Do you really need subwoofers?

Many corporate event planners tell us, “It’s not a party—do we really need subs?” We get it. Subwoofers are often associated with nightclubs and festivals. But in business settings—product launches, award shows, conferences, and even subtle background music—subwoofers are a quiet hero. They don’t make things “boomier”; they make things clearer, warmer, and more professional.

What subwoofers actually do (in plain English)

• Fill in the low end your main speakers can’t reproduce cleanly.

• Reduce strain on your tops so speech is clearer at comfortable levels.

• Add weight and impact to videos and stings without pushing overall volume.

Why subwoofers matter at corporate events

• Speech clarity improves
  Offloading low frequencies to a subwoofer allows your main speakers to work more efficiently in the vocal range. Result: cleaner keynotes and panel discussions, with less strain and fatigue for listeners.

• Professional impact at low volume
  You don’t need it loud to feel complete. Even at comfortable levels, subwoofers fill in the lowest octaves so walk-up music, stings, and product launch videos feel polished and intentional.

• Consistent coverage across the room
  Without subs, the low end can vanish a few rows back. A properly placed sub (or a pair) gives more even coverage, so the front row and back row share the same experience.

• Headroom for dynamic content
  Award stings, brand idents, and cinematic product clips often have energy below 100 Hz. Subs handle that weight effortlessly, preventing distortion in your tops.

Bottom line: subwoofers aren’t about making it “loud”; they’re about making it complete.

Where subs earn their keep

• Product launches – Impactful video soundtracks and reveal moments carry real weight when the lowest notes are reproduced accurately.

• Award shows – Stings and walk-up music sound confident and controlled; no thin or harsh intros.

• Background music – Subtle, unobtrusive low end makes playlists feel high-quality even at foyer or dinner levels.

• Hybrid/streamed sessions – Cleaner main speakers = clearer speech capture on feeds and recordings.

Recommended RCF pairings we use

We stock a range of RCF systems that scale from small briefings to large award nights:

Compact rooms & breakouts

• RCF ART 9 10A / 10AX tops
  Pair with RCF SUB 8003-AS MK3 (single sub) for warm, even BGM and confident walk-up cues.

• RCF J8 / JMix8 (column system)
  Add a compact sub when you need fuller music without raising the overall volume.

Medium conference spaces

• RCF 515TT (TT+ series)
  One or two RCF SUB 8003-AS MK3 units provide tight, musical low end for walk-ups and video cues while keeping speech pristine.

Large rooms & award shows

• RCF HDL 6-A arrays
  Ground-stack or fly with multiple SUB 8003-AS MK3 units to deliver even coverage, strong stings, and cinematic playback without harshness.

“But it’s not a party…”—common concerns answered

• “Won’t subs be too loud?”
  No. We gain-stage and limit so the system stays comfortable. Subs let us lower the strain on the tops, which often means smoother sound at modest levels.

• “We don’t have the space.”
  One compact sub can sit under a lectern, beside staging, or be centre-clustered to reduce footprint. We’ll propose placement that suits sightlines and fire lanes.

• “We’re mainly speech.”
  Great—subs still help. By moving the lowest work away from your main speakers, speech gets cleaner and more intelligible.

• “Budget is tight.”
  Adding a single sub is one of the best-value upgrades you can make to a PA hire. It improves perceived quality across everything—from mic’d voices to walk-up music.

Quick sizing guide

PA Hire made straightforward

Whether you need Speaker Hire for a town-hall, PA Hire for a conference, or a full show package for Award shows and Product Launch events, we’ll design a system that fits the brief—often with a single sub adding the final piece of polish.

Ready to hear the difference?

Tell us about your venue, agenda, and audience size, and we’ll recommend the right RCF setup.