Best PA Systems for Acoustic Guitar & Vocals / Solo Gigs

So, you're about to perform in front of a room full of people and that's already pretty nerve-wracking. But let me tell you, sound issues can make it a potential disaster! This is even more true for intimate acoustic sets, where it's just you and your guitar.

Speaking of which, acoustic guitars are tricky to amplify because they're so dynamic. Those steel strings can really spike when you pluck them hard, so you need a PA system that produces smooth, clean sound. It's vital!

But let's not forget about the vocals. They're probably the most important part, right? You want a PA system that can get you as close to record sound quality as possible, so you can captivate your audience and focus on delivering the songs the way you envision them.

Top 3 - PA for Guitar & Vocals

Preview

Product

Price

Bose S1 Pro+

JBL EON One

Electro-Voice Everse 8

I've been lucky enough to work as a front-of-house engineer for some solo acts, and I've got a list of my go-to PA systems right here for you.

Table of Contents

Bose is all about high-quality sound, from home surround systems to PA systems for live gigs. If you're out there solo with just your acoustic guitar and vocals, the Bose S1 Pro+ is the way to go. It's super light, only 14 lbs, and the sound is pure quality.

I recently used this PA system for a singer showcase at a house in Malibu, and it was spot on. The auto EQ and dispersion feature is seriously epic - it ensures that the sound is evenly spread throughout the room, without any weird hotspots or anything. This is crucial when you're playing in a small or poorly laid out space, and it sounded awesome in the house we played in.

You can even power this PA with a battery, so there's no need to stress about finding an outlet if you're playing outdoors.

And you can stream music through USB or Bluetooth, which was a huge help for us because we had some backing tracks on a laptop for one of the songs. It was great to have a separate channel for that, as well as for the guitar and vocals.

Bose is all about high and low-end frequency boosts, which is perfect for acoustic guitar and vocals. But be warned, the reverb sound might not be everyone's cup of tea. 

However, you can use your own pedals with the built-in effects loop to add your own vibe. The effects aren’t the most impressive, but they get the job done.

The JBL EON One is my favorite system for outdoor gigs. It's perfect if you have any DJ or electronic music backing tracks, but it's also great for acoustic and vocal solo gigs.

It's not the lightest speaker, weighing in at over 17 pounds, but it's still easy enough for one person to carry without any problems. Plus, it's battery-powered and can hold a charge for up to 12 hours, so you can use it for all-night gigs or multiple-act showcases without any worries.

One of the things that I really like about this speaker is that it comes with 48V phantom power on channel 1. This is great because you can use a high-quality condenser mic for a really nice studio-quality vocal sound if you want to record the live show for release later.

The PA system is especially good for deep, soulful male vocals because of its incredible low-end range that captures the voice without making it sound too thin. And for female vocals, it also has a wonderful top-end and comes with an eight-band EQ so you can make it sound just right.

One thing that I'm not too keen on is that it kind of has a built-in compressor-like option with a ducking feature to avoid pops. Sometimes it works great, but other times it can be risky because it might overreact to sibilance and give you a pumping sound that you might not like.

Electro-Voice is well-known for making top-notch gear, and its Everse 8 PA system is no exception. It has similar specs to the JBL Eon series, but Electro-Voice has gone above and beyond by including some extra features that take the performance to the next level. 

We're talking about a Dynacord high-efficiency amplifier and a high-output titanium tweeter. These speakers are battery-powered and have 48V phantom power, which works with condenser mics. And they've added phantom power to all four inputs, which is perfect if you're looking to use a vintage mic for your guitar sound.

But wait, there's more! The Everse 8 comes with 30 built-in effects, including reverb, delay, and chorus, so you don't need to bring any extra gear. This makes setup and transport a breeze.

And check it out, they've even added a feedback suppression system. We were at a live concert once, and the singer accidentally stepped in front of the PA system, which should have caused some serious feedback, but the suppression system kicked in and saved the day.

