Your Guide to Achieving Great Sound in the Great Outdoors

Summer is the season for live events under the open sky - from weddings on the lawn and community park festivals to acoustic sets on a patio and outdoor corporate gatherings. While these events offer a fantastic atmosphere, they also present a unique audio challenge: how do you deliver clear, powerful sound without any walls for it to reflect off of?

Unlike an indoor venue, the great outdoors is an acoustically unforgiving environment. At NLFX Professional, our event production team has spent decades mastering the art of outdoor sound. This guide will walk you through the key features to look for in a portable PA system, ensuring your summer gigs sound just as good as your indoor ones.

1. Why Outdoor Sound is a Different Beast

Before choosing your gear, it's important to understand why outdoor audio is tricky. Without walls and ceilings to contain and reflect sound waves, the sound dissipates quickly. This means you need to work smarter to achieve clarity and coverage.

1. No Natural Acoustics: Sound doesn't "bounce" back to the audience, meaning you need a system that can project clearly and directly over a distance.

2. Ambient Noise: You're competing with wind, traffic, crowds, and nature. Your sound system needs to be clear and powerful enough to cut through these distractions without being painfully loud.

3. Power & Weather: Access to power outlets can be limited, and the weather can be unpredictable. Portability and durability are key.

2. Key Features to Look For in a Portable PA System

When selecting a PA system for outdoor use, focus on these critical features to ensure a successful event:

1. Power & Coverage (Dispersion): Don't look at watts; consider the speaker's sensitivity and Maximum SPL (Sound Pressure Level) Rating to understand its true output potential. For outdoor events, it's always better to have more power than you need and run the system at a comfortable level. Remember, there's no replacement for displacement; larger speakers = more air movement. Pay attention to the speaker's dispersion pattern (how wide it throws the sound), as a wider pattern can cover a larger audience area with fewer speakers. Lastly, get your speakers up as high as possible to make sure you are throwing the sound over everyones heads to reach the back of your audience and not just to the middle of your performance area. There is a reason the large line array systems at large concerts are 20+ft off the ground. ✱ Safety Note ✱ When you go higher, it can make your system unstable, make sure to get stands rated for the load you are putting on them at the height you need to put it. You don't want a breeze to blow it over on top of your audience.

2. Battery Power: For ultimate portability at parks, beaches, or remote wedding ceremonies, a battery-powered PA system is essential (like the EV Everse Series). Many modern systems offer long-lasting, swappable lithium-ion batteries that can power your performance for hours without a single outlet in sight.

3. Connectivity & Mixing: Ensure the system has the inputs you need. Look for multiple channels with combination XLR/1/4" jacks for microphones and instruments. Built-in Bluetooth connectivity is also a huge plus for easily streaming background music from a phone or tablet. Many portable systems now include a small, built-in digital mixer, often controllable via a mobile app.

4. Durability: Outdoor use is tough on gear. Look for speakers with rugged, durable enclosures (like robust polypropylene) and sturdy steel grilles that can handle the occasional bump and scrape. While most are not fully waterproof, some offer a degree of weather resistance suitable for light outdoor conditions. On many large format speakers you can also purchase separately "water-mitigating" covers you can purchase the the sensitive electronics on your gear so even in some rain, the show can go on.

3. Our Top Portable PA Picks for Summer 2025

Here are a few versatile options from our rental and sales inventory that excel in outdoor environments:

For Ultimate Portability: The Electro-Voice Everse 8" or 12"

This lightweight, battery-powered workhorse is a favorite for acoustic solo acts, presenters, and ceremony sound. It's incredibly easy to carry, can be positioned in multiple ways, and has a built-in 3-channel mixer with Bluetooth.

For Power & Clarity: The Electro-Voice Evolve 50

This column array system is a step up in power and coverage. It pairs a 12" subwoofer with an array of smaller drivers, delivering rich, full-range sound that's perfect for mobile DJs or small bands playing for crowds of up to 150-200 people.

For Maximum Flexibility: A Robust Pair of 15" Speakers from your Favorite Manufacturer

For events requiring more power and a traditional setup, a pair of high-quality powered speakers like the EV ETX-15 is an industry standard. They offer immense power, built-in DSP for tuning, and are built to handle professional use. Pair them with a small mixer for full control.

4. Don't Forget the Essentials!

Even the best speaker system needs quality support gear. Remember to include durable speaker stands to elevate your speakers for better sound projection, and reliable, tour-grade cables (like our NLFX Pro Platinum Series) that won't fail you outdoors.

Choosing the right portable PA system can make or break your outdoor event. By focusing on power, portability, and the right features for your specific needs, you can deliver crystal-clear, professional sound that will impress any audience, rain or shine.

Planning a summer event? Contact our experts at NLFX Professional to find the perfect rental or permanent sound system for your outdoor needs!