[2022] New Product: Electro-Voice Everse 8 Hands-On Review!

Electro-Voice, the brand known for its iconic PA speaker, the SX300E, has released a new portable PA speaker that supports battery operation! Let’s dive into a hands-on review of this exciting product.

EVERSE 8

weatherized battery-powered loudspeaker with Bluetooth® audio and control

As the name suggests, it boasts:

・Weather Resistance

By attaching the included weatherized input cover, it complies with IP43 rating (resistant to splashes and light rain), allowing for Bluetooth music playback even in bad weather.

・Battery-Powered Operation

Equipped with a custom-designed high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack, providing up to 12 hours of use.

・Bluetooth Music Playback & Control

Perfect for recitals, lessons, small live events, and parties, it allows wireless music playback. Additionally, with the EV QuickSmart mobile app, you can easily control and monitor the speaker wirelessly, adjusting all audio, effects, and mixing functions directly from your smartphone or tablet.

Just these main features alone make the Everse 8 a highly promising speaker!

Let’s take a closer look at the Everse 8!
First, for size comparison, I placed it next to the JBL EON One Compact.
They almost look like twins in terms of size!
The width, height, and depth are nearly identical.

Compact and weighing just 7.6 kg, it’s light enough to carry with one hand—a great first impression.

The first thing that impressed me was the variety of placement options:

• Standard placementく
• Mounted on a speaker stand
• Set long-side down and angled upwards

And a unique feature: it can be tilted upwards while standing vertically.
This kickback position has a shallower angle of 30 degrees compared to the 55-degree angle when set long-side down, making it versatile for different situations: projecting sound to a standing audience or reaching distant listeners.

Additionally, each placement method has an optimized EQ preset. Simply select ‘TRIPOD’, ‘MONITOR’, or ‘KICKBACK’ from the LOCATION menu, and the low-frequency balance will be automatically adjusted for optimal performance.

Next, let’s look at the rear panel with input and output connectors.

It has 3 input channels:

The ability to connect a condenser mic or input high-impedance signals from electric guitars and basses without a direct box shows thoughtful design.

And what really surprised me was the two types of power outputs for external devices!

One is a USB port for charging smartphones, something you often see, but the other is a ‘DC12V, center positive, 500mA, inner diameter 2.5mm’ output! The manufacturer’s product page shows an image of a wireless receiver connected, and with this, you can use wireless mics for street performances, lessons, or various scenarios without worrying about power outlets. These ports open up a world of possibilities!

There’s more!

Everyone has struggled with feedback at some point—the piercing ‘squeal’ or ‘buzz’ that occurs when sound loops between the mic and speaker. In a PA system, you’d typically use a graphic equalizer to cut the offending frequencies, but that can be challenging for the average person. However, with the Everse 8, simply turning on the AFS (Automatic Feedback Suppression) in the DSP menu will solve this issue! I tested it by deliberately causing feedback while standing in front of the speaker with a mic. Just as the feedback began, it was instantly silenced. That’s the magic of Automatic Feedback Suppression. You can safely keep this feature on at all times!

Another common issue everyone has encountered is EQ. Different instruments require different EQ settings and figuring out the optimal values can be daunting, but don’t worry. Fortunately, the Everse 8 offers 16 presets with the best EQ and compressor settings for each scenario, making it as simple as selecting the right one!

The real highlight is the easy wireless control through the EV QuickSmart mobile app.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ev-quicksmart-mobile/id1238381397

While you can operate the speaker using its built-in LCD display, the larger screen of a smartphone offers better visibility and ease of use. The app lets you adjust each channel’s volume balance, 3-band EQ, effect levels, and even manage features like graphic and parametric equalizers—all of which benefit from the larger display. Personally, being able to tweak settings with just a swipe of my finger is a huge advantage. The convenience of quickly and intuitively making adjustments feels very modern.

As for the sound quality, I was genuinely impressed.
Among many 8-inch PA speakers, the Everse 8 stands out with top-class volume and sound pressure. The low end hits with a powerful impact that resonates through your body, and the sound range is broad and rich. If you’re running an acoustic live show or event, this single speaker will comfortably serve as the main speaker, and as a monitor speaker, there are few others as reliable as this one.

Here are the standout features I discovered after getting an early look at the Everse 8:

• Ultra-compact & lightweight
• High volume & deep bass for an 8-inch speaker
• Multifunctional & high-performance DSP
• Intuitive wireless control
• Battery-powered & weather-resistant
• USB power supply & DC12V output

When choosing a compact PA speaker, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by factors like size, features, weight, sound quality, and price. But with the Electro-Voice Everse 8, you can confidently say, “This is the one” and “It covers all the essential features you could think of.” Honestly, there are even more highlights to mention, but if I tried to cover them all, this would become a massive review, so I’ll leave some for another time lol.

Manufacturer’s Product Page
Product Manual