Best Powered Speakers for Keyboards

Powered speakers are a crucial element for any musician or audio enthusiast, and are especially important for keyboard players. These specialized speakers have built-in amplifiers, allowing them to amplify and project sound without the need for external amplification.

When it comes to choosing the best-powered speakers for keyboards, there are many factors to consider including price, features, and overall sound quality.

In this article, we will explore the top 11 powered speakers for keyboards and help you find the best option to meet your needs.

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT

10/10

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Best Overall
Bluetooth
1000 W
Two‑band EQ
Three handles

YAMAHA HS8 Studio Monitor

9.6/10

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Best For Studio
120W total
High trim switch
Room control switch
TRS, XLR inputs

Rockville RPG152K Dual

9/10

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Best Value
1500 Watts Peak
Bluetooth
USB, SD, 2 XLR, 1/4″ inputs
Built In Equalizer

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT – Best Powered Speakers for Keyboards

The Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT is one of the best speakers for keyboards. It’s got some really cool features that make it stand out from other speakers. 

It has Bluetooth audio streaming so you can easily play background music or musical accompaniment without any wires getting in the way.

With its high-efficiency 1000W Class-D power amplifier and EV-patented Signal Synchronized Transducers (SST) waveguide design, you’ll get up to 126 dB peak SPL and precise and consistent coverage with minimal distortion. That means your sound will be crystal clear every time! 

ZLX-12BT comes equipped with QuickSmartDSP technology which makes setup a breeze – just select one of four presets or customize your own settings using two-band EQ and five user-programmable presets.

There’s also an LCD display on the back so you can monitor input level control and meters as well as master volume control for optimal gain structure. 

Plus, it has a durable composite construction complete with a high/low grip design for easy transport and mounting – perfect if you’re planning to take your keyboard show on the road! 

I think it’s pretty obvious why Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT is one of the best speakers for keyboards: amazing sound quality thanks to its advanced tech plus convenient features like Bluetooth streaming and QuickSmartDSP technology make this speaker ideal for anyone looking to rock their next gig!

Alto Professional TS410 – Best Powered Speakers for Keyboards in Live Performance

Alto Professional TS410 is a powerful speaker like no other and has all the features you need for a superior listening experience. 

The TS410 has a whopping 2000W Peak Class-D amplifier that produces crystal-clear sound. The 10″ woofer and 1.4″ compression driver give you plenty of power to fill any room. And, with its 90 x 60° dispersion, you’ll be able to hear the music perfectly from wherever you are in the room.

The two XLR-1/4″ Balanced Inputs let you plug in multiple devices at once with minimal fuss – perfect if you have more than one keyboard. In addition, the Bluetooth Audio Streaming & Speaker Link feature makes it easy to connect and stream music from your device wirelessly.

All told, the Alto Professional’s TS410 is a great value performance loudspeaker specifically designed for keyboard players looking for reliable sound reinforcement without breaking the bank.

QSC CP12 – Best Powered Speakers for Keyboards

The QSC CP12 is a compact and powerful powered speaker for keyboard that is perfect for musicians and performers who need a high-quality sound reinforcement solution.

One of the standout features of the QSC CP12 is its portability. Weighing in at just 30.3 pounds, this speaker is easy to transport and set up, making it a great option for musicians and performers on the go. Additionally, the integrated handles make it easy to carry the speaker from place to place.

A powerful class D amplifier is responsible for the sound here, which delivers a powerful and clear sound that is perfect for live performances. The speaker also features contour presets and a 3-input mixer, which allows you to fine-tune the sound to suit your specific needs.

With 75° coverage, this speaker is able to fill a wide area with sound, making it perfect for large venues or outdoor spaces that can hold up to 250 people.

This speaker also boasts an impressive frequency range of 49 Hz to 20 kHz, which provides a detailed and full-range sound that is perfect for a wide range of musical styles. The Dual Combo XLR-1/4″ Inputs and 3.5mm Input enables wide compatibility of instruments and devices.

The QSC CP12 is an excellent choice for musicians and performers who are looking for a high-quality and portable sound reinforcement solution. And with its powerful class D amplifier, contour presets, and 3-input mixer, it’s also a great option for musicians and performers looking for flexibility and control over their sound.

YAMAHA HS8 – Best Powered Studio Speakers for Keyboards

A clear, precise sound delivered from an uncompromising design — is the hallmark of the Yamaha HS8 Studio Monitor. This speaker is a workhorse in your room of choice, or in your studio.

These speakers are great for any keyboardist looking to expand their sound in their home studio space. The speaker provides both a clean sound as well as a more punchy and dynamic sound when needed with just a flick of the switch so you have complete control over what sounds good to you.

We found Yamaha to be a trustworthy brand with reliable services and professionals that are ready to help during every stage of a project from design to completion.

HS8 delivers up to 120W of pure clean sound Power through the 1” Soft Dome Tweeter/Cone Speaker and 8” Cone Woofer. It also has two response controls with detailed settings that allow them to adapt to the surface acoustics of rooms of varying shape and size

This speaker is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a great quality sound. It’s loud and clear enough to be used in most professional studio settings and it is compact enough to put on a shelf or carry in a car

Rockville RPG152K Dual 15″ – Best Budget Powered Speakers for Keyboards 

The Rockville RPG152K Dual 15″ Powered Speakers are an excellent choice for keyboard players looking to get a loud and powerful sound. These multi-functional speakers deliver up to 1500W Peak(375W RMS) of power, helping you create a live, studio-quality music experience. 

