QSC K10 vs. JBL G2 15, preliminary comparison

[hookie]

Had the K10's for a couple weeks now, but just a few days to compare with the EONS. Now, I realize this is technically not an apples-to-apples comparison in that the JBL's are 15" two-ways, compared to the K10's 10" two-way. But, here are my initial impressions nonetheless.

 

Some background. I thought the Eons had a certain harshness, from the time I purchased them several years ago, primarily in the higher frequencies. But, I liked the punch the speakers provided for live performance. In that respect, they did not disappoint. I always had plenty of power in the most demanding high-volume situations. After time, the harshness started to get to me. I also felt the midrange was lacking, contributing to a mediocre acoutic piano sound. Finally, I felt the speakers threw the sound well, but near field monitoring was terrible. I got tired of a mediocre sound with the speakers behind me.

 

I had debated a long time on the various choices. The problem is, like most everyone experiences, you cannot compare two or three speakers in a store, not alone several. I also seriously considered the Acme B1's with a good amp like the lightweight QSC. I have a feeling that might ultimately be the best way to go. We'll see...

 

So, I finally pulled the trigger on the K10's to compare. As my back ages, so does the correlating pain, so I was also interested in smaller, lighter packages if possible. I also was willing to give up some bass response in favor of a better midrange. Hence, I took a chance on the K10's.

 

The K10's are definitely smoother - usually a good thing. The frequency response is definitely more even throughout the frequency range, which helps a great deal. But, I miss the punch of the JBL's. The K10's sounds much better near field than the JBL's - good for me because I am mostly interested in getting the best sound for myself on stage - it inspires me to play better when I sound better, and is overall more satisfying to play even if the audience doesn't know the difference. Almost all situations I also run through the PA anyway.

 

To my ears I give the K10's about an 8.5 out of 10 for sound. For reference, I'd give the JBL's a 7.5 to maybe 8 (7.5 for KB's). The K10's are obviously smaller, lighter, and easier to handle. I don't think I'll miss the lack of two band eq on the K10's, because I go through a mixer. But, it did help in rehearsal situations where I was just going direct. Minor point to me.

 

Now, biggest concern regarding the K10's - volume - and clarity at high volume. This will be hard for me to tell for sure until I use them in a live gig. Unfortunately, a gig this weekend was recently cancelled, so no luck checking them out on a gig before the 30 days since purchase. But, I'm 90% sure I'll keep them anyway. The concern that I have is that when turned up to loud volumes, they seem to break down, for a lack of better description. They don't noticably distort, but they seem to get overwhelmed, and, to my ears, are not clear as at lower volumes.

 

So, in conclusion, I am reasonably satisfied with the K10's at lower volumes. The jury is still out at high volume live situations. I'll post again after future observations.

 

 

[Nicky]

the concern that I have is that when turned up to loud volumes, they seem to break down, for a lack of better description. They don't noticably distort, but they seem to get overwhelmed, and, to my ears, are not clear as at lower volumes.

I tried these out in a store recently (after hearing all the positive reviews on this site) and felt the same way. (Didn't try the 12s because they are too heavy for my back issues). But to my ears, the k10s, when cranked did not sound good, not smooth or clean at all, almost like they were distorting. Was not impressed. Compared them to the EVSXA360 and the EV was much better (I know, the EV is a 12), night and day to my ears. Wish the EVs were a little bit lighter/less awkward to carry.

[MoodyBluesKeys]

I don't have the K10's (although I would like to have a pair of K12's). I do have a pair of EON 15G2 and a pair of EON 10G2. The 10G2 definitely have a smoother sound than the 15's for piano use, although no where near the sheer power for larger venues and bass material. I generally carry a very small Tapco mixer anyhow (easier to make adjustments during a gig with it right next to me than to have to walk to each cabinet and make adjustments there).

 

I'm hoping next year to put the pair of 15's at my church (to replace a pair of bass amps and cabinets), and add a pair of QSC 12 or maybe 10. It will be interesting to hear your response on the K10's after a gig in higher volume environment.

 

[Tonysounds]

Love my K12s, I don't have any of those compression/shrill issues even at high volumes.

[KeyMoe]

I had returned a pair of the K8s for the same reason. Sounded great at low volumes but sounded strained at higher volumes....

[Maze Sound]

There are so many factors that come into play when choosing a speaker that it all comes down to physics. There is no way that an 8" speaker is going to be able to compete with a 15". There may be 8" drivers that can perform as well, but their price and weight would put them out of reach for the average Joe. The big leap in performance over the last couple of years has been in the 12" range. I often wonder if manufacturers will start making seperate boxes (Tweeters in one box, mid/low in another) like they had back in the 70's. Try a K12. I have 4 HPR122i's. They are a tad heavy at about 60 lbs, but get praised by most keyboard players. The K12's in my opinion are a bit brighter, but do a respectable job on the mids and lows. And I think they hold well at stupid loud levels. Bottom line IMHO is that an 8" just isn't enough "rig for the gig."

[Aidan]

To be fair, I think QSC are expecting a lot of people who go with the 8s to also purchase the sub, which could make it a whole different story.

 

I still think a pair of 10s is where I'm going for our band's PA, but we kind of specialise in not playing hugely loud, even the soul/pop stuff - that's kind of our USP!

 

I think even the 8s alone would serve our purpose (only keys, vocals and a smidge of guitar go through the PA), but I like the idea of the extra flexibility the 10s would bring in single use wedge mode for very tight solo gigs, or for monitoring in larger FoH situations.