Looking for lightweight active 10" speakers

[dickiefunk]

Hi,

I run sound for a number of different sized events from a single mic on stand for speech to full bands for audiences for around 400 people outdoors. I own a few different systems from three Alto TS210's - pair of FBT X-Lite 12a's - pair of Yamaha DXR15's + pair of QSC KW181 subs.

Over the past year or so I've been moving away from the larger events and mainly do sound for small acoustic acts and for speeches at corporate events etc. I haven't used the QSC KW181's for around 18 months and only used the DXR15's three times. For around 90% of my work I have just been using the Alto TS210's. These have been surprisingly good and I've used them for jazz trios and vocal ensembles where I've run piano, bass and 4 vocals through them at events with up to 100 people. One thing I've always been surprised at is how well these budget 10" speakers handle bass guitar. However, as more and more of my work just only requires 10" tops I am looking to upgrade and build a system where I can take out just the 10" tops for some events or add a pair of small lightweight subs if needed.

If possible I'd like this system (10" tops + small subs) to at least match the audio quality, output and depth of bass of the single pair of DXR15's.

Due to a back injury I have a specific set of requirements for these speakers. I need them to be very lightweight as I will be using these in some venues where I have to carry these long distances with lots of steps. I also need at least one side handle with a vertical hand grip. Finally I need something that is going to be a step up from the Alto TS210's regarding audio quality, output and depth of bass whilst still having very low self noise.

I've been doing a little browsing online and have made this shortlist :-

Alto TS410
RCF HD10mkV
FBT Promaxx 110a
RCF 910AX (new upcoming model with built in digital mixer)
QSC K10.2

Are there any other models I've missed that you would recommend? I willing to spend roughly £800 per speaker.

Has anyone had any experience with more than just one of these options?

What would you recommend?

[Wonks]

DXR10s are an obvious selection for the list.

[dickiefunk]

Yes they would be but the sadly don’t have a side handle which I need to mounting onto a tripod due to a back injury.

[Jorge]

DZR10 does have a side handle. My DZR12 sounds better than my DXR10 and with a sub, reviews are saying the DZR10 sounds as good as the DZR12. For small venues without a sub, the DZR10 has lower bass extension than the DXR10. Depending on your longterm speaker turnover rate, it may be worth saving up a bit longer to cover the difference in cost, the DZR10 is a bit over your stated budget. The 7 year warranty is a factor in long term ROI as well.

[Wonks]

Have you considered 8" speakers at all instead of 10" ? If you are using subs then they'll take care of the bottom end, and even without, you normally only lose 2 or 3 Hz to the 10" versions (quoted spec values anyway) and maybe 1dB of SPL. They may not have side handles but are smaller and lighter to compensate. Might be worth having a listen to some if you go to hear some 10" units.

[Wonks]

Much as I'd normally recommend the DZR range, given the lightweight requirement, they are on the heavy side for a 10" at 17.9kg, which is 4 kg heavier than the DXR10, something Richard would need to bear in mind. But they go lower than the DXR15 (44Hz vs 49Hz), and max SPL is 3dB louder, so in theory they could easily do what the DXR15s do without the need for a sub. So an overall lighter package. Though a pair will cost around £1900 -£2k, which is £300-£400 more than budget, they could negate the need to buy additional lightweight subs.

However they are quite scarce - Andertons say 3+ months for new stock (though this could be a lot sooner). Thomann have them in stock, but finding some to listen to locally could be a problem. You don't have a big choice of stores in Cornwall.

[dickiefunk]

Thanks guys,

For quite a large portion of events I’ve just been using a single pair of Alto TS210’s by themselves.
I’ve had the Yamaha DZR12’s and yes they are great speakers but I really didn’t get on with the handles. I much prefer handles with the vertical hand grip. I actually found my heavier DXR15’s easier to carrying and mount onto tripods than the DZR12’s! I realise this sounds picky but I’m going to be using these around 4x a week most weeks of the year so want these to be super easy to carry and set up on tripods. I’m also planning on keeping the DXR15’s at the moment for events where 10” speakers aren’t enough.
Basically I want something very lightweight (preferably under 15kg) that I can carry distances but are a noticeable step up from my Alto TS210’s.

[shufflebeat]

Would wind-up or pneumatic stands make a difference your handle requirements?

