First impressions of the Polar 12's

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!

Jeff Romard

Administrator
Staff member
ODJT Supporter
Sep 4, 2006
21,838
21,391
53
Sydney, Nova Scotia
I picked up the first Polar 12 this week the second is on order it should be in this week, I'll post more as time goes on but here are a few quick first thoughts

I used one in a hall that was about 70X40. I couldn't find my XLR splitter so I ran two wires from the mixer to the two inputs of the Polar and set the gains.

Things I like:

Using one was more than enough sound for this particular room. I probably wasn't using half of what I had. It didn't really look out of place using one so this is a definite option for smaller venues.

The clarity impressed me. These are probably the clearest sounding speakers I've ever used.

Extremely loud when pushed

The Bass is OK. It seems much better when there is people in the room

They actually weigh more than the NX55s but are very easy to carry.

The only thing I found I didn't like so far is that you can't see the limit light unless you are standing over the screen. I don't think this is going to be a problem especially when using two I can't imagine pushing them that hard.

I'm using one in a much larger venue tonight I'll report back tomorrow
 
I was quite impressed with the demo in the show room. All of the other big players lined up on the same wall. Just don't need anymore equipment but Would be nice to have two in the arsenal . No need to buy covers is a plus.
 
You can always pan left or right on the mixer if you only feed one channel from your outboard mixer. Just want to make sure you are running mono. I found the same thing with the bass, it peaks early but I was able to get more headroom by just slightly turning down the sub. How was the throw on them? I still haven't had a chance to test them out in the wild?
 
Last edited:
So I still only have one the other was back ordered and should be in next week. I've used the one 4 times each place a bit bigger than the one before. The last place I did find it dropped off a bit near the end of the hall but it may have been because of the spot I had to setup I was in a corner with tables not too far in front of me

Tomorrow night I am in a hall much bigger than the others but very wide open. I've been weighing what I should do all week. I think I could do it with one I also had the options of the Yorkville system I still have or the JBL passive system but I ran in to a friend of mine in the business earlier this week. He was asking about the 12s as he has the 10s. When I told him I only have 1 he offered up his 10's for the night as he was using another system tomorrow night so I took him up on the offer. I'll be able to report back on the 10s and 12s
 
The Polar 12 arrived this week but the Bluetooth won't pair. In reality it's not a big problem but if that doesn't work I'm a little worried there could be something else not working too I will be exchanging it this week.

As for the polar 10's I ran them for a couple of hours in the smaller room that I talked about in this thread. they sounded really nice with bit less thump than the 12's the carry was good I was filling the room easily. I'm not sure if it's the dispersion, the clarity. or my ears but they just don't sound loud no matter how much I turn them up. At one point I was roughly 200 feet away through concrete walls and 2 sets of doors, one open, I could still clearly hear what was playing but returning to the room it seemed low. I pulled out the Db meter at the front of the speakers it was 104 Db at the back of the dance floor it was 103 and at the back of the room 99 so it was plenty loud.

All my gigs in November are in small rooms so I really won't get a good test of the 12s until December
 
That's a bummer about the Polar 12 and Bluetooth. I've always found Bluetooth finicky at random times and this is the main reason I went with Polar 10 instead of the Polar 8. RCA inputs for backup.

I was able to use the Polar 10 for cocktail hour duty. Filled the room with no problems and got complements from staff. I have not tested it at full tilt in a live gig setting.
 
Last edited:
@Jeff Romard Have you ever had a chance to listen to the evolve 30 or 50? Just wondering if these Polars through as much sound out the back as the evolves. I like the looks of these slim speakers, but the evolves just project too much sound behind them for me. I'd have to wear ear plugs. I'd be interested in these depending on how the sound is behind them (assuming you have them near either side of your booth).
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
@Jeff Romard Have you ever had a chance to listen to the evolve 30 or 50? Just wondering if these Polars through as much sound out the back as the evolves. I like the looks of these slim speakers, but the evolves just project too much sound behind them for me. I'd have to wear ear plugs. I'd be interested in these depending on how the sound is behind them (assuming you have them near either side of your booth).
I have heard them both but not in the field. I do see what you mean And I suspect it’s the same with a small Line arrays due to the wider dispersion. Most pro speakers are about 90 degrees dispersion the line arrays are generally 120 or more. I find with the Polars it’s much clearer behind the speaker than my Yorkies were
 
Last edited: