If you have an important event coming up – one that involves a large number of people like a family reunion, awards ceremony, sporting event, or rally – you’re going to want your voice to be heard. With the right megaphone, you can amplify your voice with ease.
When it comes to shopping for megaphones, however, there is a lot to consider. If you’ll be using a powered megaphone, you’ll want one with a detachable microphone that has enough wattage to let your voice be heard. Additionally, a loud sound effect, like a siren, can come in handy when you need to quickly focus the attention of the crowd.
The shape of a megaphone focuses and directs sound waves so the people you are talking to can clearly hear what you have to say.
Megaphone or bullhorn?
Before we get too deep into discussing megaphones, we need to clarify something. What is the difference between a megaphone and a bullhorn?
A megaphone is a large, cone-shaped device that is used to direct and amplify the voice. A bullhorn is an electronic megaphone. As a result, bullhorns can be much smaller because most of the amplifying work is done through electronics. They also tend to be heavier, and they have a number of features that enhance user experience.
For the purpose of this guide, we will refer to the two simply as megaphones and powered megaphones.
Key considerations
Distance
Both a megaphone’s shape and its power determine how far away you can hear it. Before purchasing, check to see the distance that the megaphone you are considering can cover. If you are a football coach and players can only hear you 50 yards away, that’s not the right megaphone for you. If you are a cheerleader, you want every row of fans to be able to hear your rallying cries.
Wattage
In a powered megaphone, the wattage denotes the amount of power. Most megaphones are between five and 50 watts. The higher the wattage, the louder your megaphone will be. However, higher wattages drain power more quickly, so look for a megaphone with a good balance of power and duration.
Size and weight
Holding a megaphone up to your mouth for extended periods of time can quickly fatigue your arm muscles. The larger and heavier it is, the less time you will be able to use your megaphone. If you are only occasionally calling out short phrases of encouragement to players on the field, almost any size or weight will do, but if you will be speaking for an extended period of time, you’ll definitely want the lightest model that can do the job.
Caution
Depending on the time of day, using a megaphone may violate local noise ordinances. Additionally, some locations may prohibit the use of amplified sound without a permit.
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Features
Detachable microphone
One solution to a heavy megaphone is having a detachable microphone. With this feature, you only hold up the microphone to your mouth, which is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Additionally, having a detachable microphone means that you will be better able to make eye contact with the people you are talking to.
Siren
Almost all powered megaphones come with a siren feature that can be used to quickly get people’s attention. Some models come with a wide variety of sounds and even short tunes that can be broadcast at the touch of a button.
Record and playback
If you will be using your megaphone to offer repeated instructions, having record and playback functions is invaluable. You can say what you need to once and repeat it as needed just by pressing a button.
Auxiliary input
Some megaphones have a 3.5 mm input, so you can plug in other devices. Others are Bluetooth-compatible. If you want to use your megaphone as a speaker, you will need this feature. That said, the sound quality of a megaphone is not ideal, so expect some degradation in even the best models.
Waterproof
If you are a lifeguard, swim coach, or boater, you will need a megaphone that is waterproof.
Portability
Some megaphones have a foldable handle and a wrist strap that facilitate carrying and storing the megaphone when not in use.
Other features
If you’ve thought of it, chances are that a manufacturer has, too. Two of the most common bonus features on megaphones are a built-in bottle opener and a flashlight.
Megaphone prices
Inexpensive megaphones, in the $12 to $15 price range, have up to 30 watts of power and may feature a siren. These megaphones are typically smaller models that have a limited broadcast range.
For $15 to $30, you can find non-powered, cheerleading-type megaphones and powered models with an increased range. If you would like a powered megaphone with a detachable microphone, you will need to look in the $30 to $50 price range.
If you have budgeted more than $50, you can get it all: 50 watts of power, a detachable microphone, and a siren as well as record and playback functions. Be careful, however, because there are a few slick-looking megaphones in this higher price range that don’t actually have much to offer.
Tips
You might be considering purchasing a megaphone for an upcoming event like a family reunion but wondering if the investment is worth it. After a day of making announcements and starting relay races, will you ever use that megaphone again? Luckily, there are many situations that call for a megaphone.
Coaching: If you coach any type of team or lead an exercise group, a megaphone can be an invaluable device for reaching participants and saving your voice.
Large group instruction: Any time you have a large gathering of people, someone will need to be the loudest voice to make leadership easier.
Directing: When leading a group of talented individuals who are running lines, singing, or playing musical instruments, you need a device that can quickly grab their attention and deliver direction.
(Video) TOP 5: Best Wireless Headphones 2023Protesting: You’ve got your permit for peaceable assembly. Now all you need is a megaphone.
