Live Monitoring Worthy Of The Kronos

ShaneFF · Post by **ShaneFF** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 2:50 am

Hey,

I'm going to upgrade my live monitoring. Im going to get the best, trying to not let finance get in the way. But it does have to be reasonable compact, both for stage space and transport, so weight is also a factor. I also plan to setup in stereo like my current rig. ( I think a 10" speaker is preferable)

So far I have come up with a few possibilities and experiences or insights with any of these would be appreciated

Qsc K10
RCF 10-A
FBT promaxx 10a
Yamaha DXR10

roly D · Post by **roly D** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 3:21 am

I have the K10s and am very happy with them, albeit I have not used them at a gig yet - just rehearsing with my band, which does day pretty loud and the K10s still cut through.

ShaneFF · Post by **ShaneFF** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 3:26 am

roly D wrote:I have the K10s and am very happy with them, albeit I have not used them at a gig yet - just rehearsing with my band, which does day pretty loud and the K10s still cut through.

Yeah I have yet to hear anybody say anything negative about them? Can they really get down to do the lows? Have you used a bass synth or similar through it?

also are you running just one or in stereo?

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:01 am

In-ears. Nuff said.

ShaneFF · Post by **ShaneFF** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:05 am

SanderXpander wrote:In-ears. Nuff said.

I work in many different applications sometimes where my own amplification is the only amplification, so in ears are out.

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 8:20 am

That's a shame. I also have an RCF ART722A, which counts as a really good brand and one of their best plastic units too. I went the same route as you, basically. Yet the upgrade I got from going to in-ears is incredible.

The RCF is pretty good, I found it a little boomy around 100Hz but that's a common problem of plastic full range speakers. Either that or they have no low end at all. Since weight is an issue, I doubt you'll want to go for one of the more serious wood ones. With the Kronos you have enough possibilities to adapt for it anyways. It was terrible with my Nord Stage.

I also heard good things about the QSCs, but never tried them. I would in general advise to be careful of wanting a lot of low end in your monitors. While you ideally want to hear the full range of your instrument, in a monitoring situation on a loud stage it can actually work against you. I was pretty disappointed about the RCFs in that respect.

roly D · Post by **roly D** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:08 am

ShaneFF wrote:
roly D wrote:I have the K10s and am very happy with them, albeit I have not used them at a gig yet - just rehearsing with my band, which does day pretty loud and the K10s still cut through.
Yeah I have yet to hear anybody say anything negative about them? Can they really get down to do the lows? Have you used a bass synth or similar through it?

also are you running just one or in stereo?

I have been happy right through the range. I haven't run any really filthy fat bass synth as that is not really the gist of what I play.

I was only intending to get one to economise but I did a complementary overnight hire from my friendly music store and once I experienced full stereophonic bliss there was no way I could not get two!

johnxyz · Post by **johnxyz** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:37 am

Cant comment on the 10s. But I have a K12 for monitoring and find it works great. We also have DXR15s for our PA tops, and these sound slightly more rounded than the K12.

Not quite your scenario i know….

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:28 am

I use JBL Eon 10's (very old ones, I think about 15 years, but still working as new ... just more scratched).

There are also new JBL Eon's by the way, and I heard that 15" speakers mostly are better for lower sounds (which also includes low piano etc).
But of course it adds a lot to the weight.

ShaneFF · Post by **ShaneFF** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 3:15 pm

SanderXpander wrote:I also have an RCF ART722A, which counts as a really good brand and one of their best plastic units too. I went the same route as you, basically. Yet the upgrade I got from going to in-ears is incredible.

But is the art range not a step below the 10a?

roly D wrote: once I experienced full stereophonic bliss there was no way I could not get two!

I also will find it hard to go to mono monitoring

michelkeijzers wrote:There are also new JBL Eon's by the way, and I heard that 15" speakers mostly are better for lower sounds

I used a pair of the 12" eons before and I totally hated then so Im gonna rule them out

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 5:13 pm

I honestly don't know the 10A so I can't help you there. I know there's different series of the ARTs. I took the top one. Paid €1150 I think for the single 722A if that helps. And don't get me wrong; it's a pretty good speaker. Actually multiple sound companies commented on it, when I brought it to the gig, as "the best plastic speaker they knew". If I got another one it could easily double as a PA for small bands. Purely as a monitor though, it's a little too strong around 100Hz. Even apart from that, it was just an incredible upgrade to switch to in-ears. Much more than I would have thought beforehand. If money is not an object, I would definitely consider getting those too, for situations where you don't need monitors. I got the generic Shure ones, but the top one from that range. SE535 or ES535, for €379. Still a lot cheaper than molded ones, but they fit me perfectly and sound excellent.

Bruce Lychee · Post by **Bruce Lychee** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 6:45 pm

QSC K10s. Can't go wrong there.

ShaneFF · Post by **ShaneFF** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:08 am

I also forgot to mention I was looking at the nexo ps10, but they are kinda outside this category as they are underpowered!

Anyone have experience with them?

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:53 am

I also have the QSC K10 and love them. I will even hook them up to my ipod and use them on a jobsite as a a boom box, they have been very durable so far. I did try the 8, 10 and 12 with and without the bass cab. I choose the k10's becasue I do intend to add the bass cab some day and I thought they sounded better with than the k12's with cab. They do have a little fan in them and I can hear it in a quiet room but outside and such I don't hear it at all.

ShaneFF · Post by **ShaneFF** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 2:01 am

I also have the QSC K10 and love them. I will even hook them up to my ipod and use them on a jobsite as a a boom box, they have been very durable so far. I did try the 8, 10 and 12 with and without the bass cab. I choose the k10's becasue I do intend to add the bass cab some day and I thought they sounded better with than the k12's with cab. They do have a little fan in them and I can hear it in a quiet room but outside and such I don't hear it at all.

So you eventually intend on getting the k sub to go with them?[/quote]