QSC - New K12.2 vs Original K12

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
The math says there's something you're missing. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. These 2 are not competitors. You can't sell anything that compares to a lamborghini for less than 1/2 the price of a lamborghini. You can't buy a mansion on a trailer budget .. and you can't get QSC K12.2 performance out of a speaker less than 1/2 the price.

My QSC's have never failed. Period. That's enough for me to be a repeat customer. I have heard of Alto failures. Combined with the low price point and the knowledge that you can't get something for nothing, that's enough for me to not even attempt it.

That is not true. I could purchase a Corvette ZR1 for way less than half the price of a Lamborghini, and would have a car that is able to beat it in the 1/4 mile and hold it's own in out on the race course. :)

Performance wise a Corvette ZR1 holds it's own against any Lamborghini. Also, Lamborghinis are known for catching fire out of the rear mounted engine while in use. Seems to be a factory defect that was never fixed. Plenty of videos of Lamborghinis catching fire. Love the look of a Lambo though!


QSC are work horse speakers. Do you want speakers that will last 7 or more years, or speakers that might have similiar output, but are likely to last a smaller length of time? ...Of course you could easily buy another pair of Altos again and still spend less money too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat
A stock Corvette will never outrun a stock Lambo. Not in a million years. Corvettes are known for catching fire as well and there are plenty of videos about it. I would much rather place my money on something I can buy once and I know will perform and last instead of something that has 'similar' output and is likely to last a shorter length. Why would I want to buy something all over again if I can spend a little more and not worry about it?
 
I could also purchase a Tesla Model X for $79.500, and beat any Lamborhini in the 1/4 mile. :cool::p
 
A stock Corvette will never outrun a stock Lambo. Not in a million years. Corvettes are known for catching fire as well and there are plenty of videos about it. I would much rather place my money on something I can buy once and I know will perform and last instead of something that has 'similar' output and is likely to last a shorter length. Why would I want to buy something all over again if I can spend a little more and not worry about it?

Corvettes are known for lasting much longer, and able to drive many, many more miles than a Lamborghini. Lamborghini is not a practical car for longevity, or daily driving. They only last long sitting in a garage most of it's life.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat
Corvettes are known for lasting much longer, and able to drive many, many more miles than a Lamborghini. Lamborghini is not a practical car for longevity, or daily driving. They only last long sitting in a garage most of it's life.

I think the Lamborghini/Corvette analogy to QSC/Alto isn’t valid. Lamborghini’s are notoriously unreliable and cost a FORTUNE to repair and maintain. They are a rich man’s car. QSC’s are EXTREMELY reliable and require no special maintenance or care. Frankly, the Corvette would be more analogous to the QSC. Problem is; the Corvette IS the world’s cheapest super car. There is nothing comparable at half or a third of the price that you could use as the analogy for an Alto. So the (super) car analogy simply does not work for speakers.[emoji1] Maybe try it with luxury sedans?[emoji4]
 
From QSC ... https://www.qsc.com/resource-files/productresources/spk/k.2/q_spk_k2_faq.pdf

Q. What is the main difference between legacy K and K.2 Series?

A. There are many differences:

* K.2 amp has over twice the Peak power of legacy K with more efficient distribution of power (1800 W for the LF + 225W for the HF).
* K.2 has more powerful DSP, and now includes user adjustable crossover, delay & EQ
* K.2 has an LCD display with advanced functionality and control
* K.2 has HI-Z (high impedance) inputs for passive instruments
* K.2 has a dual pole-cup for improved Center-of-Gravity
* K.2 8-inch model (K8.2) can be used as a floor monitor
* K.2 has a cloth-lined grill for a more elegant look
* K.2 has a 3.5mm (1/8”) mini-jack input
* K.2 has independent gain controls for each of the three (3) inputs
* K.2 has a shallower monitor angle (55 degrees) on all models.
 
