Speaker pair: do you need a subwoofer, a mixer or a mic?

A pair on its own: one source, plugged in directly

These speakers are active: the amplifier is built in, so there is no amp to plan for. They receive the signal through XLR or jack inputs. They have no Bluetooth, no RCA input and no mini-jack input. The simplest setup is therefore a source with a jack or XLR output, with one cable per speaker.

For a dinner with a playlist, an aperitif in the garden or a party where the music comes from a single device, that is enough. The volume is set on the speaker and on the source. When booking, you can tick two sets of connection cables, included in the rental: a pair of XLR cables and a pair of RCA to RCA cables.

The mixer: as soon as there are two sources

A speaker receives a signal that is already mixed. It mixes nothing. If you want to chain two turntables, switch from a computer to a phone or add a mic to the music, you need a device that does this mixing: a mixer or a console. Fox Rider does not rent a standalone mixer.

What Fox Rider does rent, separately, is the Pioneer XDJ-RX3 console. It acts as the mixer: two XLR/6.35 jack combo mic inputs, one 3.5 mm mini-jack AUX input, and MASTER outputs in balanced XLR and in RCA. The MASTER XLR outputs plug into the speakers' XLR inputs.

The Technics SL-1210 MK2 turntables are also rented separately. Their output is RCA phono, with a ground wire: they require a PHONO input or a phono preamp, which a simple speaker does not offer. The choice of mixer therefore depends on what you plug in; the topic is covered in the article on the mixer to use with Technics turntables. Rented on the same dates as the pair, these devices get a pack discount on the second one; the details are on the page.

The mic: speeches have their own input

The pair does not include a mic. Fox Rider rents one as an option with the Pioneer XDJ-RX3 console: a Shure SM58, €5 per mic per rental, two at most, XLR cable supplied and mic stand free of charge. For a wedding speech or a birthday toast, you therefore need a mic and the input that goes with it. The speakers' inputs expect a line-level signal, the kind a player or a console outputs. A mic plugged in without a preamp would sound very faint.

On the XDJ-RX3, the two mic inputs fill this role: the mic goes through the console, then the MASTER outputs go to the speakers. If you do not take a console, you will need a mic input elsewhere, for example on a small mixer that you bring yourself. For speeches, keep the mic behind the line of the speakers: in front of them, it would quickly squeal. For a wireless mic, see the guide to the wireless mic for wedding speeches.

The subwoofer: when it is worth it

The pair's frequency response runs from 50 Hz to 20 000 Hz. It can therefore reproduce voice, guitar, a good part of the drums and everyday bass. For a meal, a reception or a cocktail hour, a subwoofer adds nothing decisive.

The situation changes on a dance floor. If your program relies on deep bass, such as electro or hip-hop, the pair on its own stops, on its spec sheet, at 50 Hz. You will feel the low end less in your chest. A subwoofer is worth it in that case, but Fox Rider does not rent one. There are two options: look for a subwoofer elsewhere, or accept a less deep low end by choosing less demanding tracks. Turning up the volume does not make up for what is missing: it adds power in the mids, not depth, and ear fatigue arrives sooner. Better to be upfront about it: with this pair, a party with moderate bass is perfectly doable.

What is rented, what is not

To keep count without mistakes, here is the overview.

• Included in the rental: two speakers, two stands, two covers, two power cables; XLR and RCA to RCA cables to tick.
• Rented separately: Technics SL-1210 MK2 turntables and Pioneer XDJ-RX3 console, with the Shure SM58 mic as an option (€5 per mic per rental, two at most, XLR cable supplied and mic stand free of charge).
• Not rented: subwoofer, standalone mixer, amplifier, phone cable.

The duration runs from 1 to 7 days. The price depends on the duration and is shown on the product page. There is only one pair: book early for a weekend.

See the speaker rental in Lyon