Active and passive speaker systems for installers, planners and private individuals: From background music to voice alarms to party sound

Discover our speaker systems for really every PA application

We are pleased that you have found our website and that you are interested in our speaker systems for the commercial audio sector. In our range you will find a comprehensive selection of speaker systems, such as those used for background sound in supermarkets, fitness studios, trampoline parks and in cosy corner cafés.

Most customers like background music. But only if the sound system was professionally implemented and was given a high priority in the shop concept. Our philosophy: Good, high-quality sound systems are also possible with moderate budgets. It just has to be planned meticulously and can't be second or third priority in the overall design concept.

In sound system projects, installers, specialist planners and architects ensure that speaker systems are carefully selected and installed. In this way, you achieve an optimal result together with the customer. Sound systems are not an end in themselves – we also develop our speaker systems in line with this principle.

We are happy to advise installers and planners on how to implement sound systems projects with our speaker systems.

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Have a look at our products:

100-volt speakers: Particularly convincing in terms of price and performance

The 100-volt technology continues to be popular with installers and expert planners. For large areas in particular, it offers an unbeatable ratio between cost and PA application area. However, we never look at 100-volt technology as the "minimum-cost" solution. Instead, it is the best option for sound system projects that require large-scale, reliable, commercial sound systems.

Our professional 100-volt systems can do much more than just background music. If you are planning a PA system that is also supposed to get peoples' attention, we offer 100-volt speakers that are easily comparable to many low-impedance solutions. For PA applications in a pedestrian zone, for example, powerful speaker systems are needed that literally "bring the word out on the street", even outside of enclosed spaces.

An example of our 100-volt speaker systems: SL-250WS/EN with 250 watts of power output

with EN 54-24 certification
100 V transmission technology or 8 Ω operation
2-way bass-reflex system
30 cm (12") coaxial speaker with tweeter and crossover network
Excellent sound
IP66 tested
ABS cabinet with metal grille
Recessed connection terminal with cover plate and high-strength cable gland
Supplied with safety rope
Stainless steel wall bracket

Our SL-series

An example of our 100-volt speaker systems: SL-250WS/EN with 250 watts of power output

with EN 54-24 certification
100 V transmission technology or 8 Ω operation
2-way bass-reflex system
30 cm (12") coaxial speaker with tweeter and crossover network
Excellent sound
IP66 tested
ABS cabinet with metal grille
Recessed connection terminal with cover plate and high-strength cable gland
Supplied with safety rope
Stainless steel wall bracket

Our SL-series

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Optics instead of a built-in solution: You may also deliberately put good speaker systems on display

In the 100-volt range, flush-mount ceiling speakers are often used. Especially when a sound system should be rather inconspicuous. Because then the sound technology itself should also be as invisible as possible. In some concepts, this enhances the atmosphere. Making a good sound system as visually unobtrusive as possible is also an art that we can support with a good selection of products.

Speaker systems, on the other hand, are clearly visible and can therefore also make a visual statement.

We believe that hiding the sound source does not always serve a sound system concept well. A shop, a fitness studio or a bar may want to show that it has invested in good sound. That's also why our speaker systems are built to be heard and seen. To this end, our development engineer Frank Kuhl puts each speaker series through a rigorous testing process in which not only frequency response and directivity pattern but also design play a role..

Low-impedance speaker systems: More fullness of sound for high-quality sound system projects

Our technicians sometimes colloquially refer to our low-impedance speakers as "party speakers". Because it's true: With these speakers, sound systems for parties, i.e. powerful sound systems with music, are also possible. These speakers do not reach their full potential when it comes to just reproducing voices, announcements or subtle background music. The frequency response of our low-impedance speaker systems enables high-quality sound in shops and recreational facilities where music is an important part of the design concept.