My mate has a set of RCF 15"s and takes great delight in putting them on the stands then pulling the trigger and sending them up to operating position.

The only ones I've seen are pretty heavy duty (and heavy) but lighter ones may exist.

[Sam Spoons]

I have a pair of 'Ultimate Speaker Stands' , they don't actually lift the speakers but they do assist and hold them in the up position while you lock them. They also lower them in a controlled manner. They are pretty light too so altogether an excellent product. If they went walkabout I would replace them straight away.

https://www.thomann.de/gb/ultimate_ts_90_b.htm

[MarkOne]

I got some really nice cranked lift stands from PMT years ago. (their own brand) but it looks like they don’t do them any more. Makes getting the speakers up much easier. I’m sure there must be other brands out there that do the same thing.

[shufflebeat]

These Gravity ones look comparable but price and weight might preclude:

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/gravity ... adjustable

[Aled Hughes]

I use DXR10s and the MK1 QSC K10 (with K-Sub). The K10 are a bit easier to lift due to the side handle, but neither are really lightweight despite their size. The K10 might have a slight edge in terms of sound quality too, but it's hard to tell since I usually use them with the sub and the Yamahas without. Both are very good anyway.

Aled

[Mike Monte]

I use K10's / K8's (original series) for some of my applications. Of the two I really like the K8's; clear/punchy and a surprising amount of low end for their size/weight.
IMO the K8's are way-easier to handle compared to the K10's.

As far as the K series go: I have had mine for several years and they have been bullet-proof. If I were to purchase more K's I'd look for the original series as there seems to be quite a bit of issues with the .2 series.....just my opinion.

[resistorman]

As far as the K series go: I have had mine for several years and they have been bullet-proof. If I were to purchase more K's I'd look for the original series as there seems to be quite a bit of issues with the .2 series.....just my opinion.

I loved my K1's too, but I've been using two K2.10's for a year now under often adverse conditions (a lot of rain this season) and only one 18" QSC sub. The bands have ranged from acoustic duos to a 10 piece ska band with 4 piece horn section, and they have sounded tremendous... I get complements on the sound every show. The only problem I've had is when I push them over the limit and they shut down until I scroll through the diagnostic page. This has happened a very few times, mostly when the back of the cover wasn't open enough on a very hot day, and I will take the blame for it, I'd rather have protection clamp down than blown speakers. I would definitely choose them over the K10's, much as I liked them. If you can buy them, that is, stock is thin on all DSP speakers here in the US.

[dickiefunk]

What firmware version are your QSC K10.2’s running?there has been a couple of revisions of this and the latest is 1.3.3.

[resistorman]

What firmware version are your QSC K10.2’s running?there has been a couple of revisions of this and the latest is 1.3.3.

You know, I never thought to upgrade the firmware! Unusual for me, but they are the club's so I guess it is one degree of separation.

Damn, just read the firmware log, gonna go in early and update. Thanks for the heads up.

[dickiefunk]

What firmware version are your QSC K10.2’s running?there has been a couple of revisions of this and the latest is 1.3.3.

You know, I never thought to upgrade the firmware! Unusual for me, but they are the club's so I guess it is one degree of separation.

Damn, just read the firmware log, gonna go in early and update. Thanks for the heads up.

I would be very interested to hear how you get on with the K10.2’s after the firmware update

[resistorman]

Well, you'll have to wait until the end of April, it's the last show here in NC for the season as it's an outdoor venue

Actually, I'll probably wait until spring to update them, probably be new versions by then. I haven't had any shutdowns for months now since I figured out the actual limits I can run them, not that it was a common occurrence anyhow, only happened 3 times in 6 months. I _really_ like their sound, we have one more back-ordered since June to widen the spread stage right. Sweetwater says they're hundreds in the hole at this point, but it should ease up in October.

[dickiefunk]

At the moment I’m leaning towards -

RCF HD10a mkV
FBT Promaxx 110a

I may also try the QSC K10.2 but not sure about this one. I’ve read quite a few people having reliability issues with the amp module though I don’t know which firmware they were all using. Also I’m not sure it would offer me a noticeable step up in audio performance that would justify the much higher price over both the RCF and FBT models. Both the HD10a mkV and Promaxx 110a are very lightweight speakers that tick all the boxes.