Behringer Active Loudspeakers

Behringer active speakers have the amplifier built into the cabinet, so you just plug them into a power socket, connect a microphone, mixer or phone and they play. Most models belong to the Eurolive series, and alongside it you will find PK speakers, the DR series with a DSP processor and the C210 column system. The woofer measures 8 to 15 inches in diameter and almost every speaker has its own microphone input, so it can handle a speech at a party even without a mixer. Some models can also play music via Bluetooth.

How big a speaker do you need?

The diameter of the woofer determines how much bass the speaker delivers and how large a space it can fill with sound. You can tell it straight from the name: the last two digits of the model number give the diameter in inches.

A bigger woofer also means a bigger and heavier cabinet. The speakers in this range weigh roughly 7 to 30 kg, so with the larger models, plan on two people to carry them and a sturdy stand.

What do the letters in the name mean and what comes in a SET?

• MP3: the B112MP3 and B115MP3 have a built-in player that plays music from a USB stick.
• W: the B112W and B115W receive music wirelessly via Bluetooth.
• DSP: the DR series (DR110DSP, DR112DSP, DR115DSP) has a digital processor that lets you adapt the sound to the room.
• SET: the bundle adds a stand and an XLR cable to the speaker.

What can you connect to the speaker and what else will you need?

The combo XLR/TRS input accepts a microphone as well as a cable from a mixer, and on some models you can connect a phone or laptop via RCA or a 3.5 mm jack. The XLR output sends the same signal on to another active speaker, so you can link two speakers as a pair without an extra mixer. Several models also have a Speakon output for a passive speaker.

An active speaker is quicker to set up, while a passive one needs a separate amplifier and makes sense where you already have one; you will find those under Behringer passive loudspeakers. For deeper bass with dance music, add a Behringer subwoofer, and a loudspeaker stand lifts the speaker above the heads of the audience.