DJ speaker setup checklist

• Charge every battery: laptop, controller, wireless mic, in-ears, backup phone.
• Test every cable end with a continuity tester or by plugging it in.
• Run a 60-second test of each speaker. Listen for buzz, hum, or weird DSP states.
• Update the playlist and pre-load to local storage. Do not rely on streaming.
• Confirm event start time, load-in window, and venue address with the client.

• 2 powered tops
• 1 powered subwoofer (if your rig has one)
• 2 speaker stands rated for your speakers’ weight
• 2 sub poles (if running tops on the sub)
• Enough XLR cables for everything, with at least one spare per cable type
• 1 power strip / surge protector per speaker side
• Extension cables long enough for the worst-case venue (50 ft minimum)
• DJ controller or media player + USB drive loaded with the set
• 1 wired XLR vocal mic + 1 wireless backup if doing speeches

• Spare XLR cable (one extra of every length you carry)
• Spare power cable (IEC C13 is the most common)
• Gaff tape, not duct tape - gaff comes off cleanly, duct ruins floors
• Spare USB drive with the full set
• RCA ↔ XLR adapter, 3.5mm ↔ XLR adapter, banana ↔ Speakon adapter
• Flashlight or headlamp with charged battery
• Spare 9V batteries for wireless mics
• Zip ties and Velcro straps for cable management

• Musician-grade ear protection (flat-frequency filter, not foam)
• Water bottle, refilled before the dance set starts
• Loading dolly or hand truck - mandatory for solo DJs
• Comfortable closed-toe shoes (boxes drop, cables snake, no flip-flops)
• A small fan or vent if the booth is enclosed; gear gets hot, you get hotter

1. Place speakers and stands before unpacking anything else - venue layout decides cable routing.
2. Run power before audio. Power up speakers, confirm no fault lights, then power down.
3. Run XLR signal cables, tape them down, then power up again.
4. Mute master, raise speakers to operating level, then unmute and bring the master up.
5. Run a 30-second test track at the level the dance set will run at. Listen at the back of the room, not from the booth.
6. Confirm mic gain by checking on the actual mic, not by speaking into the controller.
7. Tape over the cable runs across walking paths. Every single one.

• Watch the limiter LEDs on the speakers - if they are pinning during peaks, pull the master down 1–2 dB.
• Check cable temperature where they enter the speakers; warm is fine, hot is not.
• Listen for the room filling up - bodies absorb high frequencies, so you may need to bump the highs 1–2 dB after the room fills.
• Re-check the wireless mic battery between speeches and dance.

• Power down speakers before unplugging cables. Saves the limiter from a thump.
• Coil cables on the spot. Loose cables in a tote get tangled and damaged.
• Count cables and stands against your load-in list before pulling away from the venue.
• Photograph the empty booth area. It surfaces forgotten gear faster than memory does.

The quiz on SpeakerHQ points you at the right archetype, and each setup page lists the specific accessories you need to run that rig in the field.

Start the quiz →