QSC K12.2 for bass (and guitar)

[Kiwi]

As much as I love my current set up for bass (Shuttles into Fearless F112s), I'm wondering what moving across to a QSC K12.2 set up for bass and guitar might be like via my Kemper Stage.  I know at least one BC has been using one as their rig and it even has a bass amp specific eq option. 

Have any other members tried one in a gigging context?  What were your thoughts? 

[WinterMute]

I've had one for a couple of years, it's a brilliant bit of kit provided you treat it as a PA monitor and don't expect it to behave like a standard bass cab.

 

I didn't like the bass specific EQ preset and run mine in full range mode, which is to say no EQ in the pre-amp. I run a Quad Cortex and do all the tone modelling in that, just using the QSC as a dedicated PA.

 

I replaced a BF Big Twin T and QSC power amp with the K12.2 and while it doesn't have the absolute grunt of a BF cab, it's plenty loud enough to deal with a hard hitting drummer in rehearsals, and is an easy set-up for a PA guy, you just send the XLR to FoH, instant bass tone.

 

I put it on the floor in front of me like a monitor, but there's nothing to say you couldn't put it behind you on a stand if you need backline style amplification onstage. 

 

I think its a cracking bit of kit, handles 5 string very well.

 

Edited January 6 by WinterMute
typo

[warwickhunt]

I ran/run the smaller K10 and it does a sterling job.  I don't use it with a modeller, I run an analogue bass preamp pedal into it; one line feeds the QSC and the other goes direct to PA.  However, I also run an aux back from the PA desk to the QSC 2nd input and I can then blend a mix of PA feed with pure bass feed... ideal for 'more of me'!  

 

When I do use it I find that putting it on a PA stand/pole at the side of the stage at ear level gives me a perfect point of sound source (no wedge style firing at the knees or back of legs).

 

The 10" model has a wider dispersion pattern than the 12" and the 10" can handle pretty much anything you put through it without complaining/farting.

[Kiwi]

55 minutes ago, warwickhunt said:

The 10" model has a wider dispersion pattern than the 12" and the 10" can handle pretty much anything you put through it without complaining/farting.

I'm most likely to use a QSC K series as a wedge floor monitor (similar to the Fearless cabs) and I'm lucky enough to be able to insist on PA support for the venue we are in so directionality isn't such an issue.  But it could be for rehearsals. 

For guitar, my current guitar cabs (loaded with neo Creambacks) have a very narrow field of dispersion and, without PA support, it makes the mix extremely uneven from within the audience.  You're either in the line of fire, so to speak, or you can barely hear a thing.  So maybe the K10's would be a better option.

 

OTOH I've tried the Kemper into the Aux In of my Shuttles (power amp only) and it sounded surprisingly fantastic with good dispersal and articulation for both bass and guitar.  But the Fearless cabs are a little unwieldy, I've baulked at taking them anywhere in a taxi but I do have my own storeroom at the venue so  I could just bring one amp and one F112 and leave it there.

 

It seems there's a bit to think about for the tradeoffs.

[Chopthebass]

What’s the rms output of the K12.2? 
they quote 2000w peak. So 500w rms?

[-asdfgh2-]

18 hours ago, Chopthebass said:

What’s the rms output of the K12.2? 
they quote 2000w peak. So 500w rms?

Should be 1000W RMS? 4:1 is for PMPO and the like. Some manufacturers quote a sum of power amp for tweeter and woofer. For bass, I'd ignore the tweeter power amp Watts and just look at the LF side, which will be up to 2.5 or 3.5kHz for most PAs. So that 2000W might be 350W RMS for bass, or something like that. So I'd then check speaker efficiency and frequency response. My PA speakers are 95dB sensitivity but a typical 1x15 is 97 and up, especially for Barefaced. 3dB is noticeable.

[Jack]

On 09/01/2025 at 19:56, Chopthebass said:

What’s the rms output of the K12.2? 
they quote 2000w peak. So 500w rms?

I dunno, they're as capable as any other decent 1x12 bass cab though.