Q: I see powered mixers, powered speakers, and power amps for PAs. I’m a bit confused which do I need? Does everything need to be powered?
A: What we’re referring to here is an amplifier for driving PA speakers. These days, that amplifier can be built into the mixer or the speaker itself, or it can be a standalone unit (power amplifier). The overall result is the same — power is provided for driving the speaker. What may not be clear is that you only want one powered component per speaker. So, you want to select one from among a powered mixer, powered speaker, or power amp. You don’t need, for example, a powered mixer and a powered speaker. Having power in both would be redundant and potentially damaging to the gear.
So which should you choose? The answer depends upon several things, not least of which is the other gear you already own. Each type has their advantages.
Powered Mixer — Convenient for portable, small-scale PA systems. Fast setup. Simple operation. “One stop” for all the electronics in the system, just connect the speakers and go. Compatible with a wide range of passive speakers.
Powered Speaker — Convenient for portable systems, small to medium scale. Easy to set up and use. Compatible with a wide range of new and old, analog and digital mixers. Some even have small, built-in mixers for super compact PA use.
Power Amp — The most versatile option as far as pairing with mixers and passive speakers. Compatible with a wide range of gear and PA sizes. Can choose the power needed to match the speakers or the venue.