Parenting: If you are at a park, playground, or even in the front yard and one of your children is about to do something unwise, a megaphone can get your voice there immediately to help curtail the undesirable activity.
Lifeguarding: If you have a job as a lifeguard, a megaphone is an excellent way to get the attention of someone who is engaging in unsafe behavior.
Camp counselor: Whether you are giving instructions at morning flag or going on a hike through the woods, a megaphone is a handy tool that can deliver announcements and help keep order.
Class trips: If you are a teacher or a chaperone on a class trip, a megaphone is a handy tool that can help rein in your overstimulated charges.
- Boating: Using a megaphone when out on a lake can be an effective way to communicate with other boaters.
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, technically a bullhorn is a powered megaphone.
FAQ
Q. How far does a megaphone’s sound travel?
A. Every megaphone is different. The length and shape of a traditional megaphone determine how well it works. If you have a powered megaphone, the wattage is what determines its range. Under optimal conditions, a 50-watt megaphone can be heard approximately a half-mile away.
Q. How loud can a megaphone get?
A. You need to be careful when using a megaphone because some models can average 100 decibels, which is comparable to the volume level of a motorcycle or chainsaw. The piercing siren sound can be as loud as 120 decibels on some megaphones. This packs as much wallop as a thunderclap.
Q. How does a powered megaphone get power?
A. Most models have a rechargeable lithium battery pack or take D batteries. When purchasing a powered megaphone, research how long the battery’s charge lasts. A megaphone that can't make it through your entire event might not be such a great value.
FAQs
What is the highest rated megaphone? ›
| 1 | AUNA 80W Megaphone MEGA080 700m Black By AUNA 9.8 View Product |
|---|---|
| 2 | TRIXES 10W Megaphone Loud Speaker Bullhorn By TRIXES 9.4 View Product |
| 3 | Pyle Megaphone Speaker PA Bullhorn W Built-in Siren - Adjustable Volume, 800 Yard By PYLE 9.3 View Product |
This model has 50 watts of power, so your voice can be heard from up to 1,200 yards away. This megaphone is equipped with a 10 second memory to broadcast the same message repeatedly if needed. And if you simply need to get everyone's attention, switch to the siren mode to activate a loud, powerful alarm sound.
How loud should a megaphone be? ›Although slightly heavier than acoustic megaphones, electric megaphones can amplify the voice to a higher level, to over 90 dB.
Who uses megaphones? ›Megaphones are essential in emergency situations because they allow emergency responders, law enforcement agencies, and other officials to communicate important messages to the public quickly and effectively.
How many watts is a police megaphone? ›But, how does it sound? The Blue Ocean megaphone is loud out to 800 yards with 22 watts of high efficiency output.
How loud is a 25 watt megaphone? ›25 watts. Takes 8 x Size C batteries. Audible range 500m to 700m depending on operating conditions. Siren 105dB.
Is 1500 watt speaker loud? ›Sure, a 1,500 Watt speaker is louder than a 10-Watt model but definitely not 150 times as loud. As a matter of fact, sometimes a 1,000 Watt speaker can produce more volume than a 1,200 Watt one.
Is 1000w speakers loud? ›It's a major indicator of a speaker's overall loudness, and one reason why a 1,000-watt speaker isn't necessarily louder than a 500-watt one. In fact, a 500-watt speaker with a sensitivity of 98dB will actually be the same volume as a 1,000-watt speaker with a sensitivity of 95dB.
How loud is a 4500 watt speaker? ›How loud can the Phantom Gold get? Its 4,500 watts of power is capable of producing a maximum volume of 108db SPL – the equivalent of a live rock concert.
What noise level is too loud? ›Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears. The table below shows dB levels and how noise from everyday sources can affect your hearing. Sounds at these dB levels typically don't cause any hearing damage.
How many watts is a good megaphone? ›
Megaphones typically range between 5 watts and 50 watts. Generally speaking, more wattage means a louder system. On the other hand, very loud speakers require power to drive them.
What is the difference between a bullhorn and a megaphone? ›Megaphones came first. These are defined as horn- or cone-shaped tubes that make sound audible over greater-than-normal distances. Bullhorns are actually a type of megaphone, but are defined as those that project sound electronically. It's that simple.
Can I use my phone as a megaphone? ›Simply connect your iPhone or iPad to external speakers via the headphone jack or lightning port. Then launch Megaphone, start speaking and you'll hear your voice amplified through the speakers, loud and clear.
What is megaphone Class 9? ›Megaphones are designed to send sound in a particular direction without spreading it in all directions in this instrument a tube followed by a conical opening reflects sound successively to guide most of the sound waves from the source in the forward directions towards the audience.
