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Finding the right beginner DJ speaker can be overwhelming with so many options. I've heard every speaker on this list personally. This guide covers:
- Mackie Thump 15-inch: Best overall beginner choice — $270-$350
- Electro-Voice ZLX15P: Louder than Mackie, more expensive
- Avante A15: Dark horse winner — seriously loud for the price
- JBL EON 615: Classic choice, lacks modern DSP features
- Alto TS 312: Decent alternative, similar to Mackie
- Mackie SRM 450: Upgrade pick for those with more budget
I've heard every single speaker that I am about to list today. A lot of beginner DJs come and ask me one thing:
What's the Best Beginner DJ Speaker?
The short answer is the Mackie Thump 15-inch powered speakers. They are cheap and solid, with great sound for up to 150 people.
I used to run Rockville speakers which I do not recommend that you buy ever — don't buy Rockville speakers.
Today I'm going to name 6 DJ speakers I think are a good option for those beginner DJs that are doing applications of 150 people and under.
Quick Comparison
| # | Speaker | Power | Weight | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mackie Thump 15" | 1000W (500 RMS) | 33.2 lbs | $270-$350 | Best overall beginner |
| 2 | EV ZLX15P | 1000W Class D | 38 lbs | $300-$500 | Louder output, less bass |
| 3 | Avante A15 | 1500W (400W consumption) | 42 lbs | $300-$500 | Best overall value |
| 4 | JBL EON 615 | 1000W Class D | 39 lbs | ~$400 | JBL fans, classic sound |
| 5 | Alto TS 312 | 2000W peak | 30 lbs | $300-$350 | Decent alternative |
| 6 | Mackie SRM 450 | 1000W | 37 lbs | $600-$700 | Upgrade pick |
1. Mackie Thump 15-inch
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Power | 1000W (500W peak, 500W RMS) |
| Weight | 33.2 lbs / 15.1 kg |
| EQ | 3-band with sweepable mid |
| Price | $270-$350 |
Number one the best choice, in my opinion, is the Mackie Thump 15". Depending on if you get the 12-inch version, it will run you from about $270 to $350.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power | 1000W total (500 continuous, 500 peak) |
| Coverage | Events of 100 people and under |
| Subwoofer | Can be paired with 18" sub (not recommended for beginners) |
| Build | Hard plastic — durable for the price |
These Mackie Thump 15s can be run with the subwoofer. They have an 18-inch subwoofer in the line which I do not recommend getting as a beginner DJ subwoofer. But the speakers themselves? Solid choice.
A Note on Cheap Speakers
You're mad at me — you're saying "you want me to spend $300 on a speaker for DJ?" Yes, you should. Here's the deal with cheap speakers.
If you look on Amazon you can see all the types of super cheap speakers. I don't know what they all have in common but they all suck.
| Cheap Speakers | Mackie Thump |
|---|---|
| Cheap plastic | Hard plastic (durable) |
| Won't last | Built to last |
| Sound okay at first | Consistent quality |
| Outdone by subs | Hold their own |
| Waste of money | Worth the investment |
Do you know why they might sound good? They might sound good at first, but they're not gonna last you. They're all plastic. Mackie Thumps are plastic too, but they're hard plastic. You're paying up to $350 for a reason.
These cheap speakers won't last you. Second of all, when you decide to buy a subwoofer, those subwoofers will outdo those cheap speakers. So what is the point of buying those cheap speakers?
I used to run Rockville speakers and I do not recommend that you ever buy them. They are not worth your money.
2. Electro-Voice ZLX15P 15-inch
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Power | 1000W Class D |
| Max SPL | 127 dB |
| Frequency Response | 42 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Weight | 38 lbs / 17.3 kg |
| Price | $300-$500 |
The second best speaker that I recommend is the EV ZLX15P 15". The EV ZLX15P will run you a bit more money depending on what model — $300 to $500 per speaker.
I used to work for a company called The Big Epic Show (a traveling kids company in Minnesota) and my boss used EV ZLX15P speakers, the 12-inch versions.
EV vs Mackie
| Aspect | Mackie Thump 15" | EV ZLX15P |
|---|---|---|
| Loudness | Good | Louder |
| Bass | Better bass | Less bass |
| Weight | 33.2 lbs | 38 lbs |
| Carrying | Standard handles | 360-degree handles (easier) |
| Best for | Bass-heavy events | Larger crowds without subs |
They get louder than Mackie Thumps and while they don't put out as much bass as the Mackies, they get a lot louder. That's something you have to think about: do you care more about bass for a lower amount of people, or do you care more about a higher amount of people with a little bit less bass?
