If you are a Dj who wants better overall sound control than offered by the numerous, trendy, compact, line array; systems currently being pushed, but with a similar visual footprint when needed, and more flexibility at decent price, then the QSC CP8s may be the answer.
My issue was that I already have numerous pairs of EV SX300s which remain the best sounding and most robust speakers I have ever owned... but the EV;s for weddings are ugly, and I needed something that would have reduced eye impact but hit a similar quality of sound. Having a number of existing subs, I was looking at teaming the Cp8s up with one or more of them and surprisingly found that the best match was actually a couple of Alto TS212Ss that I had been using for pub work.
The Alto subs needed a minor mod to fit a more rigid screw mounting pole system, (a simple matter) 16 per cab outlay, and swapping the factory pole mount) but the end result is a stable small footprint system that can support the CP8s up over head height which is great for clarity with packed dance floors. Other than that the 12" Altos are great small-footprint subs that are tight and punchy.. a great match for the CP8's in looks and performance.
The CP8s are quoted at 1000w of output.. the good news is that this is specified in the detail as 800+200W suggesting two amps, but the wattage is peak, so in real life I would say they are more like 400+100W RMS.
When run up on their own, for my ears the default setting was about the best overall sound, with the dance setting only really being suitable at low bedroom monitor levels. There is no deep bass on these, and when pushed, the dance setting tends to make the speakers sound boxy.. The Speech setting sounded fine for microphone work, and a nice touch is that when running speech that input A and the audio jack remain at default for full range backing music.. great for ceremony and presentation work.
The CP8s with a sub give a great sound, but form my money I preferred using the 100Hz crossover on the subs rather than the 80Hz on the CP8s to stay clean at higher sound levels.
Most older PA speakers have a sound dispersion of around 60 degrees, and the new compact line arrays are usually around 120degrees. To my ears, line arrays are Ok in an open room but can loose penetration on a busy dancefloor, so here the dispersion of 90degrees on the CP8s is ideal, and they also give better distribution than older cabs for close range pub work (CP8s on poles with only one sub).
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So to my ears, as compact main PA that looks great the CP8s will go very loud and clean when linked to a sub(s), and if anything the issue can be that you don't realise how loud they are till you try to talk over them.... which means it is easy to keep pushing up the volume if you dont keep an eye on your meters. Form my money you also have better sound control and penetration than a sub 1000pc line array.
Summary.. Thumbs up for main PA with sub(s), great for speech/music ceremony and presentation, fine for smaller live acoustic gigs and vocal only band PA... not good on their own for main disco/karaoke speakers.