What is the difference between a Loudhailer and a megaphone? ›Megaphones are also known as bullhorns and are instantly recognizable because of their distinctive conical or bell shape. Loudhailers also feature a conical or bell shape for the speaker but are usually designed to mount onto a vehicle or structure while megaphones and bullhorns are handheld.
What decibel meter do cops use? ›The most common device used in noise ordinance enforcement is the sound level meter (SLM). The SLM performs three basic operations. It uses a microphone to convert the energy from the sound into an electrical signal. An electronic circuit then conditions the signal to provide meaningful results.
What do police use to speak louder? ›Though they resemble heavy-duty speakers of the sort used to make announcements at high school football games, they are actually powerful sound cannons known as Long Range Acoustic Devices, or LRADs. The police have often used LRADs to issue commands in an extra-loud voice.
How loud is a police horn? ›Most emergency vehicle sirens create 110-120 decibels when turned on. Police sirens can sound louder than ambulances or fire trucks because cop cars usually have their siren mounted low on the front bumper.
How loud is a 100 watt speaker? ›One watt=90 dB. One hundred watts, or 100X more power=110 dB.
Is A 500 watt speaker Loud? ›Is a 500 watt Speaker Loud? Yes, a 500 watt speaker is loud. However, you shouldn't assume that a 1000-watt speaker should be necessarily louder than 200-watt speaker. If you double the power, you can get a maximum of 3dB more volume.
How many watts is a really loud speaker? ›
A 500-watts speaker is a powerful speaker. Most speakers range from 20-200 watts, but 500 is definitely on the high end for a single unit. However, it's not safe to say that a 500 watts speaker is louder than a 200 watts speaker.
Does higher watts mean better sound? ›Yes, it's true that the higher the power (watts), the louder and cleaner the speakers will play. Small differences in power, however, don't make much of an audible change. In order to perceptively hear a difference (a 3dB increase), the power would have to double.
Does more watts mean more bass? ›How's it measured? Bass, as with most things, demands a comparison of quality vs quantity. More bass does not necessarily mean better bass. The power is determined by the wattage of the subwoofer in question, where a higher wattage demonstrates a more powerful subwoofer.
What is the highest wattage speaker? ›Matterhorn by Danley Sound Labs
It's made up of 40 drivers that help it to create a virtual wall of sound and it's also able to produce 40,000 watts of amplification. The speaker has made the most of 1,100 feet of 12 gauge cable and also 23 pounds of .
Most people tend to think that bigger speakers are better because they're louder. Big speakers can easily reach high volumes that simply aren't possible with a small speaker. If you need your speakers to be loud, then size will certainly matter, but louder audio doesn't mean better audio.
What size amp do I need for 500 watt speakers? ›If you have four 500-watt subs, choose a 1,000- to 1,200-watt amp. This will produce lots of bass but will never push the subwoofers near their limits. This reduced drive level not only allows the subwoofers to last longer, but they will sound better.
What makes a speaker louder? ›Watts and sensitivity
The amount of power that flows through your speakers when they're on and operating will directly affect the loudness. If you have a full blown sound system set up, power and wattage will also come from the sound system's stereo receiver, as well as its amplifier.
Pick a higher wattage for a larger room and better sound quality. If you have your speakers in your home, amplifiers with a 100-200 watt output per channel should be enough to fill the room with sound. If you're hosting parties or entertaining, find an amp as high as 300 watts to make sure your music is loud enough.
How many watts is good for an outdoor speaker? ›A pair of 60-watt patio speakers will give you great coverage in areas less than 300 square feet. For 300 to 500 square feet, look for 80 to 100-watt speakers; 150 watts to 175-watt speakers will cover 600 to 800 square feet with clear, sharp music sound at soft volumes.
How much dB is a gunshot? ›A gunshot is typically around 140 to 190 decibels. In comparison, a jet taking off is approximately 150 decibels. Decibels measure the intensity of sound. The higher the number, the louder the sound and the more damaging it can be to your hearing.
How loud can a human yell? ›
A whisper is between 20-30 dB. On the other hand, a human scream can reach decibel levels between 80 and 125 dB.
How loud is dangerously loud? ›Sound is measured in units called decibels. Sounds at or below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA) are generally safe. Long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss.
How far can you hear a megaphone? ›Range: Because of their design, even megaphones with low Wattage can be heard hundreds of feet away. Narrow horns increase range by concentrating sound waves. Wider horns project sound over a broad area, but at the expense of distance. If you need to cover a larger area, consider a loud hailer system.
Is megaphone high or low pitch? ›A megaphone, for example, produces high-amplitude sound. Sounds with a low amplitude are referred to as soft sounds.