If you're running subs, it doesn't matter because I always recommend that you high-pass your speakers and EQ them to get the best out of your speakers as possible.
The EV speakers are very good, very durable speakers. Unlike the Mackies, they do have 360 handles on the side which are very helpful for carrying them into your venue. They weigh about 10 pounds more than the Mackie Thumps but they're easier to carry.
3. Avante A15
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Power | 1500W (400W power consumption) |
| Weight | 42 lbs / 19.1 kg |
| Price | $300-$500 |
Number three in my recommended speakers would be the Avante A15. This new speaker should run you just about as much as the EV line — $300 to $500 for a speaker.
Let me tell you about this speaker. This speaker is better than the EV or the Mackie in my opinion. The deal is that this speaker gives a higher output.
If you ask any other DJ, these things are seriously kind of loud. I would choose these as my first speaker if these things existed when I started a long time ago. I'm mad I didn't have that many options in my time.
4. JBL EON 615
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Power | 1000W Peak Class D |
| EQ | Onboard EQ presets |
| Weight | 39 lbs / 17.69 kg |
| Max SPL | 127 dB |
Number four I'm gonna have to throw in because I know there are a lot of JBL fans out there. The JBL EON 615 speakers are fantastic speakers. If any of you know DJ Raveweb, he used Eons back in the day.
They're a great speaker — they just don't offer the amount of DSP and digital features as some of the other speakers do today. That's a kind of a bummer because the digital stuff is what you want now.
5. Alto TS 312
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Power | 1000W RMS / 2000W peak |
| Output level | 128 dB |
| Weight | 30 lbs / 13.6 kg |
| Frequency response | 46 – 22,000 Hz |
| Price | $300-$350 |
Number five I'm gonna have to put in the Alto speakers. The Alto speakers will run you $300 to $350. They do put out almost as much bass, they give just a tad louder than the Mackies, but you won't get much difference in output.
The thing is, it's harder for all of these companies to say why you should buy your speaker over the other one because they're all in the same price range. They're all $300 to $500 and it's a hard choice.
I've heard those two and while they wouldn't be my first choice as a speaker, they're definitely not my last.
6. Mackie SRM 450 (Upgrade Pick)
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Power | 1000W |
| Weight | 37 lbs / 16.8 kg |
| Price | $600-$700 |
Now finally, I know some of you are gonna come to me and say: "I am on a budget for something just a little bit more expensive but not as expensive as something like the SRX or the ETX."
My immediate suggestion is two different speakers:
- Electro-Voice EKX Powered Speakers
- Mackie SRM Series Powered Speakers
Number one: don't buy ELX. There's no reason to buy EV ELX unless you have other specific reasons. If you're willing to spend a little bit more money, buy the EKX.
The EKX speakers will run you about $800 and the sub will run you about $1,000. You are thinking: "What the heck?" DJ stuff is expensive. So don't get into the industry if you're not willing to spend the money from your gigs to better your equipment in the future.
If you're willing to spend $600 on a speaker, the Mackie SRM is a solid choice. The Mackie SRM will run you $600 to $700 and those speakers are pretty solid. They are better than the Thumps and are next in line to the DRM speakers which are comparable to the ETX and JBL PRX speakers.
A Note on JBL PRX
If you ask any other DJ, they'll direct you to the JBL PRX. I'm not a fan and here's why: The JBL PRX are great speakers but only if you're running subs. I don't like the PRX without subs.
I've heard all the speakers I'm talking about today. Once again, I'm not a fan of the PRXs without subs. Just don't buy PRXs if you're not going to run subs — it's just my personal opinion.
Quick Recommendations
| If you need... | Choose... |
|---|---|
| Best all-around beginner | Mackie Thump 15" ($270-$350) |
| Louder for bigger crowds | EV ZLX15P ($300-$500) |
| Best value / highest output | Avante A15 ($300-$500) |
| JBL fan | JBL EON 615 (~$400) |
| Budget-friendly alternative | Alto TS 312 ($300-$350) |
| Step-up quality | Mackie SRM 450 ($600-$700) |
Conclusion
They're all professional DJ speakers at the beginner/intermediate level. If you look at other DJs, you can see that they have expensive stuff. I do too. But things vary from situation to situation.
This is a guideline to get started and get out there with your skills. Remember that equipment doesn't make a good DJ. They are just tools to express your talent. Grab some DJ stuff and rock the parties.