Yamaha DXS18 VS QSC KW181

[@michelleortiz3965]

I own the Yamaha DXS18's and also the QSC KW181. My opinion the Yamaha's hit harder and sound better; Punchy and heavy duty solid bass.

[@law35penn]

Thx, i was thinking about these 2 brands. I want to get them for live band. But i like the qsc 3way. But from what ive seen so far the yamahas arent that bad. But does the yamaha have 15". Sometimes we played in big places. Over 700 ppl more

[@mikelo303]

How about compared to new QSC KS118

[@captmaverickable]

Makes me think these are the perfect match for the Yamaha DSR112 for large events. I use two RCF Sub 705-as II's currently and they don't have the oomf for outdoors. Inside they're great.

[@kettnercreative]

I agree :)

[@snarplaya]

"Cardioid mode" is a phase reversal of one box with its drivers facing the opposite direction. This way it sucks rather than pushes, some boxes say in/out, QSC says Normal or Reverse. You then delay the output of front firing box to line up with the backwards facing driver. Aligning the waveforms back in phase while focusing the subs energy towards the audience. The KW181 has phase invert switch, you just have to know what your doing with the KW. Where the Yamaha probably has built in preset delay for the "cardioid mode."

[@snarplaya]

No confusion here. Just trying to explain what has to happen to create a cardioid subwoofer coverage pattern. Maybe i didn't explain it clear enough, but yes. You use the phase invert combined with a delay to make any two boxes a cardioid subwoofer.

[@jamesryan1939]

Wrong Polarity has nothing to do with time align. And cardiod mode is just the combination of phase invert combined with a delay. Reread snarplaya's post.

[@snarplaya]

Indeed. Thanks James!

[@davewebbmail]

snarplaya if it was that simple 😂

[@davewebbmail]

snarplaya nope

[@DJBomBay1996]

No way dude. That QSC KW181 is a beast.

[@willymccabe6602]

over rated at best. I'll take an SRX or a Yammie any day of the week over the 181.

[@djlobb]

I guess I would say that too if I invested in a whole lot of QSC equipment and didn't do a lot of sound gigs with other equipment.

[@kettnercreative]

Not when we did the test. The Yamaha slayed it.

[@yonut7]

Yamaha it's so beautiful and more advanced.

[@mallydawg479]

its not a fair comparison the qsc is much smaller and easier , the yamy is huge

[@spgv379]

Instead of listening to calming music to sleep, I'll listen to him instead 🥱

[@kettnercreative]

Perhaps we'll start a yoga channel.

[@mallydawg479]

the yamy does have more output but at a cost of being huge , the qsc is a much smaller unit so the comparison isnt exactly fair in my eyes

[@michelleortiz3965]

The Yamaha 18" is cheaper in price and more powerful then KW181. Go for the Yamaha better in sound and punchy on the bass.

[@kettnercreative]

Totally.

[@robinmanansala5699]

any notable differences from dxs18 and dxs18xlf?

[@ThailandResororg-li4uw]

Also wondering that. I have XLF but might get this version for a good deal. Looks pretty same on paper. guess it’s some difference when using the XLF function.

[@johgus96jg]

Hi, when you say the Yamaha is 15% louder, what does that mean? would 100% be twice as loud? thanks

[@kettnercreative]

That's right. The Yamaha pushes quite a bit more volume.

[@rmRAMbo3521]

Old comment but the Yamaha is 115% of the qsc volume. 200% would be double. So 115% means it’s 15% MORE powerful.

[@djflavianortizlll6712]

does the Yamaha has a fan cool for long events?

[@kettnercreative]

Yes it does.

[@ricardoalves1359]

@@kettnercreative Jordan, could I use DXS 18, passive for bass guitar ? Thanks

[@RobinRoyceYap]

@@ricardoalves1359 no

[@kellyaustin7487]

For Dj work ill take that little qsc all day over that land yacht of a box from Yamaha. That being said, if I was doing more live band or sound reinforcement for larger events I might go with the yacht.