The built-in digital Class D amplifier is efficient and provides amazing sound levels without the risk of distortion or interference.

You can also adjust the bass and treble quickly with the EQ master controls on the LCD screen.

All this comes with two rugged stands and included a 1/4″ cable for convenience and mobility. 

EQ Master allows them to locate their sweet spot sound quickly so they can start performing with ease instead of fiddling around with tone settings which cuts time out from the learning curve significantly.

Furthermore, USB/SD card inputs give flexibility in playback options while staying within budget as they don’t need additional components like MP3 players, etc. 

If you need a reliable speaker system that will provide crystal clear sound at high volumes without breaking the bank – then go ahead and grab yourself a pair of Rockville RPG152K Dual 15″ Powered Speakers. 

JBL Professional IRX112 – Best Portable Powered Speaker with Bluetooth for Keyboards

The JBL Professional IRX112BT is a powerful and flexible 1300W active speaker that provides solid performance and plenty of connectivity options.

The IRX112BT offers two XLR/TRS combo jacks and one XLR output for versatile sound routing capabilities.

We especially liked Bluetooth integration which allowed us to wirelessly stream audio from any of our favorite music streaming apps directly to the speaker. 

The IRX112BT also features four specially crafted EQ presets tailored to specific applications such as speech, live music, DJing, and more.

Keyboard players will be pleased with how quickly they can customize the speaker performance to match their own playing style. Further tuning is simple thanks to onboard volume control and independent master limiter levels for customizing Max SPL based on application needs. 

Another practical design feature of this active loudspeaker is its ergonomic handles on either side making transportation effortless – which undoubtedly appeals to both touring artists as well as weekend warriors alike! 

JBL Professional IRX112BT stands among some of the best speakers available today offering excellent value for money regardless of application or budget size requirements! It’s no wonder why keyboard players love these first-class monitoring solutions!

Mackie SRM Series, 12-Inch Review

Mackie SRM450v3 is packed with features that make it an amazing choice for keyboards and other live sound applications.

This model is a 2-channel mixer that comes complete with gain controls to help shape and manage volume levels through a variety of inputs including mic, line level, and Hi-Z signals as well as XLR or stereo RCA plugs.

Its angled form factor also allows users to easily position the speakers on floors in order to maximize coverage within any given space while taking up minimal room footprint –perfect if you’re strapped for storage area during gigs where every inch counts! 

This powered speaker are quite powerful, their 500 W RMS (1000W peak) amplifiers are capable of providing dynamic audio reproduction across mid/high frequencies

The Mackie SRM 450 v3 has been specifically designed for musicians needing reliable performance gear they can count on anytime anywhere. So if portability and power flexibility all come priority list should check one of these great units out soon as possible.

Yamaha DBR10 – Best Small Powered Speakers for Keyboards

The Yamaha DBR10 is an impressive 700W powered speaker that was tested by professional tech journalists to assess its capabilities as a live performance tool. The speakers met the expectations with great results across all areas, demonstrating exceptional power and clarity in the sound. 

In terms of specs, the Yamaha DBR10 comes equipped with a 700W dynamic output courtesy of the Class D amplifier and 10″ woofer and 1″ HF driver combination.

It also features built-in rigging points allowing for multiple configurations with its 30.75 lb weight being extremely reasonable for a speaker of this type and size.

DBR10 provides 2x combo XLR-1/4″ TRS inputs, plus one stereo RCA input for maximum flexibility during performances or recording sessions. 

The Yamaha DBR10 is an excellent choice for keyboard players who want to have great sound quality without having to spend a fortune. It’s lightweight and easy to set up with its range of inputs making it very versatile.

Mackie Thump15A – 1300W Review

The Mackie Thump15A is a powerful, feature-packed speaker that has been designed to appeal to keyboard players. It’s perfect for keyboardists who want an all-in-one solution with plenty of power and control options. I recently tested the speaker and found it had a great performance in terms of sound quality, portability, and versatility.

The 1300W Class D amplifier offers plenty of headroom for loud volumes without any distortion or clipping issues.

The built-in two-channel mixer also provides flexibility when connecting multiple instruments via its XLR thru connection – allowing you to easily route signals from keyboards directly into the main mix without having to use additional cables or equipment.

One of the most impressive features is its powerful DSP processor, which allows you to customize your sound. The four separate modes are great for optimizing your sound depending on the type of music you’re playing, while also allowing more advanced users to tweak their settings even further with EQ controls. 

Overall then this speaker offers fantastic value considering what’s included in one package; not only do you get high output power but lots of useful features such as EQ controls along with unlimited routing possibilities due to its XLR thru connections make it really stand out against other speakers in the same price range.

Edifier S2000MKIII – Best Bookshelf Powered Speakers for Keyboards

The Edifier S2000MKIII Powered Bluetooth Bookshelf 2.0 speaker is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to experience high-definition sound quality with excellent wireless transmission capabilities.

