Is the QSC KC12 the Perfect Speaker for Bands? New from NAMM 2025

[@GaryOnBass]

How do you think these hold up? Would you use them?

[@gopzchile]

I have HK Polar 12 speakers, and in my opinion, they have a lot of bass. They’re great for DJs, but with some filters on the mixer, everything works perfectly even the microphones. For more power, I recently got the Ingenia IG4T Vertical Array from dB Technologies, and I’m very happy with the results for live bands. I pair them with FBT Subline 18 subwoofers, and the system works perfectly. Usually I do corporate events.

[@GaryOnBass]

That sounds like a great pair of systems for different size events! I have heard great things about the IG4T too! One of my friend has them with the matching DB Subs and he loves them!

[@james1939-s1c]

I am using the JBL one with my band with mixed results, the two 4" drivers is a concern for sure. I would prefer the wood/aluminum design with a fan and it is spec'ed at more output 130db vs 132db. Also the QSC is not plastic all around like you stated.

[@GaryOnBass]

Yeah I overlooked that, the sub seems like it is a hybrid construction. I'm still not a massive fan of the ABS on top of the sub and top unit. I'm sure it is well made though, I know the RCF J8 is still solid and that's all ABS! The fan could definitely be an advantage in hot climates! But its just not an ideal speaker setup for me and I wouldn't hold much weight to SPL ratings from many manufacturers! Its vary easy to bend the truth with those readings!

[@windblower5]

Two days ago, i went to guitar center thinking of buying the bose l1 pro 8 or pro 16. I saw this and ask the guitar center employee how much the QSC kc12 cost since no price tag. The employee and i found out that it just drop two days ago. Let me tell you, this QSC can get loud. Like extremely loud to the point that I was about to leave the live sound room. Everything was at 12 o clock and i only play music a quarter volume on my phone. The employee and I said the sound is so crystal clear. It sounds so much better than l1 pro 16. It reminds me of my car speaker focal kx3 6.5. You really need to hear it in person to experience it. Today, I went to guitar center and bought the QSC kc12 for $1,599 USD which is the same price as ld maui 28 g3.

[@GaryOnBass]

Its great to hear from someone who has been able to listen to it! The price seems a lot more competitive over in the states too! I dont necessarily think this will be a bad speaker for playback/DJs I just dont think its ideal for bands! But I’ll happily be proven wrong with this as its great to see new innovation in this market!

[@kellyaustin7487]

​@@GaryOnBassThere's nothing new or innovative here. Just another column array with the QSC brand stamped on the front. The marketing department realizes if they make it, people will buy it. If your current system ain't broke, leave it alone!

[@GaryOnBass]

@kellyaustin7487 I think there is probably something to this…

[@victorccordoba]

Totalmente de acuerdo contigo

[@guitarcoalector6756]

Ld Maui for band 💯

[@GaryOnBass]

Is that what you use? I have had pretty bad experience with the LD Columns with bands, they lack separation for me!

[@guitarcoalector6756]

Yes, use it and love it. I own maui28g3 and maui44g2. Both perfect for band and separation what issues do you have? I have done many many gigs and some large crowds zero issues

[@GaryOnBass]

Interesting! I have only ever used the older models and always found it difficult to hear the individual instruments in the mix compared to my point source systems! Maybe its time to try the Maui again! I quite liked the look of the curve TS when that came out too!

[@LarryLeiting]

I use LD and agree. Band perfect sound and plenty of juice and separation

[@J-DJ]

A KC15 with 15"sub and a top with 2x 6"mids+ high freq driver could be a strong player in the "column-array" segment, and actually just as good as RCF NXL 14a + 15" ax sub. Evox12 is old and missing a high driver. I´m old school and stay with my (RCF) tops and subs, but as you mention the FBT Ventis 206 looks like a way better deal than the new NXL 14A from RCF. Btw I hate that RCF started talking about "peak power 2100 watts" and dont specify their freq range, so probably its at -10dB😒 god damn! just give me the real RMS wattage, max dB at 1 meter, a frequency curve and freq range at -3dB or -6dB

[@GaryOnBass]

Haha, I agree with so much here, especially with how they measure everything! I think you're right that a KC15 to that spec would be a strong contender, but if the current pricing is anything to go by, then it would be way more than the FBT with a good 15” sub under it. I think I know which I would pick from those two options!

