REVIEWED M-Audio Active GSR12 & GSR18 PA Cabinets M-AUDIO
GSR12 & GSR18 Active PA Cabs
M-Audio introduces its new GSR range of compact yet powerful active PA speakers…
M-Audio speakers have a great reputation for sound quality and reliability among gigging musicians and its new range of GSR active PA speakers are designed for musicians and DJs who regularly perform in small to medium sized venues. The GSR series encompasses three different models with a good choice of speaker sizes and power ratings. The compact 250-watt 10- inch GSR10 and 300-watt 12-inch GSR12 are both full range cabinets but for situations where a bit more oomph is required the GSR range also includes a 500-watt 18-inch GSR18 active sub woofer. Our review focuses on a pair of 300-watt GSR12 active PA cabinets and the 500-watt rms GSR18 active subwoofer, which we tested in both a studio and live environment for a full and fair summarisation.
M-AUDIO GSR12 & GSR18
GSR12 GSR18
2 x GSR12
& GSR18 Bundle £999.99 All prices include VAT
CONT W: ACT
M-Audio T:
01753 655999
www.maudio.co.uk 30 3pickup
£339.99 £499.99
Words: Lars Mullen
M-Audio GSR12 The compact GSR12 PA cabinets are each loaded with a single 12-inch low frequency 250-watt compression driver with a 2.5-inch voice coil, and a 50-watt 1.3-inch high frequency titanium driver. The power unit is a 300-watt rms Class D amplifier with a 24dB cross over, all neatly housed within a strong and portable plastic resin moulded cabinet whose integrated carrying handles help to make these enclosures relatively easy to transport into a venue from your chosen mode of transport. Far from looking like a basic black box the GSR12 looks every inch the stylish and modern pro enclosure. Its subtle but effective cosmetics include a sturdy metal speaker grill and distinctive looking flared front ports and large-mouthed horn flare. Whilst the GSR12 is more than happy functioning as a conventional stand-alone, pole-mounted, active speaker cabinet, its rubber feet are a mirrored imprint for the low profile interlocking fixtures included for multiple stacking on other M-Audio enclosures, including the powered subs featured in this review. The enclosure also includes five separate M10 mounting points for flying or suspended positions, and as the cabinet design has tapered sides, it’s equally at home as a powerful, floor wedge monitor.
Attention in Class Class D amplifiers are a common factor in many modern active PA
systems due to their extremely efficient power handling capabilities. Any PA system needs to be highly robust in order to cope with the demands made on it during a typical gig and so the GSR range boasts sophisticated internal protection circuitry, guaranteeing that they will happily run flat out for hours on end. These enclosures also apparently use the same type of smaller and lighter power transformers that are used in Class AB amps of the same output rating. Combined with the lightweight Neodymium magnet on the LF driver and you have an easy peasy one handed lift of just 31lbs (14kg). There are three deep welled handles ideally positioned one on each side and one at the top, even musicians and roadies with tomato sized biceps should have no trouble transporting one in each hand, while the manual hoist up onto a pole mount via the lockable 36 mm socket should also be a relatively grunt-free solo experience. The amplifier controls are accessed via the rear mounted control panel
and M-Audio have custom designed the GSRs metal heat sink to minimise power compression (the amplifier overheating and running out of headroom) and optimise driver performance. As a useful design by-product the heat sink’s rounded profile feels nice and smooth, devoid of any sharp edges. Standard controls at the rear include an on/off rocker switch, independent volume, push-tab select buttons for mic/line inputs and a 75Hz high-pass filter effective on both mic and line inputs (this helps to reduce annoying pops and low rumbles on the vocal mics). The visual display also includes status LED’s for power, peak and signal.
Preset EQ
M-Audio have also designed and included four handy pre sets akin to a four band EQ to suit vocal or music playback. These are selectable via a notched rotary control and include a Normal setting with a flat response, Hi Fi which has a low and high boost for CD/ MP3 playback, the DJ position
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