What size PA system do I need for 200 people?

Sizing a PA for 200 people depends on the venue and application. For a typical indoor event (conference, band, DJ), you need coverage that reaches the entire audience without excessive SPL. A rule of thumb is 1–2 watts per person for speech, and 5–10 watts per person for music with punch. This translates to a pair of powered 12-inch or 15-inch two-way loudspeakers (e.g., SSOUNDS point-source systems) and one or two 18-inch subwoofers per side, powered by amplifiers delivering 1000–2000 watts RMS per side.

Coverage is critical: the speakers should be positioned to cover the listening area evenly, typically 60–90 degrees horizontal dispersion. For larger or wider rooms, you may need additional fills or delays. SSOUNDS engineers use acoustic modelling software to predict SPL distribution and adjust system design for optimal clarity and even coverage, avoiding dead spots or excessive feedback.

For outdoor events or high-energy music, you may need more headroom — consider adding a second sub per side or using a small line array (e.g., SSOUNDS compact line array modules) to maintain consistent SPL over distance. Always factor in the type of content: speech requires less power than full-range music with heavy bass.