Best Powered Speakers

GEAR TEST: Electro-Voice ZLX-BT PA Speakers

[Editor’s note – we recently held a giveaway promotion with the good folks at Electro-Voice to put these new ZLX-BT speakers in the hands of a working musician. We ended up selecting...

QSC CP8 Review

Let’s face it – those 20-year-old speakers in your band’s rehearsal space...

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT Review

Read our full review of the new Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT PA Speakers below… If...

Enter to Win Electro-Voice ZLX BT Speakers

We’re looking for a killer band or solo artist to win and test...

Mackie Thump15BST Review

The newly redesigned Thump Series from Mackie is an excellent solution to...

Learn more about the best powered loudspeakers for live sound from Performer’s team of reviewers and pro audio experts. Read in-depth reviews on the latest powered speakers and PA systems, as well as detailed analysis about how to set up a powered loudspeakers and subwoofers for the stage, the best way to position powered monitors, wedge monitors, and PA speakers.

Powered speakers are an excellent choice for live stage shows and tours, as they have a built-in amplifier that will require one less piece of equipment when space is at a premium in the tour van. Having the power amplifier built in to the speakers not only saves space and simplifies cabling on-stage, powered speakers typically offer EQ, crossover and other live sound shaping options and FX via switches and knobs on the rear panel. Powered speakers are also versatile, many can be mounted on poles for standard PA use, or used on their side as stage monitor wedges.

Some of our most popular articles on powered speakers include:

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Cerwin-Vega CVE-12 Powered PA Speakers Review
By Benjamin Ricci on January 21, 2018
Performer Magazine goes hands-on with the Cerwin-Vega CVE-12 Powered PA Speakers and CVE-18S Subwoofer in its latest review. After a few ground-shaking bass tests, we can...
REVIEW: Fender Fighter 12” Powered PA Speaker
By Benjamin Ricci on December 6, 2017
I’ll admit, Fender is probably not the first name I think of when it comes to PA gear. But in recent years, the venerable brand...
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[REVIEW] PreSonus AIR10 Powered PA Speakers
By Benjamin Ricci on March 22, 2017
We were able to test out the PreSonus AIR10 active PA speakers over the course of a few weeks, and are happy to report that...
JBL EON 615 Two-Way Speaker Review
By Benjamin Ricci on July 17, 2015
JBL EON 615 Two-Way Speakers PROS: Phenomenal sound, versatility and control options. CONS: None. PRICE: $499 each JBL engineers decided to build the 600 series...
Electro-Voice introduces EKX portable loudspeakers at NAMM 2015
By Benjamin Ricci on January 29, 2015
Launching at NAMM 2015, the EKX series is the newest member of the Electro-Voice portable loudspeaker family, and combines legendary EV sound quality and reliability...