If you're hiring a venue and want music at your party, you almost certainly need a PA system. Here's how to work out what size, whether to hire one, and what it'll cost.
If you're planning a party at a hired venue — a hall, barn, garden, or event space — and you want music louder than a Bluetooth speaker can manage, you need a PA system. This guide explains exactly what that means, what size you need, and what it costs to hire one.
PA stands for Public Address. In a party context, a PA system is simply the combination of speakers, subwoofers (bass speakers), an amplifier, and the cables that connect them. A decent PA system fills a room with clear, even sound so that music sounds like music — not like it's coming from the other end of a tin can.
If your party is in a garden or small room and you're happy with background music at conversation volume, a quality Bluetooth speaker can work. But if you want people to dance, you need a proper PA. The difference in impact is enormous — a subwoofer alone changes the entire feel of a party.
| Venue / Setting | Guests | Recommended Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Living room / small garden | Up to 30 | 1x active speaker, no sub needed |
| Garden, small hall | 30 – 60 | 2x active speakers + 1 subwoofer |
| Medium hall or barn | 60 – 120 | 2x active speakers + 2 subwoofers |
| Large venue, marquee | 120 – 250 | 4x speakers + 2–4 subwoofers |
When in doubt, go slightly bigger than you think you need. Underpowered systems that are pushed to their limits produce distorted, unpleasant sound. A system with headroom sounds cleaner and actually feels less aggressive at higher volumes.
PA hire for a party in the UK typically costs £50–£200 depending on the size of the system and the hire period. Our PA hire packages start from £50 for 4 days, which covers most weekend parties comfortably — you pick it up Friday, return it Monday.
Our PA hire packages are designed to be easy — delivered to your door or available for collection, with everything you need included. From £50 for 4 days.
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