warwickhunt

I may have said this before but I've ran 2400w power amps into 100w speakers and never come close to destroying the speaker... every amp I've ever used has a marvellous feature for controlling this; a volume or gain control. Conversely I've ran 60w amps into 1600w speakers and despite dire warnings from others, neither amp or speaker has come to harm. If you use your ears and 'ideally' a HPF (even the bass control on the EQ not being pushed), you shouldn't need to worry about amp or cab ratings... unless you use the type of speakers that they mount in cars; in which case you deserve what you get!

If something is cheap or at the market value (IMHO) I generally don't haggle but if I know that the going rate is less than a seller has something up for, I'll make offers. I think I've got a fairly good idea of the value of things but that isn't to say that a seller hasn't got a different viewpoint; sentimentality, buying 'new' or having bought something at the top of its price range and then needing to sell in a downbeat marketplace period, is generally when you have a wide range of opinion on price. There's no right or wrong, you just have to be prepared to disagree and walk away or pay what the seller wanted... and then they were right about the value. LOL I never get involved with 'vintage' Fenders etc as that is a minefield of values and authenticity + I don't like them.

When I bought the QSC used they weren't. Just as a general update. I've gone for the A&H CQ12 (bit of discount) and I've bought a used FBT 115 Sub.

They are a cracking speaker (I used to own 3 of them and still retain 1) but the QSC K10's that I have, best them... not night/day but defo better. If I was buying new on a budget they'd be on a list.

No fees but you have to pay due diligence as there is no comeback on the seller!

Appreciate the insight. However, it really is only ever going to be used for a 4 piece covers band and I don't think we'll scratch the surface of what it can do; the 18/20 would be massive overkill (for us). TBH a 12 channel analogue desk might suffice but for the extra initial outlay it makes sense to go this route.

Bill designs cabs and sells those designs, it would need someone in the UK to do the building... and distribution.

I 'think' one of those band members (who still owns that PA) is now in one of my band projects and I can tell you, he is having a proper grumble about the idea of 2 little 10's + little sub V's his big old monster PA! LOL

Yeah the £200 difference seems to get you a lot more features and flexibility. Saying that, we likely won't use a lot of that flexibility once it is initially set up. Some A&H uses may well use a desk like this with multiple bands and locations but ours will be the same line up in quite similar venues. I do like the 'idiot' set up whereby it auto sets input and monitors it + feedback suppression.

Yes, I think you see my dilemma and the balance between options are slim. My choice of mixer is probably leaning toward the A&H, more of a learning curve but greater flexibility. I'm also almost sure that I'll go QSC + sub, rather than x2 larger full range and no sub. The cost to the band will be diminished and theoretically it is almost as easy to transport 2 small tops and medium bin (the bin on a dolly need never be lifted higher than a car boot), than 2 larger tops. My band for the last 10 years has used a pair of 15" 7 series RCFs (with everything going through, for the last year or two) and it did OK but I was never happy with the vocal clarity/quality; part of my reasoning.

Absolutely but with consumer electronics being as cheap as this I'd envisage other frequencies will be migrated to and new Lekato (or similar) products will follow. I'm defo not saying that these units are the mutts nuts or of the exact same quality as say the Shure units... they aren't. However, if you are using them in pubs/clubs etc and you are ensuring you pack them away carefully after use, they do a job at less than a 1/10th of the price.

Sounds like a similar line up but we can't play the venues we do without at least the kick through the PA. I have the option to go without backline (IEM) which saves me transporting PA and backline but realistically I'll not put bass through the PA at small venues.

I use these and at the price it is silly not to! I get no notable latency (no worse than standing a few feet from my cabs if I use them) and I'm told you get distortion but tbh if you keep the various gain levels appropriate I don't hear it.

They would be great speakers but I was already 90% sure that my QSC 10's + a sub are the way for us to go.

Agree but the cheap 5.8ghz don't seem to suffer.

Yes, I was leaning to the 10's + sub option for these reasons but I did wonder if 15's on poles (no sub) might have enough 'bottom end' to do the band justice.

I had considered the 7 series but at £400 more between four of us, the 9 series seemed a better option. The band I've not long since left used the 7 series 15" with the vocal, kick, snare, bass and guitar all be handled without a sub, so I know it can work but I do wonder if my QSC 10's + a sub would be better.

I find myself in a position where I'm resurrecting a former band (pub rock'ish' covers); 4 piece vocal/acoustic, guitar/vocal, bass/vocal, drums... and we need a PA! Other than the pair of QSC K10's and a single RCF310 that I own, we have no PA. I'll say from the off that I've known the guys in the band for 30 years and they are 'friends' so I don't envisage fall out re. ownership as and when the band folds (they all have to). I now have to guide and advise the lads on what we buy. I've had a few thoughts and come to a couple of conclusions but it is always good to get fresh eyes/brains on my meanderings. I don't want to go the X12/16 wi-fi interface type 'desk' hence my preferred 2 options for a mixer. Speakers suggested by me are indicative of the kind of budget and quality that I am considering. Sub can not be overly large/heavy as someone is humping it in/out of the car at home. Guitarist has a boutique valve combo which he has to use but I'm happy to use my amp/cab(s) or go Pre/pedals/PA if need be. Option 1 (all new not using any of my gear) Mixing desk £500 (ZoomL12) or £700 (A&H CQ12) X 2 tops £800 (per speaker) (RCF 932 or other options) X 1 bin (optional) £750 (RCF 702 but open to other considerations) X 1 monitor £300 - option to get everyone to buy IEM and run mixes from separate outs on desk. Leads £300 X12 @ £25 Lights £280 4 bar Option 2 (using my 10" QSC tops x1 RCF monitor) Mixing desk £500 (ZoomL12) or £700 (A&H CQ12) X 1 bin £750 (RCF 702) Option to get everyone to buy IEM and run mixes from separate outs on desk. Leads £300 X12 @ £25 Lights £280 4 bar Setting aside the costing sharing, as that is something we'd need to iron out as I potentially (Option 2) own part of the gear already, I suppose I need to decide if a pair of good, full range 12" or 15" tops would be as good for 'most' of our pub gigs as using a sub with my QSC 10" tops. I'm trying to ensure I think through options, hence typing out my process. Views based on real life similar use, for PA cabs or a sub would be appreciated. Ta muchly!

I've an inherent distrust of units that rely on wi-fi to operate. Added to which, the band that this will be used with will effectively want to plug into and leave it to me to sort out and monitor mixes will be set once and forget. I like the idea that the A&H has auto functions which will set and monitor gain settings and feedback suppression (especially as I'm playing on stage when 'stuff' might need sorting).

Yep. I've not owned a 'full band' PA for 20 years but researching it this week, I can get a laptop sized mixing desk for £500-£800 that can do stuff that Pro studios spent £10,000's on 20 years ago!

Just when I think the Zoom L12 is what will do for us... I check out the CQ12.

VERY generous... you have a message (somewhere/elsewhere).

Zombie resurrection! I'm likewise thinking an L12 will suit my (zombie) resurrected band project; have you any further thoughts/regrets re. this Ped? I could go the full digi interface but I'd utilise 10% of the capability 90% of the time, this just seems to be the logical extension from a trad analogue mixer... as used by old folk!