Help me pick a powered speaker

[D-Kem]

I love my RCF's and wouldn't put anyone off buying a pair.

Has no one mentioned FBT's? Great powered boxes imo.

[sobi]

RCF ART series, specifically the models with 2" HF, and the EV ZXA5. Of course I'm not even sure where those sit price wise in comparison to the QSC stuff so it could be apples to oranges.

What you do get is better HF drivers (and more power reserves to run them afaik). HF is critical in any speaker cab, that's why I can't help but laugh when guys try to say their Peavey SP series boxes can hang with a SRX725. When I hear active cabs with under-sized HF drivers, they sound great at low volumes, but sound very, very harsh as things get cooking.

I agree, but I was talking QSC, not peavey. What I'm wondering is the QSC vs EV and/or RCF. From my experience and the word of everyone I've heard (with you being the first exception), the QSC's are on par or better than RCF's comparable series, but easily get the edge due to the 6 year warranty. As for EV, while definitely a great speaker that is above most, it isn't on the same level... though not by much.

[rotebass]

The Peavey/JBL was just a comparison. The fact of the matter is that they latter two brands offer a beefier HF section and back them up with a larger power reserve. The specs back up my real word experience, which is that the QSC will have a less pleasing tone at higher volumes.

You know what, forget it, the RCF and EV mentioned both sell for twice the price of a K12.

[sobi]

I'm talking KW series and/or HPR. What kind of SPL ratings are you seeing on those EV's and RCF's?

[rotebass]

RCF claims 130dB on the 722-A.
EV claims 133dB on the ZXA5.

My ears tell me both are smoking loud, much louder than the K series, which makes sense if it costs half the price. Haven't hear the KW series, specs seem good, would love to hear them.

[sobi]

I think that's where there's some confusion. I would never rate those K series against what your talking about. I'm using the KW and to a lesser extent, the HPR series. Not a fan of the K series, though they are great for wedding type stuff since they are so light.

[rotebass]

Exactly, K series was definitely built to meet a price point.

[sobi]

Ok... then you agree with me... I think.

[rotebass]

Haha, friends?

Can we hug?