Main advantage
The K series is known for many things, including, but not limited to, excellent sound quality, stylish appearance, as well as exceptional sturdiness. The QSC K12 has all these traits, but the advantage it offers over the legacy series is that it manages to deliver twice the power provided by the other models in the lineup to the driver so that the sound clarity is out of this world.
It is a well-known fact that more power means more vibration, and that’s certainly not something good for active PA systems. However, in this case, the manufacturer found a way to circumvent the problem, and the low-frequency driver on the QSC K12 can accommodate all the extra power without affecting sound clarity.
You cannot beat the QSC K12 when it comes to how it handles power. Some experts don’t even hesitate to call it a game-changer because the outstanding sound quality, vibration-free, sound it delivers at high volume levels has no precedent.
If you need just one reason, a very good one, to pick this speaker over others, this aspect should be it. You cannot get better sound quality at high volume than this unless, of course, you don’t mind paying one arm and one leg for a professional unit.
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Main disadvantage
Some minor issues with the extras included should be mentioned nonetheless. For instance, the carrying case doesn’t have a cushioned bottom, and that is where the grill of the speaker faces, which may pose some questions about the safety of the unit during transportation.
Also, the handles are made from a type of material that gets hot in the sun. If you leave your speakers out in hot weather, you will notice that the handles can get to the point that you can’t even touch them with the bare hands. Again, that could be considered a downside to an otherwise excellent product.
Main features explained
Impressive power in a small package
At first glance, the compact design of this speaker might make you think that you must have read the specs wrong. But it’s true; this small speaker is capable of producing a little over 1,000 watts of continuous power, with its peak at 2,000 watts, and that translates in fantastic sound quality. This unit delivers the clearest high notes possible and goes for low notes with the same accuracy, and all because of the tremendous power it wields.
Also, let’s not forget that this speaker can go really, really loud at an SPL of maximum 132dB and that without presenting any sound distortion that such traits would naturally cause. Because of its compact size, this speaker can be accommodated with a wide range of audio setups. The company clearly went beyond the call of duty with this model, as no one would suspect that a speaker this small can produce such loud and crystal-clear sounds.
Portability makes this model stand out from the crowd, as well. You will not have to do a lot of heavy lifting when working with such equipment. Another thing that you should bear in mind is that the model is built to last, and you will not have to treat it with gloves all the time. This speaker is everything you want in a unit of this kind, offering excellent power, superior sound quality, and durability, all in a portable package.
Both the materials used and the craftsmanship employed in the construction of this model are high-quality, and it shows. If you’re looking for a reliable speaker that doesn’t cost as much as professional tools while offering you pro-level performance, you can rest assured that this model will tick all the boxes.
Performance enhancers make the speaker stand out from the crowd
When you check out the specs of this particular model, you will notice two abbreviations used to describe performance enhancers that make it stand head and shoulders above the competition. DSP stands for digital signal processing, while DMT stands for Directivity-Matched Transition, and their role in making this speaker a high-quality product is irreplaceable.
Equipped with an extensive DSP chip, this speaker makes sure that the audio processed from live sources doesn’t suffer from artifacts such as distortion and noise. Digital processing is an essential advance in audio and sound technologies because it can increase the dynamic range, compared to analog processing. The roles of the DSP technology used for this speaker are multiple; reverb, compression, delay, and equalization are just a few of the many functions DSP delivers.
Therefore, if you want to use this speaker for live performances, you will be surprised by the high quality and sound volume it is capable of, to the point that you will consider it an indispensable part of your equipment. An interesting aspect is that DSP also uses very little power, so it is an asset for your audio equipment in all possible ways.
DMT, on the other hand, matches all the audio for low frequency and high frequency so that you won’t notice any hot or dead zones. The listening area is, therefore, outstanding in this model. At the same time, the Intrinsic Correction feature offers consistent performance over the complete sound field. The way the speaker is designed makes this possible. IIR and FIR filters react in real-time to make all the necessary adjustments to frequency and amplitude.
In a nutshell, these technologies ensure that this speaker will perform beautifully under any circumstances. Versatile and dependable, the QSC K12 is an exceptional unit, and its traits highly recommend it.
The presets available come in handy when you want fast configurations
You wouldn’t get the best out of this speaker if you didn’t use the available presets. What’s definitely nice about this speaker is that you can easily adjust its parameters so that you can create a configuration that works precisely for the type of recording or audio performance you have in mind. Even more, you are able to save these configurations so that you can easily use them at a later date. This way, whenever you are satisfied with a particular setup, all you have to do is to save the configuration and recall it later.
It is important to remember that this speaker can be used in multiple ways, as it is incredibly versatile. You can use it as an amplifier for your musical instruments, or your voice; you can use it as a stage monitor, or for dance music, and each time, you will get the same outstanding results. Here are some of the audio functions you can use to customize your sound system for the most satisfying outcome.
You can use equalizer, delay, crossover, and input configurations, among other things, when creating your setups. For instance, you will be free to choose from a wide range of EQ contours. Default is the basic voicing, while Live is used for making the instruments or voice sound louder and enhancing the clarity. Live Bright is another available preset that adds, on top of what was mentioned for the Live contour, a high-frequency boost.
The Dance contour is enhancing the low frequency and high-frequency response across the listening area. It even has presets for acoustic guitars and handheld microphones for you to choose from. There is nothing this speaker cannot do, which is why it is so highly recommended by experts, as well.
Its flexible configuration contributes to its outstanding convenience
Since it has a compact design, this speaker is more convenient than many others you can find on the market. However, that’s not the only feature that makes it a hit with music professionals out there and not only. For instance, you can use it placed on one side or vertically, and it will still deliver the same excellent results. That’s when you want to use it as a floor monitor, but there’s more to this model than this type of use.
As the main PA, you will find that it is simply amazing how many configurations you can pick from. For instance, you can suspend it so that it delivers sound from above, or you can use a tripod stand to lift it off the ground. Just as well, it is possible to attach it to a pole mount and place it above a subwoofer. As you can see, the possibilities are endless, and you will feel hard-pressed to find something this speaker cannot do or accommodate.
Because of its versatility, this model is a favorite among live performing artists, DJs, and a wide variety of entertainers who need a proper audio setup for their performances. Adapting to any conditions and venues is a breeze for this speaker, and, consequently, for you, as well.
Front of house (FOH) applications and stage monitoring are just two applications for which the QSC K12 is ideal. Together with a subwoofer, a pair of speakers of this type can cover all the needs you have for an audio system, regardless of how you want to use it. Due to its fantastic durability, it is the type of investment you should consider if you are a music professional, or you are an artist looking for the right tools for live performances or recordings.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($799.99)
