A Guide to the Best Stage Monitors for Church

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out the best stage monitors for Church, then I’d recommend the JBL PRX415M Portable 2-way Passive Utility Stage Monitor as the best one.

We cannot overstate the significance of onstage monitors in live music settings. Without a dependable monitoring system, the worship team can’t hear themselves making it difficult to play their best. The biggest gripe for a worship team is not being able to hear as they perform onstage. Pastors and musicians alike will agree to have stage monitors with the best compromise between quality and price. 

The worship team or the minister sometimes must deal with many distractions on stage. They need to be able to play in time and are essential for a tight performance. They also need to hear the music while it is playing. 

Maybe you are wondering why the main PA system isn’t enough. PA speakers are created to provide sound reinforcement directed at the audience. The purpose of stage monitors, in principle, was to provide sound reinforcement intended for the performers on stage. A good PA system can work in smaller churches or venues. But how about bigger churches?

Here are the Best Stage Monitors for Church we will be reviewing:

• JBL PRX415M Portable 2-way Passive Utility Stage Monitor
• Peavey PV 12M 2-Way Floor Monitor
• Yorkville EF15p 15″ Powered 2-Way Stage Monitor
• Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT 12″ Bluetooth Powered Loudspeaker
• Yamaha DBR10 700-Watt Powered Speaker

What is a Stage Monitor for Church

Stage Monitors are musical instruments that enhance your performance and amplify the output sound for the audience. Known as a monitor speaker, it is a speaker system that enhances the impact and sound of live performances. Stage monitors amplify the sound on stage so to amplify the sound on stage so that the audience can hear and enjoy the performance. Stage monitors guarantee that your voice stays in sync with the music. Using stage monitors to hear the dry mix helps ensure that you stay in tune.

Choosing a stage monitor is as important, or even more, as your other equipment in the church. The impact that stage monitors have on performance lets you know how important this piece of equipment is to performing music live. A stage monitor is the best choice to use if you want to maintain a reference to your sound during a live performance.

Types of Stage Monitors for Church

Before you start looking for a stage monitor, you will quickly learn that there are two categories of stage monitors for church. They are unpowered and powered types of monitors. Powered monitors have a power amp, thus the name, while unpowered monitors do not. 

Active Stage Monitors

An Active Stage Monitor is commonly called a powered active monitor because of its built-in amplifiers. Powered stage monitors come with a horn, loudspeaker, and amplifier all in the same cabinet. Setting up a powered stage monitor is so simple because you do not need additional equipment to use this. Powered monitor speakers are very portable, especially for musicians who want to bring their monitors on stage. These monitors also can adjust the levels on stage or adjust the equalization.

But, the price of a powered active monitor is usually higher than that of the unpowered one. Remember that these powered active monitors need a power outlet to plug in. Despite all the disadvantages, musicians still opt for a powered stage monitor speaker due to their ease of use and convenience.

Passive Stage Monitors

Passive Stage Monitors or unpowered monitors require an external power amplifier. Before speakers release sound to the audience, they need to transmit a signal from the band through a power amplifier. In contrast to powered monitors, the structure of passive monitors comprises a cabinet containing a horn and a loudspeaker. The amplification of passive monitors happens apart from the speaker and speaker cabinet.

Passive monitors are the most preferred monitors in churches with a professionally installed sound system. Compared to powered monitors, they are also less costly to replace. There’s no need to replace a passive monitor when a monitor fails as long as your power amp is still working. However, a passive monitor is not as portable because of a heavy and bulky item you need to carry or set up on the stage.

Designs of Stage Monitors for Church

Stage monitors come in a variety of shapes, styles, and forms. The different designs are suitable for different kinds of situations and musical settings. Some of the designs of the best stage monitors are:

Wedge Monitors

A Wedge Monitor is a popular and low-profile design for monitoring. Wedge monitors are a cabinet type of monitor placed on the stage floor. A wedge floor monitor is angled upward toward the performer without blocking the audience’s view. Wedge monitors are well suited for situations where each member of the worship team has a dedicated monitor. This kind of design is most popular with church worship teams because they possess the best sound quality and direction. One perfect example of a wedge speaker is the Behringer Eurolive Floor Monitor speakers.

Side Fill Monitors

Side Fill Monitors work oppositely to Wedge Monitors. They intend to focus on the team in general rather than on an individual musician or vocalist. Generally, these monitors’ design is ideal to complement individual wedge monitors. Placing these monitors just offstage will deliver a complete mix that the entire group can hear. Side Fills provide a fuller mix that can help musicians deliver more solid performances. However, Side Fill Monitors are losing their functionality due to improvements in technology. 

Stand-mounted Monitors

Stand-mounted monitors are an alternative to the wedge-style monitor on the floor. These monitors can be stand-mounted on a wall or pole, hence the name. You can position these monitors on top of a microphone stand or keyboard stand. However, this may be visually more disruptive and may end up blocking the view of some of your audience. Stand-mounted Monitors are ideal for churches in which the worship team shares monitors.