[@J-DJ]

@@GaryOnBass If you want that white and column array wedding-DJ look..... then you must pay extra for the look😂I can live with black speakers, and love the versatility of tops+subs, I can do 2.1 setup, 2.2, 2.0 or even go out and rent 2 more subs and do 2.4 if it should be really bass-heavy. I can raise/lower/tilt the tops as I like. With column arrays you are "locked" to 1 or 2 speaker setup and thats that. So for now I stay away from column-arrays, but no one knows what the future bring, so I would never say never 🤣

[@GaryOnBass]

@J-DJ there are massive pluses to point source, which is why it's my go to, but I have had great experience with column systems, too! You just have to be realistic that there are compromises with everything! The dispersion for column arrays is excellent, and they work so well in overly reverberant or small tight spaces without sounding too much, for example, but you're not going to be playing to large groups outside with them! They all have their uses, or that's what I tell myself when I buy another PA/Guitar/Bass 😂

[@J-DJ]

@@GaryOnBass Yep its important to be able to justify every gear purchase 🤣 The wide dispersion is a plus. I was just watching your HK Premium Pro video, I had "Hughes & Kettner 15/3" cabinets way back. HK is not the hottest name in column-arrays even though you get their Polar 12 with 12" sub, 6x 3" mid and 1" high CD horn for half the price of the new QSC KC12. I have never heard the Polar12 but i doubt it is only half as good as the QSC.

[@GaryOnBass]

@J-DJ it’s always important to justify a purchase in some way! Haha, the Polar 12 is actually a great comparison! I didn't think of that one at the moment! They are really good-sounding speakers for plastic boxes! The HK Elements are actually the best middle ground between Column and Point Source, too! You can expand the system and choose different sub combinations from case to case! Their only letdown is that it was a pricey system to get into! But solid wood and steel construction and the joining method is really robust and simple! I think they should have probably had a loss leader starter set that would have gotten more people picking them up!

[@DJRUMMYMUSIC]

actually disapointed i thought they would come out with a newer version of the k12.2 yes there still great but come one QSC

[@GaryOnBass]

I think they really need to do something about the harshness at high SPL because the k12.2 would be solid without that!

[@cloudthedj]

EVOX12 is $3000.00USD each in the US

[@GaryOnBass]

I just made a straight conversion as we can't see American prices but that does make them less viable! How much is the FBT Ventis system over there?

[@ifonlyhowie]

The Americans will love the QSC like the Evolve 50. Here in the UK we have much more sense. I’m looking at the Ventis the 2500 (15” sub 2006 top) or 3000 (15” + 10” tops) in white ( wedding DJ) OR the new rcf 905 / 114a in white. Although I can get the Ventis 3000 with case for 4K new and will wipe the floor with these QSC. You sound like me to be honest. Sensible and not fooled by hype. Also the QSC’s have fans in their subs….in 2025 wtf. lol. Heat sinks, not fans that break and get clogged up.🙌🏽

[@GaryOnBass]

@ifonlyhowie Thanks for watching! I guess the fans make sense for hotter countries. I have had speakers with heat sinks overheat when left by bales (country event) or next to a heater (which was on in the summer for some reason!), so I get it. But as you say, it's also a weak point for water and dust! I don't think these towers are the one, but I understand why QSC made them! I think FBT/RCF have the small PA market cornered!

[@DjCraighowarth]

Defo. Guess there’s also the price. Seems the US get shafted in import with European goods same as we do with VAT on US products coming this way so they’ll pay more for FBT / RCF than we probably do. Great content btw 💪🏼

[@GaryOnBass]

@DjCraighowarth Thank You! Glad you enjoyed it! It does seem that the skew is quite different in the States! I think if the QSC was hitting that £1000-1500 mark in the UK, it would be more competitive with the Evolve. I'm sure that will happen with time, though!

[@osherdahan3042]

Will it work for DJ? ??

[@GaryOnBass]

Most likely it will sound great! But my gut instinct is that any of the other systems I mentioned will be as good or better for less money!

[@zukaDJ]

Unfortunately the evox 12 cost 3k 😢😢😢

[@GaryOnBass]

@zukaDJ these are £2k EACH! £4k for a pair! That's £500 more than a pair of EVOX12 here!

[@zukaDJ]

Bro , evox 12 cost 3k each , So 2 will cost 6 k ,

[@GaryOnBass]

Oooosh that is painful! What about the DB Technologies ES1002 or ES1203? I feel like the QSC will be fairly close to the EV Evolve or RCF J8, I think a FBT CS1000 would beat all three of those though!

[@davidsalinas4872]

Have you ever listen to the QSC12C cause talk is cheap.