Speaker review and comparison: QSC KW153 vs. EV ZXa5
I went to a local music store and demo'ed the new QSC KW153. It is an all wood cabinet, 3-way powered full-range speaker. I wanted to hear this unit in comparison to my Electrovoice ZXa5s. The EVs serve me well but for events where extra vocals are needed, I feel a 3-way top will give me the best possible sound.
The sales guy had the mixer set up with my speaker on one slider and the KW153 on the other. The EQ was flat and the KW153 was set to NORMAL / FLAT mode. My ZXa5 were running in full-range mode. We played several tracks from Miles Davis to George Benson to Outkast. The output volume difference was easily apparent. As far as sound, I felt the EV had a very pronounced mid-range sound. The mids were a lot more pronounced than those of the KW153. When pushed to high volumes, the EVs seemed to break up in the highs area. With the QSCs, the sound was more even or flat and I noticed the highs did not break upon the same songs where the EV had. There was a very acoustical George Benson song off the "That's Right" album where his vocals and cymbals come in together. I could hear the distinction and clarity of the cymbals on the KW153 where the EVs sounded overly harsh on those sections. The sales guy was being a little too easy on the KW153s volume levels so I had him crank them up to levels where the limiter began to kick in. The perceived output of the EVs was still louder overall but the clarity and overall better sound would go the the QSC 3-way. I like the fact that the KW153s have a pole mount and are still somewhat manageable at 87 lbs.
I would get the KW153 but I would not replace my EVs to get them. I'd prefer my EVs in gigs where a sub is not needed and I'm dealing with 2 tops and 2 sticks. The ZXa5s are 90 degrees and that helps for most wedding venues I deal with. If I'm running a full system with tops and my 2 subs, I'd prefer the KW153s for their clarity and detail. The pattern control on the KW153s are 75 degrees so that should help to focus the sound out a little further. The KW153 has nicely placed handles and a proper squat lift should not cause me problems. It actually seemed like a comfortable lift for me.
The music store did not have the KW152s there because if they did, I doubt they would sound better and definitely not louder than the EVs. I did not listen to the KW153s too long in their DEEP mode. Their bottom end was not overly impressive as a stand alone speaker. I would be using these tops with a pair of Danley TH-118 subs anyway so that low end wouldn't be necessary.
The sales guy had the mixer set up with my speaker on one slider and the KW153 on the other. The EQ was flat and the KW153 was set to NORMAL / FLAT mode. My ZXa5 were running in full-range mode. We played several tracks from Miles Davis to George Benson to Outkast. The output volume difference was easily apparent. As far as sound, I felt the EV had a very pronounced mid-range sound. The mids were a lot more pronounced than those of the KW153. When pushed to high volumes, the EVs seemed to break up in the highs area. With the QSCs, the sound was more even or flat and I noticed the highs did not break upon the same songs where the EV had. There was a very acoustical George Benson song off the "That's Right" album where his vocals and cymbals come in together. I could hear the distinction and clarity of the cymbals on the KW153 where the EVs sounded overly harsh on those sections. The sales guy was being a little too easy on the KW153s volume levels so I had him crank them up to levels where the limiter began to kick in. The perceived output of the EVs was still louder overall but the clarity and overall better sound would go the the QSC 3-way. I like the fact that the KW153s have a pole mount and are still somewhat manageable at 87 lbs.
I would get the KW153 but I would not replace my EVs to get them. I'd prefer my EVs in gigs where a sub is not needed and I'm dealing with 2 tops and 2 sticks. The ZXa5s are 90 degrees and that helps for most wedding venues I deal with. If I'm running a full system with tops and my 2 subs, I'd prefer the KW153s for their clarity and detail. The pattern control on the KW153s are 75 degrees so that should help to focus the sound out a little further. The KW153 has nicely placed handles and a proper squat lift should not cause me problems. It actually seemed like a comfortable lift for me.
The music store did not have the KW152s there because if they did, I doubt they would sound better and definitely not louder than the EVs. I did not listen to the KW153s too long in their DEEP mode. Their bottom end was not overly impressive as a stand alone speaker. I would be using these tops with a pair of Danley TH-118 subs anyway so that low end wouldn't be necessary.
Posted by Channel Live Productions at 9/14/2010 2:23 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Electrovoice QSC KW series
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Electrovoice QSC KW series
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