For decades DJs have turned to traditional point source speaker cabinets whenever they need power, punch, and throw in a sound system. The classic woofer and tweeter with a horn is a time-tested design that has been refined and perfected at undoubtedly millions of events. While more modern column arrays have come to dominate certain spheres of the DJ world, there are many uses where the point source speaker still reigns supreme. Durable construction, simplicity, easy setup, and high volume-to-weight ratio make point source speakers an obvious choice for many DJs. Previously needing to be accompanied by a separate amplifier, today’s active point source speakers have built-in power for perfectly tuned pairings. We’ve covered a LOT of different active speakers here at The DJs Guru, but we’ve never compiled a list of what we consider to be the best, most worthwhile speakers in this category.
The Best Active Point Source Speakers for DJs – Our List
Today, however, we’re going to give you our definitive list of some of the best active point source speakers on the market right now for DJs. We’ll highlight fantastic options in every price category and cover a range of sizes from 10″ to 15″. We’ve tested these speakers and know them well – their reliability, their value, and most importantly their performance. Whether you are a brand-new DJ or a seasoned pro, there is a system here for you. In addition to speaker-specific details, we’ll highlight some “best applications” for each speaker. And, as always, we’ll include helpful links so that you can find more information about each system.
Check out our entire line of active point source speakers here
Best Active Point Source Speakers for DJs – 10″ Woofer
The 10″ woofer active point source speaker is the smallest on this list but that doesn’t mean it can’t perform. These compact beasts are perfect for lighter-duty work, background music applications, speech, and more. Sometimes a handful of 10″ cabinets are a better option than a pair of 12″ or 15″ speakers. If you don’t have any 10″ speakers in your inventory, you should.
Yorkville YXL10P
Small but mighty, the first speaker on our list is the Yorkville YXL10P. Putting out a respectable 126dB max SPL, the YWL10P maintains a lighter 28lb weight. It reaches down to 55Hz on the low end and has a 90 x 40 dispersion pattern. There’s a 3-channel mixer, Bluetooth, and even selectable EQ settings (performance modes) to dial in the sound. Like many speakers on this list, it can be used on its side as a monitor.
If you’re looking to add an affordable but capable 10″ cabinet to your arsenal then definitely check out the Yorkville YXL10P.
Best applications: Speech, store grand opening, 2nd area speaker, delay speaker, rental speaker, background music duties
RCF HD10AMK5
Next up is the RCF HD10AMK5, boasting a more traditional cabinet design with integrated handles and feet. Like RCF’s more expensive offerings, the HD10AMK5 has its proprietary sound processing built in. The capabilities bump up a touch from Yorkville, with an onboard 128dB max SPL and 50Hz low-frequency extension. The spread is also wider at 90 x 70 degrees. If you’re anticipating working in quieter environments like a wedding or corporate event you’ll appreciate the fanless cooling design that’s whisper quiet, as well.
Best applications: Wedding ceremonies, small corporate breakout rooms, restaurant reinforcement, small acoustic duos or trios
Electrovoice ELX200-10P
The ELX200 line of speakers from Electro-Voice is kind of a sleeper. They sit in the middle of EV’s product range and pack a surprising punch. You sacrifice a little bit of low-frequency extension with this model but gain some more volume – 130dB max SPL, to be exact. Not bad for a 10″ speaker! It’s got XLR-1/4″ combo inputs, RCA jacks, and even mounting hardware. For hands-free operation, you can use the EV’s Bluetooth app to configure and monitor multiple ELX200-10P speakers at once.
Best applications: Weddings, private parties, coffee house gigs, private birthday parties, corporate reinforcement
RCF ART910A
RCF is known for its audio quality, even in more cost-effective models. The ART910A ups the ante from the HD10 while still retaining RCF’s renowned sound. A 1.75″ compression driver in the tweeter horn blasts out crystal clear sound over long distances. Horizontal coverage widens to 100 degrees for extra-wide spread while vertical dispersion lowers to 40 degrees to prevent wasted sound energy on the ceiling. The cabinet design is also a welcome refresh to the more basic HD10.
Best applications: Small wedding receptions, church functions, low capacity bar gigs, barmitzvahs, retail events, outdoor delay speaker
FBT ProMax 10A
Rounding out the 10″ speaker category is the FBT ProMax 10A. If you didn’t know, FBT is an imported Italian speaker brand that is synonymous with quality. While more classic in design, the ProMax 10A means business when it comes to sound. It carries the highest output of the 10″ speakers at 131dB max SPL, perfect for when you need power in a small package. The cabinet is built to withstand years of gigging and touring. There are a whopping 8 EQ presets ready to go out of the box, allowing you to customize the sound for applications such as floor, vocal, and farfield.
Best applications: Medium size corporate vocal reinforcement, church functions, medium bar gigs, barmitzvahs
Check out our entire line of active point source speakers here
Best Active Point Source Speakers for DJs – 12″ Woofer
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – the 12″ powered point source speaker is the everyman’s speaker. It fits in practically everyone’s inventory and can fill a thousand roles. From light ambient music to powerful front-of-house performance, the 12″ speaker is essential in every DJ’s toolbox. Below are a few of our favorite 12″ active point source speakers.
Mackie Thump 212XT
Starting us off is the Mackie Thump 212XT. If you’ve been a DJ for any length of time you’ve probably heard of the Mackie Thump. This absolutely classic active PA speaker has been a favorite among DJs for years. Mackie builds on the Thump’s legacy with a host of new features including indoor and outdoor modes, EQ settings, and feedback suppression. It even has auto-ducking so that your music drops down automatically for important announcements. Oh, and did we mention you can even wirelessly link speakers? Yep, you can.
