HK Audio Powerworks Series

[Ben Lawrance]

Hi All,

 

What do people think of the Powerworks series from HK Audio?

 

As I understand it, they are cheap and cheerfull department of HK.

 

I have been specifically looking at the RS122M (Non powered version)

 

It is a dual purpose cab, and not all that expense for a 300w box. The questions I would like to know the answers of are:

 

What is it made of? Ply or MDF

Is it really 300watts?

What do they sound like for general speech/background music?

 

I have been on the powerworks website, but it is less than helpfull.

 

Kind Regards

 

Ben

[Matt Riley]

I think that you've got it just about right with the 'cheap and cheerful' comment. In this industry you unfortunately get what you pay for. I've used the 15" passive version in a theatre install, and I think it's fair to say that they struggled. They sound really quite ok, and no general complaints about the finish, but the sensitivity is very low, and you end up with what is really a rather quiet cab.

 

Sorry that I couldn't be more positive,

 

Matt

[StevieR]

Yeah, personally I would stay clear and save your money for something better. HK cabinets also have a consistency problem and you can sometimes get two similar cabs which sound different.

 

Steve

[savman]

I guess you could say the Powerworks would be ok for speech and background music. I'd not touch them for any serious use and I'd still think you could get a better speaker for a little extra cost.

[colebrooke]

Hi

They look like great value, most likely made from MDF, with cheap components. Probably sound fine at low volume, but I would fully expect them to sound really nasty when fed a 300W program. I would only use these if I was on an extremely tight budget - I normally suggest spending more on the speakers and less on everything else. I'm sure you or your client deserves better, ** laughs out loud **!

 

Cheers

Justin

 

http://www.soundtruth.co.uk

[paulears]

, most likely made from MDF, with cheap components. Probably sound fine at low volume, but I would fully expect them to sound really nasty when fed a 300W program.

http://www.soundtruth.co.uk

 

I always slag off kit I've never heard or used too!

 

Finish is tough, they sound quite light weight, but do not sound nasty when pushed.

 

Please comment on things you know, not suspect. I note you also recommended a mic in another thread you've never heard - very strange practice!

[bruce]

I know of a small church hall which has 4 of these units installed on wall brackets, in less-than-optimal positions. Main use is for speech/vocals and occasional karaoke and kids parties. They're perfectly adequate, and will go far louder than is required in that environment. They ain't "rock and roll", but it's not that sort of venue....

 

It certainly sounds a lot better than most "budget" kit that I've encountered.

[colebrooke]

, most likely made from MDF, with cheap components. Probably sound fine at low volume, but I would fully expect them to sound really nasty when fed a 300W program.

http://www.soundtruth.co.uk

 

I always slag off kit I've never heard or used too!

 

Finish is tough, they sound quite light weight, but do not sound nasty when pushed.

 

Please comment on things you know, not suspect. I note you also recommended a mic in another thread you've never heard - very strange practice!

 

Thanks, I stand corrected on those speakers! I was just communicating my views, in an effort to help! I'm just as interested to hear they sound OK at volume as anyone here. Regarding that mic, I have heard them but not used them myself.... so my suggestion was qualified. Anyway I will try an reign in my more controversial views as far as possible in the future :(

 

all the best

Justin

[Bobbsy]

Thanks, I stand corrected on those speakers! I was just communicating my views, in an effort to help! I'm just as interested to hear they sound OK at volume as anyone here. Regarding that mic, I have heard them but not used them myself.... so my suggestion was qualified. Anyway I will try an reign in my more controversial views as far as possible in the future :(

 

Personal views, even controversial ones, are always welcome on the Blue Room...as long as they're INFORMED opinions.

 

What paulears criticised you for was expressing a strong opinion on equipment you've never used, based simply on what you think it MIGHT be like. People often spend reasonable sums of money based, at least in part, on information they get in this forum...so it's everyone's responsibility to keep the views they express factual, not guesswork.

 

Bob

[colebrooke]

OK, many thanks for the guidelines. I'm fairly new to the whole forum thing!

 

cheers

Justin

[colebrooke]

Just an observation on the spec of the RS122M - sensitivity is listed as 101 dB 1W/1m, which would give a calculated maximal SPL of 125dB @ 300W. As far as I can see HK don't publish a measured max SPL for this speaker. Could that be because it's much lower than it should be?