An example of our 100-volt speaker systems PAB-12WP with 120 watts of power output

High-performance 2-way bass reflex system
ABS plastic body
30-cm PA bass speaker (12") with impregnated paper cone
25-mm tweeter horn system (1")
Very good sound characteristics
SPEAKER in and parallel out
Metal parts made of stainless steel
Each with 4 x M10 threaded inserts at the top and bottom for hang mounting
Stand sleeve(s)
Ball safety test according to DIN 18 032, Part 3

An example of our 100-volt speaker systems PAB-12WP with 120 watts of power output

High-performance 2-way bass reflex system
ABS plastic body
30-cm PA bass speaker (12") with impregnated paper cone
25-mm tweeter horn system (1")
Very good sound characteristics
SPEAKER in and parallel out
Metal parts made of stainless steel
Each with 4 x M10 threaded inserts at the top and bottom for hang mounting
Stand sleeve(s)
Ball safety test according to DIN 18 032, Part 3

“The speaker makes a good impression in terms of measurements and listening quality. All in all for the PAB-12WP/SW there is [...] a wholehearted purchase recommendation [...] if you want a solid 12/2 speaker that continues to do its job without issues even in very challenging conditions."
— Anselm Goertz from Production Partner 04/2012

4 reasons in favour of passive speaker systems

With active speaker systems, the built-in amplifier with power amplifier is optimally tuned to the speaker in the box. With bi-amping, there are even two amplifiers supplying the respective high and low/mid drivers. What speaks at all in favour of passive speaker systems? From our point of view these 4 reasons:

Numerous successfully implemented 100-v sound system projects: The material reality in thousands of buildings with PA technology is a strong argument for passive speaker systems. Many existing installations already have high-quality PA amplifiers that work perfectly with passive speaker systems.
The flexibility of a sound system with a passive speaker system is underestimated – it is easily extendable over long distances, especially with a 100-volt system . The cable cross-section is small and handling is easy even for laypeople because impedances are irrelevant. Also quite pragmatically thought through: Passive speakers do not need their own sockets.
Also, flexibility is not always a good thing during operation: While users can tweak active speaker systems, is that what the operator of the system wants? A system with passive speaker systems and a central amplifier is easier to manage.
Speaking of efficiency: In terms of value for money, passive speakers usually remain cheaper simply because they come with less technology overall – and we think sound technology should be affordable for everyone. A single passive speaker is cheaper to buy and cheaper to replace than an active speaker.

Installation Ed. 3

The e-Paper

Browse through our magazine for installers, planners and architects:

Planning PA applications with ceiling speakers

Planning a PA system

Active speaker systems: The all-in-one solution

The biggest advantage of active speaker systems is their stand-alone nature. No amplifier is necessary, the speaker system combines amplifier and – in most cases – tweeter and bass speaker in one sturdy housing. The only things missing are the power and the sound source. Active speaker systems are becoming more and more widespread, not only in the hi-fi sector, but also in commercial PA applications. This is particularly useful in two situations:

for set-ups in which only a few speakers are sufficient - here it is not worth buying an extra amplifier that powers the passive speakers centrally;
for set-ups where it is important that users or operators can adjust each speaker individually.

Proponents of passive speaker systems often argue: Is the built-in amplifier in the active speaker really of high quality? Here, our speaker systems benefit from the fact that we also offer PA amplifiers ourselves and have the corresponding expertise in house.

Do passive speakers really always need an amplifier?

Basically, the task of an amplifier is: to make a weak audio signal louder and stronger. Passive speakers do not have a built-in amplification system. They therefore basically need a source to supply them with enough energy for a high-quality and loud sound. It doesn't have to be an amplifier.

1. Powering passive speakers with an AV receiver

You can connect your passive speakers directly to an AV receiver. Provided there is enough power, it replaces the amplifier. Because most AV receivers have a built-in amplifier. This is how the receiver processes and amplifies the audio signals for your passive speakers. It is important that the speakers you use have an output that can also be fed by the receiver.

2. Powering passive speakers with an active mixer

Mixers basically have the task of processing audio signals from a source. However, some mixers known as "power mixers" can also amplify.

