Choosing the right audio solution for your space can be tricky—especially when deciding between Background Music (BGM) speakers and Public Address (PA) speakers. Both serve essential roles, but they’re built for different purposes.
In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between BGM and PA speakers, when to use each, and how to combine them for a complete audio solution in your venue, store, office, or public facility.
BGM speakers, or background music speakers, are designed to provide continuous, low-volume music playback. They focus on delivering clear, full-range sound that fills the space without overwhelming it.
Retail shops
Restaurants and cafes
Office lobbies
Hotels and wellness centers
BGM speakers are typically ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted, blending seamlessly into the environment for a clean and professional look.
PA speakers are built for voice projection and clarity. Their main job is to ensure announcements or emergency messages are heard clearly—even in noisy or large spaces.
Schools and universities
Factories and warehouses
Train stations and airports
Event halls and stadiums
These speakers are engineered to handle high sound pressure levels (SPL) and are often horn or column-type designs, optimized for speech intelligibility.
| Feature | BGM Speakers | PA Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Music playback | Announcements / Voice projection |
| Sound Profile | Warm, full-range audio | Focused on speech clarity |
| Power Handling | Typically 6W–30W | Often 30W–100W+ |
| Mounting Options | Ceiling or wall | Wall, ceiling, pole, or outdoor mount |
| Ideal Environments | Quiet, customer-facing spaces | Loud, large, or industrial spaces |
Choose BGM speakers when your goal is to:
Enhance the customer experience with ambient sound
Play music throughout the day
Maintain a comfortable acoustic environment
Perfect for:
Restaurants with soft music
Boutique stores aiming for atmosphere
Waiting areas or lobbies
Choose PA speakers when you need to:
Deliver clear, intelligible announcements
Communicate in large or noisy areas
Support emergency paging systems
Perfect for:
Schools needing paging systems
Industrial zones with machinery noise
Large venues with voice coverage needs
Absolutely! Many professional venues use both BGM and PA speakers in a hybrid setup. You can install BGM speakers in public areas while having PA speakers in back offices, outdoors, or emergency zones.
Using zone mixers or multi-channel amplifiers, you can route different signals to different zones—BGM in the lobby and announcements in the warehouse, for example.
The choice between BGM and PA speakers comes down to your space’s functionality and purpose. In many cases, the ideal solution is a well-designed combination that gives you the best of both: beautiful background music where ambiance matters, and loud, clear messaging where communication is critical.
For expert help on choosing or installing the right audio system, feel free to contact our team for a free consultation.
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