Nord User Forum

[pauleway]

I use an Electro 5HP for organ and Yamaha CP-4 for piano and want some opinions on which QSC speaker would be better for keyboards, the K10.2 or the K12.2!
Small 4-piece band, smaller club gigs. I definitely am going with the QSC's, just want some opinions on which ones would be best for my situation.
The weight and $$$ difference is not much of a concern, I am looking for the best sound. I've read that the K10's were better for keyboards and want to hear if some of the forum members have tried both and what you think!!

[afroskully]

I have the k8.2s and I absolutely love them. Never did a side by side comparison to the 10s or 12s, just read some good reviews and grabbed them. Best amplification decision I've ever made.

[Rusty Mike]

I also currently use a pair of K8.2's. For many applications, I use only one speaker, including with a fairly loud traditional big band.

I also own a 1st generation K10 and previously owned a pair of gen 1 K8's. Even with a single speaker, I felt the K8 had a more natural sound than the 10. Overall, however, the different is not night and day. I do still use the K10 when the situation warrants, and like it very much.While not much louder by the numbers, the 10 does have a touch more oomph in the lower register. Unless you're carrying bass for the band, that won't matter.

I also work small groups/small rooms. I strongly prefer a pair of 8's over a single 10 if I'm providing my own sound source. A pair of 10's would sound great as well. With the new .2 series, you can dial in exactly what you need, so either investment is a great one. Your driving factors should be how much weight you want to carry, how much you want to spend and, to a lesser degree, how loud you need to get (and if you need a ton of bass).

[anotherscott]

Like afroskully, I have no first hand comparison to reference, but I think the K8.2 sounds great. And it's lighter, plus on the QSCs, the smaller you go, the more even off-axis dispersion you have. And as evidenced by Rusty Mike's post, some people find the 8 to sound more natural, I don't remember ever reading someone saying the reverse. You lose some max volume, but the K8.2 is plenty loud enough. You'd lose some deep bass, that might matter to you if you're playing, for example, some take on "house music" or other synth or dance stuff where the keys are doing loud, deep bass. Or maybe if your'e doing organ with the bass pedals thing. Typically, if you're playing in a band, the keys don't need tons of bottom. I actually EQ some of the low end out of my piano sounds so as not to step on the bass guitar.

If I was buyng now, I'd also consider the Electro-Voice ELX200-10P. I thought their ZXa1 sounded notceably better (albeit not as loud) compared to the first generation QSC K8. (Why 10" on that EV? Because there's no 8" in the series.)

[cphollis]

As above ...

As you go from K8.2s through K10.2s and on to K12.2s, the dispersion angle narrows considerably. For smaller venues, I prefer the K8.2s as they have the widest dispersion angle and this nice "ear candy" pristine sound. I use my K12s when I need to "throw" a beam to the back, for example.

People will tell you "I need a larger unit for bass". Uh, no. Plenty of bass, almost too much. Unless you're producing subwoofer synth sounds, that is. And then I'd recommend a small sub.

[Rusty Mike]

Typically, if you're playing in a band, the keys don't need tons of bottom. I actually EQ some of the low end out of my piano sounds so as not to step on the bass guitar.

Yup. Give Mr. Bass Player plenty of room.

[pauleway]

I am only going to buy (Use) one speaker, I do not need the option of two. We mike the keyboards through the P.A. on gigs.
I would prefer the K8.2's, but concerned it wouldn't be enough speaker coverage. I do not need a lot of bottom for my style of playing (mostly piano/strings+organ), and we do have a Bass player, but the old school rule was always at least a 12" speaker, especially for keyboards.
I would love to be able to get away with the 8.2's (Weight+Size wise) but just a little apprehensive about an 8" speaker!

[ajstan]

If you’re just using the speaker as a stage monitor, then the 8.2 is more than sufficient. I’d recommend putting it on a pole so it’s around ear level. It doesn’t sound all that great when it’s placed on the ground.

[PScooter63]

I am only going to buy (Use) one speaker...
...the old school rule was always at least a 12" speaker, especially for keyboards.
I would love to be able to get away with the 8.2's (Weight+Size wise) but just a little apprehensive about an 8" speaker!

What speakers have you used previously?

[pauleway]

What speakers have you used previously?[/quote]

Believe it or not, I've been using a Vox AC-15 with one 12" greenback Celestian speaker, and it sounds pretty darn good!!