[@kettnercreative]

Size can definitely be a factor for sure. We have bigger vehicles with ramps so we’re biased to the larger unit.

[@dennisondenatalie1579]

1) did you notice the KW181 comes with a pole? 2) you have to realize the KW181 is OLD. There won't be a cardioid mode. Just wait for the new ones. Side note- are you stoned? 3) the KW181 has about double the power than the DXS18. 4) nobody cares about you opinion.

[@StreetMobTruckin]

1) The QSC only has 200 watts RMS/ Continues more (NOT DOUBLE) 2) The DXS18 Is also old 3) Who cares about a pole 4) No one cares about your comment (Taste of your own medicine)

[@djlobb]

You sound like a butthurt Ford fan, or one of those people in a Mac vs PC debate. These are loudspeakers. You plug signal into them and turn them up. No need to make yourself look stupid over that.

[@jeffj201]

DXS18: Wheels on the back? Come with cover? Come with pole?

[@kettnercreative]

All optional. We got all of them with ours.

[@edub8803]

Nice work... Does the qsc have a hi pass filter for the tops going out?

[@kettnercreative]

Not that I remember.

[@raggaroaringsound]

Would you pair the dsx18 with qsc k12? Looking for subs, I have k12 tops. Mainly weddings, but also a ton of reggae

[@kettnercreative]

Brian Sullivan I think the DSX18 would perform much better than the K-Sub or anything else in the price range. Mixing Yamaha and QSC isn't a perfect pairing, but we've certainly done it and got some great results.

[@djmannyleon9204]

However, bandpass subs like the Yamaha are not recommend for large venues since they are short-throw speakers. Meaning, they only sound & bump great up-close but once you walk further away from them, they'll sound weaker. The QSC on the another hand are better recommended for larger venues since use can hear and feel them from a further distance.

[@jamesryan1939]

Absolutely spot on, most initial reactions to bandpass subs are done side by side and doing a quick compare, leading to the belief they have more output. But you will be surprised how terrible they do if you do a large range of venues. I have both the yamaha and QSC. The QSCs kill it at every venue, two will handle 500 people easy, the Yamaha is hit an miss depending on the size of the venue. Because of their short throw a packed dance floor can drown them out quick.

[@AlexMartinez-hr5gm]

James Ryan Can you upload any evidence of this ? There is many band pass sub used in excelent brands, on array "long trow" sistems. Hk whit the sub 4000a and nexo have many bandpass sub. So saying that a sub is not good just by the type of the enclosure it a very miss understood situation. I have custom band pass subs an i must say it is harder to make sound better in some venues. But it is nothing than cant be fixed whit some eq, limiting and delay. A reflex will perform good for neewbies. A band pass sub is better suited to experienced profesional peopple.

[@djlobb]

@@jamesryan1939 How do you quantify this? I don't believe you have had a whole lot of experience with the Yamaha. We have used them outside as well as our KW181s and the Yamaha's easily have a bigger sound and carry further. Band-pass designs are very efficient and when processed well (like the Yamaha/Nexo subs) sound very good. As Alex very well said, quite a lot of high-end line array systems use band-pass with good results. I would like to also point out KV2 audio, they have some amazing band-pass subs as well.

[@rafaelbrito6260]

This guy has no idea what he’s talking about! If you turn one kw181 backwards & flip polarity...bam!!! “Cardioid mode”!!!!!

[@djlobb]

LOL That does not make it cardioid, even QSC themselves will tell you this. I can't even believe you got 2 likes on that. Surely you were trolling?

[@kettnercreative]

Last time I checked the KW181 doesn't have a polarity flip switch?

[@christopherp7719]

Why are you so biased against the qsc?

[@djlobb]

How does having an opinion based on his experience make him biased? He owns both boxes and prefers the Yamaha. And to be honest, so do I. I think QSC have been hugely overrated based on the success of the K series. From what I hear the new KS118 is really good tho, although I'm going to reserve judgement for when I get to listen to it and compare it to some other brands. Taking what QSC dealers and fans say as gospel isn't wise. Specs look decent tho.

