Electro-Voice EVOLVE50M Portable Column Speaker Product Review

Have you heard of the “portable column speaker” category that various PA speaker brands have been introducing new products into the market recently?

Usually, a PA system consists of a mixer, processor, power amplifier, speakers, and subwoofer. Portable column speakers can be thought of as a PA speaker that combines all of these components.

As features,

• Array speakers, which are in charge of the mid- and high-frequency range, have a wider horizontal coverage area than ordinary PA speakers. They are also positioned higher than eye level, enabling sound to be delivered evenly over a wide area.
• The subwoofer is grounded exclusively for low frequencies, making it more powerful than a PA speaker on a stand, and it can produce bass that can be felt.
• The mixer function makes it possible to use a single unit for small-scale events that do not require many channels.
• Depending on the model, a dedicated control application is available, allowing the user to adjust various controls from a smartphone. This allows for sound creation from the listener's perspective while actually walking around the venue.

When asked which PA speaker is most often seen, the first that comes to mind is Electro-Voice's SX300E. From the EVOLVE series of column speakers from Electro-Voice, I would like to introduce a review of the EVOLVE 50M, a model with a larger size and equipped with a mixer, which I have actually experienced.

From left to right, Electro-Voice/EVOLVE 50M, JBL/EON ONE MK2, JBL/PRX ONE, Classic Pro/PA UNO, and Classic Pro/PA ONE.

At first glance, I noticed that the EVOLVE 50M array speakers are angled at an angle at the bottom of the speaker. This gives a really well-balanced sound, or to use a different expression, a sound that is naturally connected to the high, mid, and low frequencies without any sense of discomfort at the boundary between them. This time, I recorded the sound with the EQ flat and listened to it through headphones, and I noticed that the EVOLVE 50M had the loudest sound in the high frequency range. Cymbals and upper tones are clearly and distinctly audible.

As you can see, it is very secure and robust. This was the largest array speaker section of the project.

- From the product page on the manufacturer's website -

The full-range column array contains eight 3.5” neodymium drivers and a proprietary waveguide, providing a wide 120° horizontal directivity. The array's 40° downward directivity allows sound to reach the audience area in the front rows of seats.

The EVOLVE 50M employs a subwoofer with a 12-inch woofer unit, the largest diameter in the column speaker world. I could hear the massive and dense low-end that only Electro-Voice can deliver. With this bass, DJ events are sure to be a lot of fun.
As an impression from about 2-3m away, it is true that the super bass is down there, but I could hear the attack of the bass drum kick coming from the middle or just below the audible image of the sound. What I am trying to say is that, in short, I feel a single coherent sound from the EVOLVE 50M resonating in my body with a bang (lol).

The mixer has 8 channels that can handle most music events. It also supports Hi-Z input for direct connection of an electric guitar and Bluetooth music playback for playing music from a smartphone. There is nothing particularly difficult about the operation, and I was able to understand the basic controls just by touching it for a while without reading the manual. This kind of “anyone can easily create sounds” is very important. I also appreciate the built-in reverb and other vocal effectors.

Another distinctive feature is the inputs and outputs that are helpful in building a flexible PA system. Most powered speakers have mix outputs, through outputs, and other outputs that allow them to sound the same as the original speakers, but the EVOLVE 50M also has an AUX OUT. Since the output can be balanced differently from the main mix, it is possible to return a little more microphone for floor monitoring before vocals, which is often the case. The EVOLVE 50M can also support stereo playback by connecting it via an Ethernet cable of CAT5 or higher, and the FOOT SWITCH jack, which is not often seen elsewhere, also allows you to turn effects on and off at your feet, which is very useful in the field. For example, you may want to turn off the reverb when the vocalist is MCing.

As for the details of the mixer, you can see on p.15 of the manual below, it is quite detailed.

• Subwoofer volume can be adjusted individually
• 3-band PEQ
• 7-band GEQ
• Compressor
• 30 effects in total including FX1 and FX2, etc.

https://products.electrovoice.com/binary/BDL_UM_EVOLVE_50M_F01U393750_03_JA.pdf

- From the manufacturer's website product page -

Numerous inputs (4 x XLR/TRS combo jacks for mic and line inputs, 1 x XLR/TRS combo jack for stereo line input, 1 x RCA stereo input, 1 x 3.5mm, 1 x high impedance input). Professional-quality mic preamps and high-performance mixing capabilities. High-resolution, low-latency Bluetooth streaming capability for background music and music playback. A separate auxiliary send and footswitch input are also included, and a variety of effects (30 presets on two FX channels, including spatial effects such as reverb and echo, and distortion effects such as chorus and flanger) can be used to create a variety of performance effects.

- From the manufacturer's website product page -

The new QuickSmart Link feature makes it easy to comprehensively link two EVOLVE 50M systems together. Simply link the systems via Ethernet cable to provide uncompressed digital audio and control connectivity, and then connect both EVOLVE 50Ms via the QuickSmart Mobile app (available for free on the Apple AppStore and Google Play). It is also sonically compatible with the current EVOLVE 50, so it can be used as a stereo pair with the EVOLVE 50 via an XLR cable from the EVOLVE 50M.

The EV QuickSmart Mobile wireless control app, when activated, automatically locates the EV speakers and makes it easy to complete the connection.

The left side is the main screen and the right side is a screen for each channel. Often, each parameter is adjusted by tracing a circular line, but it is sometimes difficult to raise or lower the line. Personally, I appreciated the ability to adjust each parameter on each channel screen by tracing the long vertical fader on the right up and down.

This time, I actually tried to touch the Electro-Voice/EVOLVE 50M and compare its sound with various models. My conclusion is, “That's Electro-Voice!” This time, I actually tried to touch the Electro-Voice/EVOLVE 50M and compare its sound with various models. My conclusion is, “That's Electro-Voice!” The operation was not complicated and easy to use, making it user-friendly. The sound goes without saying. The sound is just what most people imagine when they think of a portable PA: good sound. The balance, volume, and depth of sound are all first class.

Portable column speakers are a hot topic in the music industry. If you want to make your music event sound great, the Electro-Voice/EVOLVE 50M is definitely the one for you.

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