Community M12 Stage Monitor

By Andrew Roberts

	Product Points
	Applications: Live Sound, Installations Features: Two-way; 12-inch woofer ; 2-inch high frequency driver; Tuf-Coat finish; glass fiber composite cabinet Price: $2,150 Contact: Community Loudspeakers at 610-876-3400, Web Site.

Features

The M12 cabinet is made entirely of multilayer glass composite and it weighs in at 56 pounds. It measures just 10.5 inches high, 20.75 inches deep and 21.5 inches wide. The grille is heavy gauge steel (finished in non-reflective satin black) and the cabinet is covered with an abrasion resistant, nonreflective Tuf-Coat. The cabinet is loaded with a 12-inch woofer and a 2-inch exit high frequency driver that is mounted to an asymmetrical horn that disperses a 90 degree pattern at the top and a 40 degree pattern at the bottom. The cabinet construction features hidden cable channels and recessed connectors (Neutrik NL4) that keep cables out of sight and harm's way. The M12 comes in either a biamp version or a passive/biamp switchable version with an internal crossover. The 8-ohm M12 has a stated operating range of 80 Hz - 15 kHz (±3 dB), a maximum output of 124 dB SPL, and power handling rated at 300W continuous (passive).

In Use

The M12 is a hefty, solid-feeling cabinet despite its small size. It has a distinct aerodynamic shape that should make it a winner with the cosmetically conscious crowd. The cable channels and the cable retention clips (which are locked in place by spring-loaded ball bearings) are a very handy feature that enhances the M12's sharp, professional look onstage. The cable channel was just big enough to accommodate a 4-conductor, 13-gauge wire. Using one of the parallel NL4 jacks (recessed in the bottom of the cabinet) was a tad awkward but worth the enhanced cosmetics and connector protection. I did notice a sticky substance coating the grilles of my review units -- causing them to attract lint.

I had several opportunities to use the M12s in sound reinforcement scenarios after I did a little EQing and crossover tweaking to get the boxes optimized for use. Subjectively, I found them to generally sound best with a moderate midrange dip in the EQ and the crossover point set around 1.2 kHz. I used QSC power amps that were rated well above the listed power handling of the cabinets. The M12's sweet spot is back about five feet from the box with a reasonable horizontal coverage area. As a drum fill the M12 did well but had trouble reproducing the kick and floor tom (no surprise with a 12-inch woofer). At a press conference, I used the M12 as a podium monitor to send incoming phone calls and audience Q&A to the keynote speaker(s). It received accolades from the production crew for its sleek look and robust sound. Live music is where the M12 shines best. It is a powerful little cabinet that can really project on a noisy stage- allowing vocalists to be heard in the presence of loud guitars and banging drums. While it has the sonic punch and cabinet durability to operate in a rock music environment, its low profile doesn't promote the classic one foot on the wedge, "Rock God" posturing. Oh, well, all goofy things must come to an end.

Summary

The Community M12 is a well-designed and finely crafted stage monitor. It has a sleek look that will make it welcome in worship houses (it's available in white too), theatrical events and concert stages. Fortunately, it is as sonically competent as it is pretty. At $ 2,150 each, these speakers are by no means cheap. They are serious contenders in the high-end, low-profile monitor class and should be strongly considered for such duty.

Andrew Roberts, a regular contributor to Pro Audio Review, is a sound reinforcement and recording engineer.