E‑V pack their battery‑powered PA tech into a ‘full‑size’ speaker.
Combining Electro‑Voice’s loudspeaker technology with Dynacord’s design expertise in amplifiers and DSP, the two‑way Everse 12 is the big brother to the Everse 8 we reviewed in January 2023, employing a similar setup but with a 12‑inch woofer running alongside its wave‑guide‑mounted, one‑inch, ferrofluid‑cooled titanium‑dome tweeter. Once again, the superpower of this speaker is its ability to run from its own rechargeable lithium‑ion battery, giving up to six hours of use at high volumes or around twice that with more moderate use. When no signal is present, a power‑saving mode preserves the battery charge, and the battery charges whenever the speaker is plugged into the mains, even when powered off.
Moulded from polypropylene and also available in white as an alternative to the more usual black, the ported cabinet is shaped so as to allow it to be used vertically as a ‘kick‑back’ floor speaker, in addition to the more usual sideways monitor orientation or indeed as a ‘main’ speaker, mounted on the pole socket fitted into the base. A comfortable carry handle is moulded into the top of the cabinet and a powder‑coated steel grille meeting IP43 requirements for resistance to light rain and splashes protects the drivers. This speaker is well suited to portable use as well as pub gigs, with a weight of 14.16kg and a compact size of 345 x 597 x 347mm. As shipped, a waterproof plastic cover protects the rear panel. This is quite a tight fit, so may need to be levered off using a screwdriver to save your fingernails.
Bluetooth music streaming is built in, and Dynacord’s QuickSmart DSP handles driver protection, effects, EQ, anti‑feedback and crossover duties. Remote control is also possible over Bluetooth using Electro‑Voice’s QuickSmart mobile app for iOS and Android. Everse speakers can also be used in pairs for stereo playback over Bluetooth.
The effects section available to channels 1 and 2 includes compression and ducking in addition to the usual delays, reverbs and so on (these are arranged as 30 presets). A limiter helps keep peak levels in check, and when this is triggered, a Limit warning appears on the display. A nice touch is the provision of a 12V DC port that can power an Electro‑Voice RE3 or R300 wireless receiver — or indeed any third‑party receiver that runs on 12 Volts. There’s also a USB‑C port that supports device charging. On mains power the speaker runs from a standard IEC connector.
By way of specifications, the speaker can produce a maximum SPL of 126dB at one metre, covering the frequency range 45Hz to 20kHz (‑10dB) or 55Hz to 20kHz (‑3dB). Total power handling is quoted as 400 Watts peak. Dispersion is 100 degrees horizontal by 60 degrees vertical, the asymmetry helping to make best use of the available power. Dedicated master settings optimise the EQ to the orientation of the speaker. There’s also a choice of high‑pass filter frequencies for use with an optional sub.
Panel Games
All of the Everse 12’s functions can be operated from the rear panel. The cabinet itself is angled such that it can be used as a stage wedge, a ‘kick‑back’ speaker, or a traditional PA.
Functions are selected and edited using a single turn‑and‑push encoder that also functions as the master volume control. An illuminated button over each input selects it for editing, with the LCD showing parameter names, parameter values and battery status. With no buttons lit, the master settings are active. The monochrome display is functional and clear, though as it’s on the back of the speaker, you may have to bend down to see it unless the speaker is mounted on a tripod. Pairing with the app is also straightforward.
The mixer section features two combi XLR/jack inputs that can accommodate either mic or line‑level signals, with switchable 48V phantom power on input 1 and high‑impedance instrument compatibility on input 2. Ducking, if used, is implemented in such a way that either channel 1 or 2 may be designated to control the levels of the remaining inputs. For channels 3+4, a 3.5mm aux input jack accepts audio from other devices. Alternatively, if you want to stream audio over Bluetooth, this will appear on channels 3+4. If only a single Everse speaker is being used, then anything fed into channels 3+4 will be made mono. There’s a jack for connecting an optional footswitch, which can be used to turn the effects on or off. A balanced mix out on XLR facilitates connecting to other powered speakers.
The AFS feedback suppressor uses 12 extremely narrow notch filters that lock onto and cut the feedback frequencies when feedback is detected, allowing for a little more gain without annoying ringing. These are best set up during the soundcheck by ‘ringing out’, though leaving some filters unallocated can help avoid problems during performance, especially if the vocalist is in the habit of moving around while holding the mic.
There’s no shortage of onboard effect presets, though the reverbs and reverb‑plus‑delay combinations are probably the most useful for vocalists. Different levels of the same effect can be added to channels 1 and 2. The effects section also includes modulation effects and doubling, and for those looking for an easy life, the mixer’s bass/mid/treble EQ (+6/‑12 dB gain range) comes with presets for voice, or instruments such as guitar. A separate eight‑band parametric EQ is available on the main output allowing for overall room correction, and there’s a choice of presets that tailor the sound for Music, Live, Speech or Club environments. It is also possible to dial in a delay for use in time‑aligned systems where the speakers are a long way apart.
E‑V’s QuickSmart app provides remote control over the Everse 12’s DSP and mixer.
Remote Control
The QuickSmart app is available for iOS and Android devices, and in Mixer Edit view, features tabs for X‑Over, Location, Function and Mode. Selecting Edit Mixer gives a choice of Main or effect settings. The effects section can be bypassed from the Effects page. If the mixer is set to Basic view, the master volume and EQ options can be accessed, along with speaker orientation presets and sub settings. I found the app clearly set out and easy to use.
Sound Check
As with the smaller version we reviewed last year, the sound quality on offer here is impressive. So many box speakers are all about the highs and lows but disappoint in the important midrange, but there’s good definition here. There’s more heft to the sound and a little more overall level compared with the Everse 8s, but at the expense of around twice the weight. Even so, the speaker is still an easy one‑handed lift. It would probably be wise to add a sub if you intend to put instruments such as kick drum or bass guitar through the system at any kind of volume, but for general PA use, the Everse 12 speakers sound really clean. Solo artists or duos playing smaller pub gigs could easily get by with a single Everse speaker.
The sound quality on offer here is impressive.
The battery powering option might get you out of a bind in a power cut, but really comes into its own for outdoor events such as garden parties, village fetes and serious busking. In my tests I couldn’t detect any difference in performance between running from mains or from the battery.
The quality of the onboard effects is impressive; there are a few that are less likely to be used in a typical live scenario, such as the very long reverbs, but there are enough useful options that work well for vocals and acoustic instruments. The anti‑feedback system also proved useful in eliminating offensive ringing. If you are using an external mixer, you can turn off all the onboard effects and processing in the master settings menu.
While there are cheaper two‑way 12 inch ‘box’ speakers, this one comes with the Electro‑Voice pedigree and is clearly very well engineered. It sounds clean, it plays reasonably loudly and it offers a wide enough selection of effects to meet most needs. While battery power adds to the price, it does mean the you can enjoy uncompromising performance away from a mains power supply when you need it.
Summary
The Everse 12 is portable, delivers high‑quality sound with a good range of effects and has a battery powering option for when you need it. The control app is also easy to navigate.
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