How do we continue to get into these Alto versus other speaker debates in thread after thread?[emoji1] I believe the QSC K2 is a fine speaker, and I also believe it to be reasonably priced for what you get. I just think the Alto TS speakers are a BARGIN for what you get. As pointed out earlier, you can buy almost 3 TS312’s for the price of one K12. That’s more than enough to offset the difference in failure rate, if you were just doing a risk analysis. I don’t know how they’re able to deliver the product they do at the price they sell for and stay in business, [emoji1]... but they do. Even QSC has figured out a way to build and sell a great speaker at a much lower price (with the CP line), so it CAN be done. I think attempts to compare Alto’s to Gemini, Harbinger, and even Mackie Thumps is not really fair. If you REALLY look at them and listen to them (objectively), the Alto’s are SIGNIFICANTLY better in every aspect. They’re not QSC’s for sure, but I don’t think they’re trying to be.
 
Last edited:
Sound quality and product quality are not the same. No doubt Altos can sound good. My doubts are in a $300 speaker having the necessary build quality to stand up to typical mobile use. My spidey sense says they must be babied to survive (as my Behringer gear had to be). SO, bargain for sound quality .. less so for overall value (in my opinion).

The QSC CP seines has corners cut from the K/K.2 .. something goes when you cut out 40% of the price. They also have a 1 yr warranty vs. 6 yr for the K/K.2.

(edited to correct CP warranty to 1 year)
 
Last edited:
...The QSC CP seines has corners cut from the K/K.2 .. something goes when you cut out 40% of the price. They also have a 1 yr warranty vs. 6 yr for the K/K.2.

(edited to correct CP warranty to 1 year)

Yep.. that difference in the warranty is probably worth (at least) $100 less in cost right there. Alto’s also have 1 year warranties. I was cautious and bought extended warranties on all my speakers, but it was STILL less than buying more expensive speakers with longer warranties. Doesn’t mean the speaker’s gonna fail sooner than one with a longer warranty. I never needed to use the 1 year OR the extended warranties on any of the 6 Alto speakers I sold back to GC during the 3+ years of use... AND, I won’t say I “babied” them. I did keep them in pristine condition by simply using padded speaker bags, and not trying to drive them harder than their limits. [emoji4]
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve149
Specifications are only a starting point - and unfortunately in the DJ world, usually a poor staring point. A statement like "132 dB @ 1 M, peak - 126 dB @ 1 M, continuous" is meaningless without an associated "percent distortion" measurement. Just how many cigarette filters do I have to stick in my ears when I crank these things?

At least the highs are horn loaded, but the lows and lower mids are limited by how much air that 12" direct radiator driver can couple to, regardless of what kind of amp powers it. Physics Rules!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat
From a practical SR standpoint there really is no big difference between the K and the K.2 save for the DSP features. Howver, the DSP features are already available via most modern digital boards - so, the real advantage is to be able to delay, EQ, etc. locally at the speaker when you're stuck daisy chaining off an already established matrix.
 
Let me help you with that:

QSC K series still with working in 20 years
Alto TS312s See you at Guitar Center for next sale.

Who (besides BUDGET DJ’s) even keeps speakers 20 years???... Anyone on this forum still using the same speakers they used 20 years ago??? As fast as things change, you’re lucky to use the same speakers as long as it takes to them to fully depreciate. Most will be obsolete before that!!![emoji1]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Ricky B
As fast as things change, you’re lucky to use the same speakers as long as it takes to them to fully depreciate. Most will be obsolete before that!!!
Not if you've got a pair of Hill Plasmatronics!
Reviews | hillplasmatronics.com - (http://hillplasmatronics.com/?page_id=134)

Get rid of that ridiculously heavy Titanium diaphragm and replace it with some lightweight ionized Helium gas! Plasma me buckaroos!!
Frankly, anyone who thinks the weight, heat dissipation, and lethal ionizing voltage is a wimp - especially when playing The Doors "Light My Fire" !
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat
I got three of them! I keep the extra one in the closet right next to my flux capacitor, in case I need to go back and get more of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Handinon
Corvettes are known for lasting much longer, and able to drive many, many more miles than a Lamborghini. Lamborghini is not a practical car for longevity, or daily driving. They only last long sitting in a garage most of it's life.
A high mileage corvette is worthless and any vehicle will last long sitting in a garage. You won't find a valuable high mileage lambo. Regardless, my point was simply that a Lambo costs more because of the engineering - and this is true. If your lambo get wrecked, they will fly someone from Italy to re hand lay the fiberglass body. As pointed out, this is not a fair analogy.

