Top speakers (tops) are the loudspeakers in a PA system that handle vocals, mids and highs. The subwoofer takes care of the deep bass. For speeches, tops alone are often enough; for dance music, tops and subwoofers belong together.

01. What does a top speaker do?

A top speaker usually has a woofer (8 to 15 inches) and a horn for the highs. In a system with a subwoofer, it only gets the range above about 100 Hz; the subwoofer handles the rest. This lets the top stay smaller and still sound clear, even at high volume.

02. Active or passive?

Active tops have a built-in amplifier. Connect power and signal, done. Example: the JBL EON710.
Passive tops need an external power amplifier with a controller. This is standard for large systems because amplifier and speakers are precisely matched to each other. Example: our Funktion One systems, which we rent complete with power amplifier and cables.

VOLLKOMMEN Open Air at RIVO on the Spree – sound by Akari

Funktion One tops at VOLLKOMMEN Open Air on the Spree: high enough for the sound to carry over the audience.

03. What size do you need?

8 to 10 inches: Speeches, background music, small rooms. Light and discreet.
10 to 12 inches with subwoofer: Parties of up to about 150 guests, for example F101 or F1201.
Large horn systems: Clubs and open airs from about 200 guests, for example the Funktion One Resolution 2 and 4 in systems 10 to 14.

More guests doesn't automatically mean bigger tops. It's often better to spread two pairs of smaller tops around the room than to put one big pair at the front, for example in long rooms or with a 4-point sound setup.

04. Setting it up correctly

Height: The horns should be placed above the heads, about 2 meters high, on a stand or subwoofer. Otherwise, the rear rows will only hear a muffled sound.
Direction: Angled slightly inwards towards the audience, not at walls or windows.
Distance to microphone: Place tops in front of the people speaking, never behind them. Otherwise you'll get feedback.

How to add the bass is explained in the guide Setting up the subwoofer.

05. Tops without a subwoofer

For speeches, ceremonies, conferences and quiet background music, you don't need a subwoofer. An active top with a mic input is enough. But once people start dancing, you'll miss the punch without a subwoofer, and the tops quickly reach their limits.

You'll find all systems with prices under Rent a PA system. Which size suits your number of guests is explained in the guide Which music system for how many guests?