Electro-Voice PXM-12MP report

[Greg Ferguson]

Anyone ever compare the EV's with the QSCK12.2? The specs are similar but not the same, QSC seems to have a bit more frequency width and power. But not sure if that matter. I am struggling with deciding on an FRFR speaker to replace my OLD Alesis Studio Monitors. I don't mind spending the money but my problem is I don't know what either product sound like as nothing is ever available locally anymore. Without hearing them I can't tell (1) how much of an improvement they would be over my current speakers (I assume a noticeable amount, but ...), and (2) whether I could tell the difference between the EV's and QSC's. The EV's are $100 less expensive.

A friend of mine uses a pair of the QSC and I have a pair of EV cabs. They have a little difference in the sound but both sound really good, and I could have lived with the sound of the QSC.

The difference for me was that the EV is a more flexible cabinet design, more of a traditional floor monitor that can be positioned for various angles and on its side to shoot at 90° or stacked, allowing it to work behind me or in front and because it's tipped back a bit more and has the coaxial speakers was easier to hear. IIRC, the EV is not quite as big making it easier to carry and transport. I worked with Studio Slips to design and build some carrying bags for them, which turned out really well.

The difference in their power is negligible, as it works out to a couple of dB at a point you'd already have damaged your hearing and should have been relying on the FOH system.

 

[SpudMan]

A friend of mine uses a pair of the QSC and I have a pair of EV cabs. They have a little difference in the sound but both sound really good, and I could have lived with the sound of the QSC.

The difference for me was that the EV is a more flexible cabinet design, more of a traditional floor monitor that can be positioned for various angles and on its side to shoot at 90° or stacked, allowing it to work behind me or in front and because it's tipped back a bit more and has the coaxial speakers was easier to hear. IIRC, the EV is not quite as big making it easier to carry and transport. I worked with Studio Slips to design and build some carrying bags for them, which turned out really well.

The difference in their power is negligible, as it works out to a couple of dB at a point you'd already have damaged your hearing and should have been relying on the FOH system.

Thanks, I am leaning towards the EV's. I wish I knew for sure if the sound would be an improvement for me, but I guess one has to rely on faith a bit. I would be going from stereo to mono, but for me that doesn't make much difference.

 

[Greg Ferguson]

Thanks, I am leaning towards the EV's. I wish I knew for sure if the sound would be an improvement for me, but I guess one has to rely on faith a bit. I would be going from stereo to mono, but for me that doesn't make much difference.

The QSC and the EV are different animals than the Alesis and are designed to be used differently. You can put the EV or QSC on stands, to more closely match the Alesis, but they're like apples and oranges, not peas and carrots.

If you're looking for a change in the sound, then yes, the QSC and EV will provide that. If you're looking at improving the sound and want to use them in a similar fashion, I'd look into making sure your current speakers are well EQ'd and the room is treated so they're putting out their best sound into a room that doesn't mess with the sound. The second path would be cheaper.

 

[SpudMan]

The QSC and the EV are different animals than the Alesis and are designed to be used differently. You can put the EV or QSC on stands, to more closely match the Alesis, but they're like apples and oranges, not peas and carrots.

If you're looking for a change in the sound, then yes, the QSC and EV will provide that. If you're looking at improving the sound and want to use them in a similar fashion, I'd look into making sure your current speakers are well EQ'd and the room is treated so they're putting out their best sound into a room that doesn't mess with the sound. The second path would be cheaper.

Good points. I am only using the Alesis monitors because I already had them lying around the house from many years ago when I used them for laptop speakers. They were never intended to be the solution for me.
i don't necessarily have an issue with the sound, in fact not really at all, I just can't imagine that there isn't a "better" solution than these old, cheap monitors I am using now.

 

[Greg Ferguson]

Good points. I am only using the Alesis monitors because I already had them lying around the house from many years ago when I used them for laptop speakers. They were never intended to be the solution for me.
i don't necessarily have an issue with the sound, in fact not really at all, I just can't imagine that there isn't a "better" solution than these old, cheap monitors I am using now.

K. Yes, then I'd go for upgrades. Both the QSC and EV sound really good, they're clear and punchy and do a good job of reproducing the sound of a preset.

 

[SpudMan]

K. Yes, then I'd go for upgrades. Both the QSC and EV sound really good, they're clear and punchy and do a good job of reproducing the sound of a preset.

I went ahead and ordered the EV. Hopefully it will be from the newer batch, but I doubt I would notice the issue people were talking about anyway. Thanks to you and everyone else for the advice.

 

[Greg Ferguson]

I went ahead and ordered the EV.

I think it's a good choice.

Hopefully it will be from the newer batch, but I doubt I would notice the issue people were talking about anyway. Thanks to you and everyone else for the advice.

When I talked to EV last year, they said they'd found and fixed the problem, and assured me that they had a fast turnaround for anyone needing to get it repaired. I never noticed the problem with my pair, and, given that so many places were having a hard time getting shipments, the storerooms and warehouses were probably depleted of all the old stock that might have had a problem. So the odds are really good yours will work perfectly.

And, in a real-world situation on a noisy stage, it's even less likely that anyone would ever notice the problem. We're generally too busy and there's too much competing noise. Besides, if it makes a noise, point to the drummer and tell them that something in their hardware is making a rattling noise and "Please fix it!".

 

[SpudMan]

I think it's a good choice.


When I talked to EV last year, they said they'd found and fixed the problem, and assured me that they had a fast turnaround for anyone needing to get it repaired. I never noticed the problem with my pair, and, given that so many places were having a hard time getting shipments, the storerooms and warehouses were probably depleted of all the old stock that might have had a problem. So the odds are really good yours will work perfectly.

And, in a real-world situation on a noisy stage, it's even less likely that anyone would ever notice the problem. We're generally too busy and there's too much competing noise. Besides, if it makes a noise, point to the drummer and tell them that something in their hardware is making a rattling noise and "Please fix it!".

Thanks again for the help. Now I just have to wait for it to ship/arrive!

 

[SpudMan]

I think it's a good choice.


When I talked to EV last year, they said they'd found and fixed the problem, and assured me that they had a fast turnaround for anyone needing to get it repaired. I never noticed the problem with my pair, and, given that so many places were having a hard time getting shipments, the storerooms and warehouses were probably depleted of all the old stock that might have had a problem. So the odds are really good yours will work perfectly.

And, in a real-world situation on a noisy stage, it's even less likely that anyone would ever notice the problem. We're generally too busy and there's too much competing noise. Besides, if it makes a noise, point to the drummer and tell them that something in their hardware is making a rattling noise and "Please fix it!".

Quick question: Do you have suggestions as to how to configure the speaker to start? I know that as I use it I will tweak settings and come up with what works best for me but if you have suggestions to start that would be appreciated. Not sure if this is bad but I will be using it on the floor with my FM3 in a room with carpet. Hopefully that doesn't cause issues. For example, do I choose Monitor of GuitarCab?

 

[Greg Ferguson]

Quick question: Do you have suggestions as to how to configure the speaker to start? I know that as I use it I will tweak settings and come up with what works best for me but if you have suggestions to start that would be appreciated. Not sure if this is bad but I will be using it on the floor with my FM3 in a room with carpet. Hopefully that doesn't cause issues. For example, do I choose Monitor of GuitarCab?

I use Monitor 2. Looking at the frequency graphs for the different settings it looked the flattest to me. The Guitar Cab setting turns off the tweeter IIRC, which isn't what you want, well, unless you want that. But, at that point, why buy the EV and not a regular powered speaker.

I'm not concerned that the speaker is perfectly flat, I just want it to be able to reproduce the sounds in a believable manner so the various amps sound similar to the real deal, and sound good. The sound of amps on record and through FOH live have usually been EQed to some extent so they're not exactly what they'd sound like standing in front of them with our ear at the cone's level. So I want to be in the ballpark.

 

[unix-guy]

For example, do I choose Monitor of GuitarCab?

I use Monitor 2.

Me too...

