I compared some PA speakers

To answer the question "What is the difference between the sounds of PA speakers?", This time, I would like to introduce the impressions that I had actually listening to and comparing PA speakers from Sound House's house brand "CLASSIC PRO", and "QSC" and "JBL", which we distribute, as examples.
*Please note that these are personal impressions.

1 When passive speakers are used with the same power amplifier

The larger the speaker size, the louder the volume and the better the bass sound.

This is what as expected. So in the CLASSIC PRO CSP series, for example, if you go in sequence from CSP6 to CSP15, the sound gradually becomes louder and the sound gets more powerful in the lower frequencies.

CSP シリーズ

• Resin
• Passive
• Powered

Size：6"、8"、10"、12"、15"

A wooden body is thicker in the low range than a resin body.

In general, the heavier the weight, the more solid the foundation is, which tends to give the low end that a sense of volume. If you compare the 12 inch speakers between the CLASSIC PRO CP-II series and the resin CSP series, the low range is output differently, and you can feel the outline of the low range.

CP-II シリーズ

• Wooden
• Passive
• Powered

Size：8"、10"、12"、15"

If the speaker size and body material are the same, the model with the higher price range sounds better.

Looking at the JBL / JRX212 and the PRX412M above it by unit only, the driver is the same 2414H-C, only the woofer unit is different (JRX212: M112-8, PRX412M: MB112-8). When I actually listened to it, the PRX412M sounded a little lighter, but it sounded like it had a stronger core in the low range. (JRX112: 19.5kg, PRX412M: 16kg) When I listened to the highest-ranking series SRX812, the sound was improved in all aspects such as balance from low range to high range, power, clarity, and tightness of low range.

JRX200 Series

PRX400 Series

SRX800 Series パッシブ

I have prepared sound source samples below, so please listen to them.

Standard PA speaker comparison (passive)

• Power amplifier used: QSC PLD4.3
• Recorder: ZOOM/H6 placed 2m from the speaker for recording
• The input level on the recorder is fixed according to the largest speaker

*Speakers with a small allowable input have a limiter on the PLD side.

2 When powered speakers are run under the same conditions

If the speaker size is the same, the louder the amplifier output, the louder the volume and the more spacious the sound.

When comparing QSC K12.2:2000W and CP12:1000W, both have excellent sound quality, but I felt that the K12.2 was higher in terms of volume, clarity of mid-high range, and strength of low range. If you want to compare which speaker can output more volume or sound pressure between speakers that you can't actually listen to, you may want to take a look at the specs of maximum output sound pressure level. (QSC K12.2: 132dB, CP12: 126dB)

As for the body material, like passive speakers, wooden speakers produce more sound pressure because wood is heavier.

When comparing the JBL EON612 (resin, 1000W, 14kg) and PRX812W (wooden, 1500W, 18kg), the EON612 is made of resin and is lightweight, and the low range does not have a muddy sound, and I was surprised by the good balance of JBL. However, with the PRX812W, the low range is tighter, and the overall thickness including the core increases.

EON700 Series

PRX800 Series

The price point effect is the same as with passive speakers -- the higher the price, the higher the volume and sound quality.

Comparing the PRX812W (wooden, 1500W, 18kg, 74,800 yen) and SRX812P (wooden, 2000W, 26kg, 129,800 yen), the difference is obvious and clear. Earlier I had thought that both the EON612 and PRX812W had good sound, but when I listened to them together, but SRX812P has a better sound. In terms of the power to express delicate nuances, which I often refer to as "sound with a lot of information", high-end speakers tend not only to have a higher volume but also to have a denser sound with more detail.

SRX800 Series Powered

Standard PA speaker (powered) comparison

• Recorder: ZOOM/H6 placed 2m from the speaker for recording
• Input signal is fixed and set to a level where it does not CLIP on the speaker side.
• The input level on the recorder is fixed according to the largest speaker

Special edition

What is the difference between "12 inch full range speaker + 18 inch subwoofer" and "15 inch x 2 full range speakers"?

Regarding the low range, the 18-inch subwoofer, which has a large aperture, can produce a thicker low range. I can't say which one is better as they are completely different, but the low range from full range speakers is felt with your ears, while the low range from subwoofers is felt in the body through vibrations.

Summary

“Sound quality” is in the ears of the listener, so it is difficult to define "good sound".
People who want easier transportation options and easier installation, and those who do not need heavy bass for acoustic music will feel more comfortable with lightweight models with a resin body. For those who want a powerful bass, and those who need speakers for permanent installation and want to emphasize sound quality, I’d recommend high-priced models with wooden bodies. In the end, you should consider which points you want to emphasize, based on the application and genre, function, sound quality and price range.