Oh, and did I mention that the weather-resistant polypropylene shell is a game-changer? It makes the system water-resistant to light rain, which came in handy during a performance where we had to move the system in and out of the stage due to rain.

The only downside is that the sound dispersion is a bit narrow compared to other PA systems, so you might get some hotspots or dead spots if you're using it in front of a wide audience. 

Roland makes awesome live amps and speakers for all kinds of gigs. I exclusively use their keyboard amps because they're super powerful and make acoustic and electric pianos sound amazing.

My favorite pick is the Roland BA-330 for acoustic and vocal gigs. I've seen these speakers easily fill up a room with over 120 people at SXSW, and they weren't even turned up all the way. 

Plus, Roland is known for their killer pro effects, and the EQ, reverb, and delay on their PA system are some of the best I've ever heard, even on par with some Eventide gear.

To keep up with the competition, these speakers are battery-powered and have four channels that can be set to mono or stereo. The only bummer is that Roland didn't include phantom power, which is weird because many of their competitors did.

But let's be real, these speakers are so powerful and sound so good that it's easy to overlook that. The only downside is that they're pretty heavy, weighing in at almost 31 pounds. That could be a pain if you're doing a solo gig.

Overall, the smart anti-feedback function, ability to use AA batteries (which are easy to find in a pinch), and wide stereo projection make these speakers a great choice.

I've got these Mackie Thump GO speakers in my rehearsal space, and I'm loving them! I had to get them because my old Mackie PA was busted, but the setup was already done, so I went with the same manufacturer.

These speakers are lightweight, battery-powered, and have an indicator for battery life - which is an essential feature that all PAs should have. I mean, who wants to have their performance cut off suddenly, right? As musicians, we're not really wired to pay attention to routine stuff like checking batteries, are we?

The indoor or outdoor voicing modes are just awesome, and I appreciate how versatile these speakers are. It's one of the reasons why I got them for my rehearsal space. I like the idea of having them available for outdoor gigs too, especially if there are problems with backline renting.

Unlike other PA systems that have a compressor, these speakers feature a music docking system for hard transients. It works really well, sounds natural, and it never pumps or cuts vocal syllables harshly.

In terms of sound, Mackie has always been known for their punchy low-end, and these speakers do not disappoint. I also have their HR824 monitors in the studio, which deliver really nice tight low-end, and I love that. These speakers have a nice 8-inch high-output woofer.

The only downside is the app that comes with the speakers. It's not a complete deal-breaker if you don't stream Bluetooth, but it's a little buggy and doesn't work great at times.

If you're playing for a large audience, the Yamaha STAGEPAS 200BTR is a solid choice. It has a great power distribution system, and its 8-inch woofer and 1.4-inch tweeter are better than many other PA systems with 1-inch tweeters. 

This system has a five-channel mixer, which is better than the four-channel mixers that many PA systems have. The high Z compatibility input is pretty sweet if you're using a pick-up on your guitar or plan to also use an electric guitar during your set. It delivers a nice clean sound.

I recently used these monitors at a guitar-based Namm show, and they definitely delivered. They cut through the noise, and the crowd loved them. 

Yamaha even threw in their legendary SPX effects, which many studios still use, with some killer reverb and delay algorithms, plus some pretty lush chorus and phaser effects.

This PA system runs on a rechargeable lithium battery. So make sure you give it a full charge before your gig because it'll only last about 10 hours, especially if you're using a ton of effects. 

Many people forget to turn off the PA after soundcheck and come back six hours later for the show, only to find that 60% of the battery has drained.

Just keep in mind that these monitors have that classic Yamaha mid-range, which can be pretty harsh on some ears. They're hyped from 2 kHz to 9 kHz, so definitely consider having a pop filter and maybe a de-esser in your bag of tricks because they might come in handy.

Behringer is currently a prominent brand in the music industry, excelling in the revival of classic gear. Their live performance equipment is particularly impressive. For solo gigs, the Behringer MPA40BT is a solid and reliable PA system.

