Trying to decide between LB Mini, CP8 or K8.2?

[Shredmaster007]

Which would you choose or not choose for practice and occasional solo gig? Vocals are my priority.

I'm leaning towards QSC, although I do like the LB Mini's simplicity and cost.

[JWJ915]

K8.2. You won't be disappointed.

[jonfields45]

If you don't mind the extra weight and bulk, the K8.2 is the winner on that list.

If your guitar has volume and tone controls, or your pedal does, and reverb is not a priority, then no reason to get the amp.

I am coming up on gigging one year with a single CP8 (duo no mixer!) and it has done well for me.

The DBR10 is another good choice in the CP8 price/weight class.

[Shredmaster007]

I don't usually use reverb and I have a Takamine P5DC with the CTP-3 preamp. I use a Sennheiser 935e that has never sounded bad. Weight is not really a concern but I don't want something that takes up too much space.

Really looking for something that is as 'musical' as possible - that doesn't sound boxy or weird, but still has some push or presence to it.

So I'm thinking it will probably be the K8.2 that wins out. I do usually practice in a quiet-ish smaller room, hopefully the fan isn't too noisy?

I might try to demo at Guitar Center but it's probably not worth the effort.

[jonfields45]

The fan only runs when needed and is quiet. The CP8 is passively cooled. It might be worth the trip to GC to check the K8.2 vs. the CP8.

[Shredmaster007]

I just picked up the K8.2 from Guitar Center. I liked it a good bit more than the CP12 next to it - seemed more articulate, tighter bottom end and more airy (playing my recorded guitar & vocals.) Hopefully it does as well at home.

Now gonna have to decide between an AH Zed FX or a soundcraft Notepad FX.

[guitarman68]

Congrats, the K8.2 is an incredibly well designed and great sounding piece of gear. Best sounding speaker I used in thirty years.

[bobbyg67]

i use a qsc 10 with a redeye preamp and a soundcraft efx8 mixer. never ran into anything it couldn't handle. especially for solo gigs. i like the mixer for vocals even though i run guitar through it also. when i play with other guys just add the other qsc10. also have a cp8 that we can use as a monitor in a band situation. can't go wrong with any qsc and a mixer in my opinion.

[Shredmaster007]

Well the K8.2 sounds great at home. But the fan is much louder than I thought it would be - easily audible from 10-15 ft away. Thinking I might need to try the CP8 instead.

[wweiss]

You might have a defective fan
I have never heard my fan kick on in home situation with my K8.2
Call QSC see what they think

[Shredmaster007]

Originally Posted by wweiss

You might have a defective fan
I have never heard my fan kick on in home situation with my K8.2
Call QSC see what they think

Do you know if there is a control for it? I think it turned on a minute or 2 after I started to play and sing not very loud, and then it kept running for the 20 or 30 minutes I used the speaker.

[jonfields45]

I used a K10 for years and never heard the fan.

[Shredmaster007]

So needing immediate satisfaction for my weekend, I went back to GC. Sales guy swapped it out no problem. Just got home and plugged in the new one - it's completely silent and seems to sound even better than the first one

The Takamine P5DC and Sennheiser e935 straight in sound like a choir of angels - even if I don't!

[Shredmaster007]

Ugh, celebrated too soon Replacement K8.2 fan was a bit quieter but seems it comes on after 10 or 20 minutes of playing and stays on for the duration. I don't have the best hearing but it sounds like an old desktop computer or fish tank bubbler. Really doesn't work if youxre in a quiet place practicing (which is > 90% my use) obviously not a problem live. Returned it for the CP8.

[GmanJeff]

EV ZxA1. Quiet and lightweight, with EV sound and build quality.