PK Sound

A

Aaron Kovacik

Freshman
Aug 7, 2012
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0
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Hey guys,

I've got a tour coming through with some "pk sound" boxes, the VX12s.(VX12 - High Power Line Array - PK Sound) I was just curious if anyone has used or heard these and how they compare to other proven "big boy" boxes, such as vdosc, d&b J, etc. They boast some nice specs on the site, but don't specify any measurement methods or list any response charts, frequency, polar, or otherwise. Just curious how they play in the real world.

Thanks,
Aaron
 
Re: PK Sound

Here's an article from a DJ magazine. They look as though they primarily cater to EDM type events.

PK Sound was started roughly a decade ago by company President Jeremy Bridge (aka bass music producer Subvert) and 7 other friends. Being drum and bass and breakbeat aficionados as well as DJ’s, Jeremy and the others noticed a major hole in the sound industry. Namely, that they were all into a form of music that wasn’t being catered to by the audio world. Jeremy was already balls deep into a love affair with music and audio in general. Being a car audio guy first, Jeremy had already won dozens of car audio competitions across Alberta. Wanting to hear the same caliber of sound at an electronic show was the catalyst that spawned PK. The guys got to work designing, constructing and promoting, and as a result PK has exploded across Western North America catering to the electronic generation. Despite humble beginnings, the company has grown into a substantial sound mammoth housing 8 full-time employees and 16-20 contractors in 2 shops, spanning a combined area of over 14,000 square feet. There are also currently several interns participating in PK Sound Specialist Audio Training, an educational system covering the basics of sound.
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Re: PK Sound

"Being a car audio guy first, Jeremy had already won dozens of car audio competitions across Alberta. Wanting to hear the same caliber of sound at an electronic show was the catalyst that spawned PK."

In a nutshell, so to speak.
 
Re: PK Sound

Gary Phillips said:
"Being a car audio guy first, Jeremy had already won dozens of car audio competitions across Alberta. Wanting to hear the same caliber of sound at an electronic show was the catalyst that spawned PK."

In a nutshell, so to speak.
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How do they create the car audio rattle in their pro gear? Do they offer different models - dashboard, exhaust pipe, hood, fender?
 
Re: PK Sound

Wasn't it these award winning car audio guys who brought the "flatulence factor" into play when discussing low frequency sound reproduction? Oh, for reference, the involved science is called "flatology". I mean I can imagine the gibes, "Yo Dude, someone must have put beans in your gas tank, your ride is farting like a Texas twister."
 
Re: PK Sound

Hey Aaron,

Great to see some of our gear coming through your neck of the woods. I hope you have time to chat with the gents on tour and play with it so that you can complete your own review. I'd love to hear any feedback you might have as we are always trying to improve our products and really appreciate suggestions from people like yourself. Shoot me an email to [email protected] after the show =]

It seems obvious that an article in DJ mag is to lean towards EDM and I'm proud to say my younger years were spent making loud car stereo's, it was a fun hobby. In fact there are some car stereos out there that have amazing fidelity. Anyways that was a long time ago, not all of use came strait from the womb with golden ears and a PM5D. We all walk a different path and mine led to loving pro audio too. :D~:-D~:grin:

There are some interesting comments here about asses.....I'm not really into that nor do I have time to address them lol


To be honest I haven't checked out these forums before now, it seems like a great community ill have to check out more often.

Jeremy Bridge P.Eng
PK Sound
 
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Re: PK Sound

I gave the guy a like for coming on here and responding nicely. If he sticks around maybe he can answer some of the forums technical questions.
Oh what the hell am I doing in Varsity..back to the basement.
 
Re: PK Sound

I'm sure many of us have very unique and diverse backgrounds, and somehow we caught the pro audio bug, I'm certainly no exception!! :) I don't want to stray too far OT, but at last year's Calgary Smaart class I had a bunch of guys from PK Audio attending the class, they brought along a couple of their subs. I wish we had more time to measure them, however it's a challenge getting through all the material I want to teach in 3 days! They seemed a very savvy and bright crew, hopefully one of these days I'll get to hear and evaluate one of their systems, they seem to be well established in their market in Western Canada. Good to see you here Jeremy!
 