To begin with, it has a battery life of 12 hours, which I accidentally tested by leaving it on overnight for a gig, and it lasted a little over 12 hours. The Behringer is ideal for smaller gigs like house concerts or playing for executives in an office. It is best suited for intimate settings.

I used it for a showcase for an artist at a small boutique record label, and it sounded great - really clean, although not super powerful. Compared to other speakers, it sounds a little dark, which may be due to the frequency response only going up to 18 kHz, so it's not full range.

However, it does have a 2 channel EQ that helps a bit, although the EQ doesn't sound amazing.

But here's the kicker - it pairs really well with Behringer's ULN digital wireless microphone system, which is awesome. I used it with the artist I was showcasing, and it was a match made in heaven. 

Sometimes wireless mic systems and PAs can be super finicky, and it's a total nightmare if they cut out in the middle of a killer performance, so this is a major plus and definitely something to consider when you're picking out a system for yourself.

When choosing a PA system, there are a few essential factors to consider. First, you want to find a system that balances portability and sound quality. It should be easy to move around and set up while still delivering good sound.

If you're only using an acoustic guitar and vocals, you may not need all the advanced mixing features that some systems offer. Those features are typically more suited for computer-based setups like DJ sets or backing tracks. 

However, if you think you might add electronic elements to your performances in the future, it's worth investing in a more versatile system that can handle those changes. 

It's important to think about future-proofing. You want a system that will last and that can be upgraded or expanded as your needs change over time.

Here are a few other ideas to ponder before making your purchase.

When you consistently play in venues of similar size, having a reliable PA system with enough power and room dispersion is key. This is especially true in small venues where the acoustics can be a bit tricky. 

From my experience with engineering shows in those kinds of places, I've realized that picking out speakers can be a bit of a hassle. One of the main things to look for is speakers that spread sound evenly throughout the space, rather than being too directional.

If the speakers are too directional, they can create hotspots and force you to turn down the overall sound, which takes away from the performance experience. Speakers with great power distribution tend to be wider sounding.

So, it's important to find a balance and choose speakers that spread the sound evenly throughout the space. This way, everyone in the audience can have a great time, no matter where they're sitting.

Since the pandemic, more gigs are happening outdoors or in remote areas. As an engineer who has worked at shows on the beach by the ocean in Los Angeles, I know the feeling of anxiety when your battery life is running low. 

If you're planning to perform in such locations, make sure your PA system is reliable and can handle harsh conditions.

To make sure you can keep up with the demands of your performances without worrying about battery life, I suggest getting a PA system that uses AA batteries or has easily swappable batteries. 

Avoid systems with lithium-ion batteries, which are tough to replace on the spot. Swappable batteries are a must-have for your PA system.

When you're transporting your PA system, think about the space in your car and the overall weight of the system. Make sure it's portable and light enough to move around without causing damage. 

This is especially important when you're traveling to remote areas where you might not get help loading and unloading.

Also, pay attention to the dimensions of the stand! I can't tell you how many times I've seen artists show up with a pole sticking out of their rear window because it wouldn't fit anywhere else in the car.

Picking out the PA with the perfect mixer can be super overwhelming since there are so many types, and they all have different features. The key is to find the right balance of features that work for you.

Keep in mind that you don't always need a complicated setup with tons of channels and phantom power. Sometimes, a simpler setup can be just as effective.

What you really want to focus on is high-quality effects and feedback suppression because those are essential for nailing your gigs. 

For solo gigs, more than 4 channels is overkill.

I am a firm believer in the importance of having the right PA system for intimate acoustic gigs. In fact, I bring my own PA system as a backup just in case the artist doesn't have a good one themselves. Usually, I end up loaning my PA system to the venue, which does wonders for the performer.

Performers already have a lot of pressure on them when they bare their souls and test new songs in front of strangers. When the soundcheck goes well and the performer sounds great, it can be a total game changer and confidence booster.

Like I always say, “The better the sound, the better the gig.”