HK Audio or QSC

[zoltronix]

Hi guys I'm new to the forum but are looking for a bit of advice on which speaker to go for next. My usual setup is a HK Audio Elias which has given me many years of good service until recently.

 

 

The system recently developed a fault with the left channel and getting it fixed was major problem as the repair engineer had great difficulty sourcing a part as the part numbers had been removed from the top of the components which has put me off a little. The system has since been repaired and is as good as new.

 

 

I have recently set my eyes on a QSC system this being a pair of K12's paired with a pair of k-subs.

 

 

Out of interest which would you guys go for or is there anything else out there which could give similar power outputs and SPL for around £3500 I have sourced the QSC system for that price on the web for a new units.

 

 

I work as a mobile DJ and I do prefer a high quality sound, to be honest I think the QSC system seems more impressive on paper.

 

 

Your thoughts guys..

 

 

 

 

 

Lee

[Doug Siddons]

Let your ears decide.

 

If you haven't heard the QSC then it s a no brainer. For my money I would stick with your HK system and spend the £3500 on a great holiday.

[mervaka]

The system has since been repaired and is as good as new.

 

I'm with Doug, though I'd stay at home and stare at the money :)

 

What's the reason for a change of system? As you've said, it's given you years of good service. With repairs completed, what's to say that won't now continue?

[S&L]

Neither system is in my price range - more is the pity but I have had a similar problem - well same only different - I know what spares I need but have had a bugger of a job getting hold of them - my solution when I HAVE got hold of them is to stockpile - an extra cabinet here an extra diaphragm there - maybe a lateral solution to your problem would be to stockpile likely and unlikely spares and to that end research what spares you may need while the system is in good health. - now in fairness I have back ups for most things and my amps are not on board my speakers which makes keeping spares for those speakers more cost effective. I HAVE to work this way at the moment because I don't have the capital for a better system - but you can buy one hell of a lot of diaphragms and crossovers for the price of a better system. worrying whether something falls over in the field is always going to be a concern and only you can decide whether you can live with that (don't we all have a doomsday back up plan?!) or whether reliability trumps economy

[zoltronix]

Thanks for the comments guys, the reason I ask is I do need a backup system as my HK system failed at a gig, it wasn't a major failure as it was the left side but it opened my eyes at what can happen in the field.

 

At the moment I have a little money to spend and where mainly looking at a different brand.

[mervaka]

I carry a QSC HPR system (among others) but I also carry a couple of replacement compression drivers. In the four years I've had it, I've had two diaphragms pop, both at the hands of other people (guest engineer and DJ). It happens, so carry spares. If you still want to buy a second system, I can only say good things about QSC, though I haven't tried the K/KW ranges yet.

[zoltronix]

I have heard also lots of good comments about QSC and not so much good stuff recently about HK since they changed a couple of the LUCAS ranges a couple of years back, and more recently from the guy who did the repair on my system tells me he has come across it many times part numbers being deliberatley scratched off components such as cap and transistors in an effort he states can only to prevent other companies other than HK doing repairs on equipment, don't know if I should believe that but its not the first time I have heard it mentioned when I was looking for someone to repair my system as repairers who I had previously used to service other equipment of mine would not touch the HK with a barge pole.

 

So now I am beginning to wonder if another brand would better suit me. Until a couple of months ago I had never heard about the QSC brand but now realise they are one of the bigger brands, was also looking at mackie but quickly changed my mind some of their stuff can be a little big, and it was the compactness I am looking for.