Yamaha DXR10 MKII and NS3 73

[tsss27]

Spacestation is an interesting device all around. It worked well for electric pianos and various other sounds but I also wasn't a fan of it with acoustic pianos. It also really does need to be positioned far enough away from you that it can bloom as designed. Where I tried it, it ended up blasting other people out and adding lots of extra stage volume but didn't really give me any useful benefits, so I sold it. The pseudo-stereo sound wasn't really noticeable at all from where I was sitting, and I thihnk this amp functions better when used as a small PA rather than a monitor.

[MEL868]

I decided to keep the CP8. Stage sound can be so complicated, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to less is more. Took the CP8 to our evening outdoor gig two days ago.

Our band has an elaborate sound system PA, the guitarist and drummer periodically use IEMs. The guitar amp is near me and you know the drill, we try to control the stage vol. So, I could hear all my programs clearly though I had the vol maxed 10+ so if I were going to continue gigging, I would at prefer at least, the DXR10 mkii.

I didn’t miss the DSP or delay from the 8.2 and think I still really love that speaker, but for now, mostly for home, the smaller CP8 is great. I have the EV8, too, and think the CP8 is clearer. I much prefer the bang of the CP8 over the EV8, though EV8 is no power cord needed!

I’m so glad this post suggested the CP8 so I can save $$$ to spend for a controller.

One more tidbit. I ordered a tote for the k8.2 many reviews found same – way too tight. I contacted store and the tote was for the k8, the zipper will fail, it’s so tight. I didn’t get to try the correct tote for the 8.2. So, for the CP8, the dimensions are slightly smaller than the K8’s, so if researching a tote, one might consider the K8 tote for the CP8, just beware. I’m not getting a tote right away, it’s no problem for me to carefully handle with kid gloves.

SO, thanks for all the input and keep playing!!!

[MEL868]

Changed my mind. Just because I’m retiring and cutting down playing out, I’m going to get to 8.2. I think the cp8 is a strong contender. I have funds for the 8.2, I will pass on the tote. Then I will have a nice, clear speaker, where the lines are a bit easier to cord up, the power cord colored blue and locks in. The front light indicator. 2000. Why not at this point. I’m selling the EV8, and don’t wanna feel any remorse, but I just don’t love/use it even though you can eq it using phone/ipad, and it power cordless, so cool, but don’t love the sound so much. I returned the cp8, but could always add a used one down the line.
Blogging these thoughts out helped alot!

[Rusty Mike]

Thanks for sharing your journey and decision process. It's never easy.

There's a woman in Pennsylvania who custom makes speaker covers out of moving rug material. She has a storefront on eBay. I've purchased from her for both my old K8.2's and older K10. I think her prices are fair, but I'm not sure she will send you just one cover. It's worth a shot if you still want a bit of protection:

Connie's Covers

Congrats on your decision.

[MEL868]

good to know- thank you!

[tsss27]

So, how did you think the DXR and CP8 compared sonically? I'm looking at getting one of these. I've played through the CP on several occasions so know what to expect (although I don't know what setting it was on.) Never tested the DXR's but was told they may sound more HiFi (which could be useful for some sounds like synths.)

[MEL868]

Keep in mind I’ve been using one powered speaker in a loud stage band setting, with expensive PA and sound guy continuously monitors foh with tablet throughout all shows.

Naturally, using the dxr 12 I can hear my keys no problem, but I choose to go lighter gear, and wanted less volume in my ears, thinking guitar might ‘get the hint’ so I had dxr 10, then the 10 mkII. Both were excellent. We hired a guitarist to fill in recently and he also had the dxr10 mkii, and also raved about it as stage monitor. If it wasn’t for my suspicion that the fan was beginning to fail, I would not have gone down this road. I got EV8 thinking it would be real handy and versatile, but when I rev up my master vol (dial around 11:30), to test my sound for stage, let’s just say, I wasn’t confident tweaking any of my sounds using EV8. (I also don’t change any parameters when using headphones), so I’m all dialed in when live.

I find the QSC 8’s to be remarkably close to the Dxr, I’m able to work with all the sounds (piano org synth) the same. Obviously, the 8’s are less loud on stage, a sacrifice I’m willing to manage as long as I get the same representation of sound, which I do, on over 50 of my programs. Filters opening on synths, I use Org basically as a background, or get by needing only for a few bars, same with pianos, but synth section used extensively to bring up org and pianos, so its critical to me to hear every nuance.

This is the reason for choosing the 8.2 over the cp. I really had no notice, no awareness in my usage between the 2 of them. From the time i had these, the 8.2 was tested on an indoor stage. The cp was large open outdoor stage. So, not the best test scenes, and I felt the cp was a bit tougher to hear. Cutting down on size I’m interested in the back panel and going with 2000 watt. I could see owning one of each someday. I might have thought the cp was quieter and the 8.2 had slight hum turned way up, but doesn’t bother me.

I hope this helps.