GT508A 8in Active Speaker, 1100w

Hire Audiocenter GT508A Powered Speaker

8" Active Speaker with Built-In Mixer

The Audiocenter GT508A is a compact 8" active speaker with a capability that is actually rare in Active speakers -a built-in two-channel mixer with a balanced XLR Mix Output that passes the combined signal to the next speaker in the chain. Connect a microphone to Channel A and a laptop to Channel B, and both sources play through the speaker simultaneously with no external mixer required. The Mix Output carries that combined signal to a second GT508A, which plays the same mix. Two speakers, two sources, zero additional equipment. Hire code GT508A.

This is the defining use case for the GT508A: small events where simplicity is everything. A wedding ceremony with one microphone and background music from a phone. A meeting room presentation with a laptop and a handheld mic. A hospitality area where background music needs to run in two locations from a single source. In every case the GT508A removes the need for an external mixer while still delivering professional-grade audio from a compact and fast-deploying cabinet.

Channel A accepts XLR or mono jack and is switchable between microphone level and line level — one input socket handles both a microphone and a line source depending on the switch position. Channel B accepts XLR or mono jack at line level only. Both channels feed the internal mix bus simultaneously, and the balanced XLR Mix Output carries the combined A+B signal to the next cabinet in the chain. The chain can be extended to multiple speakers — the Mix Output of each feeds the Channel A or B input of the next.

It uses FIR DSP processing at 48kHz with three presets — Main, Speech, and W/Sub. At 2,200W peak Class-D with a 90x60 degree coverage pattern and 125dB peak SPL, it delivers clean and capable audio for its intended applications. At 13kg it is one of the lightest cabinets in the fleet and fast to carry, place, and connect.

Specifications:

• 8" woofer with 1" compression driver — 2-way active
• 2,200W peak Class-D amplifier with FIR DSP
• 125dB peak SPL
• Frequency response: 55Hz to 20kHz
• Coverage: 90° horizontal x 60° vertical
• Three DSP presets: Main, Speech, W/Sub
• Channel A input: XLR/mono jack combo — mic or line level switchable
• Channel B input: XLR/mono jack combo — line level
• Balanced XLR Mix Output — carries combined A+B mix to next speaker
• IEC mains connector
• Weight: 13kg

Coverage guide: Up to 80 to 150 people indoors for speech and background music — more in a quiet, well-controlled room, less in a noisy or reverberant space. These are starting points rather than hard limits. Step up to the VANTEC-12A when the audience exceeds 120 people, the room is large, or the event requires more than two sources with proper level control.

Ideal for: Small corporate speeches and presentations, wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours, background music for intimate functions, meeting rooms and boardrooms, hospitality areas, any small event where maximum simplicity and minimum equipment is the priority.

Available individually or as a pair. Available for self-collection or delivery and setup.

Frequently Asked Questions — Audiocenter GT508A Hire

What makes this speaker different from the DAS Audio Action-508A?

Both are 8" active speakers in a similar size and weight class — compact, professional, and suited to small events. The GT508A's defining feature is its built-in two-channel mixer with an XLR Mix Output. It internally combines two audio sources and passes the mixed signal to additional speakers in a daisy chain, all without any external mixer. The Action-508A has no internal mixer and no Mix Output — it accepts signal from a source or mixer but cannot combine two sources on its own. The Action-508A has more versatility in other directions — rotatable horn for use as a floor monitor or front fill, DAScontrol LCD interface with more detailed DSP control, M8 rigging points for suspended positions, and PowerCON locking power connector. Choose the GT508A when the built-in mixing and daisy-chain capability is the priority. Choose the Action-508A when flexibility of placement, rigging, or detailed DSP control matters more.

Can I connect a microphone and a laptop at the same time without a mixer?

Yes — this is exactly what the GT508A is designed for. Connect the microphone to Channel A and switch it to microphone level. Connect the laptop headphone output or a line-level source to Channel B at line level. Both play through the speaker simultaneously with individual level controls for each channel. No external mixer required. The Mix Output then carries the combined signal to a second GT508A if you have two speakers in the system.

How does the Mix Output chain work?

The Mix Output carries the combined Channel A and Channel B signal as a balanced XLR output. Connect this to the Channel A or B input of a second GT508A and that speaker plays the same mix. The second speaker's own Mix Output can then feed a third speaker, and so on. Each speaker in the chain has its own volume control so levels can be adjusted per speaker. This is useful for covering multiple areas — a room and an adjacent space, an indoor and outdoor area, or a long room where one speaker at each end provides better coverage than a single central speaker.

What are the DSP presets?

The GT508A has three presets — Main, Speech, and W/Sub. Main is a general-purpose flat response for mixed programme content. Speech optimises the DSP for vocal intelligibility, rolling off low frequencies and adding presence in the midrange. W/Sub adjusts the low-frequency response when a subwoofer is handling bass content — rolling off the low end from the cabinet so it is not competing with the sub. For most small events without a subwoofer, Main or Speech is the appropriate starting point.

How does it compare to using a proper mixer with separate speakers?

For simple two-source applications — one microphone and one music source — the GT508A delivers equivalent results to a basic mixer and separate speakers in a faster and simpler setup. The trade-off is flexibility. A proper mixer provides individual EQ per channel, multiple microphone inputs, aux sends for monitors, and more detailed level control. If the event has more than two sources, requires monitor mixes, needs multiple microphones with individual gain control, or has any complexity beyond the simple two-source scenario, a separate mixer is the right choice. For anything beyond around 100 people or two sources, consider the HGT508PR package which combines the GT508A speakers with a Soundcraft EPM8 mixer for proper multi-source mixing capability.

Is this the same speaker used in the HGT508PR package?

Yes. The HGT508PR hire package combines two GT508A speakers with a Soundcraft EPM8 analogue mixer, a Shure SM58 microphone, and stands — a complete self-contained speech and background music system. If your event needs more than two sources or more than one microphone with individual level control, the HGT508PR package gives you the GT508A speakers alongside proper mixing facilities without requiring separate mixer hire.

Is delivery and setup available?

Yes. The GT508A is available individually or as a pair, for self-collection or delivery and setup by an Edwards technician. Contact our hire team at (09) 571 0551 or hire@edwardsnz.co.nz to discuss your requirements.