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Any users of HK Polar12 Column speakers?

#2
"Small spaces" like Small Space bars, Small Space theatre, Small Space DJing, Small Space presentation area, etc etc etc. Yes, the term is variable and subject to interpretation, but I would think any band that had played in a Small Space would relate. Guess I was thinking wrong.

Anyway, to disregard personal interpretations, what I am looking for is someone who has direct experience with direct bass with these column speakers, which are a totally different ballgame from fixed 10/12 with sub, which are much more scalable. These column speakers have the advantage in easy set-up and dispertion angle, but not in scalability nor deep bass response of separate subs.
 
#3
They will work well within the confines of the music played through them. ie: not so much for metal. This is really the defining factor of what an array of small speakers can faithfully produce. The other issue would be the lack of channel eq adjustment but using your guitar's eq and adjusting the relative sub volume can work. Like most full range P.A. systems bass sounds very good through them.
The Polars and tower systems from other brands are staples in the rental departments of the stores I work for and do very well for small spaces although a mixer out front is often used for more inputs and flexibility with eq for different instruments and singers.
These will fill a small space easily especially in pairs but if your volume is determined by an acoustic kit or a deaf guitarist you'll have to try it and see.
 
#4
Roland GR 88 said:
They will work well within the confines of the music played through them. ie: not so much for metal. This is really the defining factor of what an array of small speakers can faithfully produce. The other issue would be the lack of channel eq adjustment but using your guitar's eq and adjusting the relative sub volume can work. Like most full range P.A. systems bass sounds very good through them.
The Polars and tower systems from other brands are staples in the rental departments of the stores I work for and do very well for small spaces although a mixer out front is often used for more inputs and flexibility with eq for different instruments and singers.
These will fill a small space easily especially in pairs but if your volume is determined by an acoustic kit or a deaf guitarist you'll have to try it and see.
Click to expand...
Thanks,
I have not tried these and wondered if they actually had enough bass response to run bass direct, yet keep up with the acoustic drums drummer in a band. Have you ever just plugged a bass into one to see what it sounded like as a bass amp?
 
#5
Sure, they sound fine. Generally one can overcook the sub to a point where the tops get a bit lost - aka DJ mix- but there's a definite bi-amp sound going on that sounds good on its own but needs to be fine tuned so as not to ruin the overall mix.
IME in sales these types of speakers are returned because they don't behave like a traditional powered pair of 12's for example and kept when those same 12's are overkill.
Depending on the style and volume of the music you play there may be better options but lots of people use them as mains quite happily.
 
#6
@N. Kentucky Bass has commented favorably on using the Electro Voice Evolve 50M.

I looked at the specs and they are pretty similar to the HK Polar 12

HK
Max SPL 127dB
Dispersion 120x30
LF Response -6dB at 43hz, -10dB at 35hz
Woofer 12"
Mid/High 6x3" plus horn tweeter
Crossover 180hz

EV
Max SPL 127dB
Dispersion 120x40
LF Response -3dB at 43hz, -10dB at 37hz
Woofer 12"
Mid/High 8x3.5
Crossover 200hz
 
#7
I do that frequently with Yamaha DXL1K's I have a pair and have used them as band PA in my 'electro-coustic' trio settimgseveral times. I get enough wash off the sides of the 12" sub. I'm mostly playing EUB in that setting and I hear enough to mai tain my intonation. I do prefer having an amp back there but I can live with just the yamaha's. So yeah, doable but not my preference.

I did buy a pair of Yamaha DXr-8's to have something very small as a grab and go solution. I'll likely use it in the settings where I used to just play through the columns.
 

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