Advantages of choosing Portable PA system for tour guides
- 30 Mar, 2022
Quick answer: is a portable PA system a good choice for tour guides?
Yes, when the group stays close to the guide. A portable PA system, also called a personal waistband voice amplifier, lets a tour guide speak at a comfortable volume into a headband microphone while the amplifier projects the voice to the group, indoors or outdoors. When participants need to hear in a noisy place or spread out, an FM tour guide system with receivers and headphones is the alternative. Both options are covered below.
- Portable PA (voice amplifier): hands-free, worn on the waist, no equipment for the group.
- FM tour guide system: one transmitter for the guide and a receiver with headphones for each listener.
- Pick by group size, noise level and whether people are willing to wear headphones.
More often than not, one of the main challenges presented to tour guides are making themselves heard to every participant in the group. While this might sound simple, it’s not. Participants often wonder off, some talk amongst themselves, others can be noisy with candy wrappers and popcorn and more, and this is not even considering the possible sound sources emanating from the setting, like loud machinery, large crowds not part of the group, traffic, etc. Even the most experienced tour guides will have trouble raising their voice to make it loud enough for everyone to listen, while keeping the tone friendly and clear and avoid shouting. Without the aid of technology this balance is frequently impossible to achieve.
There two main paths you can take as a tour guide in need of assistance: you can use an FM system consisting of a transmitter and receivers, which would allow you to speak into a microphone and your group to listen through headphones, or alternatively you can go with a portable speaker or PA system, which would amplify your voice without the need to connect to a venue’s speaker system. While the former might seem like a better fit for you, it’s common place to find that many tour participants are not comfortable wearing headphones during a tour, because it will limit their ability to communicate with anyone other than the guide, as well as having to carry a portable receiver around with wired headphones.
A Portable PA system (public address system) is the perfect solution for tour guides to protect their throats without straining their voice trying to be heard. It allows them to engage in crisp, clear communication, both indoors and outdoors. Some other advantages of a Portable PA system are:
They are lightweight, compact, hands free and can be worn like a belt around the waist. They are also rechargeable and very easy to use. You only need to adjust the belt and volume to your liking and speak at comfortable level into a headband microphone that connects right into the body of the amplifier. They are very powerful and allow you to be heard at a distance, even in loud areas.
During these unstable, pandemic times when masks are still worn in some indoor venues, portable amplifiers have the benefit of allowing you to be heard even with your mask on and thanks to their long-lasting battery life, it can be used for extended periods of time at half day as well as full-day excursions.
Personal amplifiers have yet the advantage to deliver music, speech, and other audio during rest times by connecting the unit to an MP3/CD player.
Finally, personal amplifiers are usually a more inexpensive solution than tour guide systems so can be preferred when you’re on a tight budget.
There are many waistband voice amplifiers and selecting the ideal one can be overwhelming.
For its quality, price, and reliability, we have selected the Enersound PA-200 Waistband Voice Amplifier. It comes in black or white, includes a NiMH rechargeable battery, a headband microphone, charging power adapter, adjustable waistband and a 3.5 mm plug auxiliary cable. There is an optional pouch for easy transportation and storage when not in use.
Portable PA system vs tour guide system: how to choose
| Portable PA / voice amplifier | FM tour guide system | |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 How the group hears the guide | ✅ Through the amplifier's speaker, with no equipment for listeners | ✅ Through a receiver and headphones for each listener |
| 👥 Group size | ✅ Small and medium groups that stay close to the guide | ✅ Kits for 5, 10, 20 and more listeners, and groups that spread out |
| 🏭 Noisy places | ⚠️ The guide has to compete with the noise | ✅ Each listener hears the guide directly in the headphones |
| 🎧 Headphones | ✅ None needed | ⚠️ Some participants prefer not to wear headphones |
| 💲 Budget | ✅ Usually the lower-cost option | ⚠️ Cost grows with the number of receivers |
Enersound PA-200 waistband voice amplifier
The Enersound PA-200 Personal Waistband Voice Amplifier is a 10-watt amplifier worn like a belt. According to its listing, it runs on a NiMH rechargeable battery with up to 12 hours per charge, can be used indoors and outdoors, and includes a headband microphone, a charging power adapter, an adjustable waistband and a 3.5 mm auxiliary cable that lets you play pre-recorded audio from an MP3 or CD player. It comes in white or black, and a bundle adds a carrying pouch. A replacement battery is sold separately.
When an FM tour guide system works better
If your group is large, spread out or visiting a noisy place, an FM system lets every participant hear the guide through their own headphones. The Enersound TSC-5 wireless tour guide system is a portable kit for one guide and up to five listeners: five R-100 FM receivers with EAR-120 dual headphones, a TP-600-4 portable transmitter with four selectable channels in the 72-76 MHz band, and an MIC-200SEN headband microphone, with a specified range of up to 150 ft (45 m). Larger kits and professional versions follow the same idea, for example the 10-person tour guide system and the TSP professional tour guide system. You can also compare more options in our tour guide systems collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best portable PA system for tour guides?
For a guide who works with a small group in the same space, a waistband voice amplifier such as the Enersound PA-200 is a practical choice: it is hands-free, rechargeable and includes the headband microphone.
What is the difference between a tour guide voice amplifier and a tour guide system?
A voice amplifier projects the guide's voice through a speaker so people nearby hear it. A tour guide system sends the guide's voice by FM radio to receivers, so each listener hears it through headphones.
How long does the PA-200 battery last?
The product listing states up to 12 hours per charge with the NiMH rechargeable battery.
Can I play music or a recorded message through a portable PA?
Yes. The PA-200 has an auxiliary input for a 3.5 mm cable, so you can connect an MP3 or CD player for pre-recorded presentations.
Do I need headphones for a portable PA system?
No. Listeners hear the amplified voice from the speaker. If participants have to hear in a noisy place or from a distance, consider an FM tour guide system with headphones.
Can I use a tour guide microphone and speaker outdoors?
The PA-200 listing says it can be used indoors and outdoors. Consider wind noise and the size of the group when you choose between a speaker and headphones.
