Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker 

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

I bought these in 2010 to use as mains and they have been very reliable as mains/monitors for both live events and rehearsals. Very durable hard plastic cabinets. I've started to get some distortion from 1 of the 2 and a local repair shop could not identify the problem as it only happens periodically. I no longer use them as mains but I use 1 as a personal monitor for my vocals (connected directly to a Boss VE-20 vocal pedal). I've used these speakers for an MP3/CD player using the RCA line in and even as surround sound for TV. They have been loaded and unloaded dozens of times and I even turned one over while on a speaker stand, it did damage the XLR input but that's because a cable was connected. If your on a budget or just don't want to spend more, get these. Oh and when using for live performance I use an external mixer.

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

Very happy with this product!

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

I had this speaker for 3 years in my practic room.
I can say it works fine for me. I only used it once for outside gig. not bad, I wouldn't want to use it on a regularly basic outside. For small gig 100 people it's fine. Don't expect a low end speaker to do what a high end speaker will do. For the price, buy it, it's fine.

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

I wanted a simple and portable PA for smaller gigs.

After comparing other powered speakers in this price range, the features that sold me on the Harbinger are:

- THREE inputs - 2 for microphone and 1 line level.
- A nice, simple mixer - 3 volumes and a Master
- A Graphic EQ

With the EQ set flat, the system sounds like it's been voiced for full-range music - very rich and full. If you play recorded music from a CD player or MP3 player through this, it's going to sound like a really nice home audio speaker, only louder.

When I plugged in my microphone, I cut the EQ on the low end (250hz) and raised the highs (6Khz)a little to get a nice, crisp vocal sound.

I run my microphone through a Helicon VoiceTone Create, straight into the Harbinger. It sounds VERY good!

I already owned a larger PA, with 3-way speakers and an 8-channel powered mixer head. If I had it do over, I'd buy one of these instead, because it sounds just as good and is SO simple to use! Plug into the wall, plug in the microphone, and you're ready to go.

For the kinds of solo gigs I play, I've never had it over halfway up. A larger or louder act, like a band or DJ, would probably want to use two of them. Start with one and see what you think.

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

I expected more volume from these 12 " monitors (I have two). They are in my jam room and both clip easily. The first one had an actual box/packaging while the second came in a plain brown box--was this a remanufactured monitor??

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

In the right applications these will perform adequately. Will not take anything over half volume before clipping light comes on. Now that said they are very loud at half volume but do not have any reserve. Keep in mind they are only rated at 150 watts and the included booklet gives a spec of 125 RMS and I would say this is a more accurate description of the useful power. I bought 4 of these for floor monitors. I play in a Christian contemporary band and also use these as portable mains and they do the job very well for vocals and play back music. Very light weight, quick and easy to set up. I did not go with the APS15's because of the difference in size. I needed portability. For what they are they sound great. As soon as I unpackaged them I set all four up and cranked some playback music to the point of the clip light popping on at the loud transients. Left them burn in at this level for 24 hours. There was a smell from the heat sinks as they do get very warm under heavy load but after the break in period the smell went away. That is not unusual for this type of equipment. I saw earlier reviews about a burning smell and people returning them for that reason. You have plastic cabinets and aluminium heat sinks that were painted black and there sole function is to pull heat away from the power transistors in the cabinet. I teach electronics and that is to be expected. They should probably explain that in the literature. After the break in period the smell will go away.
Now as far as performance again apples to apples these are not high end Mackie's or QSC's but I give them high marks for sound quality in their price range. The 5 band EQ is OK but I find leaving the EQ flat or rolling the low frequency off (250HZ) a little and using the EQ from the mixer was the best combination. The last venue was a room with 300 people having dinner. I had a vocalist and keyboard player with 2 of these for mains on stands and 2 as floor monitors. Then a stand-up comic during the breaks. Everywhere in the room the vocals were very clear and intelligible. If you're a metal band with very loud music these will not fit the bill. I'd say great for rehearsal rooms small venues and light weight portability simple controls. I have only had these 2 months so long term reliability is still an unknown.

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

We have used it at all different types of Functions and it has been wonderful everytime. Also it has so many uses stand alone or to add to our other equipment.

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

Bought 4 of these. 2 had dead horns right out of the box, 1 sounded out of phase, and 1 worked great. The 1 that worked sounded really good, but with 75% of my purchase being defective, I returned them all and bought JBL speakers. Spend the extra money and get better speakers... you get what you pay for!

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

I bought 4 at the SDOTD price. Really outstanding bargain, with free shipping.

They sound good, with surprisingly full range. They are not, however, high-output cabs.

I get by with them up FOH with a loud drummer by using a limiter in front of them. This is pretty crucial, as there is no clip limiting onboard.

They lay on their sides well for stage monitor use. I use them most often for this. There are 1/4" phone and XLR ins for the 2 mic channels, but XLR and RCA jacks only for the line ins.

I found cheap wheeled duffel bags that these fit into nicely.

Comments about Harbinger APS12 12" Powered PA Speaker:

too much hum/noise denoting BAD design and/or manufacturing quality. when opened, discovered silicone was used to tie down wire connections. power transformer NOT shielded which adds to hum/noise. woofer/tweeter wired out of phase. i had to correct this. bought it on a lark at for cheap. you get what you pay for...........