Re: PK Sound

Also, perhaps the reason they were described as being all boom and sizzle was due to the source material being pumped through them. Garbage in; garbage out.
 
Re: PK Sound

Aaron Kovacik said:
Hey guys,

I've got a tour coming through with some "pk sound" boxes, the VX12s.(VX12 - High Power Line Array - PK Sound) I was just curious if anyone has used or heard these and how they compare to other proven "big boy" boxes, such as vdosc, d&b J, etc. They boast some nice specs on the site, but don't specify any measurement methods or list any response charts, frequency, polar, or otherwise. Just curious how they play in the real world.

Thanks,
Aaron
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I have heard the PK sound tour "rig" on many occasions. It was horrible every time. About the only claim to fame that these boxes can make is that they are Bassnectar's "tour" system. Which is fitting, since Bassnectar only plays terrible dubstep now, so it doesn't really matter what the sound system is comprised of. The subs can only play one distorted note and the tops have absolutely no midrange power at all.

Be sure to ask the "inventor" which patents he ripped off from others to make his sub boxes. PK audio is one step above some crackhead with a tablesaw in his garage. Every single time I have done a stage next to the PK "tour" system, (with my DAS Aero line array) I have been flabbergasted by the sheer amount of distorted crap that these garbage cans spew into the audience and the absolute lack of anything resembling vocals or instruments. Even at large events such as Burningman, where one would assume that a company would want the system to sound good--it was still total junk (complete with broken, rattling subs as well)



My recommendation: Listen to them at the same time a real system is set up so you can hear just how bad they really are. At least you will get a laugh.
 
Re: PK Sound

Aaron Kovacik said:
Hey guys,

I've got a tour coming through with some "pk sound" boxes, the VX12s.(VX12 - High Power Line Array - PK Sound) I was just curious if anyone has used or heard these and how they compare to other proven "big boy" boxes, such as vdosc, d&b J, etc. They boast some nice specs on the site, but don't specify any measurement methods or list any response charts, frequency, polar, or otherwise. Just curious how they play in the real world.

Thanks,
Aaron
Click to expand...

To be fair I have never heard a full proper long line of PK. I have however had them supply audio at a few of my shows (datsik, excision, skrillex, etc). The subs have always come in large numbers (18+ dual 18's for a 2000 person room). Sub steering / deployment every time was a little bad. Huge power alley with little coverage off axis. The tops didn't impress me either. Lacking in punch/slap. It was loud - but not a full clear sound like some other audio systems I use regularly. I accept PK for what it is.. a loud dubstep soundsystem.
 
Re: PK Sound

Datsik just came through my venue with 4 per side of PK 2x18's. I loved them. I loved them because I didn't have to subject my 2x21 Fulcrum subs to incredible duty cycle dubstep music. Did they sound good. From the basement with earplugs in they sounded muffled and far away....
 
Re: PK Sound

Jeff Kenney said:
To be fair I have never heard a full proper long line of PK. I have however had them supply audio at a few of my shows (datsik, excision, skrillex, etc). The subs have always come in large numbers (18+ dual 18's for a 2000 person room). Sub steering / deployment every time was a little bad. Huge power alley with little coverage off axis. The tops didn't impress me either. Lacking in punch/slap. It was loud - but not a full clear sound like some other audio systems I use regularly. I accept PK for what it is.. a loud dubstep soundsystem.
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"datsik, excision, skrillex, etc"

I truly hope that these bands and their audiences have a good time together. As far as I can tell, audio QUALITY is not a particularly high priority in their enjoyment. As long as its loud and overbearingly bassy, they're happy.

It is a "social contract" between band and listener. If they all have a good time and no one gets hurt, go ahead.

But DON'T try to tell me that its "GOOD sound"
 
Re: PK Sound

Skrillex definitely notices when he is supplied with a quality PA and monitoring system. It is certainly about large LF output, but the requirements for the rest of the PA are reasonable - perhaps less than your average rock act. Whether you like it or not is up to you, of course, but judging from the attendees it helps if you do a lot of drugs first (of course, you could say the same about many genres near and dear to my heart).
 
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