersion sound quality, you’ll have everything you need.
Product Highlights
Let’s look at a few features of the Seismic Audio Apex-12D Column Line Array Speaker System.
- Power and Sound Ratings
The Seismic Audio Apex-12D Column Line Array Speaker System features a class D power amplifier and an active 12″ sub cabinet.
You’ll have four-inch speakers that offer 1600W peak and 500W RMS each.
It packs a powerful punch with a sampling frequency of 48Bit and DSP and 96KHz.
- Bluetooth Connectivity
These speakers are designed for the future with their Bluetooth 4.2 tech.
You can easily connect to smartphones, tablets, computers, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices for wireless streaming.
- Inputs and Outputs
You’ll find a few different outputs and inputs with this line array speaker system.
There’s a mic/line, mic/line jack, 3.5mm jack, and RCA inputs and outputs.
- Numerous Controls
On the speaker cabinet itself, you’ll have a ton of phenomenal controls at your fingertips.
You can adjust the stereo mono settings, turn the power and Bluetooth on-off, or turn on DSP mode.
There are also right and left volume controls and adjustable volume for the subwoofer.
- Protective Features
When using this speaker system, you can guarantee you and the set are protected.
It boasts variable-speed fans for continual cooling and over-current, short circuit, and over-temperature protections.
What to Like About It
The Seismic Audio Apex-12D Column Line Array Speaker System is a versatile speaker system with crystal clear audio and punchy low ends.
The speakers are also clear at louder volumes, making them an excellent solution for outdoor and indoor events.
What Not to Like About It
One issue with the Seismic Audio Apex-12D Column Line Array Speaker System is the speakers are heavier than you’d think.
Also, the Bluetooth connectivity could waver, depending on how far away you stand from the unit.
Pros:
- Crystal clear audio
- Impressive punchy low end
- Clear at louder volumes
- Versatile design
Cons:
- Spotty Bluetooth connectivity
- Not as portable as expected
Choosing the Right Powered Line Array Speaker
When hunting for powered line array speakers, there are several key things to keep an eye out for, from speaker drivers to amplification.
Each component can make a massive difference to your listening experience.
Let’s go over a few key features to consider when you start shopping around.
Drivers
When you begin searching for a powered line array speaker, its driver configuration is one of the top features to note.
Your main objective should be to find a driver that covers an entire frequency range for the best sound production.
Otherwise, you could be missing out on high or low frequencies.
Multiple drivers can be a great option for line array speakers, as they allow the frequency ranges to be split.
Some drivers in the speaker will manage the highs while others are responsible for the lows and mids. Together, they offer rich and robust sound.
All-In-One Designs
Whether you’re a first-time line array speaker user or a veteran, all-in-one designs are sure to be a hit.
You’ll have everything you need in these kits, such as a mixer, signal processor, and active speakers.
You won’t have to worry about investing in extra equipment; all you have to do is plug the speaker in and play.
Intelligent Features
With modern music technology advancements, finding speakers with intelligent features can be helpful.
Some higher-end models automatically adjust speaker settings as they recognize what you’ve plugged into the input.
Other speakers adjust their volume and audio settings based on whether your audience is sitting or standing.
Although intelligent features can add more to the price tag, they can be well worth the investment.
Other “smart” things your speaker should manage include:
- Echo and feedback suppression
- Networking opportunities
- Remote control or wireless app control
Subwoofer
Luckily, one of the most significant benefits of line array speaker systems is that they usually come with a subwoofer.
These components are must-haves, allowing you to have much punchier audio at lower volumes.
Whether you’re projecting your voice or listening to deep, bassy music, a subwoofer helps to offer much more of an impact.
Connections
The final feature to consider with your powered line array speakers is their connections.
You’ll want to ensure you have numerous inputs and outputs for all of your gear.
A few of the most recommended connections to look for include:
- XLR
- 3.5mm
- USB
- SD Card
- AUX
- RCA
FAQs About Best Powered Line Array Speakers
1. Are line array speakers better?
Line array speakers are a great solution if you’re projecting audio to a large audience.
They’re typically rated better than PA speakers because they have smoother highs and mids.
Also, they’re known to be more portable, perfect for traveling musicians and performers.
2. What are line array speakers pros and cons?
A few of the most notable pros to line array speakers include:
- Good coverage in PA-friendly environments
- Great for mastering directional audio
- Soundwaves travel much further
A few cons of this type of sound system include:
- Prone to interference distortion
- Can be challenging to achieve uniform sound coverage
- Horizontal coverage could be too wide
3. How do line array speakers work?
Line array speakers are unique because they are multiple speakers connected in a vertical pattern.
They cover the same frequency range as a series of speakers and feature unique vertical angles that allow them to project audio much farther.
4. Why use line array speakers?
Line array speakers are most often used for large and mid-size events because of how far they can project audio.
You’ll find that although they are prone to more interferences, they offer boosted consistency over generic speaker setups.
You’ll have more coverage with higher audio quality to put to good use.
5. Why are line array speakers so expensive?
Compared to a point-source speaker system, line arrays are far more expensive because of the components they need to work.
You’ll have multiple drivers, multiple speakers, and multiple boxes needed to create a single-line array.
With the enhanced engineering, they tend to run at higher prices.
What Are the Best Powered Line Array Speakers?
If you want the best powered line array speakers, the PRORECK Club 3000 PA Speaker System Combo Set is your best bet.
It’s a fantastic portable solution with a lightweight design and many user-friendly features for beginner audiophiles and musicians.
You’ll love its power and crisp audio reproduction, which is ideal for mid and relatively large-sized venues.
