Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a sound system in Christchurch?

It depends on the size and type of system. A small PA for speeches or a house party starts around $150-250. A mid-size system for a 200-person event runs $400-800. Festival-scale rigs are quoted per job. Get in touch and we'll put a number together based on your event.

How far in advance should I book for a school ball?

As early as you can. School ball season (June to September) fills up fast. We'd suggest locking in dates at least 3-4 months out. Earlier is better, especially if you want a specific venue. Check out our school ball production page for more info.

Can I see the gear before booking?

Sure. You're welcome to visit our warehouse at 20 Southwark Street in Christchurch during office hours (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm). Just give us a call first so we can make sure someone's around.

Can you deliver and set up, or is it dry hire only?

Both. We do dry hire if you're comfortable running it yourself, and full-service where we deliver, set up, operate, and pack down. Most clients go full-service because it takes the stress out of the day.

Do you provide an operator with the gear?

Yes. For anything beyond a basic PA, we recommend having one of our crew on site. For lighting rigs, festival systems, and corporate shows, an operator is included in the quote.

What happens if gear fails on the night?

We carry backup gear to every show and our crew knows how to troubleshoot fast. If something fails, we swap it out. Downtime is not an option. We've never had a show stop because of a gear failure.

Can you do outdoor events?

Absolutely. We do outdoor festivals, concerts, markets, and activations regularly. We carry weatherproof gear, marquees, and generators for sites without power.

What areas do you service outside Christchurch?

We're based in Christchurch and cover all of Canterbury easily. We also travel across the South Island and nationwide for bigger jobs. We've done Rhythm & Vines in Gisborne, events in Queenstown, and shows across the North Island.

Can you handle festival-scale production?

Yes. We've done production for Rhythm & Vines, George FM tours, Red Bull activations, and multi-stage festivals. We carry line arrays, truss, large-format lighting rigs, and have the crew to run them. See our event production page for more.

What's included in your school ball packages?

A typical school ball package includes a sound system, DJ setup (CDJs, mixer, booth), lighting rig with moving heads and effects, a hazer, and an operator for the night. We handle delivery, setup, operation, and packdown. Add-ons like lasers, LED screens, or uplighting are available too.

Do you do weddings?

We do. Ceremony audio, reception sound systems, dance floor lighting, uplighting, and festoon. We keep it simple and clean so the focus stays on your day, not the gear. More on our wedding AV hire page.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. All Ears carries public liability insurance and our gear is fully insured. We can provide a certificate of currency if your venue requires it.

Still got questions?

No worries. Get in touch or call 021 178 0355.