 

[SpudMan]

I use Monitor 2. Looking at the frequency graphs for the different settings it looked the flattest to me. The Guitar Cab setting turns off the tweeter IIRC, which isn't what you want, well, unless you want that. But, at that point, why buy the EV and not a regular powered speaker.

I'm not concerned that the speaker is perfectly flat, I just want it to be able to reproduce the sounds in a believable manner so the various amps sound similar to the real deal, and sound good. The sound of amps on record and through FOH live have usually been EQed to some extent so they're not exactly what they'd sound like standing in front of them with our ear at the cone's level. So I want to be in the ballpark.

Thanks, that helps a lot. Neutral is what I am looking for, so Monitor 2 it will be to start.

 

[Greg Ferguson]

Thanks, that helps a lot. Neutral is what I am looking for, so Monitor 2 it will be to start.

That profile will get you close. Beyond that you can use the DSP on the unit to try to get closer, and, on top of that, you could use the global EQ on the modeler to adjust the sound further. But, unless you're always in the same venue and/or your stage placement is the same, taking it to that point is going from being happy with good enough to needless worry about perfection in my opinion, because there are so many small details to nitpick about that it'd be exhausting.

 

[SpudMan]

That profile will get you close. Beyond that you can use the DSP on the unit to try to get closer, and, on top of that, you could use the global EQ on the modeler to adjust the sound further. But, unless you're always in the same venue and/or your stage placement is the same, taking it to that point is going from being happy with good enough to needless worry about perfection in my opinion, because there are so many small details to nitpick about that it'd be exhausting.

I think to start I will be fine with Monitor 2. Again, I appreciate the help there as not knowing any better I might have chosen GuitarCab, or if not, Monitor 1.
As I am not currently playing with others, I am pretty much in one place all the time. But, I am trying to build out my equipment to support gigging and/or just playing with others as I feel that is something I want to get back into. I am getting to the point where having the interaction with others is needed for continued improvement.
For now though, I am having so much fun learning the FM3 and refining my sound that I am in no rush.
I will likely play with the DSP settings though as my curiousity will for sure get the better of me.

 

[SpudMan]

That profile will get you close. Beyond that you can use the DSP on the unit to try to get closer, and, on top of that, you could use the global EQ on the modeler to adjust the sound further. But, unless you're always in the same venue and/or your stage placement is the same, taking it to that point is going from being happy with good enough to needless worry about perfection in my opinion, because there are so many small details to nitpick about that it'd be exhausting.

Got my speaker setup, just one as I didn't order two. I thought I had issues with feedback and noise but that was with a preset I created. I am now playing around with preset 004 and it seems better. Are there target or preferred goals for Master and Line Levels?

 

[aflynt]

I usually just set the line/mic knob to center and master on the PXM to 0 and adjust volume from the FM3 output knob. I use monitor 1 preset, flat eq. Pretty much default settings. Coming out of out1 on FM3 with that set up to +4db.

-Aaron

 

[SpudMan]

I usually just set the input knob and master on the PXM to 0 and adjust volume from the FM3 output knob. I use monitor 1 preset, flat eq. Pretty much default settings.

-Aaron

I'll give that a try. Others have suggested Monitor 2. Have you tried that?

 

[aflynt]

I'll give that a try. Others have suggested Monitor 2. Have you tried that?

Yes. That one sounds good to, but is just slightly too bassy/congested for my sound when played loud with the band. To me all the settings on the PXM sound really pretty good. Just different.

-Aaron

 

[SpudMan]

Yes. That one sounds good to, but is just slightly too bassy/congested for my sound when played loud with the band. To me all the settings on the PXM sound really pretty good. Just different.

-Aaron

Thanks, I will give Monitor 1 a try also.

 

[Greg Ferguson]

For reference, this is the frequency response graph for the EV PXM-12MP clipped from their documentation:



Notice that Tripod Mode is full-space (not against a wall or on the floor), and the others are half-space (against the floor with no wall behind it). Tripod Mode on the floor or against a wall would result in a different response.

I use Monitor 2 because it's about 3 dB until 2k then matches Monitor 1 until about 8k. I don't usually even do any special EQ, and I've been very happy with the sound.