Need FRFR/PA speaker recommendation

[Pep]

I just returned from Guitar Center. I tried out the QSC CP12, QSC K10.2, QSC K12,2 and a RCF ART 915A. They didn’t have the Headrush in stock.

The CP12 was weak.
The K10.2 had something wrong with it and barely worked.
The RCF wasn’t much better than the CP12. That was surprising.
The K12.2 was loud, punchy and articulate. It was the clear winner so I ordered one and cancelled the MarkBass CMD 102P that I had on on order.

The K12.2 reproduced the “B” string at high volume without breaking up. The one complaint I have about bass amps/cabinets is that most of them have a tendency to have some hotter frequencies and some weaker ones. The K12.2 had none of that. The volume was uniform across the fretboard.

I’m really glad I did this.

 

[4Mal]

A Yamaha DXR8 MK2 does that for me. Small rooms. Wine bars. Lounges. Hanging at home, Larger rooms with PA support Jamming with e-drums.
I have a pair. They do PA duty now and again. Mostly though I use 1 as a grab and go amp.

 

[bucephylus]

I just returned from Guitar Center. I tried out the QSC CP12, QSC K10.2, QSC K12,2 and a RCF ART 915A. They didn’t have the Headrush in stock.

The CP12 was weak.
The K10.2 had something wrong with it and barely worked.
The RCF wasn’t much better than the CP12. That was surprising.
The K12.2 was loud, punchy and articulate. It was the clear winner so I ordered one and cancelled the MarkBass CMD 102P that I had on on order.

The K12.2 reproduced the “B” string at high volume without breaking up. The one complaint I have about bass amps/cabinets is that most of them have a tendency to have some hotter frequencies and some weaker ones. The K12.2 had none of that. The volume was uniform across the fretboard.

I’m really glad I did this.

Pretty sure the K12.2 will “work” for the gig you described.

I have been using the K10.2 as a bass monitor, no backline, for the past year. It has been more than loud enough for monitoring purposes. I did add a K12.2, contemplating backline capability, and posted a thread, with some level of comparison, for that potential use, here:

Thread 'Testing the PA Speaker as Backline Hypothesis'

Feb 10, 2026

The short answer for TL;DR challenged is that PA speakers don’t quite get what backline cabs deliver for me. Yet.

For the past year, I’ve been gigging fairly large outdoor stages and animal club stages using a QSC K10.2 for both bass monitor and vocal monitor. I have finally accepted the idea that the PA is now my amplifier. So, I have been evolving my pedal board preamps to produce both a sound I prefer in the PA mains, and a close facsimile in the monitor. That way I hear pretty much what the audience hears.

Last summer, I had a road trip reunion gig, and acquired a QSC K12.2 with the...

• bucephylus
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Amps and Cabs [BG]

• 

That thread includes my parameter sets for both K12.2 and K10.2. The 10 you auditioned in the shop may have had inappropriate parameters in the DSP.

 

[Pep]

Pretty sure the K12.2 will “work” for the gig you described.

I have been using the K10.2 as a bass monitor, no backline, for the past year. It has been more than loud enough for monitoring purposes. I did add a K12.2, contemplating backline capability, and posted a thread, with some level of comparison, for that potential use, here:

Thread 'Testing the PA Speaker as Backline Hypothesis'

Feb 10, 2026

The short answer for TL;DR challenged is that PA speakers don’t quite get what backline cabs deliver for me. Yet.

For the past year, I’ve been gigging fairly large outdoor stages and animal club stages using a QSC K10.2 for both bass monitor and vocal monitor. I have finally accepted the idea that the PA is now my amplifier. So, I have been evolving my pedal board preamps to produce both a sound I prefer in the PA mains, and a close facsimile in the monitor. That way I hear pretty much what the audience hears.

Last summer, I had a road trip reunion gig, and acquired a QSC K12.2 with the...

• bucephylus
• Replies: 42
• Forum: Amps and Cabs [BG]

• 

That thread includes my parameter sets for both K12.2 and K10.2. The 10 you auditioned in the shop may have had inappropriate parameters in the DSP.

I understand. I bought the Hartke KB15 just for that type of gig. After several months of almost being the right one I sold it. I found thst the K12.2 it has “a lot more” of what I want for that gig with considerably more power and punch.
A friend in the area who uses the older version confirmed that his works perfectly fir smaller gigs with no PA support so I’m going to give it a go.

 

[DonaldR]

I'm using an EV ZLX12P for many years in exactly the same scenario: 5-string bass + e-drums. I added a Bluetooth receiver in the aux input. It's working flawlessly. The G2 version seems very interesting.

I chose the 12" because of portability and because I don't like how vocal sounds on a 15".

I added an EV ZXA1 (12") sub couple of years ago and it's now pure heaven!

 

[Stinga1990]

Take it from someone who has gone the frfr pa speaker route. You get what you pay for. Frfr sound has a very very high ceiling before diminishing returns. A cheap alto/headrush may get the job done, but it's cheap for a a reason. Don't expect brilliant headroom or any real accuracy to what you are feeding it. Or for it to last and hold up to abuse. I know for a fact it can't be set flat when used as a wedge. I use a Yamaha DXR15 myself. Exceeds your budget, but again, you get what you pay for. They come with a 7 year warranty. I play 5 string through mine in metal and hard rock with no issues, brings any cabsim to life with real bass cab like resonance and in the room feel. Can carry a small room easily. DSP let's you set it for standing flat on the floor, wedge, or mounted on a stand. Even better, you can splurge on a rackmount setup and a fearful or barefaced cab. We are talking serious bucks and serious results here. I'd love such a setup, but can't afford it atm. And at the very top you get Meyer sound as used by Anthony Jackson himself. 9000 a top. Okay that was a lot, but frfr/pa speakers is a different ball game from a traditional rig and is not something to cheap out on.

 

[Stinga1990]

I just bought a Headrush FRFR 112 MKii. I’m using it with my HX Stomp for some of the smaller restaurant/bars that we play in. I tried a QSC K12.2 but it was too vanilla sounding for me if that makes sense. I set it in front of my mic stand and use it as a floor monitor. Bass only. You can set it upright or on a speaker pole. It also has Bluetooth.

An frfr speaker shouldn't be adding any tone or mojo, just recreating the mojo you send it. I found the headrush a little coloured and it couldn't be set flat when used as a wedge, meaning you'd hear far more low mids and bass then what you are sending foh, which defeats the purpose.

 

[Pep]

I had the opportunity to use my new QSC K12.2 and it’s great! It’s powerful, full, articulate, and punchy. It’s pretty much uncolored.i was actually asked to turn diwn once.
A couple of pluses for the K12.2 are:
1) It has a dedicated preset called “Bass Amp” which makes it a great fir bass guitar.
2) Now through March 31 they’re on sale for $899.99 (normally $999.99). If you get it from Sweetwater they’re throwing in the QSC Tote (carry bag) which is normally $139.99.

I’m considering a second one for larger gigs.