You have to understand at some level that generally, the higher the price is on something, the more engineering and development has gone into it. I have no worries about my K series performing at any event. Several people (to include you) have had issues with the Alto's turning off during an event. That's not a risk I personally want to give to my customers nor to be associated with nor attached to my name. Could it happen with any driver? Sure could. The probability seems alot lower with the QSC. That lower probability costs money - and in my opinion, my customers are worth it.

Risk is what costs money. The more risk you accept, the lower the price is. The more risk you want the mfr/vendor to accept, the higher the price is.
 
A high mileage corvette is worthless and any vehicle will last long sitting in a garage. You won't find a valuable high mileage lambo. Regardless, my point was simply that a Lambo costs more because of the engineering - and this is true. If your lambo get wrecked, they will fly someone from Italy to re hand lay the fiberglass body. As pointed out, this is not a fair analogy.

You have to understand at some level that generally, the higher the price is on something, the more engineering and development has gone into it. I have no worries about my K series performing at any event. Several people (to include you) have had issues with the Alto's turning off during an event. That's not a risk I personally want to give to my customers nor to be associated with nor attached to my name. Could it happen with any driver? Sure could. The probability seems alot lower with the QSC. That lower probability costs money - and in my opinion, my customers are worth it.

Risk is what costs money. The more risk you accept, the lower the price is. The more risk you want the mfr/vendor to accept, the higher the price is.

In all fairness to Lamborghinis, they aren’t as unreliable as they used to be (since being under the Volkswagen umbrella). However, I’ll have to disagree with the part about being more expensive because of the amount of engineering. Lamborghini’s have historically been more expensive due to the LIMITED number built, and the fact that they were mostly built by hand. I doubt there’s much difference in the total number of hours that goes into the engineering of a Corvette than there is in a Lamborghini. The cost of materials between the two is probably quite different as well. But if you know you’re gonna sell your product for more than double the price of the Corvette, why not use more expensive materials?[emoji4]

I have never owned a Lamborghini, but I have owned two Corvettes. I LOVED them both... BEST cars I’ve ever owned. Rock solid reliable, GREAT performance, and 30 MPG on the highway. I’d still have one if I lived where there was no ice or snow. Corvettes suck when it comes to winter road conditions.[emoji1]
 
Last edited:
Who (besides BUDGET DJ’s) even keeps speakers 20 years???... Anyone on this forum still using the same speakers they used 20 years ago??? As fast as things change, you’re lucky to use the same speakers as long as it takes to them to fully depreciate. Most will be obsolete before that!
That would most certainly be your experience if you buy Altos or other cheap speakers.
Of course, we find premium bands installed in all kinds of entertainment venues that remain and perform perfectly for decades.
 
That would most certainly be your experience if you buy Altos or other cheap speakers.
Of course, we find premium bands installed in all kinds of entertainment venues that remain and perform perfectly for decades.

But of course you just avoided the question (as you always do when you’re wrong). The question was; Anyone on this forum still using the same speakers they used 20 years ago? It was implied, for mobile DJ use.[emoji4]
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger
How about 14 years old?

Fender ACE-12.jpg

Fender ACE-12. Maybe the ugliest speaker ever made!! However, they are built like the proverbial brick outhouse, and everything (including the tweeter for replacing the diaphragm) is removable from the front. Still used for dragging around to outdoor gigs. I've replaced the original woofers with Eminence neo magnet models to reduce weight - the old woofers still worked fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger