• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Headrush FRFR-112 vs QSC K12.2 - Comparison opinions?

carbonfold

carbonfold

Oct 13, 2006
1,009
323
Dallas, Texas
#1
I do have experience running my bass through a Headrush FRFR-112 with my Helix but not the QSC K12.2. Generally I was impressed with the Headrush (@ low volume) but it doesn't preform as well on bass once you get to cranking it. On guitar it wasn't too shabby at all in the loud department.

Anyone have A/B comparisons with these for bass applications? I have read the positive reviews on the K12.2 for bass and I do understand the general limitations of a PA speaker as a bass amp (enclosure and LF etc..).

Thanks to Chad Carouthers vids and sorts (and my own personal experience), I'm dead set on getting rid of my live amps. My focus is a double duty bass and guitar amp for studio jam sessions, dialing up presets and also being able to rehearse/shows in a loud band setting. Honestly, I really don't need it as I run IEM but still want to lug around an all-in-one per say so the other members could hear the bass and to assist in dialing up my presets. Plus, I enjoy giving the ears a rest and play out loud.

Keep in mind, I have a Ampeg V4B and SVT212AV rig (that I want to evidently rid) and have plenty of loud tube amp and lugging heavy gear experience. Lugging around a PA speaker and powered sub is 100% off the table. If I'm going to do that, I might as well keep lugging around the V4B. Mainly I'm wanting to know if anyone has any experience with these two to compare their bass thoughts.

Thanks!
 
#3
rholler said:
Too bad you haven't gotten any responses to this. I'm anxious to hear the comparisons myself, so I'll be watching this thread to see if anything develops after hopefully waking it up.
Click to expand...
These systems/cabs marketed as "FRFR" are like a Multi Tool or All Season Tires, good at all, great at none.
They are just PA Tops.

Depending on your tonal goals the K12 can be great, if you like more boom, get a good Bass cab.
There is a reason PA tops are ran with subs.

Many great hi-fi bass cabs out now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DWBass
#7
We went from IEMs to using wedges QSC K10's and it is workable, played about 10 gigs this way
but starting to find the bass is distinguishable, but not exciting-depending on the venue sound. Considering adding a Sub just for me? and rolling off the bass to the floor wedge monitor.
 
#9
IMHO cabs marketed as FRFR are typically designed for guitar, which does not really tax the low range like bass. This is why bass will typically sound good at low volume through an FRFR system, but not at high volume. The cab simply is not really designed with the FRFR needs of bass in mind.

IMHO the solution is not to get a bass amp if your goal is to use FRFR, modeling and impulse responses. You need an FRFR system that is capable of handling the SPL, bandwidth, and dynamic range of the bass.

Quite a few Talkbass members speak favorably of the K12.2, but it's going to hit its limits fairly quickly if you need high SPL.

One of the bigger Greenboy designs with a true 3-way crossover should get you very close to FRFR for bass. You won't have flat response all the way down to the fundamental of the E or B string, but the response will be fuller and flatter than many bass amps. Also for flat response to approximately 31hz, the fundamental of open B, you need some very big and expensive subs, so you need to consider reasonable trade offs. Something like a fEARful 1515/66 with a tweeter and T3W crossover is still a pretty big cab.

Here is a chart that shows the Max SPL and low frequency contour of the fEARful designs.
fEARfulxmaxSPL.png


Note the 12" designs appear to have a bit more low end extension, but don't play as loud. Maybe a 1212/7 with a tweeter and T3W would be a better choice. Or maybe you would prefer the dual 15 cab with a bit of corrective EQ and limiting; I.E. trade a bit of max SPL for extended flat frequency response.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteveFromBerlin, rholler and Foz
#12
Older thread now but I did end up picking up a pair of K12.2. They work great. Decent dB and has some thump. I'm actually surprised how much low end they can crank out. As much as a bass or sub cab? No but that was to be expected. My main question was whether or not anyone had experience routing bass in the headrush and K12.2 at some given point to give an comparison opinion.

And no... my answer was not imbedded in the question. My answer was in the experience. Which now I have and would also recommend. Though I will say, running a pair for bass is much better than a single.
 
  • Like
Reactions: S-Bigbottom and Wasnex
#13
carbonfold said:
Older thread now but I did end up picking up a pair of K12.2. They work great. Decent dB and has some thump. I'm actually surprised how much low end they can crank out. As much as a bass or sub cab? No but that was to be expected. My main question was whether or not anyone had experience routing bass in the headrush and K12.2 at some given point to give an comparison opinion.

And no... my answer was not imbedded in the question. My answer was in the experience. Which now I have and would also recommend. Though I will say, running a pair for bass is much better than a single.
Click to expand...
The QSC K12.2 is one of the best powered 12s you can buy. With that being said, the Yamaha DXR15 is even better. I thought the QSC sounded a bit small in the lows next to a real cab, still has great response though and gets loud, but it is tight. The Yamaha on the other hand is indistinguishable once fed a good impulse response. Maybe stuff like Markbass or the supercabs will beat it in low end response, but it still feels like and thumps like the real thing. The Yammy is fat sounding even on a low B and loud enough to hang with a hard hitting drummer. Boom, fatness, huge slam, punch, it can do it all, bringing the physical aspect of bass tone that other pa speakers can't deliver. I'm not sure why it isn't more popular with bassists who use amp modeling.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rholler

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back