Which QSC K Powered Cabinet?

[LeonD]

I’m thinking of giving a powered cabinet a try and leaning towards the QSC K .2 line. My problem is, I’m not sure which one to go with, the 8.2, 10.2 or 12.2. Seeing I like to travel light, I really don’t want to over buy.

Currently I’m using a Puma 900 amp. For my smaller gigs, I’m going thru a single Crazy 8. For larger gigs, I have an AudioKinesis TC115 (8 ohm). Lately and going forward, I'd say it's about 80% smaller and 20% larger.

I use a four string bass, HPF and all the ports plugged in the TC115. I like a tight low end. Think Chris Squire as opposed to dub/reggae. So I’m not sure if I really need the K12.2 or even K10.2

Any opinions? Thx.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Try before you buy.
I've liked powered cabs ok for the upright bass but not for the bass guitar. They're generally fairly transparent which some people think they want with their bass guitar rigs but for me has always sounded thin and unexciting. I have tried the QSC K line for the upright and thought the 8 didn't have nearly enough bass response, the 10 was in the ballpark but the 12 was what sounded the best by far. The price and weight killed it for me though. I honestly don't think you're going to find a powered cab that's even close to as good sounding as what you've got so don't be impulsive.

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm a QSC fan and think Jeff gave you some very good advice! I've heard some decent electric bass from K12's, but if you want some color, you'll need a pedal or effect like BDDI, VT Bass, whatever. I think the QSC powered speakers are top drawer, but often bass players get a lot more color from their bass cab/amp voicing than they realize.

 

[LeonD]

Thanks for the replies.

I wouldn't be going directly into the cab. Part of my looking for a powered cab is to try different preamps. This started with me getting a Noble. I liked the preamp but it wasn't saving me anything if I still needed to bring an amp. That's when I started thinking about a powered cab.

I would want to try before I buy one but it usually takes me a while to decide if I like something or not. And, it's all about how well it'll work on the gig. I can only tell so much about a product in the store. If it doesn't work playing out, then it's not worth buying.

I was hoping to get a few "real world" opinions and experiences to get me pointed in the right direction.

 

[lgrankin]

I have a pair of the original K12's for PA duty, but have playing with 1 around the house just to see how it could potentially work as a bass rig. I use a BK7 Ultra as a preamp and it sounds fantastic and I will try it out on a gig at some point.

I can only imagine that the newer K12.2 would be that much better with the included DSP processing and preset for bass guitar. Definitely worth checking out.

Cheers,
LR

 

[Rev. Cornelius]

I usea K12.2 with a Tonehammer DI and a DSM Omnicabsim Deluxe. It is not a replacement for the F212 and a power amp, but works well for smaller needs.

Well not the THDI this night but you get the idea.

 

[nostatic]

I've done small gigs just plugging directly into a K8, and other slightly larger gigs either going into a K10 direct or Subway preamp into the K10. I've never gigged a K12, but they are on the high side of what I'd want to haul weight-wise anyway. Fwiw I think the K10 is the sweet spot in their cabinets, both for PA (I used to run a pair of them) or as a bass amp if you want to travel simple. They are more on the hi-fi side of things tonally, and don't have great mid bark that I often prefer (one reason I like Hathors w/3" paper cone), but they do the job, albeit a bit politely.

 

[10cc]

K12.2 + P-15