In-ear Monitors

For some performers, a monitor that is situated on the stage is not the best option. They feel like it doesn’t offer the needed flexibility, clarity, or mobility that they desire. The use of in-ear monitors for such performers is the best solution providing precisely the mix they want. As its name suggests, each of them has an earbud in their ear, listening to themselves instead of a big monitor in front of them. In-ear monitors are created for even and accurate responses across frequencies. Because of this, many churches are moving to in-ear and wireless setups. In-ear monitors can remove the clutter on stage, allowing a more manageable setup and tear-down.

Things to Consider in Buying Stage Monitors for Church

Now you know the different types of monitors and the various designs they come in. But there are also certain things you need to consider to help you differentiate between models. Here are the primary specifications to keep in mind when buying the best stage monitor for your church.

Power Capacity

It is important to know how much power a monitor’s speakers can handle continuously. The more conservative way of rating the speaker capacity is usually using the RMS (Root Mean Square) computation of watts. It simply means that power handling provides a wattage value the speaker can handle continuously without damage or severe distortion. But you must remember that watts cannot directly measure how loud a monitor can get.

Sound Sensitivity Rating

One sign of maximum speaker volume is its sensitivity rating. It tells how efficiently the speaker converts amp power into audio sound. However, manufacturers measure sensitivity in various ways, making the spec’s reliability unsafe. A 95dB (decibel) of output or higher is the most reasonable way to start. When you hear over your sound system, a good stage monitor speaker is loud enough.

Impedance

Always consider the speaker’s impedance if you are connecting a power amp to unpowered speakers. Impedance is the amount of resistance that occurs when sending the signal from an amplifier to a speaker. It is important to note that your amplifier matches impedance and is measured in Ohms.  

Frequency Range

The frequency response range refers to how much audio spectrum a speaker will reproduce. Typically, music used in churches has a frequency range of 65hz to 20khz. Some monitors handle the complete frequency range in a single speaker, while others use a combination of a woofer, horn, and tweeters. In either case, it’s best to make sure that the monitor you buy can balance the frequency range you’ll need to hear.

Here are the best stage monitors for the church that we recommend.

JBL PRX415M Portable 2-way Passive Utility Stage Monitor

The JBL PRX415M Portable 2-way Passive Utility Stage Monitor is designed for powerful performance in any setting. It is capable of either main sound reinforcement or monitoring applications. These 15-inch monitor speakers are ideal for speech reinforcement of any type. It is perfect for live performance stage monitoring and as a high-performance satellite speaker for use with subwoofers.

The 15-inch PRX415M is a premium passive monitor speaker with a frequency range of 50 Hz – 20 kHz and a frequency response of 62 Hz – 19 kHz. It has a power rating of 300W continuous, 600W program, and 1200 watts peak for optimal performance.

The JBL PRX415M provides a speaker system with multiple purposes and is sure to meet your needs. You get an even and smooth sound on or off-axis with 90 degrees by 50-degree coverage. This stage monitor is lightweight and includes rubber-coated carrying handles to make carrying a little easier. The speaker is covered with a 16-gauge grill for protection and integrity.

Pros:

• Built-in dual-angle pole socket to be stand-mounted at different angles
• Ergonomically engineered handles for added strength and durability
• Heavy-duty 16-gauge protective screen for sonic accuracy, structural strength, and professional good looks
• Includes NL-2 and 1/4″ phone combo connection jacks, and a passive network 
• Survived JBL’s 100-hour power test to perform perfectly for a lifetime of long, loud nights

Cons:

• It is not Bluetooth-enabled

Peavey PV 12M 2-Way Floor Monitor

Peavey is a well-known name as one of the largest manufacturers and providers of professional-grade sound equipment. The PV 12M 2-way floor stage monitor is among the most affordable options. They provide good structural strength and high functional quality. They are highly durable and have a wonderful sound quality with enhanced clarity.

The PV 12M floor monitors have 500 watts RMS with a peak power rating handling capacity of 1000 watts. The structure is designed to withstand the rigors of the road. It can be mounted on a pole and can be angled at either 30 or 45 degrees from the floor.

The PV 12M two-way system floor monitors comprise a 12″ Sheffield Pro 1200+ premium woofer with 2.5 voice coil powerful sound. It also features a 1.4-inch compression driver of titanium in addition to a fantabulous horn. A very affordable, top-quality performance, low-profile stage monitor. 

Pros:

• It is a two-way floor monitor and can be used to pole mount from the floor
• Include two 1/4-inch, full-range parallel inputs for easy daisy-chaining
• High-frequency Sound Guard IV driver protection
• It has a solid and heavyweight body with 12 Sheffield Pro 1200+ woofers w/ 2.5 voice coil
• Features a frequency response range of 68 Hz-17 kHz
• Rated at 500 watts program and 1,000 watts peak power rating capability

Cons:

• They are not powered monitors as advertised
• It cannot stand upright

Yorkville EF15p 15″ Powered 2-Way Stage Monitor

Taking Yorkville elite-powered speakers into the future with a fresh redesign, the next-generation EF15P features 1,200W continuous output from an onboard Class-D power module. A virtually indestructible wood cabinet gives the reliability and improved sound quality to deliver rock-solid performance, gig after gig. With this redesign, Yorkville set out to create a portable, active cabinet with a single-minded focus: uncompromising front-of-house sound. 

