The good news is feedback is relatively easy to control with the right equipment. A solid feedback eliminator will also often have features to control other noise, like bass rumble and static, which can keep your PA system from sounding its best. The models below are some of our favorite options for maintaining your signal integrity.
These are our reviews for the 4 best feedback eliminators for PA systems on the market:
DBX DriveRack 260 Loudspeaker Feedback Eliminator / Management System
The DBX DriveRack 260 goes beyond the typical feedback eliminator. The feedback suppression function on this device is top notch, but it also gives you both graphic and parametric EQ, a compressor, and up to 2.7 seconds of delay, effectively cramming half a dozen different signal controls into one convenient package.
As helpful as these other features are, this article is all about feedback elimination—and when it comes to that, the DriveRack 260 (see full specs) is especially impressive. The AFS system can be adjusted to handle a wide range of equipment and settings, and works equally well on announcements and speakers as it does for music.
Considering all the different functions you get, if you run a smaller venue or already have other tools for your EQ and compression, the Driveback 260 may be more that you need. On the other hand, if you want a comprehensive PA management system that can handle any frequency at any volume you’ll definitely want to check out the 260.
DBX AFS2 Advanced Feedback Eliminator Processor
If you like the DBX approach to feedback suppression but want something a bit more manageable, the DBX AFS2 will give you the same advanced level of feedback control for less. And it’s not a one-trick pony, either. It offers signal filtration, with a choice of up to 24 programmable filters on each channel, letting you maintain the best signal with ease.
Maybe the most appealing thing about the AFS2 (see full specs) is how user-friendly it is. The LED display is easy to read no matter how much experience you have. The built-in wizard helps you through the set-up process, too, and the inclusion of filters specifically for speech and music let you find the right settings quickly.
This is an ideal choice for an event space, house of worship, or anywhere else you need something that will let non-experts control the sound like pros. For the money, it’s one of the best feedback eliminators for PA Systems period.
Behringer MiniFBQ FBQ800 Feedback Eliminator
Behringer is another leading name in feedback elimination. The FBQ Feedback Detection system they use in their MiniFBQ instantly identifies problem frequencies and lights up the fader you need to adjust to remove them. This is great not only for feedback control but also for analyzing your signal and identifying frequent trouble spots within the range. You can also use the faders to balance out the signal, cutting or boosting by up to 12 dB, with a low-pass filter to remove bass rumble.
This is the most affordable feedback eliminator you can find with a full interface on the device, including LED indicators of the signal as well as the faders and knobs to control it. For a song, it will fit into almost any budget. It’s fairly compact, too, so it’ll be easier to fit physically within your PA system’s set-up, as well.
Behringer MicroHD HD400 Feedback Eliminator
If you’re on a super-tight budget, Behringer still has you covered. The MicroHD is even more affordable and compact than the model above (price fluctuations do happen, though), and can fit into your pocket. It’s designed to remove signal hum and other extraneous noise. It can also break up ground loops and convert unbalanced into balanced signals—a nifty little all-purpose box for keeping your signal clean.
This little box does have its limitations. There are only two I/O channels, which you can use as two mono signals or a stereo pair. It also doesn’t have any other tools to adjust or monitor the signal, like faders or LED indicators. This is a great option for people who have to travel to a variety of venues, like wedding DJs or event organizers. If you have a more extensive set-up, though, you’ll probably want to go with a more comprehensive model.
The Best Feedback Eliminators for PA Systems
Feedback is really short for “feedback loop.” It’s caused when an amplified signal is picked up by nearby microphones and re-amplified—in other words, fed back into the loop. The strongest frequencies will be amplified the most, resulting in that awful squeal.
Feedback eliminators reduce the occurrence of feedback by lowering the volume of troublesome frequencies. They’re especially helpful at compensating for the resonant peaks of your space—those frequencies that are emphasized more than others by how sound bounces off the walls and other objects in the room.
The relative placement of microphones and speakers is maybe the biggest factor in how prone the system is to feedback. Increasing the distance between the microphones and speakers will reduce the chance of peak signals being fed back into the loop. You can also change the direction of the microphone, angling it away from the speakers. If you currently use an omni-directional microphone, you may also want to consider switching to one with a cardioid pattern instead, since this will make it easier to control what sounds are picked up.
Changing the positioning of your equipment isn’t always possible. If you’re working with a built-in PA system in a school or business, for example, you’re pretty well stuck with the placement you have. A feedback eliminator can really come in handy in this case, letting you isolate and reduce the frequencies responsible.
Whatever your set-up or circumstance, we hope this article has helped you find the best feedback eliminator for PA systems, whatever specific circumstances your PA system finds itself in. Good luck!