With its advanced technology, it provides Hi-Res certification that enables lossless high-definition music signals over Bluetooth connection or wired digital inputs such as fiber optic or coaxial cables.

The sound quality of this speaker is superb thanks to its Hi-Fi unit group plus circuit designs combined with two professional DSP chips from TI that enable independent electronic crossover function allowing users to customize their listening experience according to different genres of songs played.

It has an impressive RMS continuous undistorted power output of 15W x2 (treble) + 50W x2 (midbass), enabling you to enjoy crystal clear audio in spaces up to 50m2 without distortion.

The intuitive digital display allows easy navigation through multiple preset sound modes while displaying information like current playing song source and volume adjustments at a glance – no more fumbling around trying to find buttons on your remote control! 

They may not be the most powerful speakers, and they are not ideal, but they have their advantages and features. I believe that the Edifier S2000MKIII bookshelf speakers deserve to be on the list of the best powered speakers for keyboards

Alesis Elevate 5 MKII – Best Cheap Bookshelf Powered Speakers for Keyboards

The Alesis Elevate 5 MKII is one of the best speakers for keyboards. With its compact design, incredibly good value for money, and impressive sound profile, it’s a perfect fit for any musician looking to take their keyboard playing to the next level.

This speaker offers at such an amazing price. You get 40W per channel from two independent amplifiers – resulting in crisp and clear highs, tight basses, and everything else in between.

Built-in 1/4 inch input allows for digital as well as analog connection, giving you complete control over your soundscape without having any extra devices or wires cluttering up your environment. 

Size shouldn’t always equate to quality, but with this tiny beast, they do in spades due to it sporting both a specialized custom 5″ woofer coupled with a 1″ silk dome tweeter.

In conclusion, considering their compact size, but high performance, such as powerful speaker drivers, as well as RCA and 1/4″ stereo inputs, make this a product worth investing in.

What to Pay Attention to When Choosing the Best Powered Speakers for Keyboards

Budget

When it comes to purchasing powered speakers for keyboards, you should determine a budget before starting your search. Take into account what features and specs are important to you and decide how much you’re willing to spend accordingly. Knowing your budget ahead of time can make the process smoother and help narrow down potential options more quickly. 

Power and Wattage (Peak and RMS)

Pay attention to peak wattage—which is short-lived power output suitable only for sudden bursts—and RMS wattage—which indicates continuous power handling capacity. The higher these numbers are, the louder they can get without distorting the sound quality. 

Frequency Response

A good speaker must have excellent frequency reproduction characteristics – this ensures that low frequencies (bass) are accurately transmitted as well as high ones (treble), creating an even balance throughout all notes played at any given time whilst maintaining natural sounding overtones/harmonics.

Size & Portability

Consider size requirements based on where they need to be located both stationary or portable configurations are necessary sometimes.

Especially true if space limitations exist in certain venues so small models might be preferable while larger ones may also provide better sonic experiences with enhanced bass impact usually found in bigger cabinets.

Additionally, take into consideration portability factors such as carrying handles availability given their weight.

Connectivity

Check for inputs and outputs on the speaker to determine compatibility with your keyboard or sound source. Dedicated input jacks are usually found in most powered speakers, such as XLR, 1/4” jack and RCA type plugs as well stereo link capabilities which allow connection of two devices together if necessary.

Additional features

In addition to regular features, you may want to consider additional ones like Bluetooth connectivity (for streaming audio directly from a phone or other device) equalization controls so that users can customize their listening experience according to their preferences etc.

FAQ

Do powered speakers sound better?

Powered speakers, also known as active speakers, have built-in amplifiers, which can result in a more consistent and controlled sound. They can also produce a louder and clearer sound than passive speakers, which require an external amplifier.

However, the overall sound quality will depend on the quality of the speakers and amplifiers used. Some high-end passive speakers paired with a high-quality amplifier may sound better than lower-end active speakers.

What amp should I use for my keyboard?

The amplifier you should use for your keyboard depends on the specific needs of your setup. You will want to consider factors such as the size of the space where you will be playing, the volume level you need to achieve, and the specific features and inputs required for your keyboard. Some keyboard players may prefer a small, portable amplifier for gigs, while others may prefer a larger, more powerful amplifier for use in a home studio or performance space.

Ultimately, the best amplifier for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It’s recommended to consult the user manual of your keyboard and see the recommended power output and impedance of the keyboard, also it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional or a musician who have experience in this field.

Do You Need a Speaker System For Keyboard?

No, you do not need a speaker system for your keyboard unless you want one. Most keyboards come with built-in speakers that are sufficient to practice and learn on. If you intend to use the keyboard professionally or perform in public, then it may be worth investing in an external sound system for better quality audio output.

Can you connect several keyboards to a powered speaker?

Yes, it is possible to connect several keyboards to a powered speaker. To do this, you will need an audio mixer with multiple inputs for the keyboards and one output to connect to the powered speaker. This setup allows each keyboard’s sound level and effects to be adjusted individually before being sent through the single channel of your powered speaker.