Is 300w Loud for a speaker? ›While the best measure for how loud a speaker can get is Sensitivity, I believe that any speaker rated at 300 watts RMS, fed enough power, can get quite loud. Of course, loudness is relative. Place it in a small room, and it will be ear-splitting loud.
Is it illegal to use a bullhorn? ›You may not need a permit to use a bullhorn or megaphone, but the government may ban noisy parties without a purpose, or sound that is "amplified to a loud and raucous volume."
What is the horn you can speak into? ›A bullhorn is a hand-held device that makes your voice sound much louder when you speak into it. You might address a crowd at a rally or protest by talking into a bullhorn.
Why are megaphones cone shaped? ›A cone-shaped megaphone creates a more gradual transition from your mouth to the open air. By reducing the amount of sound that bounces back into your mouth, this allows more volume to come out. For full effect, a megaphone should be at least as long as the wavelength of the sound it's amplifying.
What is the app that can hear in another room? ›AirMirror allows you to control the target Android phone from another device remotely. You can remote control your device and provide support to someone's device as per requirements. Just like AirDroid Personal, AirMirror has one-way audio feature to listen to the surrounding sounds of the target Android phone easily.
What app makes everyone's phone a speaker? ›AmpMe™ is the record breaking #1 iPhone music syncing app that boosts the sound of your music by syncing it with all of your friends' phones, bluetooth and speakers! Over 288 Million users already use AmpMe™! Wanna know why?
Can I use a Bluetooth speaker to amplify my voice? ›
You can use Sound Amplifier with wired or Bluetooth headphones to filter, augment, and amplify the sounds in your environment or on your Android device.
How does a loud Hailer work? ›A megaphone, also known as a speaking trumpet, bullhorn, blow horn, or loud hailer, is a portable, cone-shaped acoustic horn that is used to enhance and direct a person's voice or other sounds in a specific direction. It also directs sound waves in the direction of the horn's direction of travel.
What is sound grade 9? ›What Is Sound? A sound is a vibration that propagates through a medium in the form of a mechanical wave. The medium in which it propagates can either be a solid, a liquid or a gas. Sound travels fastest in solids, relatively slower in liquids and slowest in gases.
Can megaphones play music? ›Some megaphones offer Bluetooth, USB and SD Card player options to play music through you megaphone. Most also come with a siren.
Which megaphone is best? ›Pyle Megaphone – Best Overall
The Pyle Loud Sound Megaphone is an impressive piece of sound technology with various features designed to maximize sound quality. With its 100-watt power, you can achieve the desired loudness and clarity you need to project your voice at optimal volume levels.
A public address (PA) system is for amplifying the human voice. In its simplest form, it has a microphone, mixer, and loudspeakers.
What is the difference between loud Hailer and megaphone? ›Megaphones are also known as bullhorns and are instantly recognizable because of their distinctive conical or bell shape. Loudhailers also feature a conical or bell shape for the speaker but are usually designed to mount onto a vehicle or structure while megaphones and bullhorns are handheld.
What is the difference between a megaphone and a bullhorn? ›Megaphones came first. These are defined as horn- or cone-shaped tubes that make sound audible over greater-than-normal distances. Bullhorns are actually a type of megaphone, but are defined as those that project sound electronically. It's that simple.
What is the difference between a PA system and a megaphone? ›The main difference is the shape of the area where amplified sound is heard. By definition a megaphone with the same power as a PA system will cover a triangular area which is longer and more narrow. This is why a speaker with a megaphone has to swivel to cover a crowd in front of him or her.
How loud is 400 watt speakers? ›400 watts into most speakers, in a reasonable room, would be 'pretty loud'.
Can I use my iPhone to amplify my voice? ›
Raise your voice. Megaphone instantly transforms your iPhone or iPad into a microphone when you connect it to external speakers. With crystal-clear sound and easy setup, you can make yourself heard in minutes. And best of all, it's free.
What is a non electric megaphone called? ›A bullhorn is a hand-held device that makes your voice sound much louder when you speak into it. You might address a crowd at a rally or protest by talking into a bullhorn.
How many watts do I need for a PA system? ›As a very rough rule of thumb for an indoor function, you should gauge for 6-8 watts per person. If you plan to have music such as a wedding reception and want a disco feel. You can double this value and take into account subwoofers for some extra bass.
Are powered PA speakers better than passive? ›The Bottom Line. If you're short on space, don't want to hand-pick your audio components, and want a simple, clean setup, powered speakers will fit your needs. If you prefer choice, don't want bookshelf speakers, or eventually want to work up from stereo to surround sound, passive speakers are what you need.