# How many watts of sound do I need for my event? A guide by audience size

> A practical guide to working out sound power based on guests, space and type of event, with the set-ups we install in Catalonia.

- URL: https://www.alquiaudio.es/en/blog/how-many-watts-for-an-event/
- Last updated: October 2026

- By: Sindy, founder and technical lead, Alquiaudio
- 2026-09-14 · 6 min read · Technical guides

**As a rule of thumb, Alquiaudio allows 6 to 12 watts per person indoors and 15 to 25 outdoors, adding subwoofers from 100 people if there is dancing.**

## Why don’t watts tell the whole story?

**Because power tells you what a speaker can deliver, not how well the sound will reach the back row.**

We have seen 2,000 W systems sound worse than a well-placed 800 W one. What shapes the experience is coverage (sound reaching everyone), speech clarity and the absence of distortion. That said, watts are a useful first reference for sizing a system.

## How many watts do you need by audience size?

**These are the set-ups we install most often, with their approximate power.**

Outdoors the figures almost double because there are no walls or ceiling to reflect the sound. And if it is windy, it is better to spread more speakers around than to turn two up.

*Indicative power by audience size, according to Alquiaudio*

| Audience | Indoors | Outdoors |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Up to 50 people | 500–800 W | 1,000–1,500 W |
| 50–100 people | 800–1,500 W | 1,500–2,500 W |
| 100–250 people | 1,500–3,000 W with subwoofer | 3,000–4,500 W with subwoofers |
| 250–500 people | 3,000–4,500 W | 4,500–6,000 W with columns |

## What changes with dancing versus speeches only?

**Dancing needs subwoofers; for speeches only, intelligibility matters more than power.**

### Speech only

A 150-person ceremony is covered with two 12″ speakers and a good mic. Adding power doesn’t improve speech; placing the speakers in front of the speaker and setting the EQ does.

### Background music

Several speakers at low volume beat two at full blast. Guests can talk and the music reaches every table equally.

### Dancing

From about 100 people dancing, an 18″ subwoofer makes all the difference. With two, the floor feels full without raising the overall volume.

## How do you know what your event needs?

**The quickest way is to tell us the date, town, guests and space: within an hour we tell you the exact set-up.**

With photos of the venue we can see where to put the speakers and how many sockets there are. You can ask via [the Alquiaudio quote form](https://www.alquiaudio.es/en/contact/) or see full set-ups on [sound equipment hire in Barcelona](https://www.alquiaudio.es/en/sound-equipment-rental/).

Has been running sound at weddings, town festivals and concerts across Catalonia since 2009. You can reach her through [the contact page](https://www.alquiaudio.es/en/contact/).


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**Alquiaudio** — Alquiaudio is a sound and lighting hire company with technicians, based in the province of Barcelona and serving all of Catalonia since 2015. Its own 6,000 W system covers weddings, corporate events, town councils, town festivals, private parties and live bands of up to 7 musicians.

- Tel. / WhatsApp: +34 722 538 833 (https://wa.me/34722538833)
- Email: info@alquiaudio.es
- Open 24/7, 365 days a year, holidays included
- Based in the province of Barcelona · Serving all of Catalonia
- Web: https://www.alquiaudio.es/