TEST: EV EKX

 "What does Electrovoice actually do?" I recently had to listen to this sentence from a colleague who, like me, still remembers the times when there were three manufacturers of loudspeakers in Germany. JBL ("the one with the aluminum dome in the Twin Reverb"), Celestion ("the one with the midrange noise in the Marshall speakers") and Electrovoice ("the one with the softer sound, they also make bass speakers"). What a nice time it was when, equipped with a lot of half-knowledge, rough conclusions and a lot of prejudices, you could list all the manufacturers on one hand.

A look at their website shows that Electrovoice have long since expanded their catalog far beyond the mere manufacture of loudspeakers. In addition to their core business, a large part of their turnover now takes place in the sound reinforcement sector, with the EKX series in particular being a focus for the company. With a pair each of the EV EKX-12P satellites and the EV EKX-15SP subwoofers, I have a tuned system from Chinese production for testing, which is preparing to leave a scent mark in the highly competitive portable P.A. segment.


Construction

EV EKX-12P

Equipped with the standard two-way system in the form of a 1 inch titanium driver and a 12 inch mid/bass driver, the speaker has a frequency response of 60 Hz - 18 kHz at a maximum SPL of 132 dB, measured at 1 meter in pink noise. The crossover frequency is 1.7 kHz. The cabinet is made of 15 millimeters of laminated wood, which has been covered with a textured lacquer to increase its resistance to external influences. Unfortunately, only a single carrying handle is available. With a weight of 18.8 kilograms and the dimensions: 607 mm x 375 mm x 356 mm, the box is in the middle segment in terms of size.

Like most current sound reinforcement systems in this category, the EV EKX-12P is also designed as a multi-functional speaker, which is why, among other things, the cabinet was also designed asymmetrically. Due to the bevel of the rear edge of the housing, the box can also be used as a floor wedge, the coverage angle of 90 x 60 degrees does the rest to meet this purpose. For flown operation, a total of 8 flying points are available, 6 on the top of the housing and 2 on the bottom. An M20 screw flange is located on the bottom of the case.

In terms of connections, the EV EKX-12P has 2 independently volume-adjustable combo jacks on the rear, which can accept both XLR and TRS connectors. In addition, a stereo RCA input can be used to manage an external sound source such as an MP3 player, and the combo jack at Input 1 can also be used in parallel. An XLR output loops the incoming signal through unprocessed and allows the connection of further satellites or subwoofers.

In order to bring the power of 1500 watts always optimally to the man, the EV EKX-12P is controlled by a DSP. The processor allows you to quickly set a wide variety of practical presets, and to manage the protection circuits and sound control. The DSP is managed by a push knob on the back of the case, which also controls the master volume. Via a small LCD display you can also see the respective areas of the DSP.

In addition to a three-band tone control, it is especially the Mode and Location menus that allow you to quickly set up the system. For example, the Mode menu has the settings Music (sound reinforcement of normal music - default), Live (live sound), Speech (speech) and Club (electronic music). In addition, the Location Menu allows you to choose between Tripod (high stand operation), Monitor (floor wedge operation with bass reduction due to stage reflections), Wall (wall mounting, also bass reduction due to rear reflections) and Suspend (flying operation). In addition to the factory presets, you can also create and save up to 5 of your own presets.


EV EKX-15SP

Conceptually, the EV EKX-15SP follows the specifications of the EV EKX-12P. Equipped with a 15 inch speaker and visually matching the EV EKX-12P, the subwoofer has not for nothing its own menu item within the DSP controls to ensure optimal balance within the system. Here, too, the same console was chosen to manage the 1300 watts (frequency response 45 - 150 Hz, 133 SPL max.), only in the input section one has omitted the RCA input and the mixing function of the two channels. Otherwise, the EV EKX-15SP comes with 2 combo jacks (XLR / TRS) as input and 2 XLR as slave output.

According to its field of application, the DSP controls were adjusted, so in the mode area, as expected, the preset speech fell through the cracks. In the location area, on the other hand, the Cardioid Mode was added, which is very important in the woofer area. In stacking mode, the lowest woofer is rotated by 180 degrees for better acoustic illumination in the near-stage area.

In terms of handling, the EV EKX-15SP is comparatively moderate with dimensions of 455 mm x 530 mm x 551 mm. In addition, the weight of 26.2 kilograms can be lifted by a strong man alone. An M20 high stand flange ensures the connection to the satellites.


Practice

When you switch on the system, you are briefly reminded of the manufacturing facility. Not that it's really a problem, but the on/off switch has about as much play as the 3.50 Euro power strips from the electronics market. After that, however, it gets down to business quite pleasantly and, above all, quickly. The system is practically self-explanatory and should not present even inexperienced users with too many hurdles.

Let's start with the EV EKX-12P in stand-alone mode. The first impression is promising. The sound is direct, comparatively clear, but unpretentious. For the very fine resolution, the tweeter is missing in the 3-way range and that one should not expect any sub-bass from the system is in the nature of things. However, the almost 1.5 kilowatts do their job very well, especially in the midrange. Speech reproduction is good, hi-hat and cymbals come across very "edgey" and up to about 100 Hz, no further effort is needed to sufficiently cover a small dance floor.

If you want to go lower, you'll have to bring in the EV EKX-15SP, which blends into the soundstage with less fuss. Interestingly, the tuning of the woofer is designed differently than the basic design of the satellites. While the EV EKX-12P attracts attention with a consistently crisp, direct reproduction, the EV EKX-15SP sounds comparatively indirect, sometimes even slightly sloppy. This only changes when you activate the DSP crossover that is tuned to the two components.

The same controls the satellites hard in the bass range and leaves the low frequencies exclusively to the EV EKX-15SP. So far, so good, but the user is now faced with a task that should not be underestimated. After a few minutes of adjusting, the system really sounded very good, but you have to find the perfect volume balance between the two components. If you adjust them in a jerky manner, you can choose between a thin midrange or a muddy low end in no time.

In practice, this means either "good wanderer" during the sound check or a second person turns the volume controls on demand. A radio control could be a great remedy here. Use WLAN, Bluetooth if necessary, program the iPhone app and off you go.


Conclusion

The combination EV EKX-12P / EV EKX-15SP leaves a good impression. For less than 4,000 euros, you get about 5.5 kilowatts of sound, which should be enough for one or two small clubs. The system is quickly configured, offers practical presets and can be used in many areas of voice and music playback. Thanks to the clever DSP control, the system can also be used in different rooms and offers a large number of possible uses as hall sound reinforcement, sidefill or wedge operation.


Additional Informations:

- Electro-Voice is a renowned brand that produces professional audio equipment, including loudspeakers, amplifiers, microphones, and mixers. Founded in 1927 by Al Kahn and Lou Burroughs, the company has a rich history of innovation and technological advancement in the audio industry.

Over the years, Electro-Voice has established itself as a leading manufacturer of professional audio equipment, catering to a wide range of industries and applications, such as concerts, events, houses of worship, broadcasting, and sports stadiums. The company's products are known for their exceptional sound quality, durability, and reliability, making them a preferred choice among audio professionals worldwide.

One of Electro-Voice's most notable achievements was the development of the dynamic microphone, which revolutionized the industry in the 1930s. The dynamic microphone replaced the previous condenser microphone technology, which was costly and fragile. The dynamic microphone was more durable, affordable, and produced a warm, natural sound that was ideal for live performances and recordings. The technology became an industry standard and is still widely used today.

Another significant contribution to the audio industry by Electro-Voice was the introduction of the Variable-D technology in the 1960s. Variable-D is a patented technology that minimizes the proximity effect, which is a phenomenon where a microphone's bass response increases as it gets closer to the sound source. This technology allows for consistent sound quality and clarity, regardless of how close the microphone is to the performer.

In the 1970s, Electro-Voice developed the horn-loaded speaker system, which was a significant advancement in loudspeaker technology. The horn-loaded speaker system was more efficient, producing more sound output from the same amount of power as a traditional loudspeaker. The technology allowed for clearer, more precise sound reproduction and was used in many high-profile events, such as the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Today, Electro-Voice continues to innovate and develop new technologies, such as the FIR-Drive technology, which is a proprietary digital signal processing (DSP) technology that improves sound quality and clarity. FIR-Drive technology allows for more precise tuning of loudspeakers, resulting in a more accurate sound reproduction.

Electro-Voice's product line includes a wide range of loudspeakers, from portable speakers for small events to large, complex systems for concerts and stadiums. The company's loudspeakers are designed to deliver exceptional sound quality and clarity, while also being durable and reliable in any environment.

Electro-Voice also offers a range of microphones, including wired and wireless microphones for various applications. The company's microphones are designed to capture sound with exceptional clarity and accuracy, while also being durable and reliable in any situation.

In addition to loudspeakers and microphones, Electro-Voice produces amplifiers, mixers, and other professional audio equipment. The company's amplifiers are designed to deliver clean, powerful sound, while its mixers allow for precise control over sound levels and effects.

Electro-Voice's commitment to quality and innovation has earned the company numerous awards and accolades over the years. The company has received several TEC Awards for its products, which are considered one of the highest honors in the audio industry. Electro-Voice has also been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, with its Green Initiative program, which aims to reduce the company's environmental impact.

Overall, Electro-Voice is a company that has made significant contributions to the audio industry over the years. Its commitment to innovation and quality has made it a preferred choice among audio professionals worldwide, and its products are used in some of the most high-profile events and venues around the world. As the company continues to develop new technologies and products, it will undoubtedly continue to be a leader in the audio industry for years to come.

- Dynamic speakers are a type of loudspeaker that uses a moving coil driver to produce sound. They are the most common type of speaker used in consumer and professional audio systems, and are known for their durability, reliability, and affordability.
The principle behind dynamic speakers is based on Faraday's law of electroma
gnetic induction. When an electrical current passes through a coil of wire, it creates a magnetic field. If the coil is placed in the presence of a permanent magnet, the magnetic field generated by the coil will interact with the magnetic field of the magnet, causing the coil to move back and forth.

The coil is attached to a diaphragm, which is a cone-shaped piece of material that vibrates as the coil moves. The diaphragm is responsible for producing sound waves, which are then amplified by the speaker cabinet and projected into the surrounding environment.
The size and shape of the diaphragm, as well as the materials used to construct it, can have a significant impact on the sound produced by the speaker. Larger diaphragms are capable of producing lower frequencies, while smaller diaphragms are better suited for higher frequencies. The materials used to construct the diaphragm can also affect the sound quality, with materials such as paper, plastic, and metal all having unique sonic characteristics.

One of the key advantages of dynamic speakers is their simplicity and reliability. They have fewer moving parts than other types of speakers, such as electrostatic or ribbon speakers, which makes them less prone to mechanical failure. Additionally, they are relatively inexpensive to produce, which makes them a popular choice for consumer audio systems.

Despite their widespread use, dynamic speakers do have some limitations. They are not as efficient as other types of speakers, such as horn-loaded or planar-magnetic speakers, which means they require more power to produce the same sound output. Additionally, they are not as accurate as some other types of speakers, particularly in the high-frequency range.

However, advances in technology have allowed manufacturers to improve the performance of dynamic speakers significantly. For example, many modern dynamic speakers use neodymium magnets, which are smaller and more powerful than traditional magnets, allowing for a more compact and efficient design. Additionally, the use of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques has allowed for the construction of diaphragms that are more rigid and lightweight, resulting in improved sound quality.
Overall, dynamic speakers remain a popular choice for audio systems due to their affordability, reliability, and versatility. While they may not offer the same level of accuracy or efficiency as some other types of speakers, they are a solid choice for most applications and can provide excellent sound quality when properly designed and implemented.