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QSC KW153 or QSC KW152 when running with subs

mcapote

mcapote

Sep 9, 2009
1,591
5
Miami Florida
#1
after talking with sound guys for bands around my location they all say if going with the QSCs i should drop for the KW 15s as mains as opposed to the smaller K series 12s. now I plan on 2 mains and 2 of the QSC KW181 eventually. since i'm running the subs is there any advantage to the 153 over the 152? only difference im seeing the the bottom end which is null with a sub running to 100hz. its a $100 price difference ea main so it has me wondering if that's the only difference in which case I save $200 on a pair, or is there another reason to spend it since it is only $200 which at the end of the day on a $4500 rig isnt that much?
 
#3
we love our three way QSCs. We can switch it to ext sub when we use our subs. Or if we are in a bind for space, switch them to deep and really fill up the room with just two mains. It has been the difference in us sounding great in small spaces where we couldn't fit a sub into the area.
 
#4
logicman69 said:
When running with a sub, I really see no reason to go with the 15's at all. All the K Series offer the same power, and as you said anything below 100hz is not going to matter.

The advantage would be if you did not want to bring your subs out for a gig, you can just run the 15's and get close to the same sound.
Click to expand...

the thought is that though they are 1kw since it is a 15 the cone area makes a big increase from a 12 because of air movement not sure how much off the top of my head but its like close to 3dB aint it from a 12 to a 15?
 
#5
ncbassman said:
we love our three way QSCs. We can switch it to ext sub when we use our subs. Or if we are in a bind for space, switch them to deep and really fill up the room with just two mains. It has been the difference in us sounding great in small spaces where we couldn't fit a sub into the area.
Click to expand...

how does the 3 ways handle bass and drum without the sub? I was told for bass and drums you definitely still need the subs.
 
#6
subs still make a huge difference. BUT in smaller places, the mains do 'ok' with bass and drums. They have been the difference in us taking gigs in smaller places versus not being able to take a gig. If we can fit our subs on stage when we play, we always will use the subs.
 
#7
ncbassman said:
subs still make a huge difference. BUT in smaller places, the mains do 'ok' with bass and drums. They have been the difference in us taking gigs in smaller places versus not being able to take a gig. If we can fit our subs on stage when we play, we always will use the subs.
Click to expand...

thats something to consider, because I know atleast one place we play is tight and we end up putting the subs in front of the stage and worry about drunks kicking em.
 
#10
there is a 10 degree difference in dispersion between the 12 and 15. the 12 is 75, the 15 is 65.
that's more of a factor for me than the size of the mid driver in those cabs, as i know they both can sound excellent.
knowing there is going to be a sub, i'd probably go for the 12's if only using a single top per side and get the best coverage.
 
#11
D.A.R.K. said:
there is a 10 degree difference in dispersion between the 12 and 15. the 12 is 75, the 15 is 65.
that's more of a factor for me than the size of the mid driver in those cabs, as i know they both can sound excellent.
knowing there is going to be a sub, i'd probably go for the 12's if only using a single top per side and get the best coverage.
Click to expand...

+1
 
#12
D.A.R.K. said:
there is a 10 degree difference in dispersion between the 12 and 15. the 12 is 75, the 15 is 65.
that's more of a factor for me than the size of the mid driver in those cabs, as i know they both can sound excellent.
knowing there is going to be a sub, i'd probably go for the 12's if only using a single top per side and get the best coverage.
Click to expand...

with that being said, if i were to consider this route, what is the difference between the KW and K series beside price on the 12s?
 
#13
If I was going for KW series, I would surely go for 153's. Any good 3 way system makes vocals sound better than in a 2 way (well, most times, and they are also usualy vocally clearer). Also, 1000 watts is actually 500+500 (low+high). So in a 3 way, the high frequency cutoff of the 15 is much lower, sending more of the 2nd 500 watt amp for mids, and highs. I can think of many many venues where 153's will be enough and not need subs.

I just got rid of my 4000 watts + kit of power amps, mains, subs, etc.... and got Yamaha DSR112's and I am super happy with them. My runner up were K10's, as they sound, IMO, just a tad better than k12's. The PRX 600 series is way better than the 500 series, but they are a bit DJ ish (colored sound to my ears).
 
#15
yamaha said:
W = Wood
K = 1000 watts

:)
Click to expand...

Correct... the KW is a wood cab, the K are regular plastic. I have both at the store and I don't notice any difference sonicly. Same amp/input section and same speaker in both.

I have been hearing good things about the new Yamaha speakers, but what sells me on the QSC is the warrenty. 6 Years, top to bottom. That's a pretty impressive warrenty in the MI business (most companys will cover the speakers for a shorter period of time).

If you have a store near you that stocks both of them, have the saleguy do a side-by-side comparison. Bring in a CD of your band and have them use that (if you leave it to the salesguy, he will just put on Prince.... Prince makes ANY speaker sound good).
 
#19
That's correct

K series available in 8, 10, and 12's

KW available in 12's and 15's (18 subs too)

But the k10 does sound better than the 12, IMHO. The K series, up to medium high levels, sounds amazing. But when the compressor, limiter, and fancy protection circuits kick in, not so nice to my ears.
 

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