Many of the loudspeaker products being marketed today could be classified loosely as “portable,” given most have their lineage in the concert sound touring niche. However, insofar as a house of worship is concerned, the setup and alignment of those systems requires training and a skill set that many church volunteers just don't have. Enter the market genre known as Portable Loudspeaker Systems. Portable loudspeaker systems are an absolute necessity for portable churches—and can be an extremely valuable piece of equipment for just about any church.
Portable loudspeaker systems are designed to be as flexible as possible. You might find one particular model being used as the main system in a portable church or small- to mid-sized permanent church, as monitors in a larger facility, an installed system in the youth room, or even as the main system for sidewalk ministry teams or church events throughout the church campus. Portable loudspeakers are truly multipurpose.
In most cases portable loudspeakers can be easily transported and set up by one or two people. But note that size and weight can vary dramatically. Some lightweight loudspeakers could be handled by children, weighing in at less that 20 pounds. Other models can tip the scales at up to 100 pounds. Portable loudspeakers can be mounted on a pole either via an integrated pole mount socket or by an adaptor supplied by the speaker manufacturer or third party vendor. Some models of portable loudspeakers will feature an asymmetric enclosure design so the speaker can be called into duty as a floor monitor. On self-powered models you can often find multiple inputs with mic/line input mixing capabilities, EQ, and DSP signal processing.
The makeup of the enclosure material has kind of come full circle. The very first systems were made of some type of wood—typically plywood or medium density fiber (MDF). Then injection- or roto-molded plastics became the enclosure material of choice. Now wood is in vogue again. Wood remains a cost-effective enclosure material. It's durable and has good non-resonant characteristics. The plastic and composite enclosures provide inherent water resistance and have an edge in the weight category.
Advancements in amplifier technology have enabled the integration of amplifiers into the cabinets for an all-in-one solution, and amplifiers these days can be both extremely powerful and lightweight. However, you still have to contend with the added weight. In addition, you now have to run power and signal to the speaker, although some cable manufacturers have cable assemblies that include power and one or more signal lines in a single cable. But for many, the added convenience, ease of set up and not having to adjust amps or carry an amp rack is worth it.
Other models require external amplification. For externally amplified systems make sure you match the amplifier power output rating to the capabilities of the speaker. There is danger in both over-powering and under-powering the loudspeaker. Elaine Jiminez, volunteer audio engineer for Orlando World Outreach Center (OWOC), a church temporarily utilizing a school for worship services in Orlando, Fla., advises, “Consider your program material and choose the appropriate cabinets. Having too much PA is just as bad as having too little PA to support your program material and/or room size and coverage space.”
Consider usage Given the vast array of portable loudspeaker systems available, practically every loudspeaker manufacturer has at least one portable model in their line up. And there are often variations on each model with different low frequency driver sizes and other options. So, how do you go about selecting a system that's right for your particular application?
First, it's important to determine the specifics of your application. Do you need it primarily as your main speaker? Or do you need a monitor? If it's purchased to do double duty, what will it be used for the most? Or is it just to have a spare standing by to be called into action for whatever need arises? Will you be using it for vocal reinforcement or will it be used for music as well?
Jiminez details the set up for OWOC: “We share a space with a school and, thankfully, do not need to completely strike each Sunday. We have two QSC K12 self-powered speakers—one per side on speaker stands for front of house (FOH). We supplement low end with a Mackie self-powered subwoofer.”
Jiminez continues, “The system is primarily used for Sunday service, which includes full-band praise and worship (with a choir) and Friday night prayer and worship, which has a slightly smaller ensemble. We have also utilized the PA for smaller ‘talking head' meetings and for simple background music for events.”
If you plan to use the system mostly as your PA, you might want to consider something that that has a bit more “oomph” to it, maybe a system with 15-inch woofers and the ability to handle more power (either self- or external amplification). How often and how far you plan to transport the system, and the composition of the team you have available to move it should also play into your considerations [affecting your selection of] speaker size. Often, model series will include at least one subwoofer option, which provides low-frequency extension and power for musical applications. In addition, oftentimes the subwoofers will include an integral pole socket for adding a pole to mount the main loudspeaker making a complete, full-range, front-of-house system.
As a monitor, and more
If your portable loudspeakers need is mostly for a stage monitor, you might look for something a bit more low profile—so sight lines won't be an issue. Also, unless you need the extended frequency response of a 15-inch low-frequency driver, a 12-inch or a 10-inch, or maybe even an eight-inch low-frequency drive will probably be sufficient. Though again, make sure you do get a system with sufficient power to do what you need. Many self-powered models offer a setting for stage monitor applications that optimizes the response of the system for that particular application.
Self-powered systems can often provide the extra flexibility of a mic/line input that allows for connection of a microphone directly into the system without the need for a separate mixer. This is great for sidewalk ministry or quick and easy setups around the church. On the other hand, settings on switches and knobs can be changed inadvertently if the speaker is moved, so it's important to verify the settings prior to turning on the system.
Consider the coverage pattern of the system, too. If the intended application is for a main system, a wider horizontal coverage may be desired (90-100 degrees). If the speaker will be on its side and used as a monitor, 60-70 degree horizontal coverage or a rotatable high frequency horn would probably be preferred to help reduce high-frequency reflections off the floor.
When is a portable speaker not a portable speaker? Once it's been installed. This is why many portable loudspeaker systems will include integral rigging points for the addition of shoulder eyebolts (the eyebolt has been forged and not shaped or bent to get its “eye” shape) for suspending the speakers. If you plan on rigging the speakers it's always recommended to have the speakers installed by an experienced, certified rigger. While it may seem like an expensive proposition at the outset, it's a small price to pay to ensure the safety of your congregation.
As mentioned previously, some models will have pole sockets for mounting on a tripod stand or a pole mount on the subwoofer. Incremental innovation has provided adjustable pole sockets or separate straight and angled sockets in one enclosure to provide down tilt to better aim the speakers at the audience.
Regardless of your application, it's always a good idea to do extensive research prior to purchasing. Working with a system integrator or a trusted audio professional is also always recommended. And there's a wealth of product information on the web, as well as formal and informal reviews, forum posts, and chats to help you narrow down the choices. Once you have narrowed the field, make sure you get an opportunity to listen to several of those loudspeakers on your short list in your own venue. Given the selection, there's most certainly a model that will suit your needs.
