UNDER THE HOOD: QSC\u2019S CP POWERED LOUDSPEAKER SERIES

Most MI retailers and consumers alike know QSC as a manufacturer of powered loudspeakers and subwoofers for live sound. For those seeking a powered loudspeaker that is lightweight and provides performance, quality, reliability and an ultra-compact form factor at a value price point, QSC’s CP Series is definitely an option.

The CP Series, intended for both portable and installed applications, comprises two twoway models, the CP8 and CP12. Both models feature an efficient 1,000-watt Class-D power module, one-touch preset DSP contours for the most common sound reinforcement applications, and line, mic/line and 3.5 mm stereo inputs. Each can also be pole-mounted, utilized as a floor monitor, or deployed in a fixed or temporary installation. Available accessories include carrying tote, outdoor cover and quick-connect yoke mount. The CP8 retails for $499.99, while the CP12 retails for $629.99.

The CP Series represents everything consumers enjoy about QSC products in a compact, highly portable box. “It’s the perfect loudspeaker to sell to the first-time audio buyer, as well as the more seasoned buyer looking to add to their rig. It’s easy to use, easy to set up, and like all QSC products, sounds great. Its performance really belies its size and weight and it is flexible for so many applications. And of course, it’s incredibly reliable, making it easy to sell and feel good about,” Ray van Straten, senior director, global marketing for QSC, told the Music & Sound Retailer.

The CP Series certainly was not conceived overnight. Producing a high quality, powered loudspeaker at an excellent price point proved to be quite a challenge and was elusive for a period of time for the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based company. “It’s been difficult for us to sit on the sidelines and not have anything to offer in the sub-$500 range,” noted van Straten. “We sat it out, not because we didn’t want to play there, but because we didn’t know how to do it and still stay true to our brand values. A couple of years ago, we added some amazing people to our engineering, sourcing and manufacturing teams and we figured out how to create a value-priced loudspeaker that still ticked all the QSC attributes for performance, quality and reliability. With CP, we now have a great product that introduces QSC to a whole new audience, while also providing a really unique selling proposition for existing customers who want to add to their existing setups without spending much.”

Added van Straten: “It sounds simple, but what we choose to build is largely driven by our long-term product strategy, our ability to execute on the product plan and, of course, our expectations for return on investment. While many brands opt for making as many new or derivative things as they can and seeing what sticks, we’re very deliberate in our approach and seek to ‘go for the win’ with every new release. What is also thoroughly understood within our walls is that every product must meet our brand standards for performance, quality and reliability. At the end of the day, it says ‘QSC’ on the product and that needs to mean something.”

The CP Series launched on Oct. 1, so QSC has had plenty of time to analyze feedback from MI retailers and consumers alike. Thus far, the company has been quite pleased with what it has heard. “Many dealers tell us that this product is destined to be ‘the K Series of value-priced loudspeakers.’ They are finding them easy to demo and easily win the point-of-sale in the stores,” van Straten said. “End-user sentiment is also quite good, and actually, I’ve heard a few customers communicate that they almost feel like they stole something by getting way more for the money than they thought they would. Across the board, I think the most commonly heard remarks have to do with the products’ performance, given the incredibly compact form factor and weight. It’s really a great box.”

Although MI retailers may choose to sell the CP Series in a pro-audio section, van Straten said the CP8 can really ring the register in another section in your store as well: guitars. “Guitar amp dealers know that there is a growing movement among guitarists to utilize modeling amplifiers, whether as pedals, rack-mount, computer plug-in, etc. Modeling amps need quality FRFR (full range, flat response) powered loudspeakers to help deliver their sound on stage. Due to its compact size, high output and FRFR capabilities, the little CP8 is finding its way into the rigs of guitarists at a rapidly increasing pace. I would highly encourage dealers to merchandise the CP8 in ‘Guitar Land’ and see the joy on guitarists’ faces as they explore amp modeling technology through the CP,” concluded van Straten.

By Brian Berk