[@kettnercreative]

I try to keep an open mind - But objectively, I just think the Yamaha is better.

[@ricardoalves1359]

RICARDO ALVES Jordan, could I use DXS 18, passive for bass guitar ? Thanks

[@kettnercreative]

Instead of a bass amp?

[@JayLupe]

Im looking to build a badass home theater, ive been doing a lot of research on hard hitting body shaking low bass subwoofers. And so far the svs pb16 ultra is the best that ive found(i think) but theyre $2500 each! I wouldnt mind spending a pretty penny on 4 of them but i dont wanna end up disappointed, so how do these subs in this video compare to the pb16 ultra?

[@modernbassheads5051]

Idk if it’s too late , but DO NOT buy the pb’s. Go with hsu research, 10x better and very affordable, output down to 15hz on some of them. For home theatre I recommend you go with low tuned subwoofers and definetly get more than 1. Then, you can buy one of these Yamaha’s for the punchy bass and put it in another corner

[@JayLupe]

@@modernbassheads5051 will do, thank you so much man!

[@modernbassheads5051]

@@JayLupe yeah bro. Don’t make the same mistake I did and use strictly PA subs for home theatre , you’ll get non existent low end and way too boomy bass , home theatre subs are designed to dig deep into the 20hz range

[@meti9230]

Which would you say vibrates you more? Body shaking wise? I used the QSC in my end of year univeristy accommodation party and it shoke the shit out of me.

[@kettnercreative]

Bandpass design of the Yamaha hits harder in the chest, no question about it.

[@meti9230]

@@kettnercreative absolute legend you are mate. Been following your channel since 3 years ago. Thanks for the advice and keep killing it with the videos 🔥

[@marceloschroeder9189]

Hey Jordan, question, do you know if there is an issue to use subwoofer and full range speakers of same speaker size? Example, use Yamaha DXS 12 sub + two DXR 12 powered speakers all together? I've heard more than one guys saying there are phase issues, and that two DXR10 would work better with the 12" sub from a technical stand point. Does that make any sense?

[@kettnercreative]

How would there be any phase issues? They are all using the same amp technology. I would recommend using 18" subs with 12" speakers to have the right low/high balance, but you won't have any phase issues with 12" subs. Whoever is giving you this advise is uninformed with how phase issues occur.

[@marceloschroeder9189]

Thanks sir. I have the DXS 12" sub and I'm about to purchase two of the DXR speakers. You undersand that the 12" ones would not get me the right balance on low / highs? I move them from place to place all the time, even the DXS 15 is way too big and heavy for what I do.

[@jamesryan1939]

You can have phase issues even with same brands. It has more to do with the signal path. Most people during the sound check do a quick test with and without the polarity reversed. You will be able to tell which one is correct. I have the DXS12, 2 dxr8s can keep up with a pair of DXS12s. Save some money and size and go with the 8s.

[@theaverageguy3884]

I have 4 x DXR 15" tops with 2 x DXS 15" subs and i love my setup. Now i will buy 2 x DXS 15" subs becaise i want more base. Not sire of i will get the 18s or 15s but i love the punsh from the 15" subs. QSC have moch more blury/muflng sound. Yamaha over QSC all day imo.

[@skandenberg]

Nice one...do u think it would with in a station wagon>? 10x in advance

[@kettnercreative]

Probably

[@fasteddie4145]

Cocktails early.....cocktails often.....

[@kunad2294]

out of the two subs, which one would you recommend for reggae music?

[@kettnercreative]

I prefer the DXS. With the three different boost modes, you can easily dial it in to whatever genre you are mixing.

[@kunad2294]

thanks.

[@swiftjayofficial]

The word is the Yamaha is louder but you can mostly hear it not feel it when you stand a few feet away. The qsc you can feel the sub. I only read this so don’t go biting my head off lol

[@johnroberson1634]

The yamaha is a long throw sub. Perfect for big crowds, outdoors. Add a couple 15" for the dance floor and you have the perfect combo.If you are a dj then go with the qsc as you are looking at a dance floor right in front of you. Bands need the kick and bass to travel. For a medium gig I have found pointing them at 30 deg in at the dance floor, they bounce off each other and hit hard in the middle and reflect out 100ft in the chest.

