QSC K12
Gearank High Notes – QSC K12 Speakers Review
This appeared on our recommended list for Powered PA Speakers when we first published it in January 2016, and it remained there until it was replaced on our list by the new QSC K12.2 in December 2017.
Overview
The K12 was the biggest and the loudest of the three sub $1000 original K Series powered speakers from QSC, with a max SPL of 131 dB.
I have processed thousands of review sources for Gearank, and rarely have I seen a product that is so consistently raved about by its owners as I have just now while researching the QSC K12 12″ Powered PA Speaker.
It’s popular with bands, DJs, and audio engineers for use both as an FOH speaker and a stage monitor, but be careful as XLR plugs/cables sometimes fall out when using them in the floor wedge position. It’s important to note that these were more expensive than many other options available (you could get some for close to half the price), which makes the high ratings it received even more impressive than they would ordinarily be.
It provides a total of 1000 watts via the Class D amplifiers and can peak at 2000 watts.
It has built-in DSP (Digital Signal Processing), which performs a range of functions to keep the sound crisp and clear across a wide range of frequencies and volumes – one proprietary function is DEEP (Digital Extension and Excursion Processing) which allows it to produce low frequencies at volumes not usually associated with a speaker enclosure as small as this – some people even report they get a similar response to using a subwoofer.
It features a 12″ LF driver that is housed in a bigger cabinet, which makes it heavy yet reasonably portable.
Another nifty feature of the QSC K12 is its dual-angle pole socket, which lets you angle the speaker downwards by 7.5 degrees.
High-frequency and Low-frequency EQ switches are available for fine-tuning the sound to your preference, its most prominent feature being Voice Boost, which is ideal for speeches and for emphasizing vocals.
When analyzing reviews, I looked hard to find negative comments about the QSC K12. There were some, but there are few who consistently reported the same issue – there were a few DJs that reported that they were hitting the power limit, but this seemed to be because they weren’t using the correct inputs for the power level their mixer was putting out.
A thoughtful feature is that the power cable clips into place and can’t be removed without depressing a release button – you don’t have to worry about the power cable falling out when you’re driving the speakers hard.
Tech Specs – QSC K12 Speakers Review
- LF Driver: 12″ Cone, 4″ Voice-coil
- HF Driver: 1.75″ Diaphragm Compression
- Amplifier: Bi-amplified Class D
- Output Power Peak: 2000W (1000W LF, 1000W HF)
- Output Power Continuous: : 1000W (500W LF, 500W HF)
- Frequency Response: 52Hz – 18kHz (-6dB) | 48Hz – 20kHz (-10dB)
- Maximum Peak SPL: 131dB
- Crossover Frequency: 2kHz
- Enclosure: ABS Thermoplastic
- Mounting: Pole, Floor Wedge, Fly
- Inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS Combo, 2 x RCA
- Outputs: 2 x XLR (Direct), 1 x XLR (Line)
- Controls: LF Switch (Ext Sub, Norm, Deep), HF (Vocal Boost, Flat), Front LED (Power, Limit, Off), Mic/Line Switch, Gain A & B Knobs, Power Switch
- Dimensions: 23.7″ × 14″ × 14″
- Weight: 41 lbs.
| Website | Source | *Rating Value |
| Rex and the Bass | Rex | 94/100 |
| Audiofanzine | stompboxjon | 100/100 |
| Audiofanzine | djnysos | 60/100 |
Demo – QSC K12 vs QSC K12 Comparison Review
The following video provides an excellent overview of the comparison between the QSC K12 and the current iteration K12.2:
My K12s has it’s limit light on permanently. No sound would come out and I have never went over 0db on both inputs. Any thing I can do to fix it?
Hello, excellent your site. I think you should educate people between equipment from real manufacturers (those who produce their loudspeakers) and equipment from assemblers (those who don’t make their loudspeakers). Indeed, with real integrated manufacturers like JBL or RCF, there is the certainty of obtaining very quickly and for many years the equipment to be renewed following a breakage or seniority. More than 80% of brands only do assembly. QSC is a manufacturer of amplifiers, and has never made a single loudspeaker. More seriously, the subcontractor who manufactures the loudspeakers for QSC is not indicated on any instructions.
We have 2 x QSC 12 speakers for foh,,,,can these speakers be doubled up to run 2 x QSC speakers per side or even 3 per side without causing problems with sound cancellation?
Did you try it? 4years later, probably,buf I did put 2 k12 on each side last Summer with two big sub. It was very very nice. It was outside and the reach was crazy.