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Author Topic: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p  (Read 23718 times)

Richard Penrose

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EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« on: December 29, 2015, 05:01:50 AM »

Hi guys,

I'm looking to change my EV ELX118p subs in the New Year and have narrowed my shortlist down to the EV EKX18sp and the QSC KW181's. I've narrowed my choices down to these two based on weight and physical dimensions.
I've been reading a few user reviews/comparisons of both and the general consensus seems to be - both are a step up from the ELX118p in regards to output, tone and features. The KW181 apparently has a slight edge in terms of output over the EV but the EKX18sp is preferred regarding tone!?

Has anyone on here had experience with both the EKX18sp and KW181 and has compared either to the ELX118p? I'm leaning towards to the EKX18sp as they apparently almost match the QSC regarding output but weigh 8kg lighter and cost £300 less each.
Has anyone had any experience with both the ELX118p and EKX18sp?

Thanks
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Tom Roche

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2015, 03:24:28 PM »

Any chance you can listen to them, even if it means having to drive outside your area?  Relying on the perception of others for your purchase decision is a bit risky IMO. 

While I'm a big QSC fan and love my KW181 subs, if the EV's mostly match the output, are 8kg lighter and cost that much less—and assuming they sound reasonably good to YOUR ears—then that seems like the way to go.
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Brandon Scopel

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #2 on: December 29, 2015, 03:41:21 PM »

I dumped my 2 elx118p for a single Srx828sp. Assuming that you have the elx112p tops, I set the crossover on the sub at 100hz and engage the with sub switch and sounds great. You definitely want the castors from Mike Pyle as they allow me to move the sub anywhere by myself.

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk

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Richard Penrose

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #3 on: December 29, 2015, 06:24:42 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Really struggling to get to hear them! That is always the best option when possible!
The SRX828sp's are too big, heavy and expensive for me. Besides if I had that sort of budget I'd consider EAW Redline, Lambda Labs or Brooklyn Audio.

Size, weight and budget are really important. I can't go any heavier than the KW181's because some venues don't have wheeled access and I'll need to carry them short distances by myself. I can't go any bigger than the KW181's because they won't fit into my small van when fully loaded! I also can't jump up to the next league budget wise as I have two children under 2 and can't justify spending any more than the KW181's cost.
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Tim McCulloch

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2015, 03:14:14 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Really struggling to get to hear them! That is always the best option when possible!
The SRX828sp's are too big, heavy and expensive for me. Besides if I had that sort of budget I'd consider EAW Redline, Lambda Labs or Brooklyn Audio.

Size, weight and budget are really important. I can't go any heavier than the KW181's because some venues don't have wheeled access and I'll need to carry them short distances by myself. I can't go any bigger than the KW181's because they won't fit into my small van when fully loaded! I also can't jump up to the next league budget wise as I have two children under 2 and can't justify spending any more than the KW181's cost.

Yep, small children are no substitute for subwoofers and they're not big enough to help move subwoofers.  Yet.   ;)

As for venues I guess we're lucky.  The places we work, even small gigs, are generally handicapped-accessible.  That means a reasonably hard surface from parking area or street to entrances and fire "exits".  Sometimes it's a long push...  And that there is some kind of lift or ramps if everything isn't on the same level.

I've heard horror stories about taking Hammond B-3s up exterior fire escapes and I'm sure there are some about subs or mixing consoles.  We turn down work that has extreme (fucked up) access requirements or we hire specialists to get the gear in and out and add it to the bill.  Not worth the risk of personal injury or damaged gear otherwise.  You've got 2 youngsters, Richard, you owe it to them to treat yourself right.

Material handling is a subject almost unto itself and levers, ramps and wheels are our friends.  Those old Greeks had it figured out...
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Mike Santarelli

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2015, 03:20:51 PM »

I own some kw181's and srx828's. I used to own an elx118 which I was able to compare to the kW.  I think elx is a great sounding and musical sub but runs of out gas fairly early.  The kw is a solid step up and can maintain a louder overall volume and sound better doing it.  I love my 181's and they do sound great in a band setting.
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Ivan Beaver

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2015, 05:06:38 PM »


I've heard horror stories about taking Hammond B-3s up exterior fire escapes and I'm sure there are some about subs or mixing consoles. 
One of my worst stories was with LA guns.

I did a couple of dates with them back in the 80s.

On the first one I had already carried the PA up stairs, but when the band got there they were REALLY REALLY UPSET.

They said they could not get the bass rig in and up the steps.

DO WHAT?????

We they were correct.  The steps had 2 turns in them.

HALF of the bass rig was 3 SVTs (the real ones) stacked together and a aluminum frame was welded around it.

There was no way to get the cabinets out of the frame.

So they ended up sawing the frame up to get one of the cabinets out.

The bass player was NOT happy.

And that was just the beginning---------

When I was with a wedding band we had to carry the Yamaha CP70 up steps all the time-and there were just 2 of us.  NOT fun.
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Richard Penrose

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2015, 06:36:47 AM »

Thanks guys. Yes with two toddlers I need to look after myself and not be risking my back etc.
I noticed on the QSC website they say the KW181's weigh 37.6kg which is lighter than I thought.

I'd be really interested to know if the QSC's go as low as the EV ELX118p's?
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Scott Holtzman

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2016, 04:44:16 AM »

I am convinced you are not going to get a significantly better front loaded 18 box than the qsc.  They work harx, sound great and you can do a lot of work with four of them. 

You have to spend 4x more to get a sub that is a significant anough upgrade to get a client pay more.  The QSC is also much better quality than the elx or ekx.  ETX is a fair comparison and I would still vote the QSC.

We now have 12 in inventory and still buying.



Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

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Scott AKA "Skyking" Holtzman

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Lyle Williams

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Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2016, 08:58:09 AM »

The ETX18SP does outdo the KW181, but it is a bigger and heavier box developed five years later.

My first recomendation would be for the OP to retain the ELX's.

If the money must be spent, then KW181's would be my choice in a smaller box.  I'm just not completely sold on the longevity and recognition of the EKX line.
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ProSoundWeb Community

Re: EV EKX18sp and QSC KW181 vs EV ELX118p
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2016, 08:58:09 AM »


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