Best applications: Wedding receptions, band practice spaces, mid size corporate speech reinforcement, birthday parties, retail work
LD Systems ICOA 12 A BT W
Our first white speaker of the article, the LD Systems ICOA 12 A BT W has a long name but a slick presentation. The front speaker grille is a unique but streamlined design that is both aesthetic and functional. Multiple carry handles on all sides of the speaker make transport a breeze. Something we LOVE to see in a speaker this price is dual pole mounting options, with a 5-degree downward tilt option to save sound energy for the dance floor. It also has a horn-loaded woofer, a relative rarity in compact active speakers like this.
Best applications: Small school events, bar gigs, coffee house concerts, wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours
DAS Altea 712A
DAS Audio prides itself on exceptionally accurate and clear sound reproduction. An array of technologies, including their Digital Finite Impulse Response filters, assure the speaker puts out undistorted audio at all volumes. An LCD screen makes navigating the adjustable options straightforward and simple. Should you want to rig this from some trussing or permanently install it in a venue, the Altea 712A has M10 rigging points ready to go.
Best applications: Live music, bar or club install, combined DJ/musician sets, lounge sets
RCF ART932A
The RCF ART932A is the next logical progression in the RCF lineup. Think of everything we’ve talked about with RCF so far – high SPL output, wide dispersion, deep frequency extension – and bundle it all together in the ART932A. Hitting 45Hz on the low end means this is the first speaker we’ve seen that can actually function decently without a subwoofer. Of course, you’re getting all of RCF’s tech along with the specs, like their Bass Motion Control for improved low-end response.
Best applications: Weddings, school dances, outdoor events, car shows, rentals, sound reinforcement, private parties and events
Yorkville PS12P
Take a look at the Yorkville PS12P to the right. No, really, look at it. It looks MEAN. Not like it’s going to hurt you, but enough that you know it means business. 133dB max SPL and frequency extension down to 45Hz puts it in the running against speakers costing a lot more. It’s a smart speaker, too. It uses active filtering and limiting to make sure the most important parts of a mix, like the vocals or lead melody, aren’t drowned out by excessive low end. That’s the kind of help you want on your side.
Best applications: College parties, private events, large corporate speech reinforcement, installs
Check out our entire line of active point source speakers here
Best Active Point Source Speakers for DJs – 15″ Woofer
Last but not least we have the venerable 15″ PA speaker. Riding the line between the top cabinet and subwoofer, the larger 15″ speaker is often used to pull double duty. If you need that extra “oomph” but don’t want to haul 18″ subs around with you then 15″ PA speakers may help bridge the gap.
Mackie Thump 215XT
We won’t spend too much time going over the Mackie Thump 215XT. Take its younger brother, the 212XT, and grow it a little. It has all of the same great features as the 12″ model – EQ modes, auto-ducking, feedback suppression, and more – with deeper bass extension and greater output. The cabinet design is sleek, the settings are easy to manipulate, and you have plenty of connection options.
Best applications: DJ/musician combo sets, wedding ceremonies and receptions, open houses, car shows, sweet 16s, bar mitzvahs, corporate A/V
RCF NX915A
These RCF speakers are just too sexy. I mean, look at that flat black grille. No fluff, no nonsense – just pure audio. It’s got a durable all-wood cabinet for a warm tone and regular transport to gigs. You can beat this speaker up and it will keep on ticking and looking great doing it. While we’ve been going on about the looks, inside you’ll find the innards to back up the beautiful presentation. Masterfully engineered drivers, precision-tuned filtering, and proprietary components make the NX915A a winner.
Best applications: Large corporate events, weddings, corporate events, private parties, college events
FBT Ventis 115A
And we’re back to our Italian friend FBT, this time with the Ventis 115A. You’ll see a common theme with speakers in this price range as we progress, including wood cabinets and more powerful specs. It can function as a high-power stage monitor or a main and can even be flown via the rigging points. You’re looking at 133dB of crystal clear sound with extension down to an impressive 42Hz for a complete, full-range sound. It’s not flashy, it’s not complex, it’s just here to do its job well. Make sure you do your squats, though; the Ventis 115A weighs in at a substantial 63 pounds.
Best applications: Large weddings, mid size bar and club gigs, medium school dances, large corporate sound reinforcement, outdoor A/V needs
RCF ART 945A
Ok, we promise we like more speaker brands than RCF. It’s just that, dollar for dollar, they offer some of the most incredible value in the speaker industry. It’s true professional gear and speakers you should be proud to own. The ART 945A steps things up yet again, with a massive 135dB max SPL, a 4″ compression driver, and 2100W of power. The Powercon connections on the back are rated for the elements and will stand up to the most grueling environments.
Best applications: School dances, large bar and club gigs, large outdoor weddings, car shows, corporate sound reinforcement, graduations, street festivals
RCF HDM45A
Lastly, we come to the RCF HDM45A. If you want to trade off a little bit of weight while maintaining solid sound output then the HDM45A is for you. It uses a tough composite cabinet to house its 15″ woofer, 1.5″ compression driver, and 2200W amplifier. It’s also got RCF’s RDnet Ethercon connections for smooth digital transmission. As we’ve come to expect, it’s loaded up with RCF processing and filtering to ensure a reliable, hard-hitting performance.
Best applications: School dances, med-large bar and club gigs, large outdoor weddings, car shows, corporate sound reinforcement, graduations, street festivals
Check out our entire line of active point source speakers here