3. Powering passive speakers with an active subwoofer

An active subwoofer provides your passive speakers with sufficient power without the need for an external amplifier. Active subwoofers have a built-in amplifier that is often very powerful. Simply connect your passive speaker to the speaker outputs of the subwoofer using a speaker cable. Many active subwoofers have speaker outputs for a left and right speaker. For this reason, the number may be limited to two passive speakers.

Customers frequently ask: Which speaker is best for classical music?

Classical music often has a wider spectrum of frequencies than other music genres. So it's important to choose a speaker that can accurately reproduce those highs and lows. Also, classical music is often more subtle and nuanced than other genres. Therefore, it is important to choose a speaker cabinet that will not add unwanted distortion. And because classical music is often performed in large rooms, it's important to choose a speaker that can fill the room with sound without overwhelming it. Open baffles like the KATANA-M1 are particularly well suited for this.

Customers frequently ask: My old speakers "buzz" or "crackle", what can I do?

Speakers should reproduce sound without making noise themselves. Your speaker is still making noises that are clearly not part of the playback? First check that all screws and bolts are tight. Loose parts will cause the box to vibrate and make a rattling noise. If that doesn't help, remove the grille and gently tap the side of the housing. This can sometimes remove the cause of the noise. If that doesn't work, you probably need to contact a professional – or purchase a new speaker.

One day in the acoustics room with Frank Kuhl

That is how the MONACOR expert optimises frequency responses of speakers

We are convinced: People trust people – and that is how we work

Customer service is very important to us at MONACOR. That's why we don't have an anonymous call centre. For all your questions about MONACOR products you get to speak with our colleagues from Technical Customer Service. For project-specific questions we also offer our technical project management team. And what you can always count on with us: We never leave you alone with a problem or a question.

Even in digitalisation, where audio over IP is becoming more and more important, we do not want to make "advice over IP" the new norm. We seek direct contact with our customers: Doing on-site inspections, planning a sound system project directly in the building and use measuring microphones in the various spaces.

Of course you can send us your floor plan in advance. But sometimes that's not enough when it needs to be perfect. And when we implement a sound system project with you, we do everything we can to ensure that you and your customer are equally happy with the end result.

Would you like to learn more about digital sound system technology? Read here:

Dante®: real-time audio networks

AoIP technology is more agile and efficient with Dante®

Basic information and the required hardware for AoIP

The digital era is the time for networks, also for audio applications

Why speaker systems from MONACOR?

We are more than just a dealer. We've been watching the market for decades. Contact with installation companies, architects, acoustics specialists and expert planners for sound system technology is important for us if we want to be up to date with the latest technology on the market. For complex systems such as speaker systems, it is particularly important to know the latest options for price/performance ratios. We are driven by the question of what is technologically possible, but above all by what makes economic sense for the end user.

Success or failure in commercial sound systems with speaker systems is a balancing act between quality requirements and cost effectiveness. Materials, manufacturing processes and audio technology allow not only ever-improving speaker systems, but also increasingly efficient technologies. This is another reason we are also full-blooded product developers. If we see a demand that the market has not yet met, we develop new speakers ourselves. In that context, we have developed and internalised an aggressive quality policy that forces us to critically review each new speaker series. What exactly does that mean?

We test new speakers in our acoustics laboratory, and in our workshop we dismantle them right down to the last screw.

Our acoustics specialists and engineers check whether there are areas for optimising a speaker system. This may mean that the frequency response should be even more linear. It might mean too much material was used for the result achieved by the speaker. No matter what it is: If our engineers are not satisfied with a speaker system, it will not be part of our range.

We accompany you until the project is completed

Your project is our project. We have technical project management directly at our premises in Bremen. We advise installers during planning. We advise planners on the choice of technology, and offer training courses. If you need more support, we'll carry out the project together with you. This also includes speedy, uncomplicated repair services on top of that.

Our range of different speaker systems covers almost every imaginable sound system scenario. Whether you want the leanest possible solution for a small youth centre or a large-scale sound system for a skate park or an indoor sports centre – you can make it happen with our speaker systems. If we can advise or support you with the planning, we would be happy to do so! After all: Your project is our project.