QSC Speaker Buying Guide
Which QSC speaker should I buy?
Match the speaker to the room, the music and how far you carry it. These are the current QSC powered speakers we stock. Max SPL is QSC's peak rating at 1 meter (3.3 feet).
| Speaker | Woofer and amp | Max SPL | Weight | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QSC K8.2 | 8-inch, 2000 W peak | 128 dB | 27 lb | Lightest K.2, with the widest 105° coverage; doubles as a floor monitor |
| QSC K10.2 | 10-inch, 2000 W peak | 130 dB | 32 lb | The middle size, with 90° coverage and response down to 50 Hz |
| QSC K12.2 | 12-inch, 2000 W peak | 132 dB | 39 lb | The deepest and loudest K.2, down to 45 Hz with 75° coverage |
| QSC CP8 | 8-inch, 1000 W peak | 124 dB | 21 lb | Fan-free and simple: a 6-position contour switch instead of a menu |
| QSC CP12 | 12-inch, 1000 W peak | 126 dB | 30.3 lb | A 12-inch woofer in a cabinet QSC says is the size of most 10-inch powered speakers |
| QSC CB10 | 10-inch, 440 W peak, battery | 127 dB | 26.9 lb | Up to 12 hours on a removable battery, a 3-channel mixer and Bluetooth |
| QSC KC12 (also in white) | 3-way column with a 12-inch sub, 3000 W peak | 132 dB | 60.3 lb | 145° wide coverage, Bluetooth and app control |
For larger rooms and outdoor shows, see the QSC LA108 and LA112 line arrays.
What is the difference between the QSC K.2 and CP Series?
The K.2 Series is QSC's flagship powered speaker line, and the CP Series is its compact, value-priced line. K.2 speakers have a 2000-watt amp, an LCD menu with presets, savable Scenes, EQ, delay and a sub crossover, a Hi-Z input for instruments, two pole cups (straight and 7.5° down-tilt) and M10 fly points. CP speakers have a 1000-watt amp with no fan, a 6-position contour switch, a single pole cup and no fly points. QSC says K and K.2 models play louder than comparable CP models.
K8.2, K10.2 or K12.2: which size?
All three use the same 2000-watt amp, 1.4-inch titanium compression driver and DSP, so the woofer makes the difference. In QSC's -10 dB figures, the K8.2 is the lightest at 27 lb and reaches 55 Hz. The K10.2 weighs 32 lb and reaches 50 Hz. The K12.2 weighs 39 lb, reaches 45 Hz and plays loudest at 132 dB. Without a subwoofer, the K12.2 gives the most bass. The smaller boxes cover a wider area: 105° for the K8.2 and 90° for the K10.2, against 75° for the K12.2.
Do I need a subwoofer with QSC speakers?
For speech and acoustic music, usually not. For dance music and live bands, a sub adds the low end and lets the speakers on top play cleaner. QSC's KS Series subs have an 80 Hz crossover setting that QSC tuned for K.2 and CP speakers. QSC names the KS112 as the sub for the CP Series and the KS212C for the K.2 Series, and the KS118 is the deepest and loudest KS sub at 136 dB. See all QSC subwoofers.
Can I put a QSC speaker on a pole over a subwoofer?
Yes. KS subwoofers have M20 threaded pole sockets, and K.2 and CP speakers have 35 mm pole cups, so a threaded 35 mm pole such as the QSC SP-26 joins them. QSC's KS manual does not recommend taller poles for some combinations, such as a K12.2 over a KS112 or KS212C standing upright, so check the manual or call us before you go tall.
Which QSC speaker runs on a battery?
The QSC CB10. QSC rates its removable 97 Wh lithium-ion battery at up to 12 hours, and it recharges in about 4 hours. It also charges inside the speaker whenever AC power is connected, and runs on AC indefinitely. The CB10 has a 10-inch woofer, a 3-channel mixer with reverb, and Bluetooth 5.1 streaming with True Wireless Stereo, all controlled from the QSC Loudspeaker Control app.
Does QSC make a column speaker?
Yes, the QSC KC12. It is a 3-way, 3000-watt system: a 12-inch subwoofer base, plus a column with two 4-inch midrange drivers and a 1-inch compression driver on QSC's LEAF waveguide. It covers 145° horizontally, so one system can fill a wide room. With its 32-inch pole it stands 89.4 inches tall, or 57.6 inches with the column set straight on the sub. See all column speakers.
Do QSC speakers have Bluetooth?
The CB10 and KC12 do, with True Wireless Stereo to link two speakers and control from the QSC Loudspeaker Control app. QSC says the K.2 and CP Series have no Bluetooth audio, so play from a mixer, DJ controller or a separate Bluetooth receiver.
What about QSC KW, KLA and E Series speakers?
QSC lists the KW122, KW152, KW153, KLA12, KLA181, E110, E115 and E215 as discontinued, with limited service. Current QSC portable lines are the K.2, CP, CB10, KC12, KS Series subs and the L Class line arrays.
Do you carry QSC install speakers?
Yes. QSC AcousticDesign is its premium installed line of ceiling, surface and pendant speakers that share one tonal character, so they can be mixed in one room. AcousticCoverage is its cost-effective line for paging and background music in offices, terminals and other large spaces. Both run on 70/100 V lines or low impedance. See all install speakers.
Is Hollywood DJ an authorized QSC dealer?
Yes. Hollywood DJ is listed in QSC's own dealer locator on its Buy Authorized page.
Can someone help me choose?
Yes. Call Hollywood DJ at 1-800-700-4542 or visit the showroom at 934 E 11th St in Downtown Los Angeles.