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QSC K12 for bass...

I've had the chance to compare the k12 with my baer m112, and have to say that the m112 wins hands down for bass duty. Much better lows, and more of them before the woofer hits its limits. Depending on taste, the k12 also has a sharper midrange that will probably need some dialling out.

Excellent monitors for full range, but i'd much rather a combo amp in the same price range. You'd never see anywhere near 1000w on bass duty anyway, barring some pretty intense effects, anyway.
 
I don't use a K12 for my bass rig, but I DO use (presently) a JBL 512m. Basically the QSC counterpart, and it is a "generation ago" model.... Meaning the new series is PRX 600... This being said, I have had great luck on my acoustic gigs with this cab.
I am however seriously considering pulling the trigger on an HD112 to use with a bass head I have laying around. Reason being is, while at lower volumes I feel comfortable using the JBL, I'd hate to damage the cab/driver using it outside it's reasonable comfort zone... I use them as wedges for my band, and it would be a pain to have to fix it.
From what I've read, I'll get a pretty decent bass sound from the HD112... and it should reproduce some low frequency energy better and more efficiently.
I feel as if though that my JBL does sound better than some bass combos I've tried... Of course "sound" is very subjective. Just my 2c.
 
EVERY cab has a voicing.

+1
I know of no cabinet I've ever played through that didn't have a unique sound. Even Dukes TC 112 is voiced, it's just voiced perfectly for DB and EB, IMHO, IME. Some cabinets certainly have a more pronounced voicing, than others, but they all have a characteristic sound.
There have been several Double Bass players using the QSC K 10's in conjunction with a Headway EDB-1 Pre. to good result, but that's a totally different animal IMO. Personally, even with the K 12's, I think EB might be a challenge, unless you had the QSC sub. By that time you could also have purchased a pretty high end bass amp and cabinet. I did just see Marcus Miller play through that smaller JBL, super P.A., with it's accompanying subs. The Yellowjackets have one too, but they always carry the subs as well.

Ric
 
I'd have to agree. I have the k12, kw153 and kw181 and mix them up depending on venue.

Kw153 has a much fuller sound for obvious reasons. And my favorite is the sub with the 153.

Because we use inears I just use the k12 and tuck it near a wall near drums. True there could be more in the low end sometimes but loading gear is so much easier w just the k12 that I make out good enough.

Sound guys prefer when I use the k12 alone and absolutely hate the big rig.
 
I have used K8 and K10 on smaller gigs. It actually sounds good as long as you don't push it, but I still really prefer my Monique/Baer rig. The QSC just doesn't have enough mid definition/push for my taste.

I did however use the K10 last night to power the drum machine doing a "trio" gig with violin, bass and drum (machine). Great in that application.
 
I just picked up a pair of KW153's and a pair of KW181's for PA use, and I couldn't resist trying a bass through one of the KW153's. Very impressive! These cabs will likely stick to the PA application, but they certainly can do a great job as a bass rig. :bassist: :bassist: :bassist: :cool:
 
I think the QSC is only fair for what it is - a relatively inexpensive powered speaker. It doesn't have the low end muscle, frequency extension or the tonal balance to do a good job for bass guitar. Plus, its ABS enclosure isn't rigid enough - you'll get nearly as much audio output behind it as in front of it.
There are some sound reinforcement speakers that can do a decent job for bass - but the QSC isn't one of them.
 
I think the QSC is only fair for what it is - a relatively inexpensive powered speaker. It doesn't have the low end muscle, frequency extension or the tonal balance to do a good job for bass guitar. Plus, its ABS enclosure isn't rigid enough - you'll get nearly as much audio output behind it as in front of it.

There are some sound reinforcement speakers that can do a decent job for bass - but the QSC isn't one of them.


Which ones? I know Meyer does, but they are heavy and expensive.

I've used the K10 on low volume gigs and it has been fine. It won't hold up with a loud drummer or really dense mix. It actually can sound really good depending on the tone you're looking for, but it certainly is volume/punch limited.
 
I've plugged into a K10 for trio gigs before. Nice sound, in particular when it's on the ground in a wedge format. Volume aside, there's not a lot of "mid-growl", it's more of a silky smooth sound rather than something that's going to melt your face.
I'm surprised to hear about guitarists using these things, I would think a coaxial cab would work a lot better. I've heard Atomics and some RCFs that were pretty strong in terms of guitar and they will melt your face, probably not enough low freq extension to work well with bass though.
 
I've been using 2 KW152s for a few months now and love them. When I compared them to the KW122s the 12s sounded good but had less oomph. I like oomph. :)

I also auditioned a KW181 with a KW122 and thought it was too much. I suspect nearly any indoor venue I play the stage would sound like boomy mud with that in the bass rig. I think it could get you fired from some bands, no joke.

On the topic of color I was under the impression that the k series cabs dsp flattened out the response. I could be wrong on that however. Maybe Bob Lee could lend some clarity.
 
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