[@djlobb]

Outdoors the Yamaha subs definitely hold up a lot better. The KW181 do a decent job but as John said, they don't carry as well.

[@abielpangga6314]

John Roberson there is no such thing as long throw sub Only loud and soft

[@kettnercreative]

We've been super happy with transitioning away from QSC to the Yamaha.

[@modernbassheads5051]

@@abielpangga6314 ehh , long throw subs use different cones on their woofers that are shaped like a horn, this does technically work and throw the sound further. Bandpass designs also usually tend to sound louder outside, because the woofer has an interior wall to load off of, instead of loading off of nothing like a bass reflex

[@bmanhemi4ever903]

Some obscure classical something something...lol

[@kettnercreative]

Haha! Thank you.

[@hahshehrhrhegehwhe]

how much weed does it take to say .."LOUDER" ?

[@kettnercreative]

LOUDER!!!!

[@augustusbrown5320]

Oz 😂

[@andrebryant516]

High I’m a dumbass and now that qsc is paying me ...the Yamaha is a large piece of bulky shit and I would never use anything else but qsc and ignore my previous video praising a Yamaha product and when I said the Yamaha was 15% louder I meant cheaper as in sale price who knows exactly what 15% louder really is.

[@kettnercreative]

Okay.

[@jesusjimenez5105]

I go yamaha... 😎

[@williamortiz3376]

The yamaha is louder and better

[@kettnercreative]

I agree.

[@pauloyoshizaki2103]

YAMAHA; DXS 18 SUBWOOFER FANTÁSTICO. YAMAHA. ÓTIMO Parabéns Lançar Modelos NEW CAIXAS Acústicas E OUTROS MODEL’. DBR 30 :DBR 45 ; 1.000 Watts : Potência : 120Hz ; C / Controller ~ Amplifier : Frequências : Amplitudes ; Caixas Acústicas : Top : Digital ; Som : Limpo !! ; Profissional ! ; DSX 18 ; 2023 ~ 2024 .

[@DanielRodrigues-em3hz]

Serve para uso em Banda ?

[@prouserprouser9646]

were you pissed, stoned or have just eaten your lunch with bad indigestion!!!

[@kettnercreative]

Unfortunately the only way that we're able to make these videos is if we film them all at 5AM, unscripted, before we head out for our events each day. Our goal is to produce good, accurate content about the equipment and services that we offer. We don't worry too much about the production quality, otherwise these would never get made.

[@iNDOmOTO1]

Neodymium on yamaha more efficient and cleaner power

[@kettnercreative]

Thanks

[@rudycorraudio9089]

It doesn't have a Neodymium magnet. Lol.

[@spgv379]

You should quit drinking!

[@kettnercreative]

Mostly just need more sleep.

[@mallkrawlerz620]

Nothing out there beats qsc in its class. Nothing has gotten close either. Many have tried and many have failed

[@kettnercreative]

In what way? What do you like more about the QSC product, specifically?

[@rudycorraudio9089]

@@kettnercreative.it's light weight, compact, sounds amazing is tremendously reliable, resale value is off the charts, has a great warranty you probably won't use, comes with casters, and is beautiful to look at and listen to. I have four for my bid gigs.

[@cesarmendez2266]

das is better

[@willymccabe6602]

Bologna. The KW181 is and has been over rated for years. Aside from being reliable they are average at best unless using a good number of boxes at once. They don't hit that hard or go that low compared to a lot of different powered subs for close to the same price.

[@djlobb]

Firstly, the EV ETX easily outclasses it, then the JBL SRX subs, the Bose F1 subs go about as low, hit as hard and are quite a bit lighter. So take your pick. I can keep going if you like. At this point you merely sound like a biased fan of the company. Yamaha has a 7 year warranty by the way.

[@swiftjayofficial]

So many dislikes 😂😂

[@kettnercreative]

QSC fanboys got triggered, haha.