Short answer: Choose a masjid sound system by starting with the building, not the equipment. Plan inside speakers for clear speech, outdoor speakers for the azan, the right microphones for the imam and khateeb, a simple amplifier with zones, echo control and backup power. A site visit confirms the design before you buy.
Committees often search for “masjid ka sound system” or “masjid ke liye sound system” and find long lists of speakers and amplifiers. The right system depends on your building. A small neighbourhood masjid and a large jamia masjid with a courtyard need very different designs.
Our team has worked in acoustics since 2021, with 50 projects for 49 organisations across Pakistan, from government departments and universities to broadcasters.
Start with the building
Before choosing equipment, note:
- the size of the main hall and any upper floors or basement
- the dome height and the main surfaces (marble, tiles, carpet)
- the courtyard and any outdoor prayer area
- where the imam, khateeb and mukabbir stand
- where the speakers can be mounted without spoiling the design
Hard surfaces and domes cause strong echo, known in Urdu as goonj. Echo is the main reason the khutbah sounds unclear, even with expensive equipment.
Inside: speakers for clear speech
Inside the prayer hall, the goal is clear speech at a comfortable level for everyone. Many small speakers spread through the hall, or slim column speakers aimed at the worshippers, usually work better than a few loud horns. Column speakers direct sound towards people and away from the dome, which reduces echo. In large halls, a delay setting keeps the sound in time with the imam’s voice.
Speech clarity can be measured with the Speech Transmission Index (STI), described in IEC 60268-16. A good designer can predict and check it.
Outside: speakers for the azan
The azan needs a different speaker type. Outdoor horn speakers project the voice over a distance and must be weatherproof. Aim them carefully. Point them over the area you want to cover, not straight at neighbouring windows. A clear azan does not need extreme volume. Distortion from over-driven speakers makes it harsher, not louder.
Follow the loudspeaker law. In Punjab, the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act 2015 allows a masjid up to four external sound systems. They may be used only for the azan (with durood-e-pak before and after it), the Arabic khutbah on Friday and Eid, and death or lost-and-found announcements. Other audio, such as dars or bayan, should stay on the inside speakers and must not be heard more than ten yards outside the masjid. Other provinces have their own rules, so check locally.
Microphones for the imam, khateeb and mukabbir
- A gooseneck microphone on the mimbar for the khutbah
- A wireless headset or lapel microphone so the imam can move freely in salah
- A separate microphone for the mukabbir in large masjids
- A spare handheld microphone for announcements and dars
Good microphones and correct placement reduce feedback (the loud whistle many masjids suffer from).
Amplifier, mixer and zones
A 100V line amplifier suits most masjids, because it runs many speakers over long cables. Zones let you control the main hall, upper floor, courtyard and outdoor azan speakers separately. For example, the azan can play outside while the inside stays quiet, and dars or bayan can stay on the inside speakers only. A digital processor (DSP) can store fixed settings, so volunteers cannot accidentally change the sound.
Echo control
If the hall has strong goonj, acoustic treatment helps more than extra speakers. Panels can be placed on parts of the walls, the back wall or around the dome in finishes that match the design. See our acoustic panels and materials.
Backup power
Load shedding should not stop the azan or the khutbah. Plan a UPS or inverter sized for the amplifier and essential speakers, and keep the system on a separate, protected circuit.
Simple controls for volunteers
Most masjids rely on volunteers to run the sound. Choose a system with clear labels, locked settings and a simple on/off routine. Ask your installer to train the muazzin and the committee members.
Common problems in masjid sound systems
- Feedback (whistling): usually caused by speakers aimed back at the microphones, or the volume set too high to fight echo.
- Unclear khutbah: too many horn speakers inside, aimed at hard walls and the dome.
- Uneven sound: loud near the mimbar and weak at the back rows or upper floor.
- Hum and crackle: old or damaged cables, loose connectors or poor earthing.
- Harsh azan: outdoor speakers over-driven or pointing in the wrong direction.
- Settings keep changing: no locked presets, so every volunteer adjusts the controls differently.
Most of these can be solved with better design and setup rather than more equipment.
Questions to ask any supplier
- Have you visited the masjid and checked the echo?
- How many speakers inside and outside, and where will they go?
- Which microphones are included for the imam and khateeb?
- Is the system zoned? Can settings be locked?
- What backup power do you recommend?
- What warranty and maintenance do you offer?
How Sound Krafted can help
We can plan the inside speakers, azan speakers, microphones and echo control as one design. See our sound system service for the equipment we supply and install. Start with a free phone consultation. For an accurate design and quotation, book a paid site survey.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Which speakers are best inside a masjid?
Usually slim column speakers or several smaller speakers spread across the hall. They direct sound at worshippers and reduce echo from the dome. Large horns are better kept for the outdoor azan.
Why does our khutbah sound unclear?
The most common cause is echo (goonj) from hard surfaces and the dome, not weak equipment. Better speaker placement and some acoustic treatment usually help more than turning the volume up.
How loud should the azan be?
Clear, not extreme. Well-aimed, weatherproof horn speakers that are not over-driven carry the azan better than very loud, distorted ones. In Punjab, the law allows up to four external sound systems, used only for the azan (with durood-e-pak), the Arabic khutbah and a few listed announcements.
Do we need backup power for the masjid sound system?
Yes, if load shedding is common in your area. A UPS or inverter sized for the amplifier and essential speakers keeps the azan and khutbah running.
Can you help with masjid sound systems in Karachi and Islamabad?
Yes. Sound Krafted is based in Lahore and can design and install systems in Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other cities. Call or WhatsApp +92 300 8467101 for a free phone consultation.
Talk to Sound Krafted
Call or WhatsApp +92 300 8467101 for a free phone consultation. For an accurate design, BOQ and quotation, book a paid site survey.
About the author. This article was written by the Sound Krafted acoustics team. Our team has worked in acoustics since 2021 and has delivered 50 projects for 49 organisations across Pakistan, including government institutions, universities, broadcasters and corporate organisations. We are based in Lahore and are a project of Media K Solutions (Pvt) Ltd.. About us