A 15″ low-frequency driver translates the EF15P’s power into clean, accurate sound deep, while the 3″ titanium-diaphragm compression driver supplies crisp, pure highs. As the largest model in the Elite Series lineup, the EF15P also provides the most robust bass response. The result is rich, full sound with an impressive maximum SPL of 133 dB. 

Unlike most brands, Yorkville manufactures the EF15P in Canada, using ABS-coated birch plywood.

Pros:

• Rugged construction with ABS-coated Baltic Birch cabinet
• Efficient Class-D amplification with 1,200W RMS
• Robust 15″ woofer and 3″ tweeter
• Ideal for FOH sound reinforcement
• Flexible I/O options

Cons:

• The speakers were too small to give good quality sound
• No built-in covers for the speaker
• It cannot be mounted on a mic stand
• Not advisable to be used as the main PA system in the church because of its small range

Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT 12″ Bluetooth Powered Loudspeaker

Electro-Voice is a trusted name when it comes to credible manufacturers of loudspeakers and stage monitors. They are known to balance price and quality to the detriment of the competition. One perfect example is the Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT 12″ Bluetooth Powered Loudspeaker. This speaker gives you a 1000-watt power rating, 2 XLR/TRS Combo Jack connectors, and 12” and 15” powered and passive speakers at a very affordable price. 

The Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT is one of the highest-rated powered stage monitors under $500. This speaker system has an exceptional sound quality capable of up to 1,000 watts of peak power handling. Features include high‑quality Bluetooth audio streaming for background music or musical accompaniment.

The EV‑patented Signal Synchronized Transducers (SST) waveguide design features precise and consistent coverage, minimal distortion, and maximized acoustical loading. The three optimally located handles and rugged composite structure allow easy array and sonic accuracy.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight
• Exceptional sound quality, wide frequency bandwidth, and dynamic range
• Proprietary horn design for ultra-wide sound dispersion
• Integral tripod and stand adaptor
• Ergonomically shaped handles for easy transport to and from the church
• It has a frequency range of 50 Hz – 20 kHz and a frequency response of 65 Hz – 18 kHz

Cons:

• Sound is not that clear for larger venues
• Bluetooth function is not dependable

Yamaha DBR10 700-Watt Powered Speaker

The Yamaha DBR10 is not the highest-rated but became the most popular powered stage monitor speaker in 2020. Its lightweight, high-efficiency Class-D amplifier technology produces enormous power. Equipped with M8 rigging threads for easy installation. This stage monitor features include a compact, highly portable cabinet for effortless transportation and a system set-up perfect for a church.

DBR Series speakers have two input channels. The first channel accepts both XLR and TRS phones allowing for either mic or line-level input signals. The second channel features two input options that accept XLR or TRS Phones and an RCA pin jack for stereo line-level sources.

The DBR series also has two input channels that are easy to use. It includes high-powered output woofers that provide a powerful bass with minimal distortion. The 1.4″ precision compression driver, on one hand, gives an accurate mid and high-frequency range. The Yamaha DBR10 also features an optimized 50° wedge angle that allows effortless configuration in either symmetrical or stereo sound field setups.

Pros:

• Revolutionary Class-D technology for fast and easy set-up
• Comes with a 7-year warranty
• It has an output level of 700W peak power handling and a 1″ compression driver
• Versatile can be used as an instrument amplifier for keyboards, acoustic guitars, etc. 
• Features a smart enclosure design for floor monitoring
• Features FIR-X Tuning and Frequency range (-10 decibel)-55Hertz – 20 kiloHertz

Cons:

• Distorts very easily, even at moderate volume/bass
• The sound volume is not as powerful as advertised

Conclusion

Stage monitoring is a task that performers and anyone working in this field should take very seriously. They are often referred to as the backbone of all good live performances. Every worship team wants to hear the correct sound on their monitor. They need to feel that the sounds they create are excellent. This will enable them to play better and enhance the whole worship experience.

When we talk about the “best,” we mean the best quality, and that is JBL. They are by far one of the recognized leaders in sound system speakers. Of all the JBL speakers in the market, I’d recommend the JBL PRX415M Portable 2-way Passive Utility Stage Monitor. It’s a true 2-way passive speaker with a tough DuraFlex enclosure finish. It handles 300 watts of continuous power and 1200 watts peak. It has a custom-designed JBL 12-inch woofer holding down the low end with a 126 dB maximum SPL. At this price point, the JBL PRX412M is an excellent choice for on-stage monitors or utility speakers.