Members hammondman Posted September 11, 2015 Members Share Posted September 11, 2015 Hi, I'm still looking to upgrade my subs at some point and have heard lots of good things about the JBL PRX718xlf and QSC KW181 in particular as they've been around longer than the EV EKX's. I've heard the QSC KW181's (with KW153 tops) recently at a small outdoor festival and was quite impressed with how big an area they filled soundwise - noticeably more than my ELX118p's.I've been told the PRX718XLF's go deeper and sound "more musicalwhilst the QSC's have more thump?I've narrowed my list down to these as they are powered and all weigh under 40kg. Recently EV released the EKX18sp and I'm wondering if anyone has heard how these compare to the PRX718xlf's and QSC KW181's? There are a few very positive user reviews of the EKX18sp's coming through at Sam Ash, ZZ Sounds and Amazon but I'd like to know how they compare to my ELX 118p's and the JBL's and QSC's. Price wise there is a reasonable difference in price between all these models :- EV EKX18sp - £1499 per pairJBL PRX718xlf - £1910 per pairQSC KW181's - £2130 per pair On paper there doesn't appear to be a lot of difference in specs. The JBL's would appear to go a little lower but I'd like to know how they perform for real. Does anyone have any real world experience with more than one of these models? I do like my EV ELX118p's but would love to have something that goes a little louder to keep up with my DXR15 tops and go deeper (without sounding boomy/muddy) with more punch. Anyone heard the EKX18sp's and either the PRX718xlf's or KW181's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted September 11, 2015 CMS Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 If you really want and need an upgrade, go with SRX or ETX. Being brand new, it's anyone's guess how good the EKX are, or reliable. I just wouldn't expect this middle line to be much of a step up from the ELX, which are quite respectable just a bit short on output level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hammondman Posted September 11, 2015 Author Members Share Posted September 11, 2015 The SRX818's look great but are completely out of my budget at £2700 per pair! The ETX's are actually slightly cheaper than the QSC KW181's but weigh over 50kg! That would be too heavy for me to carry by myself in situations where the ground is unsuitable for wheels. I wasn't aware that the QSC KW181's don't have a built in HPF which puts me off as I don't want to limit the options when I come to upgrade my tops at some point. Think it's down to either the EKX18sp or PRX718xlf. Anyone had experience with both of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hammondman Posted November 8, 2015 Author Members Share Posted November 8, 2015 I've been reading up and speaking to various dealers and the common opinion and pros/cons (unless I'm mis-reading things) are :- QSC KW181 (£1067 each) Loudest and punchiest of the threeHas built in castorsNo HPF (but not an issue with my DXR15's)Heaviest of the bunch (40kg) JBL PRX718XLF (£955 each) Deepest bass extensionHas built in HPFBiggest of the three subsNo castorsNoisy fans? EV EKX18sp (£749 each) Lightest of the bunchCheapest of the threeHas built in HPFSmallest of the threeAlmost as loud as the QSC KW181 (apparently) I'm hoping to get to hear all three of these for myself in the next few weeks so will be able to form my own opinion. Most people say the EKX18sp has a noticeably higher output and more punch and depth than the ELX118p. If this is the case, it could well be enough for my DXR15's. Looking forward to hearing and trying these subs for myself. Will report back after I've tried them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted November 8, 2015 Members Share Posted November 8, 2015 The KW181 most certainly has an integrated HPF... perhaps you mean LPF (as in crossover). If you are going to make comparisons, you need to get your facts right or get better information from the dealers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dedmeet Posted November 9, 2015 Members Share Posted November 9, 2015 The KW181 most certainly has an integrated HPF... perhaps you mean LPF (as in crossover). If you are going to make comparisons, you need to get your facts right or get better information from the dealers. Actually, the KW181 does not have a High Pass option on the pass-through connections. While I loved my old KW181, I have a PRX718XLF on the way to go with my PRX612m cabs as together they will function better as a system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted November 11, 2015 Members Share Posted November 11, 2015 It does have a HPF on the sub, but not a high pass output to the tops because QSC's processing for the top cabinets is in those cabinets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heath_eld Posted November 26, 2015 Members Share Posted November 26, 2015 I have not owned any of them - I do own the same ELXs as you. honestly you get what you pay for - I'd choose the JBL or the QSC. Although if weight wasn't an issue, I'd have RCF 8003s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hammondman Posted December 7, 2015 Author Members Share Posted December 7, 2015 Thanks for the replies guys. I've been doing some measurements and noticed that the JBL PRX718XLF's will be too big to fit into the back of my small van with the rest of my gear and the QSC's may also be a struggle. The EV EKX18sp's will just about fit. As a result I'm going to check out a much smaller and higher quality rig (plus higher budget) to see how that compares to my current system. Whilst it's smaller and much lighter, it uses high quality Fatial Pro drivers and Hypex amps and are made by a more bespoke company. http://www.shermann.com/Data-Colours/BLUE-Rig.pdf If this smaller rig won't be enough then I'll be looking at getting the EKX18sp subs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted December 7, 2015 Members Share Posted December 7, 2015 Never heard of then in the States. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dedmeet Posted December 9, 2015 Members Share Posted December 9, 2015 OP, I have owned both the KW181 and the PRX718XLF and frankly loved them both. Right now, I only have the PRX718XLF, but only because it plays nice with my PRX612M tops. I have run many a show with KW181 on subs and KW153 for mains and the combo is one of my favorite rigs for Jazz. A plus to the KW181 is that it comes with casters and the sub pole. Either sub would be a good pairing with your DXR15. Sounds like the physical constraints of your transportation have made the decision for you anyway. Good luck and let us know what you choose! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Vito Corleone Posted December 14, 2015 Members Share Posted December 14, 2015 For price/size/weight? Hard to beat those JBLs. I have a pair and love 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rumorsband Posted December 22, 2015 Members Share Posted December 22, 2015 I owned the 618xlf and it was great, however I replaced that one sub with 2 x 715XLF's and they are great. I like a punchy bass and these go low enough for my application Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hammondman Posted April 7, 2016 Author Members Share Posted April 7, 2016 Quick update. I have just bought the KW181's and am using them for the first time tomorrow night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members heath_eld Posted April 11, 2016 Members Share Posted April 11, 2016 Let us know how it goes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wesg Posted April 11, 2016 Members Share Posted April 11, 2016 I was gassing over KW181s the other day at the store. I like the form factor and wheels. Please let us know how they work out, and which tops you have! Wes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hammondman Posted April 12, 2016 Author Members Share Posted April 12, 2016 Used the KW181's at the weekend and they were seriously impressive!! We used these in one of our regular venues and when we started to do the sound check everyone was doing a double take at the sheer power and sound that was coming out of these subs!! These subs go much louder and have a lot more punch than the EV ELX118p's. They also sound less wooly and have more definition. The limiter didn't flicker once all night!! Very happy with these subs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dedmeet Posted April 12, 2016 Members Share Posted April 12, 2016 Not at all surprised. I had a KW181 for a while and it was stunning, especially in tandem with two HPR122i cabs. Did you get the QSC cover? If not, do it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hammondman Posted April 13, 2016 Author Members Share Posted April 13, 2016 Yep bought the QSC covers aswell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members discovideo Posted April 14, 2016 Members Share Posted April 14, 2016 I have a couple of prx18xlf's....sound nice, great stuff... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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