The Best 4 Megaphones

What is the megaphone used for?

Megaphones focus soundwaves and send them across longer distances than the human voice is capable of reaching unaided. If you’re in a position where you need to address multiple people that are spread over a wide area, or you wish to speak directly to people in an environment which is otherwise too noisy for you to do so, you’ll probably require a one of these.

An electric one makes use of an in-built microphone, amplifier and loudspeaker in order to make sure that you can really be heard.

The output of a megaphone usually ranges between about 5 and 50 Watts. Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the louder it will be.

An average megaphone (around 15 watts) will only weigh just under a kilogram (about 2lbs). The advantages of smaller ones include easier portability, lighter weight and longer battery life, to name but a few. Even these smaller models can still project your voice almost 550 metres (600 yards) away, while 45-watt models will carry your dulcet tones as far as nearly 1830 metres away (2000 yards).

You might see one being used during political protests, summer festivals, scouting jamborees, guided tours, public events of any kind (such as political rallies or PRIDE parades), events, religious congregations, or even on film sets and Navy vessels. If you’re working at or near any events such as these, it could prove to be a very wise investment.

Who invented the modern Megaphone?

If you’ve ever talked through a used toilet roll tube or rolled a piece of paper into a conical shape in order to talk through it, you’ve probably somewhat re-created the invention of the megaphone, or at least it’s earliest ancestors.

The idea of using certain speaking aids to amplify the human voice is by no means a new one. Accordingly, historians simply don’t know who invented it first. Some of the earliest examples of this technology may have existed as far back as Ancient Greece.

We also know from contemporary accounts that certain Native American tribes were fashioning similar devices from tree bark in the 1670s – and it seems likely that the technology was known to them for a long time before that.

Indeed, the Pre-Columbian ruins of Tiwanaku include what could possibly be stone precursors to the megaphone (they still work as such to this day).

Even the invention of the modern megaphone is subject to some dispute. Two 17th century inventors, the English mathematician, diplomat and sometime spy Samuel Morland and the German Jesuit polymath Athanasius Kircher are both credited with the creation of the first one. It seems likely that both men invented similar devices independently of one another, but at around the same time.

The term ‘megaphone‘ was first used to describe an invention by Thomas Edison, who in 1878 was attempting to create a device that would be beneficial to people with hearing difficulties.

Edison’s version worked well enough as to amplify a whisper loudly enough that it could be heard from up to 304 metres (1000 ft) away, with a regular speaking tone capable of traveling more than two miles. There’s no denying that the first one to be called a megaphone worked exceedingly well. There was, however, one key design flaw – it was bloody gigantic!

Eventually, smaller, more portable versions of this megaphone were produced. They were used mainly by the military and emergency services, as well as entertainers, showmen, singers and film directors. Think of the classic image of a circus Ringmaster shouting “step right up, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!” and you’re pretty much there.

These types, though still in existence today, were effectively replaced by electric microphones in the 1950’s and 60’s, which is a good thing, as it’s hard to imagine our favourite rock n roll icons looking anywhere near as cool when wielding a gigantic metal cone instead of a sleek little microphone.

Electric public address systems first appeared in the 1920’s, but portable versions didn’t emerge until after the invention of the transistor in 1947. The first transistorised megaphone, the direct precursor to the kind we use today, was the EM-202, which was created by the TOA corporation in 1954.

How Megaphones Work

By far the most important component of a megaphone is its cone shaped much like a trumpet. This shape directs the sound towards an intended target or area. When you’re talking, the sound leaves you and travels more-or-less in the direction that your head is facing.

However, anyone who has tried to hold a conversation in high winds or through noisy obstructions such as traffic, roadworks or loud music knows that it can be hard in some cases for your voice to reach the intended listener.

If you really need to get the message across in such cases, you may find yourself cupping both hands around your mouth like a trumpet and calling in the direction of the other person. To some extent, this is a natural amplifier, as it works on many of the same principles. The sound is less able to scatter as it is directed through the cone, which therefore has an amplifying effect.

Further amplification occurs from the sound waves themselves. Whenever sound waves travel through a narrow area and into a wider one (i.e., from the mouth to the air outside the mouth) some of those sound waves are reflected back towards the source of the sound. This has a muting effect on the overall loudness and clarity of that sound.

However, when sound waves leave your mouth and travel down the length of it, the size and shape of the cone allows fewer sound waves to be reflected back, this amplifies the volume of your voice considerably.

Electric megaphones operate via similar principles, but with the addition of a microphone that converts sound waves into electrical signals which are then emitted by the amplifier, making them louder, but also more compact and portable, than their traditional forebears.

Is it Bullhorn or Megaphone?

When reading up on megaphones, you might come across terms such as ‘bullhorn’ or the slightly more antique sounding ‘speaking trumpet’ or ‘loudhailer’. These terms are usually used interchangeably.

For example, if you perform a ‘Google images’ search for ‘bullhorn’, you will get more-or-less the same results as you would if you’d Googled ‘megaphone’.

There isn’t much, if any, difference between the two. Some definitions reserve the name ‘bullhorn’ only for devices that feature electronic amplification, while others may describe a ‘bullhorn’ as being an older, non-electronic device, such as might be used by a golden age film director. It seems that there isn’t a hard-and-fast definition that applies to either word.

Aside from that, the name ‘bullhorn‘ is used more in the US than it is here in the UK, where we tend to say ‘megaphone’ more commonly. That’s about it.

How far do I Need my Voice to Travel?

One of your key concerns when buying a megaphone should be how far you will need your voice to travel. This can actually be quite important.

Even a lower-watt model can be heard from relatively far away, so if you don’t need to be super-loud (e.g., if you’re MC-ing a school sports day), you can save both money and battery life by choosing a quieter method.

As a general rule, you should assume that you will need slightly more power than you’re actually likely to use. It is better to diminish the volume on a more powerful model than to push a less powerful one to its limits.

Megaphones designed for indoor use (such as might be operated by a cheerleader) will be of little use outdoors or over long distances, so it really helps to have a very clear idea of what you want to use it for before attempting to purchase one.

As a final point, consider the weather conditions in which you are likely to be using it in, as sound travels farther in cold weather. Where do you live? What are the average weather conditions in your area? Will you be using it in summer, winter or both? Each of these questions is worth your consideration.

What Features Should I be Looking for?

As we discussed earlier, the shape contributes a lot to its overall performance. A narrower horn, for instance, concentrates the sound coming out of it, allowing for greater range, while also cutting down on power usage. Look for an overall design that suits your particular needs.

Portability is an important feature if you’re planning on traveling with one or using it for extended periods. If you’re going to be carrying it around a lot, you’re going to want the most lightweight and easy-to-transport model available to you.

The position of the handle will affect how the weight is spread across your hand. It’s also good to find one with a strap (this can make it easier to hold and carry).

It’s also always useful to handle a product of this type physically before going through with a purchase. If you can’t do that, see if you can borrow one from somebody else, in order to assess if it feels too heavy or cumbersome for your specific needs. That way, when you check the product dimensions online, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re looking for.  

Battery life is an important consideration for anybody buying a megaphone. Some come with their own rechargeable batteries, while others require regular store-bought batteries. If you opt for regular batteries, be sure to recycle them at your local supermarket, as discarded batteries can be very harmful to the environment.

Alarms and sirens are also a useful feature, as these can grab people’s attention far more efficiently than simple verbal commands.

A recording function can be greatly beneficial as well. Although theses are not traditional recording devices, some can record and play a short message on a loop. This saves you having to repeat yourself in situations where you may otherwise have to.

A detachable microphone is a really good feature to look out for. This allows for the horn and the microphone to be separate from one another, enabling you to hold the horn over your head, or move it around without changing the direction you’re facing. You can even position the horn in a separate location and speak into the microphone. This can be very useful indeed.

Megaphones & The Law 

Here in the UK, there are no specific laws against using a megaphone in public. However, the user may be considered to be causing a disturbance and get ‘moved on’ by police if they persist for too long or become too intrusive. It is possible, if unlikely, that a person using a one will fall afoul of noise pollution laws in some cases.

The reaction of police may also be influenced by what is actually being said by the user (e.g., using vulgar language, profanity or slurs designed to target minority groups will likely see that person arrested for hate speech, if the person were actively threatening others, he or she may also be charged with breaching the peace).

Additionally, using these on any space that is privately owned would require the permission of the landowner, to do so without said permission may be an example of trespassing.

The Noise Act 1996, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Common Law of Nuisance are the main laws that govern noise pollution with regard to private residences. Under these laws, it is unlikely that the user would be seen favourably in the eyes of the law (or, indeed, the ears of their neighbours!) if they opted to use one at home, especially if they chose to do so after hours.

UK law also states that employers must provide hearing protection and designated protective zones for any environment where the noise consistently exceeds 85db. Many can put out between 100 and 122dbs, which does technically put them over this limit. However, workplaces generally use these for things like fire drills, team building or events and outdoor activities, but are not considered to be breaking this law, due to the fact that these are not in constant use in these instances. 

Megaphones are useful in many situations and are a form of reliable technology, the basics of which have remained unchanged for many, many years. We hope you